Configure Remote Desktop (MacOS version)

The instructions below are divided into four sections. The first two sections are required - "Install Cloudflare WARP for macOS" and "Enable the Cloudflare WARP certificate for macOS." If you already have a Remote Desktop connection that you've been using, follow the steps in the third section ("Edit an existing Remote Desktop connection") to update your connection. If you are setting up Remote Desktop for the first time, or would just prefer to set up a brand new connection, you can jump to the last section "Set up a new Remote Desktop connection."    

• Install the Cloudflare WARP client for macOS (required)
• Enable the Cloudflare WARP certificate for macOS (required)
• Edit an existing Remote Desktop connection
• Set up a new Remote Desktop connection

This process should only be set up on the device you'll be using from off-campus, and not on any campus-side desktop computers.

Install the Cloudflare WARP client for macOS

Before installing and setting up the WARP Client, ensure that your device is running MacOS Mojave (10.14) or higher. It is not compatible with older operating systems such as High Sierra (10.13).

1. On Mac device you'll be using at home (to remote into your campus PC), download the Cloudflare WARP client for macOS from: https://cloudflarewarp.com/

2. Go to your Downloads folder and open the Cloudflare_WARP.pkg file to being the installation.

3. Once installed, when the Warp/disconnected pop-up appears, click the settings button (gear icon) and select Preferences.

4. Click the Account tab and then click Login with Cloudflare Zero Trust.

5. Enter "buffalostate" in the Enter your Team name box.

6. Click Next when the "What is Cloudflare Zero Trust?" bubble appears. 

7. Click Accept when the "Your privacy" bubble appears. 

8. Your default web browser will open to a Microsoft sign-in page. Sign-in using your Buffalo State email and password, and complete the multi-factor verification.

9. When the Zero Trust pop-up appears, click on the button to toggle it on. When "on" the Zero Trust button will turn blue and say "Connected"; when "off" it will turn gray and say "Disconnected". In general, you should toggle Zero Trust on when you use Remote Desktop and toggle it off when you are done with your remote session. 

Enable the Cloudflare WARP certificate for macOS

Follow these steps to enable the Cloudflare WARP certificate on your Mac.  

1. Click Go > Utilities and open Keychain Access.

2. In the System Keychains area on the left, click System and then select the Certificates tab.

3. Double-click Cloudflare for Teams ECC Certificate Authority (the one with the red X symbol).
4. Click the arrow to expand the Trust section.
5. In the When using this certificate drop-down, select Always Trust. Close the window when done.

6. When prompted, enter the admin username and password for your computer and click Update Settings. The certificate is now trusted and the red x symbol should be gone.

Edit an existing Remote Desktop connection

If you already have a Remote Desktop shortcut that you've been using, follow these steps to make sure your connection is configured properly.

1. Open Remote Desktop and click the pencil icon to edit your connection.

2. In the Gateway section, click the drop-down and select No gateway. Click Save.

3. To test your connection, click the three horizontal dots and click Connect. Enter your Buffalo State password when prompted.

Set up a new Remote Desktop connection

If you are setting up Remote Desktop for the first time, or would just prefer to set up a brand new connection (instead of editing an existing RD connection), follow these steps.

1. Download the latest version of Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store. You can skip this step if you already have Remote Desktop installed.
2. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop when the installation completes and click the Add PC button.

3. In the PC name field, enter the device name of your campus PC followed by .bsclogon.buffalostate.edu. For example, if your device name is DN4129PDE you should enter "DN4129PDE.bsclogon.buffalostate.edu". 

4. Click the User account drop-down and select Add User Account.

5. Enter "bsclogon\" followed by your Buffalo State username in the Username field. Give your account a friendly name like "Buffalo State" and click Add.

6. Your settings should now look similar to the image below. You may want to give your connection a friendly name like "Remote to Work - no Gateway." Click Add to save the connection.

7. To remote into your campus PC, double-click on the saved connection (or click the three horizontal dots and choose Connect).

8. Click Continue at the "certificate couldn't be verified" screen. You should now be signed into your work PC.

9. When you are ready to disconnect from your work PC, click Microsoft Remote Desktop from the menu bar and select Quit Remote Desktop.
10. Re-authentication pop-up notification: The next time you use Remote Desktop, if more than twelve hours has passed, you will see the pop-up message below prompting you to re-authenticate. Click on the pop-up to proceed.