Student Onboarding – Splashtop for Remote Labs

Splashtop for Remote Labs: Student Onboarding
Splashtop for Remote Labs: Student Onboarding

How do I get set up with Splashtop?

Step 1
Your school IT team will invite you to set up your Splashtop account. You will receive an email with the subject line, “You’ve been invited to join a Splashtop team”.
Step 2
Student Setup Step 2
Click “Accept the invitation from your administrator”.
Step 3
Student Setup Step 3
From there, you’ll create your Splashtop account and password, and accept the invitation (Single Sign-On users skip this step).
Step 4
Student Setup Step 4
Next, go back to the invitation email and click the link to install the free “Splashtop Business app”. You can also select the download from https://www.splashtop.com/business/downloads.
Step 5
Student Setup Step 5
Choose which platform you would like to install on. Download and install the Business app
Step 6
Student Setup Step 6
Once installed, log into the Splashtop Business app. When trying to login, you should see a message to authenticate your login, “AUTHENTICATION REQUIRED”. This is to ensure the security of your account. You’ll receive an email with an authentication link. Opening this link authenticates your computer and lets you login to the Splashtop Business application.
Step 7
After the authentication, log in to the Business app with your credentials and you will be able to launch a remote session from that device.

How do I start a remote access session?

Once you log into the Business app, you will see a list of computers you have been granted access to.
Student Access 1
Use the View option at the top to enable different filtering options. It is recommended to enable “Show Logged-In User” so that you can see if someone is already using the computer.
Student Access 2
Computer List Icon Indicators:

Online
Online – the computer is available to start a remote session.
In Session
In session – the computer is currently in another remote session.
Offline
Offline – the computer is not accessible remotely.
Logged In
The green person icon indicates someone is logged into the computer. It could be someone physically at the computer or a remote user who forgot to log out after disconnecting.
  1. Depending on what platform you’re connecting from, double-click/tap on an available computer to connect.
  2. Once you’re connected into a computer, you can now control and work as if you’re sitting in front of the computer!

    Each remote session will have a toolbar at the top or bottom of the screen. Find out what each toolbar icon means for the device you’re connecting from:

  3. To end the remote session, first, remember to log out of your user account on the computer if applicable. Then, disconnect the session by selecting the Disconnect icon in the toolbar, or close the session window.
Student Access 3

How can I adjust the settings to get the best performance?

1. In the Business App, turn on Reduce display quality when network is slow

  • Windows: File -> Options -> General
  • Mac: Splashtop Business -> Preferences -> General
  • IOS: Bottom-Right Settings icon -> Network Optimization
  • Android (including Chromebooks with Google Play): Top Right Menu (3 dots) -> Optimize for your Network
Student Settings 1
Student Settings 2
2. For Windows/Mac, enable Hardware Acceleration.

  • Windows: File -> Options -> Advanced
  • Mac: Splashtop Business -> Preferences -> Advanced
Student Settings 3

What should I do if the screen looks blurry, or the session is too small/big for my screen?

If the quality of the session video is blurry or too big/small, this is usually due to your local computer’s resolution being smaller/larger than the lab computer’s resolution. Try some of these suggestions:

1. Change the resolution of your remote session to “Best fit to local”. Before connecting to the computer, click the gear icon next to the computer -> select from the Resolution dropdown menu
Student Settings 4
2. Click the Eyeball icon in the session toolbar to zoom in/out of the remote session, or select “Original Size” to view the full resolution of the lab computer. Note: there may be scroll bars on the sides of the window
Student Settings 5

What should I do if I have a slow remote connection?

A slow or lagging remote connection may be a result of low network bandwidth. Try these suggestions to improve the connection speed.

1. Lower the resolution size of your remote session. See #1 above for how to change the resolution.

2. Lower the frame rate of the remote session. In the session toolbar, click the Eyeball icon -> Low Frame Rate.
Student Settings 6
3. Check “Show solid color background on remote computer desktop”.

  • Windows: File -> Options -> General
  • Mac: Splashtop Business -> Preferences -> General
Student Settings 7
4. (Windows Only) Try a different Video Rendering mode. Different modes may have better performance depending on your hardware and environment. File -> Options -> Advanced

Student Settings 8
5. (Windows & Mac Only) Run the Diagnostic Tool to test your connection strength and see if there are any suggested settings to apply. This may be helpful for international students who are connecting from out of the country – this tool may help you find a closer server to connect with.

a. Enable the Diagnostic Tool in the Business App

  1. Windows: File -> Options -> Advanced
  2. Mac: Splashtop Business -> Preferences -> Advanced
Student Settings 9
b. Single-Click on the computer in the list and click the Diagnostic Tool icon.
Student Settings 10
c. Let the Diagnostic Test run for a few minutes. If there are any suggested settings to change, you can click “Apply suggested settings”.
Student Settings 11

What You Can Do While Remotely Accessing a Lab Computer

Even if you’re away from campus and only have a small laptop, tablet, or even Chromebook device, you can connect to and use your school’s lab computers as if you were sitting in front of it. You can run any app that’s on the lab computer, including the examples below!

Video Editing Software
Video Editing Software

Remote Desktop for Video Editing Software
Run applications like Adobe Premiere, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and more. Fast connections and remote sound make it easy to edit videos and lip sync.
Remote Desktop for Photoshop
Remote Desktop for Photoshop

Remote Desktop for Photoshop
Remotely access Adobe Photoshop. Access all of Photoshop’s features while working remotely.
Remote Desktop for AutoCAD
Remote Desktop for AutoCAD

Remote Desktop for AutoCAD
Remotely access AutoCAD to draw 2D/3D models on while connected to the remote lab computer.
Remote Desktop for Revit
Remote Desktop for Revit

Remote Desktop for Revit
Remotely access building information modeling (BIM) software such as Revit.

Splashtop Support Articles

Have questions about using Splashtop? Check out the Splashtop Business Knowledge Base to find the answers to your questions. For questions relating to your school’s hardware or software, be sure to reach out to your school’s IT team.

Fast, Secure, and Easy to Use Remote Desktop Software

Students: Leverage Splashtop to Enhance your Learning Experience

If you’re here, then your school, college, or educational institution is likely utilizing Splashtop for remote labs to enable you to access and control lab computers from anywhere, at any time, and from any device!

If you’re on the fence on whether you should even bother with Splashtop, here are a few benefits you’ll get from using it:

  • You’ll be able to remotely control lab computers from home or on the road and feel as if you were sitting in front of it
  • You’ll be able to use any app on the lab computer, including video editing software, graphic design, CAD programs, and more
  • School computer labs will be accessible to you even when you’re not on-campus, allowing you to get your work done after hours and from distant locations
  • You can use any of your personal computers, tablets, or mobile devices to remotely access lab computers, including your Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Chromebook devices