There are two ways of connecting to the Linux Virtual Desktop
Using the VMware Horizon Client native application for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android or IOS
For this you will need to download the VMware Horizon Client from here. You can also access the documentation for the different clients here.
After that, you will need to follow these steps.
1. After you start the VMware Horizon client, you must configure it with desktop.ecmwf.int as the server. If there is any dialogue box asking for a user and password for the Reading system (vdesk.ecmwf.int) just cancel it and click on "desktop.ecmwf.int".
2. Once the server is selected you will be sent to the authentication screen, where you will have to use your HID (either the hardware token or the software one). If by any chance you have already done this in your current browser session (eg if you started the Horizon client before, or even if you used Teleport just before) then this step will not be required
3. Once the initial authentication is established (either with a new or a pre-existing authentication) the browser ask for you permission to run the "VMware Horizon Client". You must click Allow here
4. After clicking "Allow", you are directed to any already open VDI session, or to a login screen in case you don't have any. If you userid is not listed do click on the "Not Listed" option and type your UNIX userid.
5. In case you have an open session you will see the "Lock" screen. You can press any key at this point and you will be directly to the "Unlock" screen. Here you can type your UNIX password and you should be able to unlock it.
6. Once the session is started, you can either use the Activities menu at the top left to open the menu and then also use the search box to find applications. Be reminded that this Linux VDI will only have a small selection of software installed, as envisioned by the Bologna - End-user Compute and Interactive Access model. Most of the applications you will need are indeed installed in the Atos HPC and expected to be run from there with ecinteractive.
Most users will not need much more than a terminal and a browser at this point, even though the ecflow UI is also installed.
Using the web interface
The web interface can be used with a supported browser, by accessing the following URL https://vdesk.ecmwf.int
1. In the first page you need to provide your ECMWF user identifier (the short one of three or four letters) and the passcode generated with your ActivID (HiD) token or application. After that is done successfully you will get to a second user and password screen
2. In the second authentication page you need to provide your ECMWF user identifier again, and your "desktop password". That is, the same you would use in an internal ssh connection.
3. On the next page you must choose one of the available options, keeping in mind that the number of options may be different depending on the user accessing. The main choice being between a Linux and a Windows system. Choose "Linux (Centos 8.3)" for a Linux VDI session.
4. Once the system has started up, you will need to supply your user and password and choose the type of virtual desktop you want. You can choose from:
- Standard (X11 display server) on Xorg
- Classic (X11 display server)
If your Linux VDI is already running then you will be connected to the current session. The example shown here is for the Standard desktop which has been modified using the Gnome 'tweaks' to add a docking panel for launching applications, horizontal workspaces and an window list at the bottom of the screen
There are two ways of connecting to the Linux Virtual Desktop
Using the VMware Horizon Client native application for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android or IOS
For this you will need to download the VMware Horizon Client from here. You can also access the documentation for the different clients here.
After that, you will need to follow these steps.
1. After you start the VMware Horizon client, you must configure it with https://vdesk.ecmwf.int as the server.
2. Once the server is configured should see a screen similar to this (Mac client shown as an example)
3. In the first authentication window you will need to provide your ECMWF user identifier (the short one of three or four letters) and the passcode generated with your ActivID (HiD) token or application. After that is done successfully you will get to a second user and password screen
4. In the second authentication screen you need to provide your ECMWF user identifier again, and your "desktop password". That is, the same you would use in an internal ssh connection.
The next step would be a choice of the type of virtual desktop you want
5. In this screen you must choose one of the available options, keeping in mind that the number of options may be different depending on the user accessing. The main choice being between a Linux and a Windows system. Choose Centos 8 for a Linux VDI session.
6. Finally, you will need to supply your user and password once the system is started up
Using the web interface
The web interface can be used with a supported browser, by accessing the following URL https://vdesk.ecmwf.int
1. In the first page you need to provide your ECMWF user identifier (the short one of three or four letters) and the passcode generated with your ActivID (HiD) token or application. After that is done successfully you will get to a second user and password screen
2. In the second authentication page you need to provide your ECMWF user identifier again, and your "desktop password". That is, the same you would use in an internal ssh connection.
3. On the next page you must choose one of the available options, keeping in mind that the number of options may be different depending on the user accessing. The main choice being between a Linux and a Windows system. Choose "Linux (Centos 8.3)" for a Linux VDI session.
4. Once the system has started up, you will need to supply your user and password and choose the type of virtual desktop you want. You can choose from:
- Standard (X11 display server) on Xorg
- Classic (X11 display server)
If your Linux VDI is already running then you will be connected to the current session. The example shown here is for the Standard desktop which has been modified using the Gnome 'tweaks' to add a docking panel for launching applications, horizontal workspaces and an window list at the bottom of the screen