To improve security and allow connections to all desktops on our local network, clients should be configured to connect via the Remote Desktop Gateway system. You'll find the Remote desktop client under the 'Start/All Programs' folders or below that in Accessories (depending on the version that's installed). Start the client and and click on the Options button and the following should appear.

Here, this has been set to connect to a desktop system using a Physics network account. You should replace "mydesktop" with the name of your computer, which is written on a sticker on the front. "mydesktop" is just an example. You will need to use fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of your computer add .nat.physics.ox.ac.uk or .physics.ox.ac.uk after the name of your computer for example mydesktop.nat.physics.ox.ac.uk.

Now click on the Advanced tab. You should see a section entitled Connect from Anywhere. Click on the Settings button and fill in the fields as follows.

IMPORTANT: The configuration is for the case where you will log into the remote server using your Physics network credentials. If you need to use a different account on the remote server you must untick the box at the bottom with text similar to "Use my RD gateway credentials for the remote computer". Click OK etc to return to the General page and save your configuration so that you don't need to do this setup for each session.

Common Connection Problems from Windows Clients

Can't find computer

Error Message Displayed:

Remote Desktop can't find the computer for example "mydesktop". This might mean that "mydesktop" does not belong to the
specified network. Verify the computer name and domain that you are trying to connect to.

This is due to the full name of the terminal server not being entered if outside of the Department.

Users only type the following:

mydesktop

Resolution : Type the name of the full terminal server system computer address i.e. mydesktop.nat.physics.ox.ac.uk.

Unknown user

Error Message Displayed:

The credentials that were used to connect to termserv4 did not work. Please enter new credentials.

Users enter their username without specifying a domain.

e.g. - Username : BlackJ

Resolution : Enter the following in the username field:

PHYSICS\BlackJ or BlackJ@physics.ox.ac.uk