Software Navigation

Remote Access from a Mac OS X Computer

The most common uses of remote access are for:

  • file transfer - copying files between a user's computer and the campus AFS file system.
  • running applications - accessing campus computers to run software for class, homework, research, etc.

A high-speed broadband connection is recommended to perform either of these tasks, particularly if you are transferring large or multiple files, or if the applications you run are complex and graphically intensive. Connection over the campus wireless network is supported, but usually slower.

Transfer Files Between a Mac Computer and AFS

If your home or personal computer is a Mac computer running OS X Leopard (10.5) or Tiger (10.4), you can use ExpanDrive to transfer files between your personal computer and NCSU AFS file space.

ExpanDrive

ExpanDrive is commercial software licensed to any currently employed faculty or staff or currently enrolled student at NCSU for use on university owned or personal computers. ExpanDrive acts like a drive on your local system allowing you to open and save files from any application on your local computer.

  • Download and Install ExpanDrive
  • ExpanDrive Usage Instructions

    To run ExpanDrive and connect to the AFS drives you have set up:

    • Select a drive from the Mac ExpanDrive small icon menu at the top of the screen.
    • If you need to reconfigure a drive, select the Drive Manager from the Mac ExpanDrive small icon menu. Select the drive, then open the Mac ExpanDrive small icon menu and select Edit.
      Mac ExpanDrive config

Run Campus Software Applications Remotely

Depending on the applications you want to access remotely, you will either be connecting to VCL and running an Windows based application, connecting to VCL and running a Linux or Solaris application, or you'll be connecting to one of the COE Remote Access servers to run a Linux or Solaris application.

Using VCL to Run a Windows Application

You will need a Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client to run a Windows application in the Virtual Computing Lab (VCL).

  • RDC Client for OS X 10.4 or OS X 10.5

    Mac users must download and install the Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) Client 2 for Mac OS X in order to connect to Windows computers in VCL.
    Mac RDC Window

    To install the client, follow the instructions and make sure your computer meets the minimum specifications provided by Microsoft on the download page at: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remotedesktop/system-requirements.mspx

  • Connecting to VCL to Run a Windows Application Instructions
    1. Go to http://vcl.ncsu.edu and log in through NCSU WRAP with your Unity ID and password.
    2. Make a New Reservation for an application, or select a Current Reservation you have already made.
    3. Select the Connect! button to connect to the reserved application. A "Connect!" page will display with the temporary password you need to connect to the remote computer.
    4. Select the Get RDP File on the Connect! page to download a Remote Desktop Protocol (.rdp) file.
    5. Select Connect in the Remote Desktop Connection box to open a window to the remote computer.
    6. Log in with the user name and temporary password provided to you on the Connect! page (also sent to you in email). The desktop of the remote Windows computer will appear in the window.
    7. Double-click the icon of the application you reserved to open it and begin working.
      Note: If the RDP file fails to log you in automatically, run Remote Desktop Connection and enter the IP address provided to you on the VCL Connect! page into the Computer: field. Select Connect to open a window to the remote computer, and log in with the user name and temporary password provided on the Connect! page (also sent to you in email).

Using VCL or COE Remote Access Servers to Run a Linux/Solaris Application

  • Connect to Linux/Solaris to Run Applications for OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

    Connecting to Solaris/Linux applications from Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) is fairly easy since all of the technology is fully integrated into the operating system. To connect for simple terminal access or to run Solaris/Linux applications:

    1. Go to Finder -> Applications -> Utilities and double-click on the Terminal application.
      Mac terminal icon
    2. In the window that appears type: ssh -X unityid@hostname
      Note: Enter your own Unity ID, the "@" symbol, and the server to which you wish to connect, e.g., remote.eos.ncsu.edu, remote-linux.eos.ncsu.edu, or IP address provided by VCL.
    3. Enter your Unity password when prompted. You will be logged in to the Eos/Unity environment and placed in your home directory, where you can run UNIX and AFS commands and command-line programs. Type add or see http://www.eos.ncsu.edu/software/ for commands to launch graphical applications.
  • Connect to Linux/Solaris to Run Applications for OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

    To run a Solaris or Linux application back to a Mac computer running OS X 10.4 (Tiger) requires the X Window System (X11).

    1. Install X11 from Optional Installs on your OS X 10.4 (Tiger) installation disk.
    2. Go to Finder -> Applications -> Utilities and double-click on the X11 application.
      Mac X11
    3. In the window that appears type: ssh -X unityid@hostname
      Note: Enter your own Unity ID, the "@" symbol, and the server to which you wish to connect, e.g., remote.eos.ncsu.edu, remote-linux.eos.ncsu.edu, or IP address provided by VCL.
    4. Enter your Unity password when prompted. You will be logged in to the Eos/Unity environment and placed in your home directory, where you can run UNIX and AFS commands and command-line programs. Type add or see http://www.eos.ncsu.edu/software/ for commands to launch graphical applications.

End of Content. Return to Navigation.

North Carolina State University