Remote Desktop to your Campus Computer Using the Campus VPN

This article covers how CSUF faculty and staff can remote desktop (RDP) to their campus computer.

Currently only PC to PC and Mac to PC connections are available for campus PC users.

Enabling Remote Desktop for Your Campus Computer

Quick Summary

On your campus workstation:

  1. Your campus workstation must be turned on.
  2. Know the campus workstation's full name.
  3. Remote Desktop access must be enabled.  If remote access is not enabled please contact the IT HelpDesk at [email protected] or 657-278-7777.

On your mobile device:

  1. Install Duo on your mobile device. OR obtain a physical key fob to authenticate with Duo from the Help Desk.

On your off-campus/home computer or laptop:

  1. Install Global Protect VPN on the computer/laptop you want to use to connect to your campus computer.

You must follow all of these steps before you can use Remote Desktop!

View detailed instructions on enabling Remote Desktop

1. Make sure that your campus PC is turned on before you leave it.

You can turn off the power on your monitor, but your campus PC tower/box needs to be turned on. You do not need to log on to your computer.

2. Enroll in campus Duo Multi-Factor Authentication using either a mobile device or key fob.

You must be able to use Duo on a mobile device or using a key fob.

View more information on the Duo webpage.

3. Find the Name of your computer and check that Remote Desktop is enabled for your campus computer.

3.1. Search for "remote desktop settings" in the search bar. Then choose Remote Desktop Settings.

remote desktop settings search
  1. In the search bar, type "remote desktop settings."
  2. Choose Remote Desktop Settings.

3.2. Locate your full computer name under How to connect to this PC. Check that the Enable Remote Desktop option is set to On.

remote desktop settings screen
  1. Locate your full computer name under How to connect to this PC. Write this down; you'll need to know it to connect to this computer.
  2. Check that the Enable Remote Desktop option is set to On. If remote access is not enabled please contact the IT HelpDesk at [email protected] or 657-278-7777.

4. Install Global Protect, the campus VPN application, on the off-campus/home computer you want to use to connect to your campus computer.

Connecting to your Campus Computer using Remote Desktop

I am using a PC computer/laptop to connect to my campus PC workstation

1. Open Global Protect and connect to the campus VPN.

2. On your off-campus/home PC, search for "remote desktop connection" in the search bar. Then choose Remote Desktop Connection.

Remote Desktop Connection search
  1. In the search bar, type "remote desktop settings."
  2. Choose Remote Desktop Settings.

3. Type the full name of your campus computer. Then click Connect.

Remote Desktop Connection setup
  1. Type the campus computer's full name (e.g., larthur-w10.ad.fullerton.edu)
  2. Click Connect.

4. Click More choices. Then click Use a different account.

use a different account

5. Enter your campus username as ad\username and your campus password. Then click OK.

Be sure you are entering your username as ad\username (e.g., ad\larthur).

enter credentials
  1. Enter your campus username as ad\username (e.g., ad\larthur) and then enter your password.
  2. Click OK.

6. You will be remotely connected to your campus desktop system.

7. When you are ready to disconnect, click on the X in the blue bar at the top of your screen.

disconnect

8. Click OK.

Don't forget to disconnect Global Protect when you are done accessing campus resources!

remote disconnect
I am using a Mac computer/laptop to connect to my campus PC workstation

1. Open Global Protect and connect to the campus VPN.

2. On your off-campus/home Mac, open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.

Applications folder
2.1. If this is the first time you are running it, you'll be prompted to allow microphone and camera access. Click Continue and then click OK to allow each feature.

It's recommended that you allow both microphone and camera access.

allow access
2.2. Click Add PC.
Click Add PC.
2.3. Enter the full name of your PC in PC name. You may also want to enable the clipboard, microphone, and cameras under Redirect in the Devices & Audio section. Then click Add.
Add PC screen
  1. Enter the full name of your campus PC (e.g., larthur-w10.ad.fullerton.edu).
  2. You may want to enable the clipboard, microphone, and cameras under Redirect in the Devices & Audio section.
  3. Click Add.

3. To connect to your PC, double click on the connection.

choose a connection

4. It may take a minute for the connection to be established.

connecting window

5. Enter your campus username as ad\username and your campus password. Then click Continue.

login
  1. Be sure to enter your campus username as ad\username (e.g., ad\larthur).
  2. Enter your password.

6. You are now connected to your campus PC.

7. When you are ready to disconnect, hover your mouse at the top of the screen to show your Mac's menu bar. Click on Microsoft Remote Desktop and then select Quit Remote Desktop.

Don't forget to disconnect Global Protect when you are done accessing campus resources!

exit remote desktop

Need More Help?

Contact the IT HelpDesk at [email protected] or 657-278-7777.