How to access virtual machines in the Big Data Lab
There are several ways you can access Virtual Machines (VMs) in the Big Data Lab. VMs can be accessed through the vSphere Web Client, vSphere Desktop Client (Windows only), though Remote Desktop Connection (only for Windows VMs), or through SSH (only for Linux VMs). In order to access virtual machines from your laptop, from lab computers outside of Adams and Weed halls, or from anywhere off campus, you must first connect to the . Big Data Lab VMs are subject to the Virtual Machine Policy and the Acceptable Use Guidelines.
- Using the vSphere Web Client
- Using the vSphere Desktop Client (Windows only)
- OpenNebula portal (OpenNebula-managed VMs only)
- Remote Desktop Connection (Windows VMs only)
- SSH access (Linux VMs only), e.g., ssh user@ip-address, where ip-address is the IP address of your virtual machine
锘縐sing the vSphere Web Client
- Launch a web browser. On computers in rooms 204 or 019 Adams Hall, launch Google Chrome (under Applications->Internet, or type "google-chrome" in terminal)
- Go to
- The vCenter server uses a 鈥渟elf-signed鈥 certificate, so your browser will report an error.
Mozilla Firefox: click 鈥淚 Understand the Risks鈥, then press 鈥淎dd Exception,鈥 and then 鈥淐onfirm Security Exception鈥
Google Chrome: click 鈥Advanced鈥 and then click 鈥Proceed to vc1.cs.hofstra.edu (unsafe)鈥
Internet Explorer: click 鈥Continue to the website (not recommended)鈥
- click 鈥Log in to vSphere Web Client鈥
- If your browser reports a certificate error, repeat step 3.
- Log in as 鈥蝉迟耻诲别苍迟蝉袄丑700鈥鈥 with your portal password (same as your Windows password)
- From the left navigation sidebar, click 鈥vCenter鈥, then click 鈥VMs and Templates鈥 to find and access your VMs.
- Click on the triangles to expand the folders until you see your virtual machines.
- Click 鈥淟aunch Console鈥 to access your VM.
锘縐sing the vSphere Desktop Client (Windows only)
- Download and install the vSphere Client ().
- Launch the vSphere Client and log in as "糖心传媒\<username>" (replace <username> with your Hofstra username).
- Check the checkbox for 鈥淚nstall this certificate鈥︹ and click 鈥淚gnore鈥 at the security warning prompts.
- Click 鈥淰Ms and Templates鈥
- Click on the plus signs [+] to expand the folders until you see your virtual machines.
Then select the virtual machine you want to control and click the Launch Console button.
OpenNebula
- Go to .
- Login with your Portal username and password.
- Click on the VMs button.
- Select the desired VM.
- Open the remote console to access the VM.
锘縍emote Desktop Connection
- Launch 鈥淩emote Desktop Connection鈥 from the Start menu.
- Enter the name or IP address of the virtual machine you want to connect to. The name or IP address may be observed in the vSphere Client or provided by your professor.
- Log into the VM as <vm-name>\<username>, where <vm-name> is the name of the virtual machine and <username> is the username of the Windows account on the virtual machine. Usually, the username is "admin" but check with your instructor if you are unsure.