Using Windows Terminal Server for FTL
Who needs to use the Windows Terminal Server | What is required to access the Windows Terminal Server | How to install the RDP client | How to launch FTL application from Windows Terminal Server | How to exit your FTL Terminal Server session
Who needs to use the Windows Terminal Server?
If you need to fill out your FTL timecard but do not have a Web browser that works with the new FTL application, you may use the Windows Terminal Server. This can be particularly useful for people who use Linux, FNALU (Fermilab's central Unix server) or MacOS 10.5 or older.
What is required to access the Windows Terminal Server?
You will need to have the RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) client installed on your system. The RDP client is already installed on Windows machines and FNALU nodes. If you have questions about RDP, please contact the Service Desk at x2345 or by opening a Service Desk ticket.
If you are offsite, you will need to connect to the Fermilab network via VPN before launching the RDP client. If you are offsite and having problems connecting via RDP, please check with your ISP and make sure TCP port 3389 is not blocked. If you are onsite and cannot connect via RDP, you may be located in a restricted network and will need to use the Fermilab VPN.
How to install the RDP client
- For Mac machines: Find the installation instructions here.
- For Linux machines: If you are running Fermi Linux, open a terminal window and run the command "yum install rdesktop", and everything will be installed for you. If you are NOT running Fermi Linux, check your distribution to see if the rdesktop code is included. If it is not included, find the rdesktop code at http://www.rdesktop.org.
- For FNALU: RDP client is already installed.
- For Windows machines: RDP client is already installed.
How to launch FTL application from the Windows Terminal Server
- For Mac machines: Find the instructions here.
- For Linux machines:
- To access the practice timecard: Open a terminal and run the command "rdesktop ftltrain &".
- To access your actual timecard: Open a terminal and run the command "rdesktop fermi-ftl &".
- For FNALU: Log in to one of the FNALU nodes; export your display; and run the following two commands:
- % setup rdesktop
- To access the practice timecard: % rdesktop ftltrain &
To access your actual timecard: % rdesktop fermi-ftl &
- For Windows machines: Find the instructions here.
How to exit your FTL Terminal Server session
1. Log out of the FTL application using the "Log Off" link in the upper right hand corner of the FTL page.
2. Exit your Remote desktop client by closing the client. There is no logoff button or control in the Terminal Server window.
- On Mac: You can click on the red X circle button on the upper left part of the window frame or close the Remote Desktop Client from Finder. When disconnecting from the Terminal Server, you may receive a warning that disconnecting will leave programs running on the Terminal Server; this is expected, and you should click on "OK" to disconnect.
- On Linux: You can click on the X in the upper right hand corner of the window or choose "Close" in the window menu.
- On Windows: You can click on the X in the upper right hand corner of the window, choose "Close" on the window menu, or, in full-screen mode, on the tab at the top of the window.When disconnecting from the Terminal Server, you may receive a warning that disconnecting will leave programs running on the Terminal Server; this is expected, and you should click on "OK" to disconnect.
