Macs do not have a built in Remote Desktop client, however there is a remote desktop application that can be downloaded if you are remoting from a home Mac to a Windows computer on the SMU campus. To connect from a Mac at home to a Mac on campus, you can connect with a VNC Connection. There is a Remote Desktop for Mac application that can connect a home Mac to a campus Mac, but that software application would need to be purchased.
To connect from a Mac at home to a Windows computer on campus:
- Install the SMU VPN Any Connect Client
- Establish the VPN connection
- Download and install the Remote Desktop for Mac application from here.
- Launch the Remote Desktop for Mac application and connect to your Computer IP address or Host Name
- Enter your SMU ID# for your Username, your password and the domain of SMU.
To connect from a Mac at home to a Mac computer on Campus
On the campus Mac:
- Apple Menu>System Preferences>Sharing
- In the Sharing Preference Panel, Choose “Remote Management,” then the “Computer Settings” box.
- In the Computer Settings box, check the “VNC viewers may control screen with password
- Set a local password for the remote sessions. Please note: this password is unique to the machine and not managed by IT. Please be sure it is a highly secure password!
- Click OK.
On the home Mac (or PC)
- Install the SMU VPN Any Connect Client
- Establish the VPN connection
- While in Finder, Click on the GO menu, Choose Connect to Server
- In the server address enter VNC://<IP address or hostname of the campus mac>
- Example: VNC://129.119.000.000
- Click on Connect