Description
This article describes how to register for a classroom lab, view your available labs, and connect to and disconnect from a virtual machine (VM).
Warning: Do not save any personal information or files to a virtual machine. Files should be saved and uploaded to a cloud storage service, such as Box or Microsoft OneDrive.
On This Page
Registering to a Classroom Lab
After your professor adds you to their classroom lab, you’ll receive an email from azure-noreply@microsoft.com with a registration URL. Navigate to the registration URL you receive and follow the steps below.
- Sign in with your University email address and click Next
- Select Work or school account to be redirected to a Duquesne University sign-in page
- Sign in with your MultiPass username and password
Once signed in, you will see virtual machines associated with any classroom labs you are enrolled in.
Creating or Resetting Passwords for a VM
Create your password for a VM
Your professor can allow you to create a password for your VM. If they have enabled this feature, you will be prompted to set a password the first time you connect to a VM.
Reset your password for a VM
If you forgot your password or cannot sign into your VM, click the vertical ellipsis icon on your classroom lab tile and then select Reset password.
Connecting to a VM on Windows
You can connect to a VM on Windows by either downloading an RDP file or copying your machine’s RDP information.
Download an RDP file
- Go to https://labs.azure.com and sign into your account
- Click the toggle to start the VM. When the VM is ready, its status will change to running
Note: It can take up to 10 minutes for a VM to change from starting to running.
- Click the VM icon to connect to the lab's VM
- Save the RDP file and then open it to connect to the virtual machine
- If you receive a warning stating the publisher of the remote connection cannot be identified, select the Don’t ask me again for connections to this computer checkbox, and click Connect
- Sign in with your VM's password
Note: Your VM’s password will either be one you created or one your professor provided to you.
- If you receive a warning stating the identity of the remote computer cannot be verified, select the Don’t ask me again for connections to this computer checkbox, and click Yes
Copy and paste your machine's RDP information
- Go to https://labs.azure.com and sign into your account
- Click the toggle to start the VM. When the VM is ready, its status will change to running
Note: It can take up to 10 minutes for a VM to change from starting to running.
- Click the vertical ellipsis icon and then click Show RDP information
- On the Remote desktop information dialogue box, click Copy
- On your computer, type "remote desktop connection" in the search bar, and open Remote Desktop Connection
- Paste the RDP information in the Computer field and then click Connect
- On the Windows Security window, select More choices and then select Use a different account
- Sign in with your VM's username and password
Note: Your professor can provide you with your VM’s username. Your VM’s password will either be one you created or one your professor provided to you.
- If you receive a warning stating the identity of the remote computer cannot be verified, select the Don’t ask me again for connections to this computer checkbox, and click Yes.
Connecting to a VM on macOS
You can connect to a VM by either downloading an RDP file or copying your machine’s RDP information.
Note: Before connecting to a VM using a Mac device, go to the Mac App Store and download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.
Download an RDP file
- Go to https://labs.azure.com and sign into your account
- Click the toggle to start the VM. When the VM is ready, its status will change to running
Note: It can take up to 10 minutes for a VM to change from starting to running.
- Click the VM icon to connect to the lab's VM
- Save the RDP file, and then open it with Microsoft Remote Desktop
- If you receive a warning stating the certificate could not be verified, click Continue
- Sign in with your VM's password
Note: Your VM’s password will either be one you created or one your professor provided to you.
Copy and paste your machine's RDP information
- Go to https://labs.azure.com and sign into your account
- Click the toggle to start the VM. When the VM is ready, its status will change to running
Note: It can take up to 10 minutes for a VM to change from starting to running.
- Click the vertical ellipsis icon and then click Show RDP information
- On the Remote desktop information dialogue box, click Copy
- Open Finder, select the Applications tab, and open Remote Desktop Connection
- Click Add PC
- Paste the copied RDP information into the PC name field, enter a description for the lab in the Friendly name field, and then click Add
- Double-click your lab to open it
- Sign in with your VM’s username and password
Note: Your professor can provide you with your VM’s username. Your VM’s password will either be one you created or one your professor provided to you.
- If you receive a warning stating the certificate cannot be verified, click Continue
Disconnecting from a VM
- Select the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen, select the power icon, and then select Shut down
- On the Azure Lab Services web page, click the toggle to stop the VM
Note: If you do not stop the VM, it will continue to run and use your available quota time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When I click my registration URL, it says it's expired. Who can I contact for a new one?
The professor of the classroom lab you’ve been assigned to can provided you with a new registration URL.
I ran out of time quota. Who can I contact for more?
Contact the professor of the classroom lab where you have no time quota.
I don’t know the username or password to sign into my VM? Who should I contact?
Your professor can provide you with your VM’s username. Your VM’s password will either be one you created or one your professor provided to you. If you created your VM’s password and do not remember it, please reset it.
Where should I save my files on a VM?
You should save your files to one of Duquesne’s cloud storage services: Box or Microsoft OneDrive. Anything saved locally on the VM may be lost.