For the purposes of this document, we will cover remote desktop connections for windows hosts, using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Other methods and OS’s are coming soon.
Remote Connection Requirements
- A static IP address. These can be requested from the helpdesk.
- Grad students seeking remote access should email the helpdesk and their Advisor/Lab PI
- An account on the windows machine you wish to log into.
- A UCLA login ID (needed for VPN access)
- A computer that YOU OWN and can install remote desktop client from Microsoft
- installing this on a public computer, such as a library computer must be powered on here at UCLA
*at this time, home Linux users should consult with the helpdesk about connecting to windows hosts
Step 1: VPN
In order to access the EPSS network from off campus, you will need to tunnel your connection through the UCLA VPN. Instructions for installing and configuring the VPN are here: VPN INSTALLATION
Step 2: Enable remote desktop service
On the machine you will remotely access (this step needs to be done at the machine, not remotely) you need to allow remote access. This setting is OFF by default on windows 10.
- Navigate to (Start>Settings) and in the search bar type “Remote Desktop“
- You will see an entry called “Remote Desktop Settings“
- Click this, and flip the switch “Enable Remote Desktop” to “on“
- You will be asked to confirm this, click OK
- Once this is active, you will see two check boxes below.
- Turn ON the “Keep my PC awake for connections when it is plugged in“
- Turn OFF “make my PC discoverable on Private Networks to enable Automatic Connection from a remote device“
Step 3: User Accounts, IP address
- You need the static IP (from the helpdesk) of the computer you want to connect to. This will be a number like 169.232.144.244, or 128.97.31.89
- To get the IP of your machine, open a command prompt (search for “CMD” from start menu) and type “ipconfig” and hit enter.
- you will see a lot of output, but you are looking for the “Ethernet adapter” setting.
- write down the address listed under “IPv4 address“
You will need the user account name and password that you use to log into the computer when you are on site. Write these down on paper, you can obtain the username by clicking on (Start>Settings>Accounts).
Step 4: Connect!
- To test the connection, open the remote desktop client on the computer you want to connect with.
- If you are off campus, skip this step
- If you are testing from on campus, connect to PhySciOpen WiFi network (this will simulate an off campus connection) EDURoam will not work for testing reliably, and may cause the remote connection to work but not from off campus.
- Open the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client you installed in STEP 1 type your UCLA login id and password, then wait for the DUO authentication message.
- AFTER you are connected to the VPN, open remote desktop client. (if you have a macOS machine at home, you can download this from the app store)
- In the “computer” (or PC name on an apple device) field, type the IP address from STEP 3
- Click on “show options“
- In “username” enter the username you would use to log into the remote machine from STEP 3
- You can optionally select “allow me to save credentials” and save the connection information for later use (this means you can click a shortcut to connect in the future, but only do this step on a off campus computer that is under your control)
- you may see a notice, saying that the computer you are connecting to has a certificate that couldn’t be verified. you can ignore this message.
- If all goes well, you should get a full screen view of your remote computer!
Remember not to shutdown the remote session, or you will not be able to log back in from offsite!