AGLT2 RHEL 10 Remote Desktop Access

Overview

X2Go is no longer supported on RHEL 10. AGLT2 has therefore switched to GNOME Remote Desktop for graphical remote access to RHEL 10 systems.

This page describes how to connect to the RHEL 10 interactive node:

umt3int03.aglt2.org

from a Windows computer using Windows Remote Desktop Connection (RDP).

Network requirement: You must be connected to the University of Michigan (UM) VPN before connecting to the remote desktop.

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Requirements

Before connecting, make sure you have:

• A Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer

• An active UM VPN connection

• The RDP username:

   atlas

• The RDP password provided by the AGLT2 administrator (please email us to ask for the password)

• Your normal AFS username

• Your normal AFS password

Connect to the UM VPN

If you are working outside the University network, connect to the UM VPN first.

The RDP service on the UM Tier3 Login nodes is not intended to be accessed directly from the public Internet.

Verify that your UM VPN connection is active before starting Remote Desktop.

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Connect Using Windows Remote Desktop

1. Start Remote Desktop Connection

Open the Windows Start menu and search for:

Remote Desktop Connection

Alternatively, press:

Windows + R

and run:

mstsc

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2. Enter the Remote Computer

In the Computer field, enter the UM Tier3 login nodes which we already built with RHEL10 (currently only umt3int03)

umt3int03.aglt2.org

Click Connect.

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3. Enter the RDP Credentials

When prompted for credentials, use:

Username:

atlas

Password:

Use the RDP password provided by the AGLT2 administrator.

Click OK.

Note: The atlas credential is used to authenticate to the GNOME Remote Desktop service. It is separate from your individual Linux account.

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4. Log in to the Linux Desktop

After the RDP connection is authenticated, the GNOME login screen will be displayed.

Select your Linux username or choose the option to enter another username.

Enter your normal AGLT2/UMich/Kerberos password.

For example:

Username: af_users
Password: <your afs password>

After successful authentication, the GNOME desktop will be displayed.

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Verify the Remote Host

After logging in, open a Terminal and run:

hostname

The expected result is:

umt3int03

To verify your Linux username:

whoami

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AFS Access

RDP authentication and AFS authentication are separate.

If AFS files are not accessible after logging in, check your Kerberos credentials:

klist

If necessary, obtain an AFS token:

aklog

Verify the AFS token with:

tokens

If the token is empty, you can regenerate the token with

kinit

aklog

Disconnecting

When finished, use Log Out from the GNOME desktop if you want to terminate your Linux session.

You may also close the Remote Desktop window.

Note: Closing the Remote Desktop window may disconnect the RDP connection without logging out of the Linux session. Log out of GNOME when you are finished with the session.

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Troubleshooting

Remote Desktop cannot connect

Check the following:

1. Confirm that you are connected to the UM VPN.

2. Verify the hostname:

    umt3int03.aglt2.org

3. From a Windows Command Prompt, test DNS:

    nslookup umt3int03.aglt2.org

4. If the hostname cannot be resolved, verify your UM VPN connection.

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RDP credential is rejected

The first credential prompt requires the GNOME Remote Desktop credential:

Username: atlas
Password: <RDP password>

Do not use your normal Linux/Kerberos password at this prompt.

After the RDP credential is accepted, the GNOME login screen will ask for your individual Linux credentials:

Username: AFS user name
Password: <AFS password>

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Linux login fails

Verify that you are using:

• Your correct afs username

• Your normal afs password

The RDP username atlas is not your Linux username.

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AFS files are not accessible

Check Kerberos:

klist

Then obtain an AFS token:

aklog

Verify:

tokens

If the problem persists, contact the AGLT2 administrators.

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Quick Reference

Item	Value
Remote desktop	GNOME Remote Desktop
Windows client	Windows Remote Desktop (mstsc)
Host	umt3int03.aglt2.org
VPN	UM VPN required
RDP username	atlas
RDP password	Provided by AGLT2 administrator
Linux username	AFS user name
Linux password	AFS password
Previous solution	X2Go
X2Go on RHEL 10	No longer supported

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Authentication Flow

Windows PC
    |
    | 1. Connect to UM VPN
    v
UM Network
    |
    | 2. Windows Remote Desktop
    v
umt3int03.aglt2.org
    |
    | 3. RDP credential
    |    atlas + RDP password
    v
GNOME Login
    |
    | 4. Individual Linux credentials
    |    username + Kerberos password
    v
GNOME Desktop

In summary: Connect to the UM VPN, open Windows Remote Desktop, connect to umt3int03.aglt2.org, use atlas with the RDP password at the first prompt, and then log in with your normal Linux/UMich credentials.

-- WenjingWu - 11 Sep 2026