Remote Computer Lab

What is the Remote Computer Lab?

 

Warner College of Natural resources provides numerous services and software through its various computer labs. However, students may find that they require the functionalities of the lab on-the-go, during lecture, or even at home. The Remote Computer Labs are virtually-hosted labs allowing access to lab software, the network drive (N-Drive), and access to a Windows operating system, all on a powerful system capable of handling intensive workloads and processing. This is a great way to continue your studies, without physically being on campus.

What software does the Remote Computer Lab provide me access to?

How does it work?

 

To help explain the Remote Computer Labs, understand that there is a host computer (our lab server and remote desktops) and the remote user (you). When you remote into a system, the host computer allows a remote user to view the contents of the host computer’s desktop over CSU’s network. The user then gains full control of the host computer. This includes the host computer’s hardware, software, and in our case, the network drive (N-Drive).

In order to be able to connect and use the Remote Computer Lab, you need to access CSU’s network. For those who are already on-campus, this just means connecting to CSU’s Wi-Fi. For students off-campus, you can use a program called Global Protect (VPN or Virtual Private Network), and in tandem with Duo (secondary authentication phone app), these two programs will allow access to CSU’s network from anywhere. Students will need to use their eID information to login to these services.

Once connected via VPN (with Duo authentication), students will use a remote desktop program (Remote Desktop Connection for Windows/Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac) to enter in the Remote Computer Lab’s address and their eID credentials to login to the lab.

Getting started…

 

To access the Warner College Computer Lab software using the remote desktop application, you will first need to install and run CSU’s VPN client, Global Protect agent software on your computer. That is available at http://gateway.colostate.edu. You will also need to set up DUO: Two Factor Authentication https://www.acns.colostate.edu/duo/

If you’re using a computer on campus, ensure that it is connected to the CSU eID wireless network. If using a borrowed lab laptop, make sure to connect to the appropriate lab wireless network.

Important

Do not save your files on the C drive of the lab cluster servers.

The lab cluster is made up of several servers, you may not get the same server every time that you log in and your files will be lost.

Save your work to the N drive, either in your N:\MyFiles folder or in the N:\Classes\workspace folder.

These folders are available from any WCNR computer that you log onto


To Connect (Windows) to the Lab Cluster Servers:

  1. Go to the Microsoft store on your computer. search for Microsoft Remote Desktop Client. Install the app on your computer.
  2. Open the remote desktop app that you just installed. Click on +Add and select PCs. In the PC name box enter labcluster16.warnercnr.colostate.edu
  3. Above the user name box click on the + to add an account. Enter colostate\”your-eID” (no quotes) and your eID password.
  4. Click on save at the bottom. This will then allow you to click on the labcluster16 server icon and connect in remotely to the servers.


To Connect (Mac OS) to the Lab Cluster Servers:

  1. Download and install Microsoft’s remote desktop client from  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/
  2. Run the remote desktop client and connect to labcluster16.warnercnr.colostate.edu (like this).
  3. Options in the RDC -> Preferences menu will allow you to access local resources from your remote Windows session.
  4. If prompted for a username and password, use colostate\”your-eID” (no quotes) and your eID password.


To Connect (Windows) to the Remote Desktop Service:

  1. Open a browser and go to https://wcnr-powderhorn.acns.colostate.edu/maps/remote-only
  2. This will give you a listing of available desktops that you can connect to
  3. Click on “Connect” for the computer that you want. A windows will pop up asking you to download the connection file. Click on download and once it is downloaded open the file.
  4. This will pop up a security warning that you are going to connect to a remote computer. Click on connect. A box will pop up asking you to log in with your user credentials. Click on more choices under the password box and verify that you are listed as colostate\”your-eID” (no quotes)If you are not then click “Use a different account”, for the user name enter colostate\”your-eID” (no quotes) and your eID password.


To Connect (Mac OS) to the Remote Desktop Service:

  1. Download and install Microsoft’s remote desktop client from  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/
  2. Open a browser and go to https://wcnr-powderhorn.acns.colostate.edu/maps/remote-only
  3. This will give you a listing of available desktops that you can connect to
  4. Click on “Connect” for the computer that you want. A windows will pop up asking you to download the connection file. Click on download and once it is downloaded open the file.
  5. This will pop up a security warning that you are going to connect to a remote computer. Click on connect. A box will pop up asking you to log in with your user credentials. Click on more choices under the password box and verify that you are listed as colostate\”your-eID” (no quotes)If you are not then click “Use a different account”, for the user name enter colostate\”your-eID” (no quotes) and your eID password.

If need assistance with getting connected please send an email to wcnr_it_support@colostate.edu