Windows Support

Terminal Servers

CSDE maintains three servers running Microsoft Windows Server with Terminal Services. These servers permit CSDE affiliates, staff, and students to run statistical software from anywhere in the world and analyze datasets stored on our file servers. When you log in to a terminal server, you get a familiar Windows desktop environment (called a "session") in which to open and edit files, run analysis programs, or use specific software packages.

Our terminal servers are available to anyone with a CSDE Windows network account. If you don't have an account yet, click here to sign up!

How to Connect to the Terminal Servers

  1. If you're using Windows XP or Vista...

    Use Windows' built-in Remote Desktop Connection client. It's usually located in the Start Menu under All Programs --> Accessories --> Communications --> Remote Desktop Connection. In the "Computer" field, enter the DNS Name of the server you want to use; see the table below. For example, to log in to TS1, type csde-ts1.csde.washington.edu and click "Connect".

  2. If you're using a Mac, or an older version of Windows...

    Download a version of the Remote Desktop Connection client that is appropriate for your computer:

    When your download finishes, find the file and run it to install the software. After installation, you can connect to a terminal server by running the RDC program in the Start Menu under All Programs --> Accessories --> Communications --> Remote Desktop Connection. (If you're using a Mac, find Remote Desktop Connection in your Applications folder and double-click its icon.) Then, in the "Computer" field, enter the DNS Name of the server you want to use; see the table below. For example, to log in to TS1, type csde-ts1.csde.washington.edu and click "Connect".

Which Terminal Server Should I Use?

There are three terminal servers available for use by CSDE affiliates and students. These servers -- TS1, TS2 and TS4 -- carry a full complement of software that is geared toward statistical application use.

Server DNS Name Hardware Summary Local Storage Intended Usage
TS1 csde-ts1.csde.washington.edu 4x 3.4GHz dual-core CPUs and 32.0GB memory 140GB temporary data drive (D:) Statistical programming and analysis
TS2 csde-ts2.csde.washington.edu 4x 2.8GHz dual-core CPUs and 32.0GB memory 140GB temporary data drive (D:) Statistical programming and analysis
TS4 csde-ts4.csde.washington.edu 2x 3.0GHz CPUs and 4.0GB memory 80GB temporary data drive (D:) Statistical programming and analysis

A wide variety of software packages are installed on the CSDE terminal servers. However, each terminal server has a slightly different set of applications and tools installed. Please refer to our Software on the Terminal Servers web page for more details; this page is always kept up-to-date.

Because some software is not available on all terminal servers, you may find that you need to use one particular server for your work. The Software on the Terminal Servers web page will help you determine this. Other people may have software needs that any terminal server can provide (for example, SAS and R are available everywhere). These users should pick a terminal server based on which server is least busy. The CSDE Computing Core provides a handy web page with this status information.

Additional notes about software on the terminal servers:

If you have any other questions about the CSDE terminal servers, please contact us: csde_help@u.washington.edu.
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