HP Remote Graphics Software (RGS)

Please use RGS outside of the following allocated times unless it's for a class session.

Class Sessions:

• Monday: 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
• Tuesday: 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
• Wednesday: 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
• Thursday: 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
• Friday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
• Saturday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm

The VPN software and instructions are available at the following link.

VPN Software

Install RGS version 7 Download RGS Software

1. To download the Remove Graphics Software click on “RGS (Windows)” below to download RGS_Windows_Receiver_v7.zip file. Click Here
2. Right click on the downloaded RGS_Windows_Receiver_v7.zip file and select the “Extract files …” option Run RGS Receiver Installer
3. Open the unzipped director “RGS_Windows_Receiver_v7” and run the “ReceiverSetup.exe” executable to install the RGS Receiver software.
4. Select all the default options during the installation.
5. Restart your computer at the end of the installations as prompted.

Install the Session Allocation Manager (SAM) Download SAM Installer

1. To download the SAM click on SAM (Windows) to download the installer executable. Click Here

2. Right-click on the Installation executable “scw32-EN-2.3.0.msi” and select “Run as Administrator” to start the installation.
3. Click “Run” at the Windows Security Warning window.
4. Click “Continue” on the Windows security window when it pops up.
5. Click “Next” at the HP Session Allocation Manager (SAM) Setup Welcome screen “Next”
6. Select the default options during installation.
7. Once the HP Session Allocation Manager is complete. Click “Finish” to close window.

Connecting to CECS Systems

1. Startup the HP Session Allocation Client from the Windows Start Menu
2. The initial HP SAM Client window will be blank. Follow the options below to configure SAM Client.
3. Click the “Options …” button to maximize the options section.
4. Configuring the HP SAM Client to connect to CSUN CECS lab systems. The below options must be set. 
   • SAM Server: jd-rgs.ecs.csun.edu
   • Username: CSUN Username (ie abc12345)
   • Password: CSUN Password
   • Uncheck “Full Screen”
   • Check “Match Client Display”
   • Set “Color Depth” to 32-bits
   • Set “Screen Resolution to maximum Possible Value
5. Save the newly configured Session Allocation Client settings by clicking on the “Save settings” icon.
6. The Windows “Save As” browser window will appear. Name the file “CECS.sam” then save the settings file onto your Desktop.

TIP: Double click on the newly saved HP Session Allocation Manager setting file saved on your Desktop to connect to a CECS Lab system at any time.

On a Windows®-based sender, if the logon screen instructs you to press Ctrl+Alt+Del to start the logon process, you must instead press Ctrl+Alt+End to trigger the desired action on the sender.

Session Allocation Manager (SAM) is a product that comes from HP. SAM is a broker, and it's role is to find a machine for RGS to connect to. Based on the student's major, it will give a list of labs that the user is authorized to connect to. As soon as the user selects the lab, SAM will find an available machine, and pass that information over to RGS.

RGS and the VPN will run on a Mac, but not SAM. SAM is a Windows based program only.

HP RGS or Remote Graphics Software is software that allows you to connect to and use your workstation when you are sitting at a different computer or tablet.1 It is a remote desktop solution designed to provide a seamless, just like local, feel for even the most demanding 3D graphics-heavy professional applications. It is also a great way to share your screen and collaborate with other remote coworkers.

HP RGS works by analyzing the image of the remote workstation and sending an encrypted and encoded stream to the client devices. The keyboard, mouse, and USB devices on the client devices are sent back to the remote workstation. The end result is complete control of a remote or virtual workstation that looks and feels as though you were physically working from your workstation, with all of its applications, data, graphics, and processing power.

The Image Quality Slider is a good first step for fine tuning performance with your network connection. It can be found in the tool bar or the performance tab under settings. If bandwidth is really constrained, you can also try the Advanced Video Compression option which is ideal for video or video-like content. Also reference the HP RGS User Guide for more tips on optimizing performance.

HP RGS uses a smart, proprietary, context aware codec which intelligently sends only the pixels that change. This means that the bandwidth required for an HP RGS connection can vary greatly depending on what is happening on your screen. You can have a solid connection with just 3-5 Megabits per second of bandwidth; however, if the screen is in constant motion like a full screen movie, the bandwidth usage can be much higher.

HP RGS optimizes performance on bandwidth-constrained networks in the following three ways:

• First, you can adjust the image quality to reduce the required bandwidth and improve the responsiveness and frame rate.
• Second, for watching videos you can also enable the Advanced Video Compression feature that greatly reduces the needed bandwidth. Note, however, that this feature is not ideal for content with fine lines, such as 3D movement of wire frame images.
• Third, HP Velocity provides increased network performance by optimizing communications between the sender and receiver.

HP Velocity is a quality-of-service tool that can greatly improve the connection experience of HP RGS when network conditions are not ideal. A one-time activation is required to enable this feature.

Yes. HP RGS can be used over most virtual private network connections. HP RGS performance will depend on the quality of the VPN connection; however, HP Velocity (integrated with HP RGS) will help to optimize the experience over poor network connections.

Absolutely. HP RGS is ideal for running Linux® applications remotely. You can even connect a Linux® sender to Windows receiver, and vice-versa. HP RGS does not remote just the application window like with X-Windows, but remotes the entire desktop.

There is a property in the RGS Receiver config file that allows you to offset the RGS Window so that you can mouse to the bottom of the screen and access your local desktop taskbar, even when you have matched receiver resolution and are in full screen mode. Search for “Window location and size properties” in the user guide to learn more about this property.

As long as the resolution is supported by the RGS sender, you can use properties in the RGS receiver config file to position and size the RGS Window on the receiver system display. Search for “Window location and size properties” in the user guide to learn more about this property.