VCM

This page will go through how to set up a Virtual Machine to do work for various classes in Spring 2024.

Multifactor Authentication

To use the virtual computers, you need to have multi-factor authentication set up; go to Multi-Factor Authentication and enroll. You will generally need a smart phone or access to email to log in.

If you are not on the Duke network, you will need to use Cisco AnyConnect as a VPN. Go to VPN at OIT for links to the installation page.

Spring 2024

This section is being revised in Spring of 2024 and supercedes any information below. The older information will be edited or removed as appropriate as testing continues with the new VCM. The specific VCM is the EGR 103 / ECE 110 / EGR 224 / ECE 382 / ME 344 Windows 10 + Math apps for Gustafson EGR / ECE classes]

Items Already Installed

Box Drive

Duke has a partnership with Box to provide storage for Duke community members. There are several advantages to storing files using Box Drive:

• Work locally and backup remotely
• Share folders and files when appropriate.

The first time you log into your VCM, you will get an option to log in to your Box account. Use your Duke credentials for this. You will need to have multifactor authentication.

Once connected, you will be prompted to take the tour. If you have not used Box or Box Drive before, please take the tour! Among other things, take note of the "Make Available Offline" option. For your files for class, you will generally want to have this option enabled. While you obviously will not be able to use a VCM while offline, you will have local access on your own computer if needed.

Anaconda

The Anaconda distribution is pre-installed on the VCM. This includes Spyder (4.1.4, which is *old* old) as well as other design environments and languages. For EGR 103, the primary part of Anaconda that we will be using is Spyder. Best bet is to update things. Note that this does take some time...

• Upon first run, you will likely want to update things.
  • Go to Start - Anaconda3 - right click on Anaconda Prompt - more - Run as administrator
  • conda update conda
    • This will be fairly quick
  • conda deactivate
  • conda update anaconda-navigator
    • This seems to really get everything up to the latest and greatest versions
    • Navigator 2.4.1, Spyder 5.4.2, Notebook 6.5.4 among others

Maple

Maple 2020 is already installed. Don't worry about installing any updates. There is an introductory video you can watch - note that the VCM can play sounds on your local computer!

Changes to VCM

The following is a list of changes Dr. G. made to his own copy of the VCM to keep track of any deviation from the standard one.

• (failed) Kite - when Spyder first starts, it asks if you want to install Kite. Kite has better and clearer documentation of some features in Spyder and provides help while programming. Unfortunately, at the moment, Kite doesn't play nice with the VCM so it is not actually installed
• Spyder preferences:
  • Appearance: Fonts set to 16 and 15 vice 10 and 9
  • iPython console: Graphics / Graphics Backend set to Automatic
• Anaconda prompt (run as administrator):
  • conda install black: add Black

Getting Started

To get started, go to Duke's Virtual Computing Manager and log in with your NetID. You will then want to "Reserve a VM" - this means that Duke will be setting up a virtual computer for you. You will be able to install and run applications remotely for just about any computer with an internet connection. Students in EGR 103 will be creating a Windows based VM for the semester.

• On the Virtual Computing Manager page, click on "Reserve a VM"
• In Application and Operating System dropdown of the New Virtual Machine Reservation page, pick "Windows Office 2019" (or whichever of the Windows options looks best to you) and then click Reserve
• Read the terms of use and if you agree to them, click Agree. If you do not agree with them, contact Dr. G as soon as possible. It may take a little time to set up the virtual machine - eventually you will go back to the VCM page and you should see a link under My Reservations.

Accessing your VM

• Click on the link for your virtual machine; this should bring up the VM Manamagement Tools page.
• In the General Information pane on the right, there should be a link for Remote Desktop; click that to download the remote desktop (rdp) file.
• Open the file; on Windows, this will bring up Remote Desktop Connection. On a mac, it should bring up RDC but if it does not, see Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) Clients for information on how to download the client.
• The desktop should be trying to connect with your Duke credentials (WIN\NetID). Enter your Duke password to finish connecting. Do not click "Remember Me" if you are on a public computer, even if you logged in as you!
• Read the note about unauthorized use, then click OK - the first time you start your VM, it may take some time "Preparing Windows."
• Once prepared, you should now have a Windows machine working in a window!
• The first time you connect, you may need to perform updates - this is a potentially hours-long process so it may be best to start it when you can leave the VM running but do not need to be using it.

Accessing your files from your VM

• For some people, their Duke (CIFS) folder should automatically be mounted to the windows machine. If you open the File Explorer (yellow folder at the bottom of the screen) and click on This PC, your NetID should be the name of one of the Network locations. You should always use this folder to store files -- these files get backed up every 12 hours. Do not use the Documents folder on the VM.
• If that is not the case, go to Duke's page on how to mount CIFS on Windows

Installing software on your VM

There are two ways to install software. There is a Software Center icon on the desktop - this contains ways to get commonly-installed programs and packages. The second way is to just install the software yourself. Depending on the class you are using the VM for, you may be using one or both mechanisms to install software.