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University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Resources

IT Resources
Using the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server

Using Cisco AnyConnect VPN

To access the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server from outside of USC, you need to first run the Cisco AnyConnect VPN program to create a secure connection between your computer and USC. If you don’t have Cisco AnyConnect VPN on your computer, follow the instructions for downloading and installing Cisco AnyConnect VPN.

If you are at USC, using either the local network, or USC Secure Wireless (not USC Guest Wireless), you don’t need to run Cisco AnyConnect VPN to access the Remote Desktop/Terminal Server.

Connecting to the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server from a Windows PC

To connect to the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server from a Windows PC:

  1. If you are outside of USC, run Cisco AnyConnect VPN to create a secure connection between your computer and USC. (If you are at USC, you can skip this step.)
  2. Run the Remote Desktop Connection program. You can find this program in the Start menu. If you don’t see a shortcut to Remote Desktop Connection, click All Programs, then click the Accessories folder (on Windows 10, this folder is called Windows Accessories).
  3. In the Computer box, type rds.osot.usc.edu. If you’ve connected to the Remote Desktop/Terminal Server before, this box might be prefilled.
  4. In the User name box, type OSOT\username, where username is your Chan Division user name. This box might also be prefilled.
  5. Click Connect. Enter your Chan Division password in the Password box. (If you check the Remember my credentials box at the bottom, your password will be remembered for next time.) Click Okay.
  6. When you’re finished using the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server, make sure to log off, to return to your normal computer desktop.

Connecting to the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server from a Mac

Mac users should use the Microsoft Remote Desktop application to connect to the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server. This can be downloaded from the Mac App Store.

To connect to the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server:

  1. If you are outside of USC, run Cisco AnyConnect VPN to create a secure connection between your computer and USC. (If you are at USC, you can skip this step.)
  2. Run Microsoft Remote Desktop, from the Applications folder. (Or add it to your dock for quick access.)
  3. Click the New icon at the top-left, and then enter the settings for the Chan Division Remote Desktop/Terminal Server:
    • Connection name can be anything you like; it’s just a label for these settings. Something like OS/OT Remote Desktop Server would make sense.
    • PC name should be rds.osot.usc.edu.
    • User name should be your OSOT\username, where username is your Chan Division username
    • Password should be your Chan Division password.
  4. The other default settings should be fine. Close the settings window. You should now be able to connect to the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server by double-clicking on the connection name you chose, under My Desktops.
  5. When you’re finished using the Remote Desktop / Terminal Server, make sure to log off, to return to your normal computer desktop.

If you encounter problems installing or using Microsoft Remote Desktop, or need further help, contact Chan IT staff at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).