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For undergraduates
Software for courses is delivered via the Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop at https://avd.uwaterloo.ca .
For staff, faculty, grads
These instructions will work for on-campus machines that are connected directly to the network with a wired (Ethernet) connection and an assigned IP address. If you do not have an assigned IP address and want to remote into your workstation, please fill out the IP Request Form.
In order for these instructions to work you must be connected to the Campus VPN and be in the Remote Desktop Users group on the machine you are accessing.
Windows-Nexus | Mac | Troubleshooting
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From the Start menu search "Remote Desktop Connection."
Click "Show Options" and enter the following credentials when prompted:
Computer: YourMachineName
User name: nexus\yourWatIAMuserid
Click "Connect."
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Mac does not come with built-in remote desktop software suitable for accessing Windows machines. You will need to download doTwnload a remote desktop client from the App Store in order to access a Windows workstation. We recommend you try the latest version of Microsoft Remote Desktop, since it is developed by Microsoft and is most reliable to function with Windows. Once you've done that, the important information is:
Confirm you are connected to the Campus VPN.
Enter your registered hostname as "hostname.uwaterloo.ca"
Use "Nexus\userid" if it's a Nexus machine, or "machine name\account name" if it isn't.
Use your WatIAM password.
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Connecting from Mac, to a Mac
On your workstation:
Go to Menu > System Preferences > Sharing
Select "Remote Management."
Select your on-campus workstation from the dropdown.
Select "Screen sharing." Choose a user account on your workstation that you want to be able to share the screen.
Notice the VNC address on the right of the dialogue. It should look like vnc://hostname.uwaterloo.ca.
Save your settings.
On the other device:
Open Safari.
Type the VNC address from the above step.
When prompted, enter the account name from your workstation and the password associated with it.
To close the session:
The session can be closed from either side.
Click the icon that looks like two windows overlapping and select "Disconnect."
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Check to make sure you are correctly added to the Remote Desktop Users group on the target machine.
Verify that the machine name is correct.
Try the fully qualified domain names, one at a time:
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VPN | RDP client | Find a lab computer | Connect | Troubleshooting
Remote access to Nexus lab workstations is available using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
When to use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
When software required for a course is only available in the Nexus labs:
B1-370 (SciLab)
C2-160 (FriesenLab)
Physics 342 (PhysLab)
STC-PHY (Gardiner)
OR
a student's local machine is inadequate for running course software.
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You will need to be connected to the Campus VPN to access campus computing resources. You will have to connect to the VPN every time you use RDP. The Cisco VPN client is available for all devices and you will require a valid WatIAM userid and password to access/connect with this software.
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In addition to the VPN software, you will require remote desktop client software to make the connection to the lab computers. Choose and install the appropriate RDP software for your operating system.
Pay attention to system dialog boxes that may appear the first time you attempt to access a remote computer. Your operating system may ask permission to allow a connection through your computer’s firewall. It is safe to allow this type of traffic to pass through.
Windows: Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) client is built into Windows.
Mac: Client software can be downloaded from the App Store.
We currently recommend the latest version of Microsoft Remote Desktop.
Linux: Client software can be installed from the console/terminal.
$ sudo apt install remmina
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Workstation naming on the remote access page is consistent with workstation naming in the physical labs.
See our labs for additional information.
B1-370 (SciLab) https://remoteaccess.labstats.com/uWaterloo-Sci-SciLab
C2-160 (FriesenLab) https://remoteaccess.labstats.com/uWaterloo-Sci-ChemLab
Physics 342 (PhysLab) https://remoteaccess.labstats.com/uWaterloo-Sci-PhysLab
STC-PHY (Gardiner) https://remoteaccess.labstats.com/uWaterloo-Sci-Physics
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After you select a computer to use, an RDP file will be downloaded to your computer. Double-clicking on this file should automatically start your RDP client software and initiate a remote connection to the selected computer.
You will need to provide a valid WatIAM userid and WatIAM password in the following form:
Microsoft Remote Desktop:
WatIAMuserid@uwaterloo.ca
WatIAMpassword
Remmina:
WatIAMuserid (No “@uwaterloo.ca”)
WatIAMpassword
domain = nexus.uwaterloo.ca
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Friendly usernames (e.g. firstname.lastname, flastname, flastname@uwaterloo.ca, firstname.lastname@uwaterloo.ca) will not work for this!
Troubleshooting
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If you still can't connect, please check the following troubleshooting steps:
Ensure your computer is properly connected to the Internet. You can try disconnecting and reconnecting to get a fresh connection.
Ensure the campus VPN software is installed, running, and connected. Other VPN clients will not work
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; you must use the Cisco AnyConnect client. If your VPN client is older, you may have to uninstall it and download the latest version.
Check to make sure you are correctly added to the Remote Desktop Users group on the target machine.
Verify that the machine name is correct.
Make sure you are disconnected from any non-UW VPNs
Try the fully qualified domain names, one at a time:
Ensure your local firewall is allowing port TCP/3389.
Windows
Go to the "Control Panel" then click "System and Security" and then click "Windows Firewall."
Click "Advanced settings" on the left side. Ensure that "Inbound Rules" for Remote Desktop is "Enabled."
Other operating systems
Please contact the Science Computing Helpdesk for assistance with your firewall on other operating systems.
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Ensure you are using the correct WatIAMuserid format for your remote client.
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Try a different workstation. The issue could be the specific remote workstation.
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