3. Ways to connect to the CapTechLab

CapTechLab is a VMware based virtual lab environment that enables Capitol Professors to have virtual machines deployed for Capitol Students.

There are 3 primary ways to access the Virtual Environment and they're described below in their order of preference and ease of use:

1. Local VMware Virtualization Software

If you have VMware Workstation (PC) or VMware Fusion (MAC) installed on your computer, you can "connect to server".  Instructions are available by clicking the name of the platform.

2. vSphere Webclient with VMRC

If you're able to install a small executable on your end workstation, it is best to install the VMRC library on your computer which allows for remote consoles in a program that is native to your computer.  Consoles are more stable and provide better interactivity as opposed to just using the web console.  You will first need to install the VMRC (installers are available for PC, Mac, and Linux) by visiting this article. Once VMRC is installed, log into the vSphere web client by navigating your Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser to https://lab.captechlab.org.  You can find instructions for navigating the vSphere webclient here. 

3. vSphere Webclient using web consoles

If you're unable to do the above 2 options, log into the vSphere web client by navigating your Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser to https://lab.captechlab.org.  Instructions for navigating the vSphere webclient here. Instead of clicking the "Launch Remote Console" link under the summary tab, you'll click on the square image showing a miniature version of whatever the screen of that VM is currently showing (more often than not, it is black the first time because the VMs have screensaver or power savers enabled).