Remote Access and Remote Login

Connect to the UT VPN. Using the Spotlight Search (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner), search for and open Screen Sharing. In the window that appears, enter the computer name or IP address of your computer. Click Connect. When asked for a username and password, use your EID and EID password and click OK.

You'll need the Windows App (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop). To install it on a UT-managed Mac: Open Self Service. You can search for it with Spotlight, or click UT Self Service in the CNS IT Support Hub in your menu bar. In the search box, type windows. Next to Microsoft Windows App, click Install. On a personal Mac without Self Service, download Windows App for free from the Mac App Store. Already have Microsoft Remote Desktop installed? Microsoft renamed it to Windows App. Install Windows App from Self Service (or update it from the Mac App Store) and your saved PCs, credentials, and gateways will carry over. You can skip to Connect below. Configure your connection for the first time: Open the Windows App. If this is your first time opening it, click through the tour and select Done, or select Skip. From the macOS menu bar, go to Windows App > Settings. In the sidebar, select Credentials: Click the + at the bottom of the list to add a credential. Username: AUSTIN\your-eid Password: your EID password Friendly name: your EID or a name of your choosing Click Add. Repeat Step 3 if you are not signing into the remote computer using your EID. If signing into remote computer using a local account, enter the username as: .\username In the sidebar, select Gateways: Click the + at the bottom of the list to add a gateway Gateway name: rdg.austin.utexas.edu Friendly name: UT RDG or a name of your choosing Credentials: select your EID credential created in Step 3 (not Use PC User Account) Click Add. Close the Settings window. On the Devices tab, click the + icon and choose Add PC. Enter the computer settings. PC name and Credentials are at the top of the window; the rest are on the General tab: PC name: computer name or IP address Credentials: the Friendly name of the credential you sign into the remote computer with, created in Step 3 or 4. Friendly name: computer name or a name of your choosing. Gateway: the Friendly name of the gateway created in Step 5. Check/clear the Bypass for local addresses checkbox as follows: If signing into the remote computer using your EID: the checkbox should be cleared If signing into the remote computer using a local account: the checkbox should be checked Clear the checkbox next to Reconnect if the connection is dropped. Click Add. Connect: Open the Windows App. On the Devices tab, double click the PC you created above. Authenticate with Duo: Duo Mobile: Open the Duo Mobile app to approve the automatic push notification. Phone Call: If you don't have a smartphone, you'll receive a phone call to your primary phone. Answer the call and press any number on the keypad. 

Connect to the UT VPN. Open Terminal. Run either of these commands based on whether you're using the computer name or IP address: ssh username@computer-name ssh username@IP-address Enter your password and click Return.

Set up your connection: Open Remote Desktop Connection. Click Show Options in the lower left corner. Under the Advanced tab, click Settings under Connect from anywhere. On the RD Gateway Server Settings window: Select Use these RD Gateway server settings Server Name: rdg.austin.utexas.edu Logon method: Ask for password Check/clear the Bypass RD Gateway server for local addresses checkbox as follows: If signing into the remote computer using your EID: the checkbox should be cleared If signing into the remote computer using a local account: the checkbox should be checked Check/clear Use my RD Gateway credentials for the remote computer as follows: If signing into the remote computer using your EID: the checkbox should be checked If signing into the remote computer using a local account: the checkbox should be cleared Click OK. Under the Experience tab, Clear the checkbox next to Reconnect if the connection is dropped. Under to the General tab: Computer: computer name or IP address Username: If signing into the remote computer using your EID: AUSTIN\eid If signing into the remote computer using a local account: leave blank Click Save As to create a shortcut. Name it something identifiable and save it somewhere convenient such as the Desktop. Connect: Double click the shortcut created above. Enter your EID password for the Gateway. Authenticate with Duo: Duo Mobile: Open the Duo Mobile app to approve the automatic push notification. Phone Call: If you don't have a smartphone, you'll receive a phone call to your primary phone. Answer the call and press any number on the keypad.  If using a local account, you'll be prompted for the account password.

You'll need the VNC Viewer application or another VNC application. Connect to the UT VPN. Open VNC Viewer. In the text box at the top of the window, enter your computer name or IP address and click the Enter key. If a message comes up saying the connection is insecure or unencrypted, click OK. Enter your EID or username and password. After connecting for the first time, the connection will be remembered. Then, you can double click the desktop image to connect.

You'll need the Remmina app or another RDP client. Remmina is included in most Linux distributions. Set up your connection: Open Remmina and click the + icon in the top left corner or go to Remmina > Create a New Connection Profile. Enter your settings: Name: a name of your choosing Protocol: Remmina VNC Plugin Under Basic: Server: your computer name or IP address Username: your EID Password: your EID password Color Depth: High color (16 bpp) or True color (32 bpp) Click Save. Connect: Connect to the UT VPN. Open Remmina and double click the connection created above.

You'll need the Remmina app or another RDP client. Remmina is included in most Linux distributions. Set up your connection: Open Remmina and click the + icon in the top left corner or go to Remmina > Create a New Connection Profile. Enter your settings: Name: a name of your choosing Protocol: RDP Under Basic: Server: your computer name or IP address Username: your EID or account username Password: your EID password or account password Domain: If signing in with your EID: AUSTIN If signing into a local account: localhost Under Advanced: Remote Desktop Gateway server: rdg.austin.utexas.edu Remote Desktop Gateway username: your EID Remote Desktop Gateway password: your EID password Remote Desktop Gateway domain: AUSTIN Click Save. Connect: Double click your connection created above. Authenticate with Duo: Duo Mobile: Open the Duo Mobile app to approve the automatic push notification. Phone Call: If you don't have a smartphone, you'll receive a phone call to your primary phone. Answer the call and press any number on the keypad. 

Connect to the UT VPN. Open Terminal. Run either of these commands based on whether you're using the computer name or IP address: ssh username@computer-name ssh username@IP-address Enter your password and click Return. OR Set up a connection: You'll need the Remmina app or another RDP client. Remmina is included in most Linux distributions. Open Remmina and click the + icon in the top left corner or go to Remmina > Create a New Connection Profile. Enter your settings: Name: a name of your choosing Protocol: SSH - Secure Shell Under Basic: Server: your computer name or IP address Username: your EID Password: your EID password Click Save. Connect: Connect to the UT VPN. Open Remmina and double click the connection created above.

RDP and VNC are graphical desktop-sharing methods meaning you'll see the remote computer's desktop as if you were sitting in front of it. SSH is a command-line desktop-sharing method that allows you to interface with the remote computer through Terminal.

Use the fully qualified host name which looks like a web address. It often takes this form: computer-name.austin.utexas.edu. If you need help identifying your computer's name, create a ticket with CNS IT by sending an email to help@cns.utexas.edu and be sure to include your computer's UT Tag number. To find your computer name: Note: follow these steps on the computer you want to remote into. On Mac: Open Terminal. Run the command: hostname -f If the name doesn't end it ".utexas.edu", append the output with ".austin.utexas.edu" to get your full computer name. On Windows: In the Start Menu, search for and right-click on This PC. Choose Properties. Use the Full Computer Name. On Linux: Open Terminal. Run the command: hostname -f If the name doesn't end it ".utexas.edu", append the output with ".austin.utexas.edu" to get your full computer name.

Most IP addresses on campus are assigned using DHCP— the network gives the computer an available IP address and network settings so the computer can get online. These IP addresses can change even when the computer hasn't been restarted or had any settings changed.  If your on-campus computer is connected to ethernet, submit a ticket with CNS IT including your on-campus computer's UT Tag number and we can find the IP address it's currently using.  If your on-campus computer is only connected to the WiFi, we recommend using an ethernet connection which is more stable and reliable for remote logins. For assistance setting up an ethernet connection, submit a ticket with CNS IT including your on-campus computer's UT Tag number, the building and room it's in, and the label on the nearest wall port. 

The Remote Desktop Gateway (RDG) allows secure remote access to Windows computers on the UT Network via RDP without needing to connect to the VPN. In compliance with the Information Security Office's Multi-Factor Authentication Policy, the RDG requires authentication with Duo and requires that you have a default device configured. For more information about the RDG, see the documentation from ITS.

The UT VPN supports the following Duo authentication methods: Duo Mobile push Duo Mobile codes Phone call SMS code Code-generating token The UT RDG supports the following Duo authentication methods: Duo Mobile push Phone call

Make sure your on campus computer is turned on and connected to the Ethernet. Make sure the computer name or IP address you're using is correct. If you're still unable to connect, create a ticket with CNS IT including your on-campus computer's computer name or IP address.

Occasionally, connecting to an on-campus computer that is only connected to the WiFi will work. However, it's unreliable as the computer can change IP addresses or disconnect from the WiFi. If you'd like to remote login to your on-campus computer, we recommend using an Ethernet connection. If you need to set one up, create a ticket with CNS IT including your on-campus computer's UT Tag and the label on the Ethernet wall port.