Remote Desktop

We use RDP (remote desktop protocol) for remote desktop access.

I recommend the Windows App RDP client for both Mac and Windows. Below are instructions.

Install Windows App

If you’re using MacOS, download the App from the Mac App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/windows-app/id1295203466?mt=12

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Configure Windows App

There are two remote desktop servers available: axon and soma. I recommend using axon primarily, because axon has a higher-performance graphics card (GPU), and will support more users.

macOS

  1. Download the axon configuration file and/or soma configuration file.

  2. Open the Windows App.

  3. Repeat the following instructions for both configuration files (downloaded in step #1):

    • Navigate to the Windows App menu bar (at the top of the screen).

    • Click on the Connections menu option to ‘Import from RDP file…’.

    • Select the downloaded .rdp file.

    • Click ‘Import’ in the bottom right.

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  4. Open the Windows App.

  5. Click ‘Add a remote PC’.

  6. Enter the server name: axon.neuro.berkeley.edu or soma.neuro.berkeley.edu

  7. Click on the Saved Device named axon.neuro.berkeley.edu or soma.neuro.berkeley.edu.

    A new window will open where you can enter the ‘neurocluster’ system password.

Microsoft OS

  1. Download the axon configuration file and soma configuration file.

  2. Create a shortcut on your desktop with the Target:

    C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe "C:\path\to\config\file"

    Here is an example:

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  3. Double-click on the shortcut, and enter the ‘neurocluster’ system password.

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Using Windows App

After authentication, a login screen will appear where you can type your individual username and password.

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Gnome Window Manager

After successful login, a GNOME window manager will appear. The GNOME window manager has a minimalist approach, prioritizing search and multiple workspaces.

  • To open an application, use the Super (Windows) key and type a few letters of the app.

    For example, to open a terminal window, press the Windows key, type ‘term’ and hit return.

  • To cycle between applications, use Alt-Tab.

  • To cycle between workspaces, use Ctrl + Alt + Left/Right Arrow Keys.

Note

To cycle between applications on your local computer, move the mouse out of the Windows App screen, and use Alt-Tab.

Persistent sessions

By default, your session will continue running in the background. You may restore your session on a different computer.

To logout, click on the power icon in the upper right corner, and choose ‘Log out’.

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Troubleshooting

Below are some common problems and solutions

Applications fail to open or crash

This happens when the graphics card (GPU) has insufficient memory.

Use the ‘slogin’ command to print host usage information:

$ slogin

Host     Users         Load     GPU Used     RAM Used
axon        22      3.68/72          78%        62.6%
soma         9      2.80/48          82%        19.2%

Check the ‘GPU Used’ column. If it’s more than 80% on soma, then graphics applications may fail. This is a problem only on soma, so I recommend logging into axon, which has 6x more GPU memory.

Copy & Paste fails

After a session has been supsended/resumed, copy/paste may fail between a RDP session and the local computer. There are at least two solutions:

  1. terminate RDP your session. Click on the power symbol when logging out (otherwise your session will be suspended, not terminated).

  2. copy/paste in the opposite direction. If you’re unable to copy desktop -> RDP, then copy RDP -> desktop, and try again desktop -> RDP.