SCS Windows

Getting Started
SCS Lab Virtual Machines
Remote Access to SCS Windows Lab Machines
Windows Z:\ Drive
Lab Basics

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Introduction

The SCS lab machines are running the Windows operating system. Basic things you need to know:

The windows-image is not configurable, which means that you cannot install any software on it.
Only SCS students can create an account on the lab machines.
Windows Z:\ Drive has a limited amount of server space for you
You can access other operating systems using VirtualBox
You can connect to the Linux Network using a remote desktop application called x2go

IMPORTANT: Please remember not to save any files on your desktop. SCS uses Mandatory profiles, which means that ALL FILES SAVED ON YOUR DESKTOP WILL BE DELETED WHEN YOU LOG OUT. You can save files to the Windows Z:\ Drive, which is saved on the Windows file server, or save them to your USB drive or to the cloud.

Getting Started

SCS Windows Account – Setting up and accessing your SCS accounts
SCS Computer Laboratories – Lab locations, schedule, etc

SCS Lab Virtual Machines

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The SCS Labs have VirtualBox installed that gives users the ability to run virtual operating systems. There are a number of virtual operating systems that have been specifically built for a course.

WARNING: The SCS Labs’ Virtual Machines RESET after you shut them down (or log out of windows). So changes to the VM, assignment files, etc. will be LOST if they are saved directly on the VM’s disk. However, you CAN save files in your SCS Windows Z: drive which is accessible within your Virtual Machine. The desktop of your Virtual Machine has a Shared Folders icon, which will have a link inside to your Z: drive. You can use this to save your files permanently. And your Z: drive can be accessed from any Windows PC and from the SCS NextCloud Service.

See the SCS Course Virtual Machine site for more information on Virtual Machines.

Remote Access to SCS Windows Lab Machines

You can access lab machines remotely using this remote access service. Please make sure you have created/updated your SCS account: SCS Account Management

SCS Windows Labs Remote Access

Windows Z:\ Drive

Students have access to the Windows Z:\ drive which is a dedicated backed-up server space (hard disk quotas are in place). The Z-drive is accessible on all the SCS Windows lab computers and is a place where you can safely store your files.

The SCS Windows network is behind a firewall and cannot be accessed remotely. However, you can access your Z-drive remotely. There are two ways to do this: one is using SCS Nextcloudthe other is using a Linux script on the command line:

1. Access the Z-drive via SCS Nextcloud. SCS Nextcloud should be configured to mount your Windows Z-drive, log in and look for Windows Home.

2. Access your files using your SCS Linux account:

ssh to access.scs.carleton.ca
ssh to vmicron01.scs.carleton.ca – this server has access to the Z-drives
run the program winftp (which uses smbclient) and log in using your windows account name and password
When connected, you will see an smb: \> prompt. Type the help command to display all the commands available in smbclient. Some quick commands:
- ls – list files in the Z-drive folder
- get filename – download filename to your Linux account
- mget file-matching-pattern – download all matching files.
  eg: mget *.java to get all .java files
- !ls – list files in the local Linux account folder (the folder you were in when you ran winftp)
- put filename – upload filename from your Linux account

Lab Basics

Temporary Local Disk Space

If you require large ‘fast’ temporary space while on lab computers, you can use the C:\temp and D:\temp directories on the system’s local disk.

WARNING: These temporary directories are cleared periodically based on disk space requirements. It is important to remember that any user that places data in these locations is also responsible for removing it when they are finished with it. Remember, other users of the system can access this data.

USB drive Backups

We recommend that users buy USB drives (or pen drives) and use them to store their personal data. USB drives are fast, have a large capacity (compared to the Z-drive), relatively inexpensive, and allow you to backup, carry and transfer your data to computers running virtually any operating system.

Linux Remote Desktop

There are Linux machines available for student use. The SCS Linux Network is available remotely by using the Linux remote desktop software called x2go. The SCS Windows lab machines are set up with x2go that connect directly to the linux network. Once connected, you will have a choice of any of the linux hosts.

In order for you to access the SCS linux network, you must have one of the following:

Taking a course that requires linux
Be a B.C.S. student
Be a graduate student

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