Getting Started - Virtual Lab

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

Overview

The Data Analytics 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 Math Windows Desktop 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 (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari)

  2. Browse to https://vws.unwsp.edu

  3. Click VMWare Horizon HTML Access

  4. Login with your UNW account if needed.

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

    1. image-20240513-220207.png

    2. Click Math Windows Desktop 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 UNW account if needed.

  3. Click Math Windows Desktop to launch your virtual machine

The first time you login you will see a black window appear, this is the Tableau activation screen. Do not close this window. It will close automatically once it completes in about 30 seconds.

Access the Software

JMP-Pro is licensed and ready to use. You can run JMP-Pro from the shortcut on the desktop

Tableau is licensed and ready to use. You can run Tableau from the shortcuts in the Tableau folder on the desktop.

PowerBI is installed and ready to use. You can run PowerBI from the shortcut on the desktop

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.

Shared Data Sets

There are shared datasets available for your course on your desktop in a folder called "Data files".

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