How Do I Connect to a Windows host?

Purpose: This guide explains how to connect to a Windows virtual machine hosted on Yale's Spinup platform using Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection from both Windows and macOS computers.

Prerequisites:

• You have an active Spinup Windows resource.

• You know your Yale NetID and password.

• You are connected to the Yale network (either on campus or via VPN).

Step 1: Obtain the Hostname or IP Address

Before you can connect, you need the unique identifier for your Spinup Windows host.

1. Log in to Spinup: Open your web browser and navigate to: https://spinup.internal.yale.edu/

2. Select Your Resource: On the Spinup dashboard, click on the name of the Windows resource you wish to connect to.

3. Locate Connection Details: You will be taken to the resource's detail page (URL will be similar to https://spinup.internal.yale.edu/r/spinup-RESOURCE_ID.spinup.yale.edu). Find the panel labeled "Connect" or look near the top-center of the page.

4. Copy the Information: Note down or copy either the Hostname (e.g., spinup-xyz.spinup.yale.edu) or the IP Address (e.g., 10.x.x.x). You will need one of these in the next step.

   • Important Note on Timing: After a new resource is built (which takes about 15 minutes), the IP address should work immediately. However, the hostname might take up to an hour to become active due to DNS propagation. If the hostname doesn't work initially, please use the IP address.

Step 2: Connect Using Remote Desktop

Follow the instructions based on your operating system:

Connecting from Windows:

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection:

   • Click the Start button.

   • In the search bar, type Remote Desktop Connection.

   • Click on "Remote Desktop Connection" in the search results.

2. Enter Hostname/IP:

   • In the "Remote Desktop Connection" window, locate the field labeled "Computer".

   • Type or paste the Hostname or IP Address you obtained in Step 1.

3. Connect: Click the "Connect" button.

4. Authenticate: You will likely be prompted for credentials.

   • You may need to click "More choices" or "Use a different account".

   • Enter your Yale NetID in the format yale\YourNetID (e.g., yale\abc12).

   • Enter your Yale NetID password.

   • Click OK.

5. You should now be connected to your Spinup Windows host.

Connecting from macOS:

1. Install Microsoft Remote Desktop:

   • If you haven't already, download and install the "Windows App" application from the Mac App Store.

2. Launch the App: Open "Windows App".

3. Add a New PC:

   • Click the "+" button and select "Add PC".

4. Configure the Connection:

   • PC name: Type or paste the Hostname or IP Address you obtained in Step 1.

   • User account: Click the dropdown. If you haven't added your NetID before, select "Add User Account...".

     • Username: Enter yale\YourNetID (e.g., yale\abc12). (The yale\ prefix is important!)

     • Password: Enter your Yale NetID password.

     • Friendly name (Optional): You can enter something like "Yale NetID" to easily identify these credentials later.

     • Click Add.

     • Select the newly added user account from the dropdown.

   • Friendly name (Optional): Give this connection a descriptive name, like "My Spinup Windows VM".

5. Save: Click the "Add" button at the bottom right.

6. Connect: Double-click the connection entry you just created in the main "Windows App" window.

7. Authenticate: You may be prompted to confirm or enter your password again.

8. You should now be connected to your Spinup Windows host.

Troubleshooting:

• Cannot Connect: Double-check you are on the Yale network or VPN. Verify the hostname/IP address is correct. Try the IP address if the hostname fails (allow up to an hour for DNS after resource creation). Ensure you are using yale\YourNetID for the username.

• Authentication Failed: Verify your NetID password is correct.

• Further Issues: Contact the Yale IT Help Desk or consult specific Spinup documentation if problems persist.

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