Access to virtual computer labs

Service description

Virtual computer labs enable students to access specialist software environments set up for courses, practical exercises and laboratory activities from any location. Resources are delivered through cloud infrastructure managed by the University, providing access to software and configurations that would be difficult to install or make available on users’ personal devices.

Who the service is for

This service is intended for students who, according to the teaching requirements identified by their lecturers, need to use server applications or daemons, or highly specialised development applications. These cannot be installed in the University’s computer labs because of their server-based nature, or their installation would be impractical given their limited use.

How to use the service

Lecturers requiring this service should contact the Infrastructure, Equipment and Information Systems Division at mauro.bartesaghi@uninsubria.it to define the required virtual machine template, including hardware specifications, operating system and software. They must also agree on the number of hours available to each student for independent access and/or the scheduled times when the lab will start automatically during classes.

The combined total of independent access hours and scheduled class hours constitutes the maximum number of hours available to each student, as estimated by the lecturer for preparation for the relevant examination. Once these hours have been used, the virtual machine will no longer be available.

The virtual machine is provided by Microsoft as IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) through its Azure Labs cloud solution. It can be started and used at any time from any device, including a personal device, via SSH for Linux or RDP for Windows. Computers in the University’s computer labs can also be used to access the virtual machine via RDP.

Each student receives a personal link to manage their virtual machine through an automated invitation system. Individual links are generated from a list of enrolled students supplied by the lecturer to the Information Systems team. Links are personal and must not be shared. Each student is responsible for all activities carried out on the virtual lab machine automatically assigned to them by Microsoft during registration for the service.

Access the virtual labs available to your account

What the service offers and how it works

Each authorised student is allocated a personal virtual machine set up by the lecturer and configured to meet the requirements of the teaching activity.

The service enables students to:

• use specialist applications without installing them on their own computer;
• carry out practical exercises and laboratory activities remotely;
• access dedicated Linux or Windows systems;
• use development, simulation or experimental environments set up for the course;
• continue coursework outside the opening hours of the physical computer labs.

Benefits

• Access from any location with an internet connection.
• Use from personal desktop computers, laptops or University computer workstations.
• The same environment for all students on the course.
• No need to install complex software on personal devices.
• Access to hardware and software resources dedicated to the teaching activity.

Activating the service

The service is activated at the request of the lecturer responsible for the course.

The lecturer agrees the following with the Digital Innovation and Multimedia Technologies Service:

• virtual machine configuration;
• operating system;
• required software;
• number of students involved;
• lab schedule and duration;
• number of hours allocated to each participant.

The virtual lab is then set up and a personal invitation is generated for each authorised student.

How to access the service

Students receive a personal link by email to access the virtual lab.

Access is available:

• via Remote Desktop (RDP) for Windows environments;
• via SSH for Linux environments;
• from any compatible device authorised for use on the course.

The credentials and links provided are strictly personal and must not be shared with third parties.

Rules of use

The virtual machine must be used exclusively for the teaching activities specified for the course.

All activities carried out in the virtual lab can be traced to the user to whom the machine has been assigned. Users must therefore:

• keep their credentials secure;
• refrain from sharing access with others;
• use resources exclusively for institutional and educational purposes;
• comply with the University’s ICT regulations.

Duration of access

A maximum number of usage hours is set for each lab based on the requirements specified by the lecturer responsible.

Once the allocated hours have been used or the teaching activity has ended, access to the lab may be suspended or deactivated.