What is FlexDesk?

FlexDesk is a hosted solution for ACEware Student Manager. This allows you to access your Student Manager database securely over SSL from anywhere with an internet connection. This guide will walk you through the steps to connect to your hosted server.

What application do I use?

There are several options available to connecting to your hosted server to run the Student Manager application. ACEware recommends one of the following:

• Windows Remote Desktop ↗️ (This comes pre-installed on all Windows PC's)

• mRemoteNG ↗️ (This program is useful for managing multiple connections to different servers with one interface)

• Remote Desktop for Mac ↗️

• Remote Desktop Manager ↗️ (This is a robust option if you are using a Mac with multiple remote connections)

Windows Remote Desktop

To configure Windows Remote Desktop to use a Remote Desktop Gateway:

1. Your ACEware technician will provide you with the address to enter into the "computer" field, such as "yourschool.aceware.com".
2. Enter your username that was provded in the following format: directory\username (this will typically be your first initial+lastname).

3. Click the "show options" button, and then click the advanced tab, followed by the settings button under the "connect from anywhere section".
4. Select "use these RD Gateway Server settings" and enter "gateway.aceware.com", leaving "allow me to select later in the next dropdown box".
5. Check the box labeled "Use my RD Gateway credentials for the remote server".

6. Click connect and it will then prompt you for your password and initiate the connection to the server.
7. Once you see the Duo screen, check your mobile device for the push notification to approve to finish connecting.

mRemoteNG

To configure mRemoteNG to connect to your server:

1. Once you have downloaded and installed the program, open it.
2. Download the settings file to import with the basic settings pre-configured from here.
3. On the left menu, right click "connections" and choose "Import from file" and locate the above file that you downloaded.
4. This will automatically create a new connection titled "ACEware Server". Left click once on that to select it.
5. You will want to enter the values for the following:
   • hostname (change this from yourschool.aceware.com to the one provided by your tech)
   • username (only enter the username in this field, typicall first initial+last name)
   • password

6. Once you have all of the values entered, simply double click on ACEware Server to start the connection.
7. When you see the Duo window pop up, check your mobile device for the push notification to approve and finish connecting.

Remote Desktop Manager (Mac compatible)

1. Once you have downloaded and installed the program (consult with your IT team or computer administrator if you need help with this step), open it.
2. From the dashboard tab, click the "Add Session" icon, and then select RDP (Microsoft Remote Desktop) and click select.

3. Name your session then go to the General tab below.
4. Your ACEware technician will provide you with the address to enter into the "Host" field, such as "yourschool.aceware.com".
5. Enter your username that was provded by your tech (this will typically be your first initial+lastname).
6. Enter directory.aceware.com for the Domain field.
7. Enter your password that was provded.
8. Navigate to the RD Gateway tab and select "Use these RD Gateway server settings" from the drop down.
9. Enter gateway.aceware.com into the host field and select the "Use same RD Gateway credentials as remote computer" checkbox.
10. Click the Add button.
11. Now you can click the Open Session button to initiate the connection to the server.
12. When you see the Duo window pop up, check your mobile device for the push notification to approve and finish connecting.

Mac troubleshooting

If you are having mouse latency issues, try unchecking the "disable hardware acceleration" checkbox under your connection settings. If you are still experiencing issues, and are using a high-dpi external mouse, you may need to adjust your mouse polling rate by entering your settings, select "mouse", select "performance", select "polling rate" and set it to a lower value, like 125Hz.