Connecting to Research Remote Desktop Services (RRDS)

A brief overview of the methods of configuring a connection to RRDS for Windows, Mac OS and Linux

Overview

Following are the Prerequisites for using the Research Remote Desktop Service (RRDS) and instructions for how to get connected from Mac, PC and the RDS Web Client. 

Prerequisites

  • You will need to request an account to access RRDS.  There is a workflow set up for this here:  https://workflow.uiowa.edu/form/rrdsrequest
  • Due to the secure nature of some research data, Duo Two Step Authentication is required to log into the remote servers.  This is the same system the University of Iowa uses to secure logins to Employee Self-Service and other sites.  If you're configured to log into our Employee Self-Service page, you should already be set up.  If you haven't opted into Duo Two Step Authentication, or if you are unsure, see this page:  https://its.uiowa.edu/duo.
  • A VPN connection is required to connect to RRDS when connecting from off campus.  You will need the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client.  For more information, click here:  https://its.uiowa.edu/vpn

Connection Instructions

Connecting to RRDS is fairly straightforward.  The Remote Desktop client is built into Windows operating systems and there is a client for Mac OS X available.  A new option that is entirely web-based exists in the form of the Microsoft Web Client.  The remote session is launched within a tab of your web browser.

MS Remote Desktop Client

 

NOTE:  The old method of typing a Server Name in the Remote Desktop Connection client that is built into Windows no longer works.  Instead, a connection needs to be configured in the RemoteApp and Remote Desktop Connections Control Panel applet.  The old method will result in a connection error.

 

  • Windows 8/10:  The easiest method is to configure RemoteApp and Remote Desktop Connections.  For instructions, click here.
  • Mac OS X:  You will need the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client for Mac OS X.  For instructions, click here.
  • Web Client:  The web client is HTML5 based and works on any OS that can run an HTML5 capable browser.  This option is very convenient but allows only Printer and Clipboard redirection.  It doesn't allow for sound or local drive redirection, among other things.  For instructions, click here.

 

Article number: 
113296
Last updated: 
September 13, 2018
Service: 
Research Remote Desktop Service
Category: 
General Support Information