Accessing the Virtual Machines

97 views 8:22 am 0 Comments March 23, 2023

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ASPEN VM Access 2023 Spring EE6560
Accessing the Virtual Machines for EE 6560 or 6570
NOTE: It is extremely important that if you use EE ASPEN OneLiner on a VM, you
must backup the project before you log out. The VM pool is configured as “Not
Persistent” which means that as soon as you log off, the VM is refreshed and all data
stored on it (including the FT View project you just closed) is lost.
Accessing the VMs outside of 105/106 EECH:
1. If the OpenVPN client is not installed on your computer, instructions to set up the
VPN are located at
https://it.mst.edu/services/vpn/
Start the OpenVPN Connect client from the system tray, or from the Start menu,
Start
OpenVPN Connect
OpenVPN Connect
2. If this is the first time you are accessing the VM pool from your personal PC,
download the VMWare Horizon Client.
a. With browser, go to https://view.mst.edu
Click on “Horizon Client for Windows” This will take you to theVmware
website
In the upper left part of the window, make sure the selected version is 4.0
Click on “Go to Downloads” next to the appropriate client.
In the upper left part of the window, make sure the selected version is 4.5.0
Click on the “Download” button to download the exe file. Run the exe file to
start the install
After the install, you will need to restart your PC.
3. Start the VMware Horizon client (should be a shortcut on the desktop). Or,
Start Button -> VMWare Horizon Client
4. Double-click on “view.mst.edu” icon.
If you do not see a “View.mst.edu” icon in the screen,
Double-click on Add Server
Type “view.mst.edu” in the box and then click on Connect
5. Log in using your S&T credentials (make sure UM-AD is selected for the domain).
6. You should see the list of VMs that you are entitled on. Double-click the pool you
want (you should only see one – EE-VDI).
7. Eventually, you should be connected. If a “Sharing” prompt appears, click on Allow.
Any USB devices plugged into your PC will also be discovered.
8. If the computer screen is completely black, then explorer.exe (to display the
desktop) never started. To show the desktop:
Click on the “Send Ctrl-Alt-Del” in the VM toolbar at the top of the screen.
Start Task manager.
Click on “More details” If the tasks are not displayed.
Select the “File” tab and “Run new task”
Type “explorer.exe” in the box and click on “OK”
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ASPEN VM Access 2023 Spring EE6560
9. There are ten VMs in the pool and once all ten VMs have been logged into, any
additional login requests will be denied with a message saying there are no desktops
available. If this happens, please let me know and I will request additional VMs in the
pool.
Accessing the VMs in 105/106 EECH:
1. Start the VMWare View Horizon Client
Start Button -> VMWare -> VMWare Horizon Client
2. Same directions as above, starting with step 5
VM Drives
1. The S: drive is general network storage tied to your user account. It is mapped to
whichever VM you are logged into and should be used to store your ASPEN projects.
When finished, you can transfer it to your flash drive. Access to the flash drive is
somewhat slower than the S: drive. So, if you work with your project on a flash drive
from the programming software, it will work quite a bit slower.
2. If you are not in 105/106 EECH, any flash drives plugged into the local machine
should also be available. If not, click on “Connect USB Device” on the top of the screen.
Select the flash drive, if not “checked” already. It will connect to it and install its driver
as needed.
Access to the programming Software
Icons for the programming software (EE ASPEN OneLiner, and others) are on the
desktop. You can also Access from the start menu. OneLiner icon
Printing Your Programs from the VM
To print your documents to the computer attached to your personal PC, print to the
“Microsoft XPS Document Writer” printer. It should be the default printer. You will be
prompted for a file name (with .xps extension). Save the file on you S: drive. While on
the VM, log into your Gmail (or Outlook Live) account. E-mail yourself and attach the
.xps file. Minimize the VM desktop window and then from your home PC, log into your
Gmail (or Outlook Live) account and retrieve your .xps file.
a. If you have Vista or Win7/8, open the XPS file and then print it
b. If you do not have Vista or Win7/8 you will need to download the XPS viewer (part of
the Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack). The link to the download
page is:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=11816
Install it (will need to restart you PC). And use it to open the XPS file and then print it
to your printer.
Logging Off
When finished, with your VM session, click on the “Logoff” icon on the desktop.
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ASPEN VM Access 2023 Spring EE6560
How to Determine Which VM You are Logged Into
Click on the windows icon in the lower left corner of the window. Right-click on
“Computer” and select “Properties”. The name of your VM will appear on the pop-up and
will be something like “rcvxxveerslog” with “xx” replaced by a two-digit number.
The name of your VM also appears on the top line of the RSLinx left window, in the top
line of the “Communications|Who Active” screen in Studio 5000, and in the top line of
the FactoryTalk View project tree.
ASPEN VDI
Chris Bucher set up the VDI for the Aspen software for our class. Paul Nauert tested this by
going to view.mst.edu and connecting to the VDI labeled “EE Aspen” and confirmed it works for
our needs. Then Chris created Netgroup and Prof Nauert added all enrolled students to have
access to the VDI for our class.
Thanks,
Chris
Chris Bucher
Support Systems Admin – Specialist, IT
[email protected] | (573) 341-6373
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ASPEN VM Access 2023 Spring EE6560
After installing, then go to HTML Access, use UM AD and login with SSO.
OneLiner icon looks like