Global Knowledge MEA Remote Labs

Remote Lab Access Procedure

Contents

1. Overview ....................................................................................................................... 3
2. Student Workstation Requirements ............................................................................. 3
2.1. Windows Platforms ........................................................................................... 3
2.2. Apple Platforms ................................................................................................ 3
2.3. Linux Platforms ................................................................................................. 3
3. Network/Firewall Connectivity Requirements ............................................................. 4
4. Connecting to the Remote Lab ..................................................................................... 5
4.1. Windows XP Remote Desktop Connection Procedure ..................................... 5
4.2. Windows 7 Remote Desktop Connection Procedure ....................................... 7
4.3. Linux Remote Desktop Connection Procedure ............................................... 10
4.4. MAC Remote Desktop Connection procedure: .............................................. 11
5. Frequently Asked Questions: ...................................................................................... 12

2 Remote Lab Access Procedure for GK MEA Remote Labs

1. Overview
The GK-MEA: Remote Lab Access Guide provides information about connecting
and configuring the RDP Client to connect to GK-MEA Remote Labs. It also
describes how to set up RDP Clients on different Operating Systems.

2. Student Workstation Requirements

This section lists the workstation requirements and recommendations for
connecting to GK MEA Remote Labs.

2.1. Windows Platforms

 Windows XP, Vista, or 7

 Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 client or later

2.2. Apple Platforms

 Mac OS 10.4.9 (Tiger) or later

 Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 client or later

2.3. Linux Platforms

 Linux based OS with Gnome V3.2 or higher with any 3rd party RDC
application such as Remmina Remote Desktop client installed.
Note: Remote Desktop Connection on Linux base has been tested only on
the above mentioned application, results on other Linux OS base or 3rd
party applications may vary

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3. Network/Firewall Connectivity Requirements
The Global Knowledge remote lab access solution uses standard Remote Desktop
Protocol (RDP) over port: 443. The network used by students to access the labs
should allow outbound RDP connections over this port.

RDP Session to our Terminal Services Server is load balanced across pool of
Servers in our Server Farm. RDP Connection to rlabs.globalknowledge.ae will be
terminated to one of the IP Address of Servers in the Server Farm mentioned
below. You need to ensure that Port 443 is permitted to the IP Addresses as
shown in Table 3.1

Table 3.1 IP Address and Ports to be permitted on firewall.

IP Address Ports
80.227.100.104
80.227.100.105 443
80.227.100.106

The Protocol used in communication with the Remote Labs is RDP, but channeled
through 443. The default RDP port 3389 is forwarded to port: 443 to permit
access to Remote Labs from the classroom environments behind firewall with
stringent policies. The underlying protocol is still RDP but running on port: 443
instead of the standard port: 3389.

Note: Most pop‐up blockers, privacy control, ad blocking, and personal firewall
software will not affect access to the remote labs. However, some students may
need to modify settings in those applications while using the lab in order for
certain features to work properly.

4 Remote Lab Access Procedure for GK MEA Remote Labs

4. Connecting to the Remote Lab

4.1. Windows XP Remote Desktop Connection Procedure

Please follow the below process to successfully connect to Global

Knowledge MEA Remote labs:
4.1.1. Click Start, All Programs, and select Accessories
4.1.2. In the Accessories menu, select Remote Desktop Connection.
4.1.3. If you do not see Remote Desktop Connection, it may be installed
but not in the accessories menu. Click Start, Run, and type
“mstsc”.

4.1.4. To enter the User Credentials, Click Options to expand the

configuration

4.1.5. In the Computer field type rlabs.globalknowledge.ae, and in the

User name field type ”username@gk”

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 4.1.6. Click Connect. You are directed to the first User Selection page,
Select the User Profile.

4.1.7. You are then redirected to the first authentication page, enter
the Password provided. After which you are redirected to the Lab
topology which gives you access to console of the
devices/PC/Servers/Appliances.

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 4.2. Windows 7 Remote Desktop Connection Procedure

Please follow this process on to access Remote labs provided by Global

Knowledge MEA Remote Labs:
4.2.1. Click Start, All Programs, and select Accessories.
4.2.2. In the Accessories menu, select Remote Desktop Connection.
4.2.3. If you do not see Remote Desktop Connection, it may be installed
but not in the accessories menu. Click Start, Run, and type
“mstsc”.

4.2.4. Click Options to expand the configuration tabs.

4.2.5. In the Computer field type rlabs.globalknowledge.ae:443, and in

the User name field type ”username@gk”

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 4.2.6. Click Connect, You will be guided to the user authentication tab,
Enter the Password provided to you.

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 4.2.7. When you provide your login/password , you are now redirected
to your Remote lab topology which gives you access to console of
the devices, PC, Servers and Appliances.

Copyright © 2013-2014, Global Knowledge 9

 4.3. Linux Remote Desktop Connection Procedure

4.3.1. At the Debian Tab bar, Click on Applications tab, Internet and
select Remmina Remote Desktop Client (or any other 3rd party
Application)
4.3.2. Click on the Actions tab, Quick Connect To , Select RDP-Windows
Terminal Service

4.3.3. Give the server name rlabs.globalknowledge.ae:443 ,Give the

User name/Password, Give ‘GK’ as the domain name and change
Color Depth to High Color (16bit)
4.3.4. Click Connect, You will be redirected to the Lab Topology which
gives you access to console of the devices, PC, Servers and
Appliances.

10 Remote Lab Access Procedure for GK MEA Remote Labs

 4.4. MAC Remote Desktop Connection procedure:

4.4.1. Download the latest RDC software such as Microsoft Remote

Desktop Connection for Mac.
4.4.2. Click File, Find, and search for Remote Desktop Connection.
4.4.3. In the Accessories menu, select Remote Desktop Connection.

4.4.4. Type, rlabs.globalknowledge.ae:443 at the tab beside computer.

4.4.5. Enter the user credentials provided to you, with domain name GK

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5. Frequently Asked Questions:

5.1. What ports are required for RDP connectivity?

The protocol used in communication with the Remote labs is RDP. Default
RDP port (3389) is forwarded to port: 443 to permit access to Remote Labs
from most of the classroom environments behind firewall with stringent
policies. The underlying protocol is still RDP but running on port: 443 instead
of the standard port: 3389.

5.2. What if I’m unable to connect using RDP due to firewall limitations?

In case you are behind firewall, please ensure that the port TCP/443 to IP
Addresses 80.227.100.104, 80.227.100.105 & 80.227.100.106 are permitted
from the classroom.

IP Address Ports
80.227.100.104
80.227.100.105 443
80.227.100.106

5.3. I am getting the following error “The specified computer name contains
invalid characters. Please verify the name and try again” What should I do?

The name of the remote computer you have given is incorrect. This might be
a typing error. Try typing the name of the remote computer again. If you
receive the same message, contact the server administrator to be sure you
are using the correct name for the remote computer.

5.4. I am getting the following error “the connection was ended because of a
network error. Please try connecting to the remote computer again.” What
should I do?

A network error prevented your computer from communicating with the terminal
server. Try connecting to the remote computer again. If you receive the same
message, be sure that your computer is connected to the network. If you are still
unable to connect to the remote computer, contact the server administrator.

12 Remote Lab Access Procedure for GK MEA Remote Labs