Information Technology Services - Computing, Networking and Storage
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Synergy Virtual Classroom Overview

Synergy Virtual Classroom provides a computing area for applications that require a custom environment. Synergy currently provides the Microsoft Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment.

To use Synergy Virtual Classroom, you will need a computer running Windows XP or Mac OS X.

You will also need Remote Desktop Connection software, which comes pre-installed on Windows XP or later. If you are using a Macintosh computer, click here to download Remote Desktop.

Connecting to Synergy (Microsoft XP and Mac OS X)

  1. Open an Internet browser and go to https://synergy.usc.edu.

  2. In the Username and Password field, enter your USC account information and click the Login button.

  3. After a successful login, a status bar will show the available nodes and indicate if any node is currently checked out to your account. To check out a node, click the link: Check-Out Node.

  4. When a node is checked out, a new option to download your RDP connection file will appear. To download the file, click the link: Download Your RDP Connection File.

  5. A File Download window will appear. To continue, click the Open button.

  6. A Remote Desktop Connection Security Warning window may appear stating that the local computer's disk drives will be available from the remote computer. This is a normal warning; to continue click the OK button.

  7. A Windows Server 2003 Login Window will appear. Enter your USC account information in the Username and Password field. Also, make sure the Log on to field is set to: ITS.USC.EDU (Kerberos Realm).

Usage Time

There is a time limit on how long a Synergy computer node can be checked out.

  • Logged in but idle, 1 hour

  • Logged in but disconnected, 30 minutes

  • Maximum check out time, 24 hours

Unsupported Versions

There are other versions of Remote Desktop offered by Microsoft that will work with other operating systems. ITS does not support the usage of other operating systems with Synergy.

Getting Help

Synergy Virtual Classroom is currently only supported at USC User labs.

For questions related to Synergy Virtual Classroom, please contact the ITS Customer Support Center at consult@usc.edu or call 213-740-5555.



Last updated: Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 11:24AM PDT