Virtual Machine FAQ
- Where do the virtual machines run?
- What classes use virtual machines?
- What is a Virtual Machine (VM)?
- How do I access my VM?
- What am I allowed to use a VM for? Are there any restrictions?
- Why can’t I access my virtual machine from the Hofstra network?
Where do the virtual machines run?
Student and course virtual machines run in the department’s academic computing cloud infrastructure in the Data Center (SIC 122), on the VMware vSphere platform. They are used for lab assignments, research, storing data, and running CPU intensive calculations. (Until 2025 this service ran in the Big Data Lab’s server room in Adams Hall; it now has a home of its own in the Science and Innovation Center.)
What classes use virtual machines?
Virtual machines serve many courses, including software engineering, operating systems, machine learning, data science, web application development, databases and networking. They also support project courses: Senior Design (CSC 197A and 197B), independent study projects (CSC 143 and 144), Independent Projects (CSC 300) and the Graduate Capstone Project (CSC 303). Faculty request course VMs as needed.
What is a Virtual Machine (VM)?
A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software implementation of a computing environment in which an Operating System (OS) can run. The environment is created by specialized software, called a hypervisor, which simulates hardware resources and mimics a physical computer by translating the OS’s requests to the underlying physical hardware of the host system through a virtualization layer. The OS running in the VM, known as the guest operating system, is fully independent from the host system the VM runs on. Virtualization makes it possible to logically partition a machine and thus run multiple operating systems concurrently on a single physical computer system.
How do I access my VM?
You may first need to connect to a VPN, depending on how and from where you are going to access a VM (see below). Once connected to the VPN (where required), you may follow these directions to access your VM.
Which VPN?
You can use either of two VPNs to reach the virtual machines:
- CS VPN: Install an OpenVPN client (OpenVPN GUI on Windows, Tunnelblick on Mac) and download your profile from csconnect.hofstra.edu, as described in VPN Access.
- SEAS VPN: Go to https://seasvpn.hofstra.edu/, select the students group and sign in with your university credentials, then download and install Cisco AnyConnect (guides for Windows and Mac). Once it is installed, enter https://seasvpn.hofstra.edu/ in AnyConnect and click Connect.
Off Campus
Use of a VPN is needed for all forms of remote access from off campus. Connect to the CS VPN or the SEAS VPN, then follow these directions to access your VM.
Campus WiFi (eduroam)
The vSphere Client is available on eduroam without VPN access.
However, to access your VM(s) through the VMware Remote Console (VMRC), Remote Desktop, or SSH, you must first connect to the CS VPN or the SEAS VPN.
Once you are connected to the VPN, follow these directions to access your VM through the vSphere Client, Remote Desktop, or SSH.
Hofstra lab computers
Computer Science labs:
A VPN connection is not needed to access VMs from the Computer Science lab computers in the Science and Innovation Center, the Adams 208 Amphitheater, and C.V. Starr 108.
Other campus labs, including the Open Access Labs and VDI labs:
To access VMs from other campus lab computers, including the Open Access Labs in Hammer and Calkins and the VDI labs, connect to the SEAS VPN first.
What am I allowed to use a VM for? Are there any restrictions?
Use of the Hofstra Network and University resources shall be governed by the Acceptable Use Guidelines (AUG) and must comply with all University policies, rules and regulations as well as all local, state and federal laws. Additionally, users of licensed software must comply with the terms and provisions of the applicable End User License Agreements (EULAs).
Compute resources of the Data Center may not be used in a manner that would violate the Acceptable Use Guidelines, although some exceptions are made for educational and research purposes where expressly permitted. These exceptions apply for limited purposes in a controlled environment only. The following exceptions are explicitly permitted in designated lab facilities for the sole purpose of academic research, special projects, or coursework in connection with an applicable class (such as CSC 115/215) or authorized research project:
- Capturing and monitoring network transmissions
- Locally hosted services
- Hacking or attempting to circumvent security on another computer
Why can’t I access my virtual machine from the Hofstra network?
You need to first connect to the CS VPN or the SEAS VPN to access VMs in the Data Center from anywhere on campus, except from the Computer Science lab computers in the Science and Innovation Center, the Adams 208 Amphitheater, and C.V. Starr 108. Devices on eduroam also need the VPN for VMRC, Remote Desktop or SSH, even in those buildings; only the vSphere Client works on eduroam without it.