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Virtual Computing Lab Overview

The Virtual Computing Lab (VCL) is a new technology resource available to SILS students. VCL provides access to a virtual computer environment that can be used to access software without having to install it on your own computer. Operating systems are stored on images in an image library, and are loaded onto a server when a session is initiated. You can transfer files back and forth between your computer and the disk image you are accessing to save your work or continue work in progress.

The SILS disk image is called SILS_Lab_25G (WinXP vmware) and is loaded with the following programs:

Adobe Creative Suite 3:

Microsoft Office:

 

Other Applications:

Accessing the VCL

To access a computer through the VCL, you will need to make a reservation through the VCL website. Reservations can scheduled up to 4 days in advance or you can choose the option to initiate a session immediately. Generally, the session should take about a minute to load, although it can take longer (up to 20 minutes in some cases). Sessions can be up to eight hours in length. Once your session is loaded, you will be given the option to download an RDP file or connect manually through your remote desktop program (Remote Desktop Connection should already be loaded on PCs; for Mac it can be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remote-desktop/default.mspx).

Some tips:

  1. To access files from your computer in the virtual session or to save your work back to your computer, you should be able to navigate to your machine. Navigate to the computer SILS_Lab25G either from the desktop or through a save dialog. From there you should see a drive for your own computer, and you can save things to that location just like you would to a local drive.
  2. Be absolutely sure you save your work to either your local computer or a directory you can access from another computer. Once your session ends, all data is wiped clean and there is no way to recover it.

To log in:

  1. Go to https://vcl.unc.edu in a browser window.
  2. Under “Please select an authentication method to use” to the left, choose “Shibboleth- UNC-CH Federation” and click “Proceed to Login”.
  3. On the next screen, log in with your Onyen.
  4. You will then be taken to the Virtual Computing Lab’s home page, where you can add, cancel, or edit existing reservations, edit your personal information and RDP configuration preferences, and enable email notification regarding current reservations.

To create a new reservation:

  1. From the VCL home page, click the “New Reservation” link to the left side of the screen.
  2. Select SILS_LAB_25G (WinXP vmware) from the drop-down list of environments.
  3. If you would like to log in now, choose “Now”; otherwise, enter the time and date you would like to reserve for your session. You can sign up for a date up to four days in advance.
  4. When you select the “Now” option, a message will appear above the “Create Reservation” button which will tell you how long the estimated load time will be for your session.
  5. If you have chosen the “Now” option, you will be taken directly to the Current Reservations page. The reservation will say “Pending” until the session is loaded, at which point you will instead see a button appear that says “Connect!”, which will take you to your reservation.
  6. If you have chosen the “Later” option, log back in to the VCL homepage at your specified time and navigate to the Current Reservations page. You will see a button that says “Connect!” which will take you to your reservation.
  7. On the following screen, you will be provided with an IP address, login name (which should be your Onyen) and a temporary password. You will be assigned a different password for every session. You can either manually enter this information into a remote desktop client, or you can click the “Get RDP File” button, which will connect you automatically. All you will need to enter is the session password.
  8. Once you’ve logged in to your session, you will be able to use the virtual machine as if you were sitting in front of it.