Accessing the Econ Windows terminal server (Xerxes)

Summary

How to access the Economics Windows terminal server (LSA Xerxes2) within the LSA Environment.

Environment

Department of Economics graduate students

Operating Systems:

• macOS X 13 (Ventura) or later
• Windows 10 v22H2 or later

Directions

For Windows, you must be running Windows 10 v22H2 or later. The Remote Desktop Connection client is built in to Windows.

For macOS, you must be running macOS X version 13 (Ventura) or later. Additionally, MAC users will need to download/install the Microsoft Remote Desktop software from the App Store.

If you are going to connect from off campus, then the first thing you will need is to install the U-M VPN Client installed on your computer (Windows/macOS). Download and install it if necessary.

Choose the version of VPN for your Operating System and follow the instructions for installation.

Once installed, you will need to connect to the U-M VPN (you only need to use the option “UMVPN - Only U-M Traffic”)

IF you are on campus and connected via wired ethernet cable or MWireless - you DO NOT need to connect with the VPN first.

For Windows:

1. Click the START menu.
2. Type Remote Desktop Connection.
3. Click on the application.  
4. In the Remote Desktop Connection window, in the Computer field, type: lsa-xerxes2.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu
5. Press Enter or click on the Connect button.
6. When Prompted for login info:
   • If you are on a U-M built computer, for name, put in your <uniqname> then enter your Kerberos (or Level 1) password;
   • If you are on a personal computer, for name, put in UMROOT\<uniqname> then enter your Kerberos (or Level 1) password;
   • If you are prompted for a Certificate, click OK to proceed.
7. At this point, you should be logged onto LSA-XERXES2.

For macOS:

1. Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop application.
2. Click the “+” icon.
3. Select PC.
4. For PC Name, type: lsa-xerxes2.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu
5. Click Add User Account​​​​​​​.
6. For User Name, put in UMROOT\<uniqname>.
7. For Password, enter your Kerberos (or Level 1) password
8. Depending on on your preference:
   • Under Display - uncheck Start in full screen
   • Check Fit session to window
9. Click Save.
10. Double click on the newly created Icon with the name of the computer you entered in steps above.

Please note: Access to this server is limited to Econ Masters (MAE) students, Econ PhD students, and a few others by special request to the ECON Admin Department.