Labtest is available for limited use under Windows, but requires consultation with tech. Machines will boot first into Linux labtest mode, and then Windows will run in a VirtualBox session. Students login to what appears to be a Linux system, but after logging in, the VirtualBox session is immediately started, and Windows boots taking over the full screen. With labtest running underneath, we get these benefits:

• A web browser is started and will display the labtest start page, much like under Linux.
• All firewall limitations on what can/cannot be done automatically restrict the Windows configuration without additional changes.
• Students have access to their standard labtest home directory including any special additions for labtest mode (eg. “unsubmit”).
• Student files will continue to be synced to our server every 15 minutes.

A few present limitations:

• We do not have a specific mechanism for students to “submit” their work from Windows. However, since all student data is copied to /eecs/ltsave anyway, it can be extracted from there.
• The software base for Windows labtest is very limited right now. Software includes Java, Eclipse, Firefox, and some other limited applications. If you need a particular application under Labtest for Windows, please consult with tech.
• VirtualBox image files are distributed to each of the local machines, but the files are quite large. Since we do not create a large image PER student, the Windows image is “immutable”. That is, when the student logs out, their changes to the local system are lost. Changes to their “home” directory remain.