Instructions for Using Linux Virtual Desktops (thin clients) with Servers in Statistics

Thin clients are energy efficient, quiet and inexpensive graphics terminals that allow access to Statistics servers.

Instructions on Using Statistics Virtual Desktop Stations

Startup/Login:

-Power on your thin client machine by pressing the power button.

-At the login screen, the FIRST thing you enter is the name of the server you want to log into. This has recently changed. It is advised to use one of the following servers:

best-statdesk (for every day use of web browsing, email, word processing, etc.) best-statpublic (for standard 32-bit computational work in R, Matlab, etc.) best-bigmem (for intensive statistical jobs ONLY. please DO NOT run apps like Firefox and Thunderbird on these machines)

-The next line in the login screen is your login name.

-Following the login name, you are asked which window environment you'd like to run. Just pressing 'Enter' will take the default gnome desktop environment, which is what you want. If you don't know what you want, the default gnome is what you're looking for.

-The last line of the login screen is asking for your password. If you do not know your password or are having troubles, stop into room 1280 and see Mike, Colleen, or Paul - or email lab@stat.wisc.edu

--Wait for the desktop to come up, and ignore error messages unless it breaks

Disconnect/shutdown:

--For a clean disconnect, first close applications on the desktop

--Kill the thin client with one of these methods:

• Hit Ctrl-C in the original (black) login window

• Close the original login window

• Hit Ctrl-Alt-Backspace (never do this on other Statistics computers)

--When client disconnects, screen goes blank and power shuts off

--As a last resort, push and hold power button on computer for 5 seconds

File transfers between local devices and server

USB (read/write):

--Click the “For Client USB-CD-DVD” button in the “Local_Xfer” box

• Wait for file transfer app. (gftp) to appear on screen (5 to 20 sec)

• Try to avoid clicking button multiple times

--Enter password for server (same as above)

--Select “usbdevice” from “media” folder in left window

• If USB contents are not shown, start over and wait a little longer in step 1

--Choose storage location on the server from the right folder

--Select file to copy

• From left window, USB to server, use green right arrow to transfer

• From right window, server to USB, use green left arrow to transfer

--When transfers complete, exit gftp and remove USB drive

CD/DVD (read only):

--Click the “For Client USB-CD-DVD” button in the “Local_Xfer” box

• Wait for file transfer app. (gftp) to appear on screen (10 to 25 sec)

• Wait for drive light to stop blinking. Avoid clicking button multiple times

--Enter password for server (same as above)

--Select “DVD” from “media” folder in left window

• If disk contents are not shown, start over and wait a little longer in step 1

--Choose storage location on the server from the right window

--Select file to copy from disk to server ONLY (read only – no write to disk)

• Select from left window and use green right arrow to transfer

--When transfers complete, exit gftp and remove disk from drive

-- ColleenBrabender - 10 Aug 2012