When access to FE virtual non-production and production environments is needed, physical laptops are no longer used.  Instead, from your own computer, you need to use Remote Desktop to create a connection to another computer that has a FE client connected to the non-production or production environment.  

NOTE:  Only one person can login to these machines at a time.  If there is an active session and you need to find out who is using the machine, please contact the help center.

Prerequisites:

• WFAA Tech Services needs to add you into the appropriate Active Directory Group before you can use remote desktop to access these machines.  If you need access, please contact the help center.
  • DEV
    • FECLIENT-D-RDP-Users (for feclient-d)
    • FECLIENT1-D-RDP-Users (for d1-feclient1-d)
  • STAGE: FECLIENT-S-RDP-Users
  • PROD: FECLIENT1-P-RDP-Users
• One time per machine per user, in your Remote Desktop Connection, take these steps before using FE to ensure FE reports and FE printing don't raise errors.
  • Set Default Printer to "Microsoft Print to PDF"
    • See steps in the attached file at the bottom of this page - "To correct printer error in remote FE sessions when running reports.docx"
  • On a machine with "Windows Server" operating system, 
    • Confirm the "Print Spooler" service is enabled and running
    • Start Menu > msconfig > hit Enter to open System Configuration utility.
      • In the launched console, switch to the Services tab, the middle one, and locate the Print Spooler service. To enable Print Spooler service, check the box, and then click the Apply button.
    • 
  • • Login to Box Drive
    • • 
    • Launch Excel and Sign in to set up Office
      • 
• For AWS (Amazon) environments, the DUO mobile app must be installed on the FE user's mobile device.
  • All WFAA employees are set up with DUO

Steps to use Virtual FE machines:

• On your local Windows 10 PC:
  • In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then
  • select Remote Desktop Connection.
  • In Remote Desktop Connection, type the full name of the remote PC, and
    • In the Computer field enter the FE Client VM for the target environment, see below.
      • AWS (Amazon)
        • DEV: Computers=devfeclient.uwadvancement.org
          • (NOTE:  there is no TEST environment at AWS)
        • STAGE: Computer = stagefeclient.uwadvancement.org
        • PROD: Computer = feclient.uwadvancement.org
          • (NOTE:  this Prod environment is only for testing until after the 2/4/2022 - 2/6/2022 cutover")
    • 
  • select Connect.
    • For more info, see also: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028379/windows-how-to-use-remote-desktop
  • NOTE: the first time you connect to the machine, if you see the prompt below, check the box for "Don't ask me again for connections to this computer" and click "Yes" to connect.
    • "The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified.  Do you want to connect anyway?"   
    • 
  • For AWS (Amazon) Environments only...
    • Click "OK" button on the "WARNING!!!  Unauthorized access is prohibited!" screen
    • On the DUO security screen
      1. If required, set Device to the number for your device
         1. 
      2. Click "Send Me a Push"
         • 
    • In DUO on your device, select "Approve"
      • 
  • When finished...
    • To close FE, be sure to “File / Exit and Sign Out”, rather than red X, of all FE sessions.
    • To Sign out, rather than disconnect, from Windows session
      • Disconnect should not be used, unless intended, because it keeps an active Windows session for you on the machine possibly preventing others from using the machine.
      • Option 1:
        • Right click on Windows Start. Click Shut down or sign out > Sign out.  
        • 
      • Option 2
        • Press and hold Alt key and then press F4 key which will Sign Out and disconnect you from the Windows session.