VCM

This page will go through how to set up a Virtual Machine to do work for various classes in Spring 2018. It will be focused on the EGR 103L course which includes Python and App Inventor.

Getting Started

To get started, go to Duke's Virtual Computing Manager and log in with your NetID. You will then want to "Reserve a VM" - this means that Duke will be setting up a virtual computer for you. You will be able to install and run applications remotely for just about any computer with an internet connection. Students in EGR 103 will be creating a Windows based VM for the semester.

• On the Virtual Computing Manager page, click on "Reserve a VM"
• In Application and Operating System dropdown of the New Virtual Machine Reservation page, pick "Windows Office 2016" and then click Reserve
• Read the terms of use and if you agree to them, click Agree. If you do not agree with them, contact Dr. G as soon as possible. It may take a little time to set up the virtual machine - eventually you will go back to the VCM page and you should see a link under My Reservations.

Accessing your VM

• Click on the link for your virtual machine; this should bring up the VM Manamagement Tools page.
• In the General Information pane on the right, there should be a link for Remote Desktop; click that to download the remote desktop (rdp) file.
• Open the file; on Windows, this will bring up Remote Desktop Connection.
• The desktop should be trying to connect with your Duke credentials (WIN\NetID). Enter your Duke password to finish connecting. Do not click "Remember Me" if you are on a public computer, even if you logged in as you!
• Read the note about unauthorized use, then click OK - the first time you start your VM, it may take some time "Preparing Windows."
• Once prepared, you should now have a Windows machine working in a window!
• The first time you connect, you may need to perform updates - this is a potentially hours-long process so it may be best to start it when you can leave the VM running but do not need to be using it.

Accessing your files from your VM

• For some people, their Duke (CIFS) folder should automatically be mounted to the windows machine. If you open the File Explorer (yellow folder at the bottom of the screen) and click on This PC, your NetID should be the name of one of the Network locations. You should always use this folder to store files -- these files get backed up every 12 hours. Do not use the Documents folder on the VM.
• If that is not the case, go to Duke's page on how to mount CIFS on Windows

Installing software on your VM

There are two ways to install software. There is a Software Center icon on the desktop - this contains ways to get commonly-installed programs and packages. The second way is to just install the software yourself. Depending on the class you are using the VM for, you may be using one or both mechanisms to install software.

For EGR 103 Fall 2017

• From Software Center:
  • ePrint
  • Firefox or Google Chrome (or you can use Edge)
  • MobaXterm
• From web sites:
  • Anaconda with Spyder: Download
    • Click on Windows icon and choose Python 3.6 version
    • If you want the cheat sheet, go for it!
    • Agree to the terms
    • Install for "Just Me"
    • Keep the default destination folder
    • Register Anaconda as default
    • Sit back and watch the magic happen!
    • When the installer is finished, learn more at will!
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: Download
    • Unclick the Optional offers.
    • Leave the "Install the Acrobat Reader Chrome Extension" clicked if you installed Chrome
    • Click on the "Install now" button
    • Once the executable has finished downloading, run it

For EGR 103

• From Software Center:
  • ePrint
  • FileZilla
  • Firefox or Google Chrome (or you can use Edge)
  • MobaXterm
• From web sites:
  • Anaconda with Spyder: Download
    • Click on Windows icon and choose Python 3.6 version
    • If you want the cheat sheet, go for it!
    • Agree to the terms
    • Install for "Just Me"
    • Keep the default destination folder
    • Register Anaconda as default
    • Sit back and watch the magic happen!
    • When the installer is finished, learn more at will!
  • MiKTeX: Download
    • Click on Download - it should know you are on a Windows machine
    • After running the installer, accept the conditions
    • Install only for you
    • Use the default directory
    • Change the preferred paper to letter and say Yes to install missing packages on the fly
    • Start the installer
    • Install!
    • TeXworks, a very handy editor and viewer, is automatically installed with MiKTeX 2.9 or later!
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: Download
    • Unclick the Optional offers.
    • Leave the "Install the Acrobat Reader Chrome Extension" clicked if you installed Chrome
    • Click on the "Install now" button
    • Once the executable has finished downloading, run it