Using the RSCS Virtual Environments#

RSCS offers an option for virtualizing its standard environment on your own computer.

Overview#

The Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) allows you to run a standard RSCS Ubuntu Linux desktop on an ANU server with the desktop visible on your home computer as if it were running locally on your computer. This method expects a good internet connection to ANU.

RSCS VDI#

The ANU and RSCS provide a virtual desktop environment for all students and staff. The VDI is a small piece of software that runs on your home computer that allows you to run a virtual desktop that is identical to the desktop on one of our physical servers at ANU. To use the RSCS VDI you must carefully follow these steps:

  1. You must be connected to ANU via the GlobalProtect VPN. If you have not already installed GlobalProtect, you should follow the instructions provided by the University.

  2. You can access the VDI either directly via a browser at https://linuxvdi.anu.edu.au/, or by installing the VDI client software, VMWare Horizon, following the instructions provided by the University. Note that the university instructions will set you up to use the standard ANU Microsoft Windows client (which we do not use in our course, but which may be useful in other ANU courses).
    • If you use the client, and you have the VMWare Horizon client installed and working, then you need to add the RSCS VDI as a server. The way to do this varies depending on your operating system (please see the ITS instructions). The server address you need to add is linuxvdi.anu.edu.au.

  3. Now you should be able to create a connection and you’ll see a login screen just like in the ANU’s physical labs, and will see the standard Ubuntu image. (If you just see a blank screen that may be due to you using a second monitor. I suggest that you attempt the next step even if your screen is black.)

  4. Finally, if you are using the client and VMWare Horizon is in full screen mode, you will probably want to move it into a single window. This step may be important in order to screen share with your tutor, which will be important in the labs. To move out of full screen mode:

    • Move your mouse to the top edge of the VDI screen. The VMWare Horizon menu should appear. Once it does, you can choose the Window menu and uncheck the “Full Screen” option.
    • If you’re still seeing blank screens, move to another app (on Windows hold down the ALT key and press the space bar; on MacOS hold down the CMD key and press the window), and then move your mouse back to VDI.

Important: Please note that the VDI is available 6:00am to 12:00am AEST, 7 days a week (see here for further information).

Some known issues and work-arounds:

  • GlobalProtect gets stuck ‘Connecting’ on MacOS. You need to enable Palo Alto Network as a trusted developer:
    • On your Mac, launch System Preferences
    • Open the Security & Privacy preferences and then select General
    • Click the lock icon on the bottom left of the window to make changes and modify preferences
    • When prompted, enter your Mac User Name and Password and then Unlock the preferences
    • Click “Allow” next to the message “System software from developer “Palo Alto Networks” was blocked from loading.”
  • Once you connect to the RSCS VDI you just get black screens.
    • If you are using an external monitor (dual monitors), you may need to disconnect one of the monitors. Once you turn off full screen mode (see above).

Windows VDI#

If you prefer to use Windows instead of Linux, the steps are similar to the above except for:

  • You can ignore step 1 above, i.e., you don’t need to connect with the VPN client.
  • In step 2, simply change the server address to mydigitalcampus.anu.edu.au.

Alternatively, you can access it directly via a browser at https://mydigitalcampus.anu.edu.au.

Accessing RSCS Computers Remotely#

In addition to the above you can directly access the RSCS computers. You are unlikely to need to do this in this course.

Support and Help for the RSCS Environment#

Since GlobalProtect, VMWare Horizon, the RSCS VDI are all ANU-supported software platforms, if you run into troubles you should use the Service Desk to log an issue.

Common issues#

When working in a virtual desktop, keep in mind that the programs you run on it (like the python IDE) can only access files that are on the virtual machine, not files on the computer that you are connecting from. Also, files that you write will be saved on the virtual machine, and may disappear when you log out (or if the connection is lost). If you are using the VDI option, make sure that you copy any file that you want to keep to a permanent storage: this can be your file storage on the ANU InfoCommons system (accessible via https://myfiles.anu.edu.au/) or some other cloud file storage service (dropbox, for example).

If you are not able to share screen with a Tutor, check that you have exited the default full screen mode. If you have not, please follow step 4 of the instructions above to do so!

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