---
title: "Connect Remotely to Your AI Compute — Connect with NVIDIA Sync"
canonical: "https://build.nvidia.com/playbooks/connect-to-your-spark/sync.md"
---

# Step 1. Install NVIDIA Sync on your laptop

NVIDIA Sync is a desktop app that connects your laptop to remote devices over a local network.
It replaces running manual commands in a terminal with a configured, click-through interface.
You can use it to manage SSH access and launch development tools on your hardware platform.

::spark-download

**For Windows:** After download, double-click the `.exe` installer and follow the instructions.

**For macOS:** After download, open `nvidia-sync.dmg`, drag and drop it into the Applications folder, then launch it from Applications.

**For Debian/Ubuntu:** Install from the NVIDIA APT repository.

* First, configure the package repository:

```bash
curl -fsSL  https://workbench.download.nvidia.com/stable/linux/gpgkey  |  sudo tee -a /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/ai-workbench-desktop-key.asc
echo "deb https://workbench.download.nvidia.com/stable/linux/debian default proprietary" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
```
* Then, update package lists:

```bash
sudo apt update
```
* Finally, install NVIDIA Sync:

```bash
sudo apt install nvidia-sync
```

**Success:** A "Let's Get Started" modal opens and asks you to read and agree to the EULA.

# Step 2. Complete onboarding by agreeing to the EULA and selecting applications to launch

Click the link to the EULA, read the EULA, and then select **Agree** in the "Let's Get Started" modal.

NVIDIA Sync will then prompt you to choose local developer applications for it to launch.
You can always add more applications later in the Settings window.

Select **Next** to proceed.

# Step 3. Add your hardware platform to NVIDIA Sync

> [!NOTE]
> Your hardware platform must be on the same network as your laptop, and you must know its mDNS hostname or its IP address.
> See the documentation linked under **Resources** for first-boot and networking guidance for your hardware platform.

Once onboarding completes, NVIDIA Sync shows a modal while it searches for mDNS devices.
If your network allows mDNS broadcasting, NVIDIA Sync should detect your hardware platform (for example, `spark-abcd.local`) and prompt you to select it.

Otherwise, the modal will transition to a form requesting specific fields to connect:

- **Name:** A descriptive name you will remember (for example, "My Home Lab")
- **Hostname or IP:** The mDNS hostname (for example, `spark-abcd.local`) or IP address of your hardware platform
- **Username:** Your hardware platform user account name
- **Password:** Your hardware platform user account password

Fill out the fields and select **Add**.

**Success:** The form will transition to a modal prompting you to get started.

> [!NOTE]
> The password is used to configure SSH key-based authentication only when you add the device. It is not persisted or logged.

# Step 4. Connect to your hardware platform and launch the DGX Dashboard

Select **Get Started** in the modal to connect to your hardware platform.

The device window will open near the task or menu bar and then expand and populate with apps that you can launch on the hardware platform.

The DGX Dashboard is a pre-installed web application that helps you monitor and manage the system remotely.

To launch it, select the DGX Dashboard icon in the device window.

When it opens, you will be prompted to log in using your username and password for the hardware platform.

**Success:** The DGX Dashboard web app opens in your browser and you see the main screen.

# Step 5. Next steps

- Learn more about NVIDIA Sync:
- [NVIDIA Sync Tailscale integration](https://docs.nvidia.com/sync/latest/tailscale.html#nvidia-sync-tailscale)
- [NVIDIA Sync Cluster Assistant](https://docs.nvidia.com/sync/latest/cluster-assistant.html)
- Try related workflows that use NVIDIA Sync, such as remote development tools or browser-based apps launched through the device window.