Getting Started - Computing Virtual Lab

Owned by Ben Paulson
Last updated: May 13, 2024 by Steven Gjerdingen
2 min read

Overview

The Computing virtual lab has been created to provide you with a pre-configured environment that has the required software installed and ready for you to use.  Each student will receive a dedicated Windows 10 virtual machine that will be available for the duration of the course, including any files or settings saved in the virtual machine.  The virtual machines will be erased at the end of each term, following commencement.

Access the Virtual Lab

You will have access to the COS Windows Desktop or COS Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 based on your course registration.

Web Browser (recommended)

A web browser provides the simplest method to access the virtual lab and doesn't require any software to be installed on your computer.

  1. Open a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Internet Explorer)

  2. Browse to https://vws.unwsp.edu

  3. Click "VMWare Horizon HTML Access"

  4. Login with your account

  5. After authenticating, you should be brought to the Horizon landing page

    1. image-20240513-220207.png

    2. Click "COS Windows Desktop" or "COS Ubuntu Desktop 20.04" to launch your virtual machine

Horizon Client 

The Horizon Client provides a better user experience as well as copy/paste and file copies between your computer and the VM. This does require software to be installed on your computer.

  1. Follow these instructions to install and configure the Horizon Client on your computer:

    1. VMWare Horizon Client for Mac

    2. VMWare Horizon Client for Windows

  2. Login with your account (don't forget to select the correct domain: STU to students, EMP for employees)

  3. Click "COS Windows Desktop" or "COS Ubuntu Desktop 20.04" to launch your virtual machine

Available Software

COS Windows Desktop

The COS Windows Desktop VM has the following software installed:

  • Windows 10

  • Microsoft Office with Visio Pro and Project Pro

  • Java IDE

  • PyCharm

COS Ubuntu Desktop 20.04

The COS Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 has the following software installed:

  • Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

  • C Programming Language

Credentials for the Ubuntu VM is your UNW username and password.
Use this format: stu\abstudent

Saving Data

You can save data, files and projects in the VM for the duration of your course, but the lab and any data, files or projects will be removed and deleted after the conclusion of each course.  Remember to save any files, data or projects outside the VM before the end of your course.  There are links to OneDrive on the desktop of each VM that you can use to save your data.

This virtual lab will reset 1 week after the last day of the course, any data saved locally on the virtual machine will be lost.

IT Support

If you encounter issues or have questions about the virtual lab, please use this form to submit a ticket to IT: IT Service Desk - Computer Lab Issue.

You can find contact information for IT Support here: https://unw.atlassian.net/l/cp/7CbB1dau