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Before you Connect

Before connecting to RDS for the first time, please note the following important considerations:

• Save your work to a network location
  

  • Files saved to the local C: drive will be permanently removed, so it's best to save your work to your Syracuse University-provided OneDrive account (in the cloud), or your network G: or H: drive.
    
    

• Save your work often

  • Although the RDS platform is stable, working remotely can be impacted by factors like unexpected network outages or problems with personal devices. Saving early and often will help avoid losing your hard work and valuable time.
    
    

• Only one session can be active per user
  • If you log into another session, you'll disconnect from the previous one and reconnect on the new session.
    
    
• Use recommended browsers
  • Google Chrome, Firefox, and Edge are the recommended browsers for connecting through the web user interface.
    
    
• Set up Microsoft Two-Factor Authentication
  • Users are required to have their Microsoft Two-Factor Authentication set up before using RDS.
    
    
• Idle sessions will be logged out automatically
  • Idle sessions will automatically be logged out after four (4) hours.
    
    

Configuring and Connecting to RDS

Users are encouraged to access RDS using a web browser, but can also do so using the remote desktop client (RDP):

• Remote Desktop Services via Browser
• Remote Desktop Services via RDP Client
  
  

Available Software on RDS - SULabs resource

The following programs and applications are available when connected to the SULabs instance on RDS:

Requesting Software

Students

If you require particular software for academic purposes, please reach out to your professor or instructor to determine how to access that software.

Faculty or Staff

Faculty or staff members who require specific software for administrative or academic purposes should contact their academic or administrative support personnel to determine how to gain access.

Troubleshooting

Expand the selection below to see common solutions for issues you might have with RDS:

Issue:

If you're experiencing issues with RDS, such as problems with lab icons, connection errors, or certificate/SSL errors, clearing the cache of your browser can often resolve these issues. Instead of clearing all cache and cookies, you can clear only the specific information for rds.syr.edu.

Solution: 

To remove only the cookies/cache from rds.syr.edu on Chrome or Edge, follow these steps:

• • Click the lock icon (Image Modified) in your address bar at the top of the screen.
    
    
  • Click on "Cookies" to open a new pop-up window:
    
    Image Modified
    
    
  • Select rds.syr.edu from the list and then click Remove:
    
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Issue:

If you're receiving an error when connecting to a remote desktop session because an unexpected server authentication certificate was received, you may need to clear the SSL cache for your Operating System/Browser.

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Solution: 

Clear the SSL cache for your Operating System/Browsers

Steps:

Windows computers using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge:

• • Open the Start menu.
  • Search for and open Internet Options.
  • In the dialogue box that appears, select the Content tab.
  • Click Clear SSL State.
    
    

macOS computers using Google Chrome:

• • Open Google Chrome
  • Click on the kebab menu ( ⋮ ) found at the upper right corner of the browser window.
  • Open the History menu, then click the History option from this menu.
  • Click Clear Browser Data.
  • Set the Time Range to All Time.
  • Click Clear Data.

Getting Help

For support of the information above, contact the ITS Help Desk by calling at 315-443-2677, by emailing help@syr.edu, or by stopping into 1-227 CST.

Faculty and staff are highly encouraged to begin support by contacting their academic or administrative support personnel.