Newly set up Windows servers can be connected using Remote Desktop Connection. This transmits your desktop across the Internet, allowing connection from a remote location.

Connecting from Windows XP

If you are not running the most recent version (7.0) of the Remote Desktop Client, you can download it from the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=20609 Note that using an out-of-date version of the Remote Desktop Client will cause issues when connecting to a Windows Server 2008 R2 or 2012 R2 system.

If you get the following message:

"The remote computer requires Network Level Authentication, which your computer does not support. For assistance, contact your system administrator or technical support."

you will need to both upgrade to the newest release of the Remote Desktop Client, and either:

• follow the steps outlined in the following knowledge base article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951608/
• Turn off Network Level Authentication in the Remote Desktop settings on your server. (If you need assistance with this, please contact Support)

To connect:

1. Click Start, then All Programs, then Accessories, and finally Remote Desktop Connection.
2. In the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box, enter your server's Main IP address in the Computer: field
3. Click Connect
4. When prompted, enter your Username ("Administrator" by default) and password.

You are now connected to the remote server.

To disconnect:

1. Click Start, and then Log Off

Connecting from Windows Vista or Windows 7

Both Windows Vista and Windows 7 should already have an up-to-date Remote Desktop client installed that can connect to Windows 2008 R2 or 2012 R2 systems.

To connect:

1. Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner of your screen, then All Programs, then Accessories, and finally Remote Desktop Connection.
2. In the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box, enter your server's Main IP address in the Computer: field
3. Click Connect
4. When prompted, enter your Username ("Administrator" by default) and password.
5. If you get a warning that says "The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified", check the "Don't ask me again for this computer" box, and click Yes

You are now connected to the remote server.

To disconnect:

1. Click Start, and then Log Off

Connecting from Windows 8.1

Both Windows 8.1 should already have an up-to-date Remote Desktop client installed that can connect to Windows 2008 R2 or 2012 R2 systems.

To connect:

1. Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner of your screen, type in Remote and click on Remote Desktop Connection. You can also right-click on the icon and pin it to either your start menu or taskbar for easier access moving forward
2. In the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box, enter your server's Main IP address in the Computer: field
3. Click Connect
4. When prompted, enter your Username ("Administrator" by default) and password.
5. If you get a warning that says "The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified", check the "Don't ask me again for this computer" box, and click Yes

You are now connected to the remote server.

To disconnect:

1. Click Start, and then Log Off

Connecting from Mac OS X

Install the Remote Desktop Client for OS X

To connect:

1. Click the Finder icon in the dock, open Applications, and then double-click on Remote Desktop Connection
2. In the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box, enter your server's Main IP address in the Computer: field
3. Click Connect
4. When prompted, enter your Username ("Administrator" by default) and password.

You are now connected to the remote server.

To disconnect:

1. Click Start, and then Log Off