SDRG Staff
Terminal Servers
What is a terminal server and what will it do for me?
Terminal Server is a service that allows multiple users to run applications and access their files directly on a network server. All SDRG staff members have access to two terminal servers: Morpheus and Erebus. Connecting to either Morpheus or Erebus via a Remote Desktop Connection allows you to open a window on your laptop or home computer and work directly on files and applications residing on the SDRG network (including tracking databases and analysis software). Unlike VPN connections, Terminal Server uses software loaded on the SDRG server to open your files and does not require you to have any software loaded on your user machine other than Windows or Mac OS X or higher. Because all the processing is actually happening on the terminal server and not on your laptop or home computer, this method is also much faster than VPN access.
The terminal servers are also loaded with a variety of analysis and statistical software. These powerful multi-processor machines run analyses faster than previous servers and desktops and allow you to run them on the server instead of downloading the data to your desktop.
How do I logon?
NOTE: You do not need to log into the VPN before connecting to the terminal server. In fact, it is NOT recommended to use the VPN. Your login id and password will be the same ones you use to log onto the network at the office.
Click here for a printable version of these instructions.
To log into Morpheus:
- Go to Start-->All Programs-->Accessories-->Remote Desktop Connection
(if Remote Desktop Connection does not show up in the Accessories Menu look here instead: Start-->All Programs-->Accessories-->Communications-->Remote Desktop Connection)
- Enter Morpheus.srd.washington.edu as the computer name and click Connect
- The next screen to come up will be a logon screen. You may use your existing SDRG network logon name and password. The only difference will be the addition of the SDRG domain 'sdrg@uw'. Depending on the version of Windows you are running there may be a separate line to enter the sdrg@uw domain - if not, please enter it before your user name as shown below.
- Your personal desktop on Morpheus will open in a new window. You will have access to all your mapped drives and saved files.
To log into Erebus all steps are the same except for the computer name:
- Computer: Erebus.srd.washington.edu
Morpheus or Erebus?
So how do you choose whether to log on to Morpheus or Erebus? Both servers have similar functionality and there are only two reasons to choose one server over the other:
- The terminal server you normally log on to seems slower than usual. In this case a lot of users may be logged onto the same server at the same time, and you might try the other one to see if there is less traffic.
- You need to run some really spectacularly crazy analysis that has been known to bog down lesser servers. In this case Erebus is the server for you.
How do I access my tracking database from offsite?
Logging on to a terminal server is a great way to access tracking databases from a laptop or home computer. It is secure, as data never actually leaves the terminal server, and it is fast because all processing happens on the terminal server as well.
Accessing a tracking database from a terminal server is easy, just log on to the server and the newest copy of the database will copied to your terminal server desktop. Here is a list of which databases are loaded on the terminal servers. If your database does not appear in this list and you would like to be able to access it from outside the office or if the database does not appear on your terminal server desktop when you log on, contact sdrgtech@u.washington.edu and cc your supervisor. IT may need to contact your supervisor for authorization to access a particular database.
| Database Name |
Server Location |
| Board/CKI |
Morpheus |
| CFC_STR |
Erebus |
| CYDS |
Erebus |
| Family Connections |
Morpheus |
| IBD |
Morpheus |
| POC |
Morpheus |
| RHC |
Morpheus |
| SSDP |
Morpheus |
What's the difference between logging off and disconnecting from the terminal server?
Logging off closes your current terminal server
session. Disconnecting only closes your Remote Desktop
window, and allows you to connect to that session
again later.
To log off the terminal server, click the Start
button and choose Log off username or Shut
Down --> Log off username. This logs
you off the terminal server completely. If you
have jobs running or files open, they will be
closed.
To disconnect from the terminal server, click
the X (Close button) to close the main
terminal server window. You'll see a message
stating, "This will disconnect your Windows
session." The terminal server window will close,
but your programs will continue to run in the
background on the server. Next time you log in,
you'll be instantly reconnected and your files
and programs will still be up. It's a convenient
method if you'd like to start a long-running job
at school, and then check on it again later from
home. Be aware, however, that terminal server
sessions that have been idle for more than a day
are subject to disconnection in order to save
system resources.
How do I print a document to my local printer?
You may use the terminal servers' printer redirection functionality
to print to your own desktop printer. Drivers for many popular printer models are already
installed on the server; if your printer is supported, it will appear in
the Printers list a few moments after you connect to the terminal
server. If your printer does not appear, you may contact us and we'll
install the appropriate printer driver. Be sure to include the manufacturer
(e.g. Hewlett-Packard) and model number (e.g. LaserJet 8150) of your
printer.
Please note:
- Printer redirection only works on Windows client computers.
- Although we'll make every effort to get your printer working on the server,
there are some printer models that are not compatible with terminal services.
Many multifunction printers (such as those that also scan, fax, etc.) will
not work with the terminal servers.
Troubleshooting tips:
- If you're using the Remote Desktop Connection program, you must ensure that the
Printers checkbox is selected in Options --> Local Resources.
- Make sure you're using the most recent version of the Remote Desktop Connection
program! If you are unsure, please click here to download the software
and run the msrdpcli.exe file to install it.
- Some printers use a nonstandard printer port name on your local computer which is not
compatible with terminal servers. If upgrading your Remote Desktop Connection software
does not work (see above), you may also want to try the fix explained in
this Microsoft
Support document. But be careful, because making a mistake while editing your
computer's registry could render it inoperable
What analysis software packages are installed on the terminal servers?
In addition to Microsoft Office and other typical SDRG software, the following statistical and analysis software applications are available on Morpheus and Erebus:
- Mplus 5 64-bit
- SPSS 16
- SAS 9.1
- R 2.6.1
- MLWin
- HLM
- EQS 6
- STATA MP 10 64-bit
- EndNote
How can I transfer files from my computer to the terminal server?
If you have files on your local computer or flash drive that you need to access from the terminal server, just place a copy of the files on a network drive (such as your e-box or users folder). If you are out of the office you can use the VPN to access the network drive that you choose. Then when you log onto the terminal server you will have access to all your mapped drives and the files you have transferred there.
If you have any questions or issues, please contact sdrgtech@u.washington.edu or call 221-4647 |
