RDP to an SFU Windows system
Overview
To safely connect to a Windows system on SFU wired network, please follow the instructions on this page. We have tried to incorporate the changes suddenly put in place on April 26th, 2021. If you have any comments and/or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.
Some terminologies used on this page:
username: your SFU Computing ID
FQDN: fully qualified domain name (including DNS suffix)
RDP: Remote Desktop Protocol; sometimes, it is also called Remote Desktop Connection
- RDP into a Windows system on SFU network
- A few tips and Q&As
- I don't hear sound while RDP to an SFU Windows system. How to fix this?
- I would like to use webcam on my device in my RDP session. How should I proceed?
- May I use the Remote Desktop App on my Windows 10 box for RDP to an SFU Windows system?
- How to sign-in to an SFU Windows system from a Mac system?
- How to sign-in to an SFU Windows system from an iPad?
- How to sign-in to an SFU Windows system from a Linux system?
- I suddenly lost connection to SFU VPN then cannot connect back; what I should do?
- I Don't Have Access To SFU VPN; How To RDP To An SFU Windows System?
About the all important SFU VPN and SFU MFA
To strengthen IT security, IT Services of SFU have implemented Virtual Private Network. It is now available for all SFU faculty, staff, graduate students and CMPT undergraduate students.
SFU VPN is mandatory for RDP into on-campus systems off-campus.
Please sign up for SFU MFA (Multi Factor Authentication) asap - it is mandatory for all SFU users now.
Other students, volunteers, unpaid interns, visitors, retirees and alumni do not have SFU VPN access; but we might obtain it by request where it is needed in support of our school activities. The supervisors could make such request via helpdesk@cs.sfu.ca.
The Basic Guides
How to remote sign-in to a Windows system on SFU network?
To secure SFU networks,
- SFU VPN is mandatory for faculty, staff and graduate students. Use of the SFU VPN requires SFU MFA.
- The undergraduate students of CMPT: SFU VPN is now avalable - use it now!
-
The default port for Remote Desktop (RDP) has been disabled, and non-standard ports are in use.
Please remember the current different port number and keep it a secret:
- for Undergraduate students, please login to get the portnum.
- for Graduate Students and Researchers, please visit this site.
- for Faculty and Staff, please login here.
Be sure the SFU VPN is connected on your device while making the RDP connection.
For example, from your Windows laptop, you can run the following (in Command Prompt) to connect to your office Windows workstation (update the "myworkstation" first) when connected to the SFU VPN:
mstsc /v:myworkstation.cmpt.sfu.ca:portnum
(username: ad.sfu.ca\username)
* Important * be sure to use the FQDN of the remote system, here are some examples:
- cs-xyz01.cmpt.sfu.ca
- abc6001-a02.csil.sfu.ca
- a server you use in another department: host1.dept1.sfu.ca
Need RDP into CSIL workstations and CSIL Windows Terminal Server?
For all CMPT users (all are SFU VPN users), please click here.
Step by step guide: create an RDP connection to use with SFU VPN
Here we use "myworkstation.cmpt.sfu.ca" as the hostname. Replace it with the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) of your remote Windows system. See here for CSIL workstation connections.
We use Windows Remote Desktop Connections (legacy application) as our example. The instructions will be very similar with other applications and on other platforms.
For faculty, staff and students of CMPT: Be sure the SFU VPN is connected on your device before making the RDP connection.
Launch Remote Desktop Connections (two ways):
- Click Windows Start button, key in "Remote", "Remote Desktop Connections" app shows up; click to run it.
- or: run mstsc without any parameters.
a window like this shows:
Key in the values in the highlighted fields:
hostname: the FQDN of the remote Windows system you want to connect to with the special port number.
username: use the format “ad.sfu.ca\username”.
special note: for other RD client applications, there might be different ways to specify username.
Click the tab "General", click button "Save As..."
Key in a name to reflect the remote Windows system for future use.
You could save this "rdp" file anywhere you want, but it is recommended to place in a folder you will use regularly; for example, the "Desktop".
Click button "Save".
Now, we are back to the first window, click button "Connect";
If a security warning window shows, (claims identity of the remote computer cannot be verified), ignore it by clicking "Yes". You can check "Don't ask me again for connections to this computer".
Now, a "Windows Security" window shows - with the name of the remote Windows system:
Type in the password for your SFU Computing ID.
Make sure that "Remember me" is UNCHECKED.
Safety caution: never save password on a mobile device.
Click button "OK" and the connection will be made.
Guides, Tips and Q&As
I don't hear sound while RDP to an SFU Windows system. How to fix this?
First of all, please make sure to unmute the speakers on the remote workstation and unmute the speakers on your own device.
Now, right click the RDP file you are using, select "Edit"; then click the tab "Local Resources"; a window like this shows:
Click button "Settings...".
Now, make sure the radio button is checked for "Play on this computer".
Click "OK" a few times to save the settings for future use.
done.
I would like to use webcam on my device in my RDP session. How should I proceed?
Preparation:
please make sure you have successfully made the RDP connection to your workstation and saved the rdp file.
make a copy of this rdp file, rename it so it is clear the webcam is in-use.
Now, right click this new RDP file, select "Edit"; then click the tab "Local Resources"; a window like this shows:
Click button "More...", a new dialog box shows:
Now, select (check) proper webcam on your laptop and click button "OK" to close this dialog box.
Click button "Save" so the new settings are ready for future use.
Test and done.
May I use the Remote Desktop App on my Windows 10 box for RDP to an SFU Windows system?
NO.
We have received many reports from people who have frustrating experience with the "Remote Desktop" App from Microsoft Corporation.
Thus, avoid this app if you can.
We recommend the command "mstsc" for all your RDP needs on a Windows 10 box.
How to logon to an SFU Windows system from a Mac system
The Preparation:
You must have Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 app installed on your Mac system. Please search for "Microsoft Remote Desktop" in the App Store and follow the instructions to get its latest version installed.
Get SFU VPN installed and configured on your Mac.
* important *: be sure to use the FQDN of the remote Windows system you want to connect - replace the portion "myworkstation.cmpt.sfu.ca".
The Steps:
be sure the SFU VPN is connected on your Mac while making the RDP connection.
launch the app Microsoft Remote Desktop; key in the following information:
Connection name: my workstation
PC name: myworkstation.cmpt.sfu.ca:portnum
use one of the following methods for credential:
User Account: ad.sfu.ca\username
Password: my SFU Mail password
If the remote system is shared, please sign-out instead of disconnecting after you finish using this system.
How to logon to an SFU Windows system from iPad
Method #1
The Preparation:
On the iPad, from the App Store, download & install the free app "Microsoft Remote Desktop" (vendor: the Microsoft) - please be sure to use version 10 or higher.
Get SFU VPN installed and configured on your iPad.
* important *: be sure to use the FQDN of the remote Windows system you want to connect - replace the portion "myworkstation.cmpt.sfu.ca".
Launch "Microsoft Remote Desktop" (aka RD Client), create & save a new connection like this:
Connection name: my workstation
PC name: myworkstation.cmpt.sfu.ca:portnum
User name: ad.sfu.ca\username
Please leave the "Password" field blank - never save your password!
Making the connection:
Now, you could start to connect, use your SFU Mail password to sign in. Please be sure the SFU VPN is connected on your device while making the RDP connection.
Method #2
Alternative: You may use the (free) PocketCloud app on the iPad.
launch the PocketCloud app; create a connection with the following information:
Nickname: myworkstation
Host: myworkstation.cmpt.sfu.ca:portnum
User name: username
Domain: ad.sfu.ca
The other fields could be left as-is; and leave the "Password" field blank - never save your password!
Now, click Connect buttton to establish the connection - use your SFU Mail password to sign in.
A gental reminder: if the remote system is shared, please sign out instead of disconnecting after you finish using this system.
How to Sign-in to an SFU Windows system from a Linux system
Please be sure you have an RDP client tool on your Linux system. We use Remmina as example here - please see the images for details.
A few important points:
- be sure SFU VPN is connected on your Linux system
- be sure to use the FQDN of the remote Windows system you want to connect - replace the portion "myworkstation.cmpt.sfu.ca:portnum"
-
be sure to specify "ad.sfu.ca" as the domain
- be sure to leave the password field BLANK, never save your password
When I remote desktop to a Windows system from my Mac, it stuck at "Negotiating Credentials..."; what should I do?
This happens when an old version of Microsoft Remote Desktop is used to make the connection.
Solution:
Please upgrade your Mac system with latest Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 app. Please search for "Microsoft Remote Desktop" in the App Store and follow the instructions to get its latest version installed.
I suddenly lost connection to SFU VPN then cannot connect back; what I should do?
For most cases, please try the following steps:
right click the ForiClient icon in the system notification area, then select "Shutdown FortiClient".
then, re-launch FortiClient VPN tool and attempt to re-connect to SFU VPN.
(if it says there is an existing SFU VPN connection, use the new connection to replace it.)
If this method does not work, please wait for 10 minutes and try again.
Of course, you could report the issue to IT people using Microsoft Teams or submit a ticket.
Having comments, suggestions, inquiries and more questions? Contact us!
Please click here and use the best practices to get assistance from helpdesk.
Last updated @ 2024.12.20