RIT GCI Cyberrange

Remote Desktop Gateway Connection Guide

This guide will walk you through connecting to virtual machines in the RIT GCI Cyberrange using the Remote Desktop Gateway.

Quick Start

Download the pre-configured RDP template with all settings already configured:

Download RDP Template

Prerequisites

  • Active RIT account
  • Access to the GCI Cyberrange
  • IP address of your assigned VM
  • VM credentials (username and password)
  • Windows Remote Desktop Client installed

Gateway Information

Gateway Server: rdp.cyberrange.rit.edu

Gateway Domain: main.ad.rit.edu

Connection Steps

1

Enter VM IP Address

Open the downloaded RDP template file or launch Remote Desktop Connection. Enter the IP address of your assigned virtual machine in the Computer field.

Enter VM IP Address

Note: You can leave the User name field as "None specified" - you'll be prompted for credentials later.

2

Authenticate to RD Gateway

The first authentication prompt is for the RD Gateway server. This allows you to access the Cyberrange network.

RD Gateway Authentication

Username format: <username>@rit.edu

Example: abc1234@rit.edu

Password: Your RIT account password

This is your RIT login credentials, not your VM credentials!

3

Authenticate to Your VM

After the gateway authentication succeeds, you'll be prompted for the credentials of the specific virtual machine you're connecting to.

VM Authentication

Username: The username assigned for your VM (e.g., "cyberrange")

Password: The password for your VM account

These credentials are specific to your virtual machine and may differ from your RIT credentials.

4

Connected!

Once authenticated, you'll be connected to your virtual machine desktop. You can now work on your assigned tasks or exercises.

Troubleshooting

Authentication Failed

  • Verify you're using the correct username format: <username>@rit.edu for gateway authentication
  • Ensure you're using your RIT password for the gateway, not your VM password
  • Check if your RIT account requires multi-factor authentication

Cannot Connect to VM

  • Verify the VM IP address is correct
  • Ensure your VM is running
  • Check that you have the correct VM credentials

Gateway Connection Issues

  • Confirm the gateway server is: rdp.cyberrange.rit.edu
  • Use the provided RDP template to ensure correct settings
  • Verify you have network connectivity to the gateway

Connecting from Linux

Linux users can connect to the Cyberrange using FreeRDP or Remmina with RD Gateway support.

Method 1: Using FreeRDP (Command Line)

Install FreeRDP if not already installed:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install freerdp2-x11

# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install freerdp

# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S freerdp

Connect using the following command:

xfreerdp /v:<VM_IP_ADDRESS> \
  /g:rdp.cyberrange.rit.edu \
  /gu:<username>@rit.edu \
  /gp:<RIT_PASSWORD> \
  /u:<VM_USERNAME> \
  /p:<VM_PASSWORD> \
  /cert:ignore \
  /size:1920x1080 \
  +clipboard \
  /dynamic-resolution

Parameter Breakdown:

  • /v: - Your VM IP address
  • /g: - RD Gateway server hostname
  • /gu: - Gateway username (your RIT email)
  • /gp: - Gateway password (your RIT password)
  • /u: - VM username
  • /p: - VM password
  • /cert:ignore - Ignore certificate warnings
  • /size: - Resolution (adjust as needed)
  • +clipboard - Enable clipboard sharing
  • /dynamic-resolution - Allow window resizing

Security Note: Avoid storing passwords in scripts. Omit /gp: and /p: to be prompted for passwords interactively.

Interactive Example (recommended):

xfreerdp /v:100.65.39.99 \
  /g:rdp.cyberrange.rit.edu \
  /gu:abc1234@rit.edu \
  /u:cyberrange \
  /cert:ignore \
  +clipboard \
  /dynamic-resolution

Method 2: Using Remmina (GUI)

Install Remmina if not already installed:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp

# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install remmina remmina-plugins-rdp

# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S remmina freerdp

Configure Remmina:

  1. Open Remmina
  2. Click the "+" button to create a new connection
  3. Set Protocol to "RDP - Remote Desktop Protocol"
  4. Fill in the Basic tab:
    • Server: Your VM IP address
    • Username: Your VM username
    • Password: Your VM password
  5. Go to the Advanced tab
  6. Set Security: to "Negotiate" or "RDP"
  7. Check "Ignore certificate"
  8. Scroll down to find Gateway Settings:
    • Gateway server: rdp.cyberrange.rit.edu
    • Gateway username: <username>@rit.edu
    • Gateway password: Your RIT password
    • Gateway domain: main.ad.rit.edu
  9. Save and connect

Method 3: Using the RDP Template File

You can use the provided template with FreeRDP:

xfreerdp cyberrange-rdp.rdp \
  /v:<VM_IP_ADDRESS> \
  /gu:<username>@rit.edu \
  /u:<VM_USERNAME>

This will load the gateway settings from the template file and prompt for passwords.

Linux-Specific Troubleshooting

  • Connection fails immediately: Verify FreeRDP version supports gateway (xfreerdp --version). Version 2.0+ recommended.
  • "Failed to connect" error: Check gateway parameters are correct, especially /gu: format
  • Authentication loops: Ensure you're using <username>@rit.edu for gateway username, not just username
  • Certificate errors: Use /cert:ignore or /cert-ignore depending on FreeRDP version
  • Display issues: Try different security settings: /sec:rdp or /sec:tls

Manual Gateway Configuration (Windows)

If you prefer to configure the RD Gateway manually instead of using the template:

  1. Open Remote Desktop Connection
  2. Click "Show Options"
  3. Go to the "Advanced" tab
  4. Click "Settings" under "Connect from anywhere"
  5. Select "Use these RD Gateway server settings"
  6. Enter server name: rdp.cyberrange.rit.edu
  7. Select "Ask for credentials"
  8. Click OK to save

Summary

Two separate authentications are required:

  1. Gateway Authentication: Your RIT account (<username>@rit.edu)
  2. VM Authentication: Your assigned VM credentials