connecting to the staff desktop service
TRANSCRIPT
Access your programs and files just like you were in the office
Connecting to the Staff Desktop Service
Get Setup
The first step to use our Remote Connection service is to check that you have the free Remote Desktop Connection software on your system.
Windows XP and Vista: Built-In: Located in “Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > Remote Desktop Connection”.
To get the best experience you should try and install the latest version (7.0) from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=72158b4e-b527-45e4-af24-d02938a95683&displaylang=en or by following the download link on the Information Services Website, bris.ac.uk/staffdesktop
Windows 7 : Already Built-In: Version 7 is located in the “All Programs > Accessories” folder.
Apple Mac OS X – You will need to download the free RDP for Mac 2.0 Connection software from Microsoft. The program installs into the Utilities area. See:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/otherproducts/otherproducts.aspx?pid=remotedesktopclient
Connecting
The simplest way to connect is to visit the My Bristol
Portal www.bristol.ac.uk/mybristol or go to
the Information Services web pages and save or open our ready to use connection file – it only takes a single click! The web page to download from is:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/staffdesktop
Click “Open” or “Save” the file and then click to connect! If you prefer, you can also manually load Remote Desktop Connection, as outlined in step one. Type the address below into the long white box labelled “Computer”, including the full stops. Click the “Connect” button to begin.
Staffdesktopservice.cse.bris.ac.uk
In Firefox you will see a different window:
Simply choose “Open with” and click on the OK button; there is no need to browse for an application to open the file with. If you have saved the file, then you can open it from the saved location.
UOB\username i.e. UOB\11380 Your password is the UOB password that you use for systems and email on campus; and is case sensitive. Click OK when you have provided the information and you will be connected to the system.
On some Apple Systems, you will see a third “Domain” box – please make sure that this contains “UOB” and enter your normal username and password in the first two boxes Your password is the UOB password that you use for systems and email on campus; and is case sensitive. Click OK when you have provided the information and you will be connected to the system.
If you have a printer connected to the computer you are using to remotely connect, then this will automatically be made available as the default printer in your Remote Session. Most printer types are supported and printing will appear just as if you were working on your own PC. You can also find and print to University based printers; for may see the main printer for your department made available on the system automatically; but it will not be the default – you will need to select it. If you printer to a University printer, you must ensure that the data is not confidential, as it will output on that device and could potentially be collected or viewed by other members of staff.
There are a range of other options that can be set in the Remote Desktop Connection application – these will normally only need to be changed if you are trying to get faster performance or perform troubleshooting. Click on the “Options” text in the Remote Desktop Connection window to show all of the settings tabs. The most useful options can be found in “Display” and “Experience”. If you have a slow connection, click on “Desktop” and lower the slider to either 1024x768 or 800x600 pixels. You should then click on “Experience” and choose “Low Speed Broadband” from the options shown. If you have a fast connection, you will probably want to connect with “full screen” and “High Speed Broadband” settings enabled. You will not see a desktop background / picture unless this option is ticked in
the “Experience” options.
2) If prompted, please make sure you allow your Firewall to permit Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) to access the internet, so it can connect to the University systems – this will us port 3389 if your firewall software has to be manually configured
3) Make sure you have downloaded are the most current version of the Remote Desktop Connection software. At the moment, this is RDC 7.0 for Windows XP and Vista and RDC 2.0 for MAC OS-X. Windows 7 has the most current software built in.
4) If you are prompted for your logon details, remember you may need to use the format UOB\yourusername, not just the username itself.
5) Choose a smaller desktop size to speed up the performance of the remote connection – the larger the screen size you have when connected, the more information needs to be sent and the slower the service may seem
6) Try connecting over a wired connection rather than a wireless link if possible
7) Printers may not be available if you use older versions of the Remote Desktop Connection software. Try and update this; if your home printer still does not appear, it may not be compatible with the University system.
Contact the IT help desk if you need further help or information
First Floor, Computer Centre – Next to the Arts & Social Sciences Library Tel: +44 (0) 117 92 87870 or internal 87870 (free internal call) Email: [email protected] Open for visitors: 8.30am - 5.30pm, weekdays