How do I give Remote Access to a Windows Server?

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On this page:

  • Overview
  • Enable Remote Desktop
  • Connect to your machine
    • On Windows
    • On Mac
  • Connect via EWA Remote Desktop Gateway
    • On Windows
    • On Mac

Overview

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection allows you to access a Windows computer from a different location as if you were sitting in front of it. Remote Desktop Connection comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and is available for free through the iOS and Mac App Store.

You can also use this method to connect to a remote computer through the EWA Remote Desktop Gateway.

Enable Remote Desktop

To set up the computer to which you would like to connect:

  1. Enable the Remote Desktop feature on the computer you wish to access (the host):

    Note:

    This requires administrative rights. If you need to add this access on an Indiana University computer and do not have administrative credentials, contact your IT Pro for assistance.

    1. Select your options for allowing connections from other computers.
    2. To choose which users will have remote access, select . Typically, all administrators of the computer will have access by default. Each user must have a password before you can allow remote access.
    3. Select .
  2. Find your host computer's machine name. To do so, on the machine to which you are connecting, select the Windows search icon (the magnifying glass next to the Windows icon). Enter PC name, and then select . The name will be listed next to "Device name."
  3. Enable Remote Desktop inbound rules in Windows Firewall:
    1. Search for Windows Firewall, and select to open it.
    2. On the left, choose .
    3. From the left pane of the resulting window, select .
    4. In the right pane, locate the following rules:
      • Remote Desktop - Shadow (TCP-In)
      • Remote Desktop - User Mode (TCP-In)
      • Remote Desktop - User Mode (UDP-In)
    5. Right-click each rule and choose .

Connect to your machine

Notes:

  • Unless you're connecting via the EWA Remote Desktop Gateway, you'll need a VPN connection if you are off campus connecting to a computer on campus, or if you are on campus connecting to your home computer in campus housing. Alternatively, from your web browser, you can use the Remote Desktop application in IUanyWare, located in the "Utilities" section.
  • All Student Technology Center (STC) workstations running Windows have the Remote Desktop Connection client installed. You cannot connect to an STC computer using Remote Desktop, but you can connect from an STC computer to your host computer.

On Windows

  1. Select the Windows search icon (the magnifying glass next to the Windows icon). Enter mstsc or Remote Desktop Connection, and then select in the search results.
  2. To adjust connection settings such as screen size, login information, availability of local hard drives and printers, or keyboard and sound behavior, select . If you need to use audio, be sure to go to and select and .
  3. In the "Computer:" field, type the entire name or IP address of your host computer (you can find it in your computer or system properties).

    Note:

    If you want to connect to a remote computer through the EWA Remote Desktop Gateway, skip to the Windows instructions below and start with step 2.

  4. Select .
  5. Log into the host computer if needed. The credentials for an IU machine will be ads\username (where username is your IU username) and your IU passphrase.
  6. When you are finished, in the "Remote Desktop Connection" window, select , select the person icon on the left, and then choose .

On Mac

  1. On your Mac, go to the App Store and install Microsoft Remote Desktop 10. On an IU-managed machine, you may also be able to open Self Service (select the magnifying glass at the top right of your screen, then type self service) and install Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 from there.
  2. Select the (plus sign) at the top of the window and select . (Alternatively, select .)
  3. In the "PC Name" field, enter your computer name. At the end of the computer name, add:
    .ads.iu.edu
  4. Select .
  5. Choose , and then check the local devices to which you will need access when using your remote computer. You can also select and customize display settings as desired.

    Note:

    If you want to connect to a remote computer through the EWA Remote Desktop Gateway, skip to the Mac instructions below and start with step 2.

  6. Double-click the newly saved desktop.
  7. When prompted for your credentials, enter ads\username (using your IU username) and your IU passphrase.
  8. If you see a warning about connecting to the RDP host, select .

Connect via EWA Remote Desktop Gateway

Follow the appropriate steps below to connect to a computer using the EWA Remote Desktop Gateway. A VPN connection is not required.

Notes:

  • All RDP connections made through the EWA RDP Gateway require Two-Step Login (Duo). If you haven't configured your account for use with Duo, the connection will silently fail. You can manage Duo settings in the IU Security Center.
  • EWA servers undergo routine maintenance on Sundays at 7am. If you are disconnected, you will need to reconnect to your Remote Desktop session.

On Windows

  1. Follow the steps above to open a Remote Desktop Connection and configure the workstation connection and other settings, but do not connect.
  2. Select . Select the tab, and then .
  3. Select .
  4. By "Server name:", enter:
    admin-rdgw.eas.iu.edu

    You can also check .

  5. Select , and then . If you are prompted with a security warning about the gateway, select .
  6. Authenticate to the gateway using your IU credentials (enter ads.iu.edu\username and your passphrase); a Duo push will also be sent to your phone (unless you do not have a smartphone enrolled, in which case you will receive a phone call). Note that the interface will not indicate that a Duo notification was sent; the connection will simply hang until you approve it.

On Mac

  1. Follow the steps above to configure the workstation connection and other settings.
  2. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop. Select the gear at the top, and then choose .
  3. Select , and then select the (plus sign).
  4. Beside "Gateway name:", enter:
    admin-rdgw.eas.iu.edu
  5. Select .
  6. Create an RDP connection for your workstation (or edit an existing one), select the gateway connection that you created beside "Gateway:", and then select . For details on creating a connection, see the instructions above.
  7. Double-click the connection to connect to it.
  8. Authenticate using ads.iu.edu\username and your IU passphrase. A Duo push will also be sent to your phone (unless you do not have a smartphone enrolled, in which case you will receive a phone call). Note that the interface will not indicate that a Duo notification was sent; the connection will simply hang until you approve it. If you are then prompted with a security warning about the gateway, select .

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Last modified on 2022-11-16 10:53:23.