Past event · DEF CON Training Las Vegas 2026. These materials are preserved for reference. Registration and survey submissions are closed. Lab availability is not guaranteed.
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Hosted Remote Lab • Primary Training Environment

Connect to Your Hosted Blue vs. Red Labs

Students will receive two personalized .rdp connection files by email: one for the Blue Analyst Lab and one for the Red Attack Simulation Lab. Use this guide to open the files and connect from Windows or macOS.

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Hosted Lab Access Overview

The hosted remote labs are the primary environment for the live Blue vs. Red with AI bootcamp. Each student will receive two personalized .rdp connection files by email: one for the Blue Analyst Lab and one for the Red Attack Simulation Lab.

Open each file with a Remote Desktop client to connect to the correct hosted environment. Your .rdp files may include assigned lab addresses, usernames, display settings, and connection preferences. Treat these files like credentials. Do not share them publicly or with other students.

Start with Blue. Use Red only when instructed.

For normal bootcamp work, start in the Blue Analyst Lab. Only use the Red Attack Simulation Lab when an instructor directs you to do so.

Your Two Hosted Lab Connections

Blue Analyst Lab

Primary Analyst Workspace

Hostname: blue.opencyberlab.com

File: blue-studentXX.rdp

Use the Blue Analyst Lab for defender workflows, evidence review, Jupyter notebooks, OpenSearch dashboards, log analysis, alert triage, detection engineering, incident reporting, and SkillBit CTF submissions.

Use this environment first unless an instructor tells you to switch to the Red Lab.

Red Attack Simulation Lab

Controlled Attack Workflow

Hostname: red.opencyberlab.com

File: red-studentXX.rdp

Use the Red Lab for instructor-guided attacker playbook exercises, controlled red team demonstrations, and attack simulation activities during the bootcamp.

Only use the Red Lab when instructed. Do not run unauthorized scans, attacks, or activity outside the approved lab scope.

What You Will Receive

You will receive an email with two attached .rdp files:

  • One file for the Blue Analyst Lab
  • One file for the Red Attack Simulation Lab

The file names may look similar to:

blue-student01.rdp
red-student01.rdp

These files contain connection settings for your assigned hosted labs.

Do Not Modify the RDP Files

Do not edit the .rdp files unless instructed by the instructor or support team. If a file does not work, ask for help instead of changing connection settings manually.

Which Lab Should I Use?

TaskUse
Jupyter notebooksBlue Lab
OpenSearch / log analysisBlue Lab
Alert triageBlue Lab
Detection engineeringBlue Lab
Incident report writingBlue Lab
SkillBit challenge submissionsBlue Lab
Evidence reviewBlue Lab
Timeline buildingBlue Lab
Red team demo activitiesRed Lab
Attack simulation stepsRed Lab
Instructor-directed attacker workflowRed Lab

When in doubt, use the Blue Analyst Lab and ask in Discord before switching.

Before You Connect

  • Download both .rdp files from your email.
  • Save them somewhere easy to find, such as Desktop or Downloads.
  • Keep the Blue and Red RDP files clearly separated.
  • Install or open a Remote Desktop client.
  • Confirm you have a stable internet connection.
  • Keep your bootcamp registration email nearby in case support needs to verify your account.
  • Join the bootcamp Discord for support.
  • Start with the Blue Analyst Lab unless instructed otherwise.

Your .rdp files are unique to you. Do not share them in Discord, screenshots, email threads, public AI tools, or with other students.

Important Security Rules

  • •Do not share either RDP file.
  • •Do not post RDP files, credentials, screenshots, tokens, or flags in Discord.
  • •Do not upload either .rdp file to public AI tools.
  • •Keep the Blue and Red RDP files separate.
  • •Use the Blue Lab for normal analyst work.
  • •Use the Red Lab only when instructed.
  • •Do not upload real employer, client, or personal sensitive data into the lab.
  • •Do not use the hosted lab to scan or interact with systems outside the authorized bootcamp scope.
  • •Do not use the Red Lab to interact with anything outside the approved lab environment.
  • •Disconnect or sign out when you are done.
  • •If your connection does not work, contact support instead of repeatedly guessing credentials.

Windows: Connect Using the Blue or Red RDP File

Windows includes Remote Desktop Connection by default. You can usually connect by double-clicking the .rdp file.

  1. 1Download both RDP files from your email.
  2. 2Save them somewhere easy to find, such as Desktop or Downloads.
  3. 3Start with the Blue Analyst Lab RDP file unless instructed otherwise.
  4. 4Double-click the .rdp file.
  5. 5Windows should open Remote Desktop Connection automatically.
  6. 6Confirm the host matches the expected lab (Blue: blue.opencyberlab.com, Red: red.opencyberlab.com).
  7. 7Click Connect.
  8. 8Enter the assigned username and password if prompted.
  9. 9Accept the certificate prompt only if the host matches your assigned lab.
  10. 10Wait for the hosted lab desktop to load.
  11. 11Once connected, open the bootcamp tools from the desktop shortcuts or browser bookmarks.

Check the Host Before Connecting

If you meant to connect to Blue but see red.opencyberlab.com, stop and open the Blue RDP file instead. If you meant to connect to Red but see blue.opencyberlab.com, stop and open the Red RDP file instead.

If Double-Click Does Not Work

  1. Open the Start Menu.
  2. Search for Remote Desktop Connection or run mstsc.
  3. Click Show Options.
  4. Use Open to load your .rdp file, or manually enter the remote lab address provided in your email.
  5. Connect using your assigned username and password.
mstsc

macOS: Connect Using Microsoft Remote Desktop

macOS does not include a built-in RDP client. Install the official Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the macOS App Store.

  1. 1Install Microsoft Remote Desktop from the macOS App Store.
  2. 2Download both RDP files from your email.
  3. 3Save them to Desktop or Downloads.
  4. 4Open Microsoft Remote Desktop.
  5. 5Import the Blue RDP file first.
  6. 6Confirm the imported profile points to blue.opencyberlab.com.
  7. 7Rename the saved profile: Blue Lab – Analyst
  8. 8Import the Red RDP file second.
  9. 9Confirm the imported profile points to red.opencyberlab.com.
  10. 10Rename the saved profile: Red Lab – Attack Simulation
  11. 11Start with the Blue Lab unless instructed otherwise.
  12. 12Connect and enter your assigned credentials if prompted.
  13. 13If prompted about a certificate, confirm that the connection matches your assigned bootcamp lab and continue.
  14. 14Once connected, open the bootcamp tools from the desktop shortcuts or browser bookmarks.

Ways to Open the RDP File on macOS

  • Option A: Double-click the .rdp file and choose Microsoft Remote Desktop.
  • Option B: Open Microsoft Remote Desktop, choose Import from RDP file, and select your file.
  • Option C: Drag the .rdp file into the Microsoft Remote Desktop window if supported.

If the RDP file imports but the name is unclear, rename it immediately so you can distinguish Blue Lab from Red Lab.

What Is Inside an RDP File?

An .rdp file is a Remote Desktop connection profile. It tells your RDP client how to connect to the hosted lab.

Example fields may include:

Blue Lab Example

full address:s:blue.opencyberlab.com
username:s:studentXX
desktopwidth:i:1280
desktopheight:i:800
redirectclipboard:i:1
redirectprinters:i:0
prompt for credentials:i:0

Red Lab Example

full address:s:red.opencyberlab.com
username:s:studentXX
desktopwidth:i:1280
desktopheight:i:800
redirectclipboard:i:1
redirectprinters:i:0
prompt for credentials:i:0

Some student RDP files may include connection details or credentials. Treat the file as sensitive. Do not share, upload, or screenshot it.

Recommended RDP Settings

Display

  • Use full screen when possible.
  • Enable display scaling.
  • Use a comfortable resolution for reading Jupyter notebooks and dashboards.

Clipboard

  • Clipboard sharing may be enabled for convenience.
  • Do not copy sensitive tokens, flags, credentials, or private data into public tools.

Printers

  • Printer redirection is not needed.

Local Drives

  • Do not mount local drives unless instructed.
  • Keep lab work inside the hosted lab environment.

Audio

  • Audio is not required for the lab.

Performance

  • If the connection feels slow, reduce resolution, disable visual effects, or reconnect from a more stable network.

What to Open First

After logging into the hosted lab, start with the tools and resources your instructor directs you to use. During class, we will guide you through the correct order.

Blue Lab Checklist

  • Confirm the Blue Lab remote desktop loads successfully.
  • Open the browser.
  • Confirm JupyterLab opens.
  • Confirm OpenSearch Dashboards opens.
  • Confirm SkillBit is reachable at https://mctf.io/ignitecyber.
  • Confirm the bootcamp notebooks or shortcuts are visible.
  • Report any missing tools in Discord support.

Red Lab Checklist

  • Only open the Red Lab when instructed.
  • Confirm the Red Lab remote desktop loads successfully.
  • Follow instructor directions before running any activity.
  • Do not run unauthorized scans or attacks.
  • Do not interact with anything outside the approved lab scope.

RDP Troubleshooting

The RDP file does not open
On Windows, right-click the file and choose Open with → Remote Desktop Connection. On macOS, install Microsoft Remote Desktop and import the file.
I cannot connect
Verify you are using the latest .rdp file from email. Confirm the host is correct (Blue: blue.opencyberlab.com, Red: red.opencyberlab.com). Check your internet connection, try from a more stable network, or try reconnecting after one minute.
My username or password does not work
Recheck for copy/paste spaces. Make sure you are using the latest credentials. Contact support instead of retrying many times.
The remote desktop is slow
Lower the display resolution. Use full screen with scaling. Close unnecessary local apps. Try a stronger network or hotspot.
The screen is too small
Enable display scaling. Use full screen. Adjust display settings in the RDP client.
Copy/paste does not work
Check clipboard sharing settings. Reconnect after changing settings.
I cannot find JupyterLab or OpenSearch
Make sure you are in the Blue Analyst Lab. Look for desktop shortcuts or browser bookmarks. Ask in Discord support if the tools are missing.
I accidentally opened the Red Lab
Disconnect from the Red Lab. Open the Blue Analyst Lab RDP file. Ask in Discord if you are unsure which environment to use.
I got disconnected
Reopen the same .rdp file and reconnect. Your session should usually resume unless the hosted lab was restarted.

Need Help?

If you run into issues, post in the private Discord support channel or contact the instructor.

When asking for help, include:

  • Your name
  • Registration email
  • Operating system: Windows or macOS
  • RDP client used
  • Whether you used the Blue or Red .rdp file
  • Whether you used the .rdp file or manual connection
  • Error message or screenshot
  • Whether you are on hotel Wi-Fi, conference Wi-Fi, home Wi-Fi, or hotspot
  • The step where you got stuck
Contact Support ([email protected])

Hosted Labs Are Primary

The hosted remote labs are the primary environment for the live bootcamp. Downloadable VMs and local Docker setups are backup options. If your hosted labs work, use them as the main path during class.

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