This article is for Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) students and explains how to access the Southampton Virtual Environment (SVE). 

Before staring, you must be connected to a wired University of Southampton (UoS) network point, eduroam, or the university Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to launch a remote desktop session.

If you are using a university-owned computer, please read the section "Accessing SVE from university-owned computers" before installing Windows App on the computer.

Accessing from a mobile or tablet device

Apple macOS

Accessing SVE by using the "Windows App" application

1. Download and install the Windows App (previously called Remote Desktop) application from the Apple Store:

2. Once installed, launch Windows App

3. Select the + (plus) button

4. Select the option Add workspace

5. Add a new workspace by following the steps below:

1. Enter the following workspace URL: https://remotedesktop.soton.ac.uk/RDWeb/Feed/RDWeb/Feed/webfeed.aspx
2. Select Add
3. If requested, allow the client access to your camera and microphone  
4. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password. You might be asked to confirm your identity through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
5. Select Continue

6. The Remote Desktop Service called "ECSStudent" will appear into the list of your Windows App linked devices

7. Double-click the remote resource ECSStudent 

8. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password

Remember to log off at the end of your session.

 

Accessing SVE by using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Configuration File

1. Open the Remote Desktop Service

2. Select the ECSStudent icon

3. The Remote Desktop Service automatically downloads the Remote Desktop configuration file (called cpub-ECSStudent-ECSStudent-CmsRdsh.rdp) to your machine.

This file includes details of the various servers involved in the Remote Desktop farm, as well as the session hosts configured to deliver the ECSStudent Remote Desktop service.

4. Double-click the file, which then should launch the Windows App application on your computer

5. Enter your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password

6. Confirm that you trust the remote computer

7. Select any local resources that you wish to make available to the remote computer (for example, clipboard)

8. Select Connect

Remember to log off at the end of your session.

Please note: if you are on eduroam without a VPN session, be patient as your client can take 10 seconds or so to negotiate to the https protocol, showing the message "Connecting…".

 

Logging off when you have finished

1. Double-click on the Log off icon on the virtual desktop, then confirm your choice

   

2. Confirm your choice by selecting the option "Log off" 

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Windows

Accessing SVE by using the "Windows App" application

1. Download and install the Windows App (previously called Remote Desktop) application from the Microsoft Store:

2. Once installed, launch Windows App

3. Select the + (plus) button

4. Select the option Add workspace

5. Add a new workspace by following the steps below:

1. Enter the following workspace URL: https://remotedesktop.soton.ac.uk/RDWeb/Feed/RDWeb/Feed/webfeed.aspx
2. Select Add
3. If requested, allow the client access to your camera and microphone  
4. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password. You might be asked to confirm your identity through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
5. Select Continue

6. The Remote Desktop Service called "ECSStudent" will appear into the list of your Windows App linked devices

7. Double-click the remote resource ECSStudent 

8. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password

Remember to log off at the end of your session.

 

Accessing SVE by using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Configuration File

1. Open the Remote Desktop Service

2. Select the ECSStudent icon

3. The Remote Desktop Service automatically downloads the Remote Desktop configuration file (called cpub-ECSStudent-ECSStudent-CmsRdsh.rdp) to your machine.

This file includes details of the various servers involved in the Remote Desktop farm, as well as the session hosts configured to deliver the ECSStudent Remote Desktop service.

4. Double-click this file, which then should launch the Windows App application on your computer

5. Enter your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password

6. Confirm that you trust the remote computer

7. Select any local resources that you wish to make available to the remote computer (for example, clipboard)

8. Select Connect

Remember to log off at the end of your session. 

Please note: if you are on eduroam without a VPN session, be patient as your client can take 10 seconds or so to negotiate to the https protocol, showing the message "Connecting…".

 

Logging off when you have finished

1. Double-click on the Log off icon on the virtual desktop, then confirm your choice

   

2. Confirm your choice by selecting the option "Log off"

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Linux

Accessing SVE by using Remmina

You can access SVE on Linux through Remmina Remote Desktop Client.

The Remmina desktop app may be available by default, or you may need to install it:

yum –y install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp or apt-get install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp

Instructions:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Service

2. Select the ECSStudent icon

3. The Remote Desktop Service automatically downloads the Remote Desktop configuration file (called cpub-ECSStudent-ECSStudent-CmsRdsh.rdp) to your machine.

This file includes details of the various servers involved in the Remote Desktop farm, as well as the session hosts configured to deliver the ECSStudent Remote Desktop service.

4. Launch Remmina either through the internet menu option or run the command remmina from a terminal session

5. Select Tools / Import and choose the downloaded Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) file

6. Enter your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password. You may be asked for your credentials more than once. 

7. Double-click the new rdbroker.soton.ac.uk connection to connect to the remote desktop session

Remember to log off at the end of your session.

 

Logging off when you have finished

1. Double-click on the Log off icon on the virtual desktop, then confirm your choice

   

2. Confirm your choice by selecting the option "Log off"

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Accessing from a mobile or tablet device

Apple iOS

Accessing SVE by using the "Windows App" application

1. Download and install the Windows App (previously called Remote Desktop) application from the Apple Store:

2. Once installed, launch Windows App

3. Select the + (plus) button

4. Select the option Add workspace

5. Add a new workspace by following the steps below:

1. Enter the following workspace URL: https://remotedesktop.soton.ac.uk/RDWeb/Feed/RDWeb/Feed/webfeed.aspx
2. Select Add
3. If requested, allow the client access to your camera and microphone  
4. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password. You might be asked to confirm your identity through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
5. Select Continue

6. The Remote Desktop Service called "ECSStudent" will appear into the list of your Windows App linked devices

7. Double-click the remote resource ECSStudent 

8. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password

Remember to log off at the end of your session.

 

Logging off when you have finished

There are 2 ways to log off:

1. Double-click on the Log off icon on the virtual desktop, then confirm your choice

   
 
2. To log off select the Windows app icon on your screen:

Then:

1. Close the pool's window by selecting the X button
   or
2. Select Disconnect All Device Sessions:
   

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Android

Accessing SVE by using the "Windows App" application

1. Download and install the Windows App (previously called Remote Desktop) application from the Google Play:

2. Once installed, launch Windows App

3. Select the + (plus) button

4. Select the option Add workspace

5. Add a new workspace by following the steps below:

1. Enter the following workspace URL: https://remotedesktop.soton.ac.uk/RDWeb/Feed/RDWeb/Feed/webfeed.aspx
2. Select Add
3. If requested, allow the client access to your camera and microphone  
4. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password. You might be asked to confirm your identity through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
5. Select Continue

6. The Remote Desktop Service called "ECSStudent" will appear into the list of your Windows App linked devices

7. Double-click the remote resource ECSStudent 

8. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password

Remember to log off at the end of your session.

 

Logging off when you have finished

There are 2 ways to log off:

1. Double-click on the Log off icon on the virtual desktop, then confirm your choice

   
 
2. To log off select the Windows app icon on your screen:

Then:

1. Close the pool's window by selecting the X button
   or
2. Select Disconnect All PCS:
   

 

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Accessing SVE from university-owned computers

If you are using a university-owned computer, to access SVE you might need to download the "Windows App" application directly from the university Software Centre as follows.

Windows users

Installing Windows App

1. Open the Software Center through the icon on your desktop
   
2. Search for Windows App
   
3. Select Install

 

Accessing SVE

1. Look for the app in the Start menu (all apps) or use the Search bar

2. Launch Windows App

3. Select the + (plus) button

4. Select the option Add workspace

5. Add a new workspace by following the steps below:

1. Enter the following workspace URL: https://remotedesktop.soton.ac.uk/RDWeb/Feed/RDWeb/Feed/webfeed.aspx
2. Select Add
3. If requested, allow the client access to your camera and microphone  
4. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password. You might be asked to confirm your identity through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
5. Select Continue

6. The Remote Desktop Service called "ECSStudent" will appear into the list of your Windows App linked devices

7. Double-click the remote resource ECSStudent 

8. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password

Remember to log off at the end of your session.

 

Apple macOS users

Installing Windows App

1. Open Self Service from the application folder
   
2. Search for Windows App
   
3. Select Install

 

Accessing SVE

1. Launch Windows App

2. Select the + (plus) button

3. Select the option Add workspace

4. Add a new workspace by following the steps below:

1. Enter the following workspace URL: https://remotedesktop.soton.ac.uk/RDWeb/Feed/RDWeb/Feed/webfeed.aspx
2. Select Add
3. If requested, allow the client access to your camera and microphone  
4. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password. You might be asked to confirm your identity through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
5. Select Continue

5. The Remote Desktop Service called "ECSStudent" will appear into the list of your Windows App linked devices

6. Double-click the remote resource ECSStudent 

7. Sign in with your university username followed by @soton.ac.uk (for example: ab1c22@soton.ac.uk) and password

Remember to log off at the end of your session.

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