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Virtual Lab Instructions

  1. What is the Virtual Lab?

    The virtual lab is similar to a terminal-based, centralized host, or mainframe, environment in which multiple terminals are able to connect to a host computer. A user can log on to a terminal server, run applications on the host computer, access files and network resources, and so on. Each user's terminal session is independent from the sessions of other connected users. In a terminal services environment, an application runs entirely on the terminal server. The terminal services client performs no local processing of application software and transmits a graphical user interface from the server. The client then transmits the user’s input back to the server.

  2. Accessing the Virtual Lab through a web browser:

    The Terminal Services Web Connection allows you to access the virtual lab from your Windows computer, running Internet Explorer version 6.0 or later. Terminal Services Web Connection is not supported on Macintosh platforms or on Windows platforms running browsers other than Internet Explorer.

    To access the Virtual Lab through a web browser follow this link: http://coe.ou.edu/en/page/TSWeb/default.htm.

  3. Accessing the Virtual Lab through the Terminal Services Client?

    To connect to the virtual lab, please make sure you have Terminal Services Client version 6.0 installed. You can download the latest version from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925876 . Mac users can download the client here.

    The configuration settings have been saved in a file that you can download to your computer. Right click to save the file: Virtual Lab Configuration File

    After you have saved the file, double clicking it will start the connection process. You will not need to come back to this page to connect in the future.

    Opening the Virtual Lab File will start the connection to the virtual lab server. Please login with Sooner\4x4 (where 4x4 is your 4x4) and your password.

    **Please Note – To access the Virtual Lab from home you will need to login to OU through the VPN. The VPN software can be downloaded from the IT Store Website at itstore.ou.edu.

    If you encounter any issues in connecting you can send an e-mail to needhelp@ou.edu with the subject of "COE Virtual Lab".

  4. What software is available on Virtual Lab?

    The terminal servers have most of the applications that are available in all College of Engineering computer labs. For a complete list of the software, please see the software list.

  5. Who can use Virtual Lab?

    All engineering students who have active engineering accounts should have access to the virtual lab.

    To connect to the virtual lab you will need to use your SOONER account information. Make sure you select SOONER as the domain name.

  6. How to print while in a terminal session?

    When you connect to the virtual lab will try to map your local printer. If your printer has the driver that matches one of the printer drivers on the server it will connect your printer with the server. The terminal servers have most of the printer drivers from Hewlett Packard, Brother, Canon, Epson, Lexmark and most popular brands.

  7. Can I copy and paste between my computer and my Virtual Lab session?

    Yes. This process is called Clipboard Redirection. You can copy and paste between the two environments.

  8. Is the Virtual Lab secure?

    Yes, virtual lab sessions are independent from one another. Communication between the client computer and the terminal server is encrypted at the maximum key strength supported by the client.

  9. Is there a time limit on how long the terminal session stays active?

    There is no time limit for how long you can work on the virtual lab. However, there is a time limit for active but idle sessions. This limit is one hour. After this hour, your session will be disconnected. After disconnection, you will not lose any work from the session. You will have a 30 minute window to log back on to save or to continue your work. After this 30 minute window, your session will be forced to logoff automatically and you will lose any unsaved work. Even though it has proven to be a reliable, and safe computing environment, you still need to save your work to the shared drive as often as possible.

  10. Will I have access to my H: Drive?

    Yes. The H: drive will automatically be mapped to your session.