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OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - Baby Tats - 12-03-2006
So I had been considering buying a new Windows laptop so that I could run Matlab, Solidworks and other engineering labs while on campus. The engineering computer lab is filled with talking, eating, custom ring-tone cell-phone using, pimpled, barely post-pubescent frat-boys and the little gaggle of girls that like smart boys. The smell of testosterone mixed with small amounts of estrogen reminds me of... well the first time I did this. The "old married guy in the corner" just doesn't fit in and is grumpy anyway.
As I was leaving the lab, I saw a sign for the new Virtual Computing Lab. Turns out that all I had to do was install the Microsoft Remote Desktop client. They apparently have a bank of headless computers or servers running virtual machines somewhere on campus that are set up for virtual computing. This satisfies the on-campus licensing requirements, but allows me to access all the applications and data that I need from home. So there is actually a computer somewhere on campus running the applications, but I am in control of the mouse and can see the screen. With my cable modem there was exactly zero noticeable lag. I have tested it on both my mac and my old 20 pound windows laptop and it runs great on both. Very cool, it's like running Widows without actually running Windows. You have to reserve a machine although it can be reserved immediately if one is available and there is a four hour limit per reservation. The longest I have had to wait is 20 min. although if you knew you were going to need it that night, you could reserve it early in the day. Anyway, I have to admit that this is pretty cool. I am sure Microsoft will figure out a way to screw it up by making it prohibitively expensive, but for now I am enjoying staying at home while I access all the high end engineering software.
And a follow up to an earlier rant that I made about getting Word Docs from professors, I found out that there was a problem with my login account. Now when I log in I have access to a huge array of programs including the office suite. But there is also the full, regular version of Acrobat and the print driver was easily installed. There is still no excuse except ignorance or laziness that would make people send out word docs instead of pdfs.
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - elmo3 - 12-03-2006
That's not virtual computing. That's simple remote access. Remote Desktop Client is simply a screen sharing tool, really.
You ARE running your stuff on a Windows box, Period. You're just not AT the Windows box while it's happening.
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - M A V I C - 12-03-2006
Elmo is correct. Unless, of course, you are not actually logging into a dedicated box. It would be smart for them to setup some über servers with a dozen or so instances of Windows running on VirtualServer. Then they don't need to run that many individual boxes and they can be easily restored if someone messes one up. Then you login remotely to the virtual machine. And I think this is what you mean by They apparently have a bank of headless computers or servers running virtual machines somewhere on campus
That would be a pretty smart setup by a college. Then they get the cheap/free software from MS, supply internet access to their students and then everyone gets a good PC for free. Only thing that would suck on it is gaming or watching movies/video. Which is great, because then they don't have to worry about people using school computers to do such things.
In college I was a lab aid so I had my share of fun removing games from the machines. This would prevent it altogether.
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - onthedownlow - 12-03-2006
Actually...all they would need is an instance of Windows 2000/2003 or Longhorn server running on a machine...then multiple people (however many the license allows...usually unlimited for the Select programs Universities would have with MS) can log onto the machine, RDC) and each user will have their own dedicated session on the single 'box'...which each being able to run their own applications, etc.
No need for 'dozen or so instances' of VirtualServer, etc.
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - sscutchen - 12-03-2006
My son at UTexas it doing windows engineering programs on his iMac using Parallels. Works great.
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - M A V I C - 12-03-2006
[quote onthedownlow]Actually...all they would need is an instance of Windows 2000/2003 or Longhorn server running on a machine...then multiple people (however many the license allows...usually unlimited for the Select programs Universities would have with MS) can log onto the machine, RDC) and each user will have their own dedicated session on the single 'box'...which each being able to run their own applications, etc.
No need for 'dozen or so instances' of VirtualServer, etc.
True, but that wouldn't be a reliable solution. If one person crashes something, they all go down. It also wouldn't allow for each guest OS to be reset as easily.
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - Baby Tats - 12-03-2006
Ok you can call it what you want or even argue about what it is called, but they call it the virtual computing lab: http://vcl.ncsu.edu/
The heart of VCL is a web-based service for scheduling and provisioning of remote access to a set of high-end computational resources (machine-room installed "blade" computers and other specialized University lab computers). These resources are loaded on demand with a choice of operating system images and predefined application sets geared to instructional computing.
VCL Features
* Easy to use remote access from one's own desktop or mobile computer in homes, offices, or the local coffee house, bringing the "lab" to you
* Full access to a dedicated computing resource (some scheduling choices include monitored root or administrator access). This access is the same or more than what is possible in physical computing laboratory.
* Vendor-standard remote access protocols and client software. Eliminates the need for specialized customization of one's own computer and eases updates and maintenance
* Extensible to any remotely-accessible desktop systems in specialized campus labs. Departments can bring their lab to their students.
And Elmo, I know I am not running windows, hence I said, 'Very cool, it's like running Widows without actually running Windows." And I understand remote desktop, quote: "So there is actually a computer somewhere on campus running the applications, but I am in control of the mouse and can see the screen."
I assumed that the blade servers were running virtual machines, but maybe they are not. I do know that individual stand-alone machines are used in some instances such as after hours when the physical labs are closed.
But of course, the content of my post was completely meaningless due my use of vague nomenclature; you people amaze me. I can maintain a 4.0 GPA through engineering school, but I am too freaking dumb to understand what a remote desktop is. That's why I come here, to be put in my place.
BT
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - onthedownlow - 12-03-2006
[quote M A V I C]
True, but that wouldn't be a reliable solution. If one person crashes something, they all go down. It also wouldn't allow for each guest OS to be reset as easily.
Wouldn't be a reliable solution? Do you administer 2003 and/or Longhorn servers? (serious question...not meant demeaning/offensive). If so...have you ever had an actual "crash" on one of these? The system is very stable and protected in regards to memory and session protection.
Why bandaid something together with VS software, when you can use the real thing - more efficiently and faster (i.e. processing, etc.)?
Believe me...this 'unreliable solution' has been running just fine for many years, with various server revisions. : )
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - elmo3 - 12-03-2006
[quote Baby Tats]I can maintain a 4.0 GPA through engineering school, but I am too freaking dumb to understand what a remote desktop is.
Apparently, and that's why we were surprised. But then again, some of us are beyond being surprised by what the world brings.
Re: OK, this virtual computing thing is very cool. I get to run windows on my Mac. - M A V I C - 12-03-2006
[quote onthedownlow][quote M A V I C]
True, but that wouldn't be a reliable solution. If one person crashes something, they all go down. It also wouldn't allow for each guest OS to be reset as easily.
Wouldn't be a reliable solution? Do you administer 2003 and/or Longhorn servers? If so...have you ever had an actual "crash"? The system is very stable and protected in regards to memory and session protection.
Yes I do. I have had them crash, updates go bad... running them on a virtual server makes them much easier to restore.
Why bandaid something together with VS software, when you can use the real thing - more efficiently and faster (i.e. processing, etc.)?
You're right, your method would use the hardware more efficiently. However, the overall efficiency goes way down. When the OS becomes corrupted or fails after an update, it takes MUCH more work. The cost of added hardware to run a VS at the same speed, is easily surpassed by the cost of brining a machine back up to speed.
Let's say there's 100 users on a machine. Each have their files and dev work saved on that server. If it's using your method and a user uses his admin access to erase all files on the machine, you're SOL. If that user was on a Virtual Server, the other 99 users wouldn't be affected.
Believe me...this 'unreliable solution' has been running just fine for many years, with various server revisions. : )
It may work well for you, but in the majority of circumstances it doesn't. The largest Windows solution provider in the west uses Virtual Servers for just about everything.