How to Get Started with Windows Remote Desktop Connection

1a.) Enabling Remote Access on a Managed Device 

If your computer is managed by IT Client Services look for the blue "b" in your system tray and take advantage of the self-service offer which configures Remote Desktop Connection and adjusts the Power Options for the user who is currently logged in. Simply select Remote Desktop Activation and click Accept. 

If your computer is not managed by CSS IT please follow the instructions below or contact IT Client Services to configure Remote Desktop access.

1b.) Enabling Remote Access on an Unmanaged Device 

• Add user to allow access to local computer.
• Adjust Power Options to prevent computer from going to sleep or shutting down.
• Note the address of local computer (IP or dynamic address)

1. Go to Control Panel>System and Security>Allow Remote Access. Note that this change requires Admin authentication.

2. Click Select Users to add user(s) to access list

3. Enter the bMail address of the user you want to add and click Check Names button. If lookup is successful, the name will auto-expand and berkeley.edu will convert to all capital letters. 

4. Click OK. There will be two more windows to click OK for the setting to be saved.

5. Go to Control Panel> Hardware and Sound>Power Options. Select a Power Plan and click Change Plan Settings.

• Under “Put the Computer to Sleep”- Select never from pull-down menu
• Select Change Advanced Power Settings
• Expand Hard Disk section, Turn off Hard Disk after- type never
• Expand Sleep section, Sleep After –type never
• Click Apply then OK to save setting.

2.) How to find the Computer Address for Local Computer

In order to remote in to the local computer you need to know what the address is. You can connect via an IP (169.229.249.xx) or dynamic DNS address (calnet.dns.berkeley.edu). To find your target computer's IP address: 

1. Go to Control Panel>Network and Internet>Network and Sharing Center.
2. Select Local Area Connection and click the Details button. The IPv4 address is the one you need.

If you are comfortable using command line:

1. Type cmd in the search window of start menu, select cmd.exe when it comes up.
2. Type ipconfig /all at the prompt and hit enter. Scroll down to see the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection section and locate the IPv4 address there.

The IP of the target computer is the "IPv4 Address", this is the address you will be remoting into. Since the IP address can change, you may want to request a Dynamic Hostname Address from hostmaster@nic.berkeley.edu which uses your Calnet ID and "Physical Address" of the local computer so when the IP changes your access will be unaffected.

• If you would prefer to use a dynamic address, see this article: How To request a dynamic hostname

The local computer is now ready to accept a remote desktop connection.

3.) On the Remote Computer:

Before you Begin:

• Install GlobalProtect bSecure VPN Client
• Install Remote Desktop 

• Windows version- Included in Windows 8, and for Windows 7 included in Office. It should be in your Start Menu, or look in All Programs. 
• Mac version- Microsoft Remote Desktop is found at the App Store. To Install, double-click the dmg file and authenticate installer. 

Initiating a Remote Connection:

• Start GlobalProtect bSecure VPN Client 
• Start Remote Desktop Connection

Windows-

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection
2. Type the IP or dynamic hostname address of the computer you are connecting to and click connect.
3. Enter “campus\” before your Calnet ID you will be prompted for your Calnet passphrase.
4. Click Accept when you see the certificate message.
5. Click OK when you see the UC Berkeley Security message.

Mac-

1. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop
2. Click the plus sign in upper left corner to add a new remote desktop connection.

3. Enter connection information:

• Connection Name- Optional but helpful if connecting to multiple computers or servers.
• PC Name- the IP or dynamic hostname address of the computer you are connecting to.
• Username- Campus\CalnetID (your Calnet ID)
• Password- Your Calnet Passphrase.

4. Once this information has been entered close the edit window, there is no save button.
5. In the main window select the computer you wish to connect to and click the start arrow.
6. Click OK when you see the UC Berkeley Security message.

For additional assistance, contact IT Client Services at 510-664-9000 and follow the prompts to reach a technician from between 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. A ticket may also be submitted through http://sharedservices.berkeley.edu/it/ or by e-mailing itcsshelp@berkeley.edu