EECS Technical Database

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====== Labtest under Windows ======

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 [[http://www.virtualbox.org/|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.