Using Virtual Machine (VM)

Finding your assigned VM Number

If you have registered for Foundations of Robotics, you have been assigned a virtual machine (VM) for this course. You must use this VM to do the homework assignments that involve coding.

Each virtual machine is identified by a unique number. The address for each VM is allotted to exactly one student. If you have registered for this course and have been assigned a VM, rest assured that no other student can access your VM.

The VM assignment sheet is uploaded on Ed Discussion. Please refer to the pinned post corresponding to VMs for more details.

For Mac Users

  1. Install Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store

    mac_step1

  2. If you are not on campus, you must follow these instructions to connect to to CU VPN : Connect Mac to CU VPN

  3. Launch it from Applications (or Spotlight Search for Microsoft Remote Desktop)

  4. Click + Add PC in the Microsoft Remote Desktop

    mac_step2

  5. Enter VM information; replace 000 with your assigned VM number

    mac_step3

  6. Click Add, then double click to launch it from the list

    mac_step4

  7. You should now see the login for your Mac. Use your NetID as login ID and your usual password to login to the machine.

    On logging in successfully, you should see the screen on the bottom.

    mac_step5

    You can now use the filesystem and the terminal to get started with your assignments.

For Windows Users

  1. For Windows users, Remote Desktop Connection (not Microsoft Remote Desktop) should be pre-installed. If it is not, you can install it from the Microsoft Store.

    windows_step1

  2. If you are not on campus, you must follow these instructions to connect to to CU VPN : Connect Windows to CU VPN

  3. Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop application.

  4. Enter the VM information. Replace 000 with your assigned VM number. You can leave the username entry blank.

    windows_step3

  5. You should now see the login for your Mac. Use your NetID as login ID and your usual password to login to the machine.

    On logging in successfully, you should see the screen on the bottom.

    windows_step5

    You can now use the filesystem and the terminal to get started with your assignments.

Note : if you want to use Microsoft Remote Desktop on Windows, there is a known bug that causes the application to crash when a connection is created on the app. The course staff recommends using Remote Desktop Connection and not Microsoft Remote Desktop.

For Linux Users

  1. Linux users can run the VM for this course on Remmina. Remmina can be installed from the Snap store by running the following command:

    sudo snap install remmina

  2. If you are not on campus, you must follow these instructions to connect to to CU VPN : Connect Linux to CU VPN

  3. Launch the Remmina application

  4. Click on the button in the top left to add a new connection profile.

    linux_step4

  5. Enter the VM information along with your NetID and password. Replace 000 with your assigned VM number.

    Set the protocol to Remote Desktop Protocol. All other entries can be left blank

    Once you are done, click on 'Save and Connect'

    linux_step5

    Note: for better screen resolution, you can set the resolution to 'Use Client Resolution' under the Resolution settings on the Basic tab

  6. On logging in successfully, you should see the screen on the bottom.

    linux_step6

    You can now use the filesystem and the terminal to get started with your assignments.

Access via SSH

You can access your VM via SSH by using the following command:

ssh NetID@en-cs-4750-vm000.coecis.cornell.edu (replace NetID with your own Cornell NetID and 000 with your assigned VM number)