VCPortal

ODU Computer Science | Virtual Computer Lab User’s Guide

The Computer Science Department provides a Virtual Computer Lab as a remote computer solution. "VCLab" allows ODU remote faculty and students access to computer lab machine images over their network. Our users can interact with the remote operating system and its applications as if they were running locally.

The Virtual Computer Lab features:

• Up-to-date operating system
• Software development applications including IDEs and database tools
• Modern look and feel
• HTML5 web browser as a VDI client

This documentation is divided into the following sections

• Accessing Virtual Computer Lab from a web browser
• Accessing Virtual Computer Lab with a native RDP client

Accessing VCLab from Web Browser

Before proceeding, Connect to the CS GlobalProtect VPN VPN Services </br> Adblockers must be disabled for functionality

1. Navigate to https://vcportal.cs.odu.edu
2. At the login screen, provide your CS credentials

   

   At the next login screen, provide a pass phrase from DUO 2FA.

   

   From the PaloAlto - GlobalProtect screen, select VCPortal

   

   At the final login screen, provide your CS credentials again.

   

Connect to the remote computer lab by clicking Any Available Machines<ref name="Machine">For Students this should be titled Student Machines, and for Staff it should be titled Faculty Machines</ref></br>

1. 

Your remote desktop connection will start in your web browser<ref name="Drive">Users can access their Documents on their personal drive, which is designated as the Z:\ Drive.</ref></br>

1. 

Remote Desktop Client

1. Navigate to https://vcportal.cs.odu.edu
2. At the login screen, provide your CS credentials
3. Locate and navigate to the "Settings" icon at the top right-hand corner

   

4. Select the "Settings" icon to open the drop-down window

   

5. Select the "Download the rdp file" radio button

   

   Download the pre-configured RDP file by clicking Any available Machines<ref name="Machine"/>

   

6. You will be prompted to save a pre-configured RDP file

   

7. This file can be renamed and saved for future sessions. In the example below, the file is renamed and saved to the Downloads folder.

   

8. Double clicking the icon will launch your RDP Client

Note: You must be connected to the CS VPN, to gain access. Details can be found at: (VPN Services)

1. 

2. For Windows users, opening the RDP file will launch the native RDP client
3. All MacOS users will first have to install the free Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 app from the Apple Store
4. All Linux users can use Remmina as their RDP client
5. When prompted for your CS credentials, you will need to prepend your username with 'CS\'

   

   

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