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This page covers two major topics:
- Using the RSCS computing environment virtually.
- Installing the tools needed for this class to run natively on your own computer.
You are required to do the first of these and encouraged to do the second. They are complementary approaches, each with advantages over the other in certain settings.
Using the RSCS Virtual Environments
RSCS offers two options for virtualizing its standard environment on your own computer, and in semester two of 2020 you are required to have one of these two RSCS virtual environment working on your own computer for this class (either the VDI or Virtual Box, details below).
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. By contrast, Virtual Box creates a virtual machine (VM) that runs on your home computer and that is configured (or configurable) to exactly match the RSCS Ubuntu Linux Desktop.
The simplest option is to use the VDI, so we recommend this unless you have a strong reason to use the other approach. We also encourage you to install the COMP1100 tools natively on your own computer (instructions below) so that you can work without depending on either a virtual desktop (which expects good connectivity to ANU) or a virtual machine (which may impose significant load on your system).
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:
- If you are trying to access the VDI from off-campus you must be connected to ANU via the GlobalProtect VPN. If you have not already installed GlobalProtect, you can follow the instructions provided by the University. If you are already on a university network you will not need to use GlobalProtect.
- You can access the VDI either directly via a browser (using this
link), 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.
- 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
- 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.)
- 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).
RSCS Virtual Box
RSCS also supports VirtualBox as a virtual machine installation of the RSCS environment. We recommend you use the VDI, but you are welcome to use VirtualBox. The instructions for installing VirtualBox are here.
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 COMP1100.
Support and Help for the RSCS Environment
Since GlobalProtect, VMWare Horizon, the RSCS VDI and VirtualBox are all ANU-supported software platforms, if you run into troubles you should use the Service Desk to log an issue.
Installing Natice Tools For Your Home Environment
Please take the time to read the following important notice before looking for tools for your home environment.
Like most other computer science courses at ANU, this course is designed on the assumption that you will use the environment provided by ANU (physically or virtually). The virtual and physical laboratory environment is supported by ANU technical staff and we have done our best to ensure that environment works well in every respect. When the lab systems are not working, you should inform your tutor and/or report the problem via the ANU Service Desk.
All practical work for this course can be completed using freely available tools that run on most operating systems. For your convenience, we provide basic installation instructions below. Please understand that your personal computing environment is not supported by the ANU.
We cannot support your personal environment because each environment may differ in ways that are outside of our control.
If you plan to use your own environment, please follow these steps:
- Use the advice provided on these web pages to identify the appropriate tools, and how to install them.
- Complete the Lab 1 exercises in week one and bring any questions that arise to any of the week one labs.
- Use Piazza to seek help from others in the class.
- Seek help from your tutor during your scheduled lab.
- Seek help from your lecturer via Piazza or before and after lectures.
- Seek help from the Computer Science Student’s Association (CSSA), who explicitly set out to help their members with matters such as setting up home computers.
All of the software tools you need are provided as part of the standard environment in the RSCS computer labs but are also freely available for Linux, Windows and MacOS X, so if you wish to work on your own computer, you can easily do so. Please read the notice above before following the instructions below.
If you are using Ubuntu, you can get exactly what you need from the CECS Teaching Labs Repository.
We will do our best to support anyone using these standard tools. You are most welcome to use alternatives (such as a different IDE, etc), but you should not expect any support when you run into trouble using non-standard tools. For that reason, we strongly recommend that you stick to the supported tools unless you are quite confident in your ability to resolve any problems that may arise with non-standard tools. Furthermore, the lab tests will be conducted in the lab environment, so you will need to be proficient with the standard tools for the lab tests, regardless of which tools you choose to use at home.
We will soon be providing detailed instructions on installing the Haskell Platform and Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu, MacOS, and Windows 10. If you are brave you might consider trying to install these using the instructions on those sites. Don’t worry if you get stuck. Ask your classmates on Piazza for help. If you feel less brave please come back when we have provided more detailed instructions. On Windows you will also need to install Git. Git should already be available on MacOS and Ubuntu.
Please find the detailed instructions for installing tools on your native environment at the Home Installation page.
