Rebranded as ZCentral Remote Boost by HP in 2021
RGS (Remote Graphics Software) is a commercial remote desktop tool produced by Hewlett Packard specifically designed for use with graphics-intensive applications. It is similar in function to Citrix, remote desktop, or VNC, but is specifically designed to handle graphic intensive applications such as 3D modeling.
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How CAEDM uses RGS
The college is heavily invested in RGS technology, allowing anyone with a CAEDM account to use graphics-intensive applications from anywhere with a robust internet connection. Since RGS displays everything going on graphically, it can be network intensive. We recommend using a wired internet connection for best results. CAEDM supports Windows and Linux clients connecting to both Windows and Linux RGS workstations.
Each user logged into RGS uses one physical workstation blade in one of our server rooms. Each workstation has multiple processors and many gigabytes of memory, making high-end CAD and graphics work possible. You will not find all CAEDM software on RGS because not all software requires multiple processors and high-end graphics. Less resource intensive applications are instead installed on Citrix, which allows many users to share the resources of one physical server.
Download RGS
RGS Client downloads are available on the CAEDM Downloads page. The RGS Client is available for Mac, Windows 10, and Red Hat or Debian based distributions of Linux.
Using RGS
Run the RGS Connect shortcut from your Start menu. Login to the RGS Connect client using your CAEDM credentials. From here you may choose to connect to a Windows or Linux machine, from both on or off campus. There are a limited number of off-campus RGS workstations. If you are on campus, please do not use the off-campus machines. You will then automatically be directed to a free machine of the type chosen.
Once logged in, you will see a full desktop, including a Start menu, of a remote workstation with all the graphics-intensive software installed. When finished, do not close the RGS window with the "red X" in the top right corner. This will not log you out, but will "disconnect" your session. Disconnected sessions stay available for a number of minutes before you are forcibly logged off. To log out, use the "logoff" button on the task bar, or select "logoff" from the Start menu.
To switch between full screen mode, or to toggle an advanced options toolbar at the top of the page, use the following key sequence:
<shift(hold)><space depress><space release>+<h>
(If this toolbar was accidentally accessed, simply use the sequence above to toggle it off.)
Printing in RGS
Printing from RGS is a great resource, but it is slightly limited. From any computer RGS has the capability to print to a CAEDM printer, but it cannot print to local printers. The advantage of using RGS is the processing power, for this reason RGS does not provide Microsoft Office or other programs requiring lower processing power, rather, it provides CAD programs and other programs that require high end processing power.
Accessing files in RGS
File access is a slightly limited from RGS. The user's personal J Drive will automatically be mapped and USB connections are automatically detected, but RGS will not automatically connect to files on the user's local machine. The best way to access personal files on RGS is to map the J Drive on the local machine and copy the desired files to the J Drive, or to put those files onto a flash drive, as USB support is automatic.
Examples of Software on RGS
| Windows-based Applications | Linux-based Applications | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CAD Programs | Altair HyperWorks, Ansys, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Catia, CODE, Fluent, iSight FD, LSDYNA, Marc Mentat, MD R2 Adams, NX, QT4, SolidWorks | Altair Hyperworks, Ansys, Cadence, Ensight, Fluent, iSight FD, LSDYNA, OptdesX, StarCCM+ | |
| Math | MathCAD | MatLab, Maple, Mathematica | |
| Graphics | Adobe Creative Suite | Gimp | |
| Note: Software such as Microsoft Office is not found on RGS, but may be accessed through Citrix. | |||
Troubleshooting
- During installation, if you receive an error stating "Failed to create process default activation context," you will need to install the .NET framework from Microsoft.
- During Installation, if you are running Windows Vista or Windows 7, you must either disable UAC or run the RGS Connect Client as an Administrator. (This error has been corrected in the latest version of the client)
- BYU Guest Wireless is not supported. Please connect using a wired connection or BYU Secure Wireless.
- If you are using RGS and the remote workstation becomes unresponsive, you really have little choice but to close the window to the RGS session. Closing the window of an RGS session does not log you out. Instead, it "disconnects" the user from the session. "Disconnecting" is useful, for example, if you have connected via wireless and you lose signal. RGS assumes that you want to come back to your session, and it holds that workstation for you for about a half-hour or so. Normally this would be a wonderful feature, but if you've locked up the workstation, every time you connect back to RGS you will receive the same hung workstation that is unresponsive. To fix this, you must contact an administrator.
Advanced Options
- On-screen collaboration is possible with multiple users. Click here for instructions.
