Getting Started with Remote Desktop Connections

connecting to MCURIE, the Chemistry Software Server

Summary

The server which hosts the software is named MCURIE and has a DNS name of mcurie.chem.iastate.edu. It is a Microsoft Server 2003 server running software that allows dozens of simultaneous users to run software and monitors the use of the software to comply with our license agreements. Connections can be made from Windows, Macintosh or Linux computers using a client which you install on your computer if it is not already there by default.

Obtaining and installing the Remote Desktop Client

Windows XP, XP home, and 2000 professional all include the Remote Desktop Client. Older Windows versions need the client installed. Download the Windows client.

Download the Macintosh client (requires Mac OS X version 10.2.8 or later)

Download the Linux/Unix client (source code, compile and install)

Recommended settings for the connection

You can download the preconfigured connection file for your Windows or Mac computer which has the recommended settings already configured.

Download the Windows connection file (right-click and "save link as". I recommend extracting this zipped file and saving it in My Documents and creating a shortcut to it that you can put where you usually look for your software files)

Download the Macintosh connection file (control-click on a one-button mouse or right-click with a two-button mouse and "save link as". I recommend extracting this zipped file and saving it in Documents and creating an alias for it that you can put on the dock or wherever you usually look for software.)

Linux connections:

• The command you will use to start the rdesktop connection to the server with the recommended settings is rdesktop -f -a 16 -T MCURIE mcurie.chem.iastate.edu
• You can create a launcher with the above command on the command line and it will function much like the Windows or Macintosh connection file.
• Use the command man rdesktop to get the full description of rdesktop.

Recommendations summary:

• display - full screen
• color resolution - 15 or 16 bit (also called High color or thousands of colors)
• local resources - check to make local drives available; do not play sound
• experience - only check "themes" and "bitmap caching" (Note: this is the 56k modem setting. It makes very efficient use of network resources and will give you a much more responsive session. Turning on additional "features" may make the display look prettier, but you will be decreasing the performance of your session even if you have a fast network connection. "Less is better".

Connecting to the software server

• Double-click the connection file icon, launcher icon, or enter the command.
• A login screen will appear on your monitor. Use your IASTATE username and password. The "logon to" line must say IASTATE. Enter this if it does not already appear there for you.
• If you logon successfully you will have a remote session started on the server. You will find the installed software listed under the Start Menu. Run the software as you usually would.
• You will also find your AFS network drive mapped at the U: drive giving you access to a place to save your files for easy access from other computers on campus.
• Students in certain laboratory classes may also find other AFS drives mounted giving access to data collected from certain laboratory instruments. You will receive information in class about wherre to look to find your data.

Disconnecting from the server

• You can either end a session by logging off or you can disconnect from a session and pick it up again later where you left off.
• Disconnected sessions will be kept for you for 2 hours. If you reconnect within that time you can resume your work where you left off. Convenient if you aren't finished with your work and want to finish it from home. If you do not reconnect within 2 hours, the server will close your files and log you off

Saving your files

Each user will have a home directory on MCURIE with a quota of 300 megabytes where you can save files subject to the following conditions.

• It is each user's responsibility to take ownership of their files and see that important files are saved in a location where the user can always get to them. Although the server has redundant hard drives and you should not lose files due to hardware failure, it is important for you to realize that this server is not part of a backup schedule.
• Use your AFS network drive to save files you wish to have backed up and available from other locations.
• An annual cleanup of all locally saved user profiles will take place during July. This will remove all files which you have saved to the desktop, "My Documents", or other local storage locations.
• Users are expected to comply with Iowa State's Code of Computer Ethics and Acceptable Use Policy. Users who violate this policy will lose all privileges on this server.

Printing

1. Print the file to the Adobe pdf printer. This will make a portable document file which you can save on your network drive and print from your own printer.
   

Please report any errors in this page to mcurie@iastate.edu