Accessing the Remote Lab server

How to access the RemoteLab server via Windows and macOS.
You can access some Geography lab applications, including ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap and ArcCatalog), ENVI, and some other software online. The website is https://remote.shc.wisc.edu and students will login with their NetID and NetID password.
Connecting with a Mac

Go to the Apple App Store and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop client. Note: Your App Store may look different based on the theme and macOS version.
Remote Desktop Client for macOS in Apple App Store
 
Click on Get, then Install to install the client when prompted.

Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client and choose the Workspaces tab, then click on Add Workspace

Remote Desktop Client Workspaces Tab Enter remote.shc.wisc.edu as the workspace URL. Leave everything else as-is and click Add.

Add workspace dialog box

When prompted to login use ad\{NetID} and then your NetID password. 

Login box for Remote Desktop Client

If you get stuck on a screen that says "Setting up workspace/Connecting to workspace" for longer than 30 seconds, cancel and try adding the workspace again. 

Setting up workspace Connecting to workspace dialog box

Once you are logged in you will see the available Science Hall Lab Applications. (Apps below are a representation and may not reflect available apps due to upgrades, security permissions, removals, or other factors).

Science Hall Lab Applications

Before launching an app, click on the Microsoft Remote Desktop menu and click Preferences.

Remote Desktop Preferences menu item

At the bottom of the Preferences screen, choose the option to redirect your Documents folder to the server so that you can save remote files onto your computer. In the example below, the /Users/helpdesk/Documents folder is redirected.

Preferences window showing folder redirectOnce you are done with folder redirection, close out of Preferences.

Double-click on an available application to launch it. When prompted to login, use ad\{NetID} and then your NetID password. Then click Continue.

Login dialog when launching an app

After a few moments of configuring the gateway, you may get a certificate error (to be corrected soon). Click Continue to accept the certificate (your connection is indeed secure - the certificate just isn't trusted yet).

Certificate error dialog box

Your application will then launch.

To save or open a remote file to or from your computer, save or open it as you would normally. Click on This PC in the Save/Save As/Open dialog box. You will see an item on the Save or Open dialog that says Redirected drives and folders - from there you can now save or open files. 

Dialog box showing redirected files and folders

Connecting with a PC

PCs with Windows versions other than Windows 10 Home can access applications using Remote Desktop, which is included. Windows 10 Home does not come with Remote Desktop capabilities. You will need to upgrade your version of Windows 10 to a version other than Home if you are trying to access Remote Desktop applications.

Browse to https://remote.shc.wisc.edu and login with your NetID and NetID password.

You will see a selection of Science Hall Lab Applications you can run. Click on one to launch it. If prompted to login again, just use your NetID and password again. If you receive certificate errors, go ahead and accept them. The connection is secure.

Troubleshooting

-This technology experiences some issues from time to time. If you cannot access the applications or the site, or get an error, please email the SHC Help Desk at helpdesk@geography.wisc.edu with the issue. Please be as descriptive as possible. Screenshots always.

-The server can only handle a small to a medium number of people at a given time due to resource constraints. If the website or application is slow please try again later when use may be lower.

-A fast internet connection is highly recommended.



Keywords:
remote, lab, apps, arcgis, arcgis pro, remote desktop, adobe 
Doc ID:
113801
Owned by:
Daven H. in L&S Information Technology Services - GNP IT
Created:
2021-09-21
Updated:
2024-10-30
Sites:
Department of Geography