Engineering Virtual Desktop (RDS) Information
The Engineering Virtual Desktop (RDS) provides users with an environment similar to the DECS Public Computer Labs where users can access all of their network files and most of the same software. Use of these servers is available to all engineering users.
Saving Your Work
- While working on the Engineering Virtual Desktop, it is important to save all files to your home directory (M: drive). This ensures that your files will be available in future sessions and in the DECS Public Computer Labs. Files stored on the servers local C: drive may be deleted at any time. File locations which are automatically stored in your home directory include the Desktop and My Documents directory.
- If a file is too large to fit on your home directory, you may use the DECS scratch space (S: drive) for temporary storage. WARNING: The DECS scratch space is temporary storage space and old files are deleted on a regular basis. Files needed for long-term or archival usage should be stored in another network location that is backed up, such as your home or research directories.
- Click here for more information about the scratch space, and other network storage locations provided by DECS.
Disconnecting versus Signing Out
- If you sign out via the start menu, your session will be removed from the Engineering Virtual Desktop servers. A new session will be created when you reconnect.
- If you disconnect via the start menu or by exiting/closing your Remote Desktop client, your session will remain active for 12 hours. During this time, you can reconnect to your session, allowing you to continue right where you left off. Disconnected sessions are automatically logged off and removed after 12 hours of inactivity.
Local Resource Redirection (USB flash drives, hard drives, etc.)
- The Engineering Virtual Desktop will redirect certain local resources and devices that are attached to the local computer you are connecting from. For example: if you connect from your laptop and have a USB flash drive attached to your laptop, it should be available on the RDS servers.
The following local resources can be redirected:- USB devices
- Hard drives
- CD/DVD drives
- Clipboard (for copy and paste)
- Audio
- Printers (explained below in the Printing section)
- USB flash drives, and other devices with a drive letter, will be displayed in "This PC" (formerly known as My Computer) with the following name: "E on laptop" where "E" is the local drive letter and "laptop" is the name of the local computer that you are connecting from.
- Some USB devices may not be properly redirected; it depends on the device and whether or not it requires special drivers. Mac and Linux computers are known to have issues redirecting resources. Please contact the DECS Support Office if you are having issues redirecting a USB device.
Printing
- The DECS Public Computer Lab printers are available from the Engineering Virtual Desktop. Printing to them will use your engineering print quota just as it would in the labs.
- Printers attached to the local computer you are connecting from should also be available through Printer Redirection. For example: if you connect to the Engineering Virtual Desktop from your home computer, and have an inkjet printer attached to that computer, that inkject printer should be available in your Engineering Virtual Desktop session. Redirected printers will be listed with the text "(redirected)" at the end of the printer name.
Maintenance
- The Engineering Virtual Desktop will be taken offline periodically for maintenance. These maintenance windows are short, typically occur between 2-5am on Saturday or Sunday, and will be announced on the pop-up that appears when you sign in to Engineering Virtual Desktop.
- Save all work and sign out prior to a maintenance window. Running sessions will be terminated and subject to data loss if not signed out prior to the maintenance window. Please see the above section "Disconnecting versus Signing Out" if you are unsure about the difference between the two.
- All Engineering Virtual Desktop servers are subject to being restarted or taken off-line for critical maintenance at any time.
Computational Jobs
- The Engineering Virtual Desktop is not intended for computationally intensive or long running jobs. Consider using the DECS Compute Servers for these jobs.
