Virtual Machine/Thin Client FAQs

From Longview ISD Technology Wiki

Revision as of 17:22, 23 January 2015

What Is a Virtual Machine (Samsung)

Using a virtual machine/thin client is basically the same as using a desktop or laptop computer, but, there are a few differences.

• A virtual machine/thin client/Samsung is used to access the virtual machine, but, the "machine" is not physically located in your room.
• Any Samsung can be used to access a virtual machine.
• The virtual machines are divided into 2 basic images:
  • Staff
  • Students

Virtual Machine Hookup

• Cable Connections
  • Remove the key at the base of the thin client. (May not have one.)
  • Raise the monitor.
  • Rotate the monitor sideways for ease of access to the connections.
  • Plug in the network cable, mouse & keyboard – in a straight line as pictured.

• • Plug the power cable snuggly into this hole. Located on the bottom of the monitor.
  • The toggle switch should be in the ON position (as shown).
  • Rotate the monitor back to the correct position, making sure the power plug is not pulled out.

• Speakers
  • Speaker Bar – Is attached either on top of the monitor or is placed under the monitor.
• 8 Speaker wires - Plug them into the side of the monitor.
  • • Green audio plug into green hole
    • Black USB plug into one of the USB ports located close to the green audio plug.

• Flashdrives

An extra USB plug is available on the side of the monitor where the speakers plug in. It can be used for a flashdrive.
Remember: Remove the flashdrive before you Log Off or Shut Down the computer.

• Headset

You may attach a headset to a thin client machine. (if desired & available)

• • Unplug the green audio plug from the side of the monitor.
  • Plug the headset connection into the green audio hole. The headset must have a small mini-plug connector.

Virtual Machine Configuration

Click the word OPTIONS in the upper left corner of the screen.
Choose CONFIGURATION. Under Configuration a window will come up which will have several tabs across the top.

Main tabs to check for configuration: Network Tab, VMWare View Tab, Discovery Tab

Important: if you need to make any changes in the configuration you will need to Reset or Restart the computer. Do whatever it says to do.

• Setting for Network Tab

• • Enable DHCP: Check.
  • IP Address: Will vary. Example: 10.8.4.245
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
  • Gateway: Will vary. Example: 10.8.0.1
  • Primary DNS Server: 10.40.7.2
  • Secondary DNS Server: 10.40.7.6
  • Domain Name: lisd.org
  • FQDN: blank
  • Ethernet Mode: Auto

• Settings for VMWare Tab

• • Enable VMware View:
  • Identity connection Server by: FQDN
  • Connection Server FQDN: nemesis.lisd.org
  • Port: leave blank
  • SSL: no check
  • Auto connect: check

• Settings for Discovery Tab

• Enable Discovery: check
• Enable Host discovery: check

Staff Virtual Machine

Staff members “grab” the same virtual machine (VM/Samsung/Thin Client) each time they log off and back on. Staff members working from their Virtual Machine should always save work to their H:drive.
The Save dialog box will include something like: jdoe$ (\\Orion) (H:).

Staff members can:

• Set up the Internet Explorer home page and/or Google Chrome home page.
• Set their start menu to look a specific way and can add programs to it.
• Ask technology staff to assign specific printers to their Virtual Machine. (Staff members should not attempt to install a printer.)

If a staff VM becomes unresponsive the technology department may solve this problem by deleting the current VM machine assigned to the staff member and assigning a new virtual machine.
This will:

• Delete the staff VM
• Delete the Favorites (web pages) saved in IE or Google Chrome (unless the staff member is logged into Google Chrome browser prior to saving to Favorites).
• Delete any files saved to the Desktop, My Documents folder, and Downloads folder.

Warning
Files saved to a path that includes: ▸Doe, Jane ▸Downloads, will be deleted from the staff member's unresponsive Virtual Machine when technology assigns the staff member a new Virtual Machine.

Setting Staff Default Printer

On staff thin clients, each staff member must select your own default printer.

• Click the Start button and then choose the printer icon to view the printer choices you have.
• Right-click on the printer you want to set as you default printer and choose “Set as Default Printer”.

If you need a printer added to your printer choices, contact your ITS.

Basics for Students

Logging On

• Enter your ID # and password.
• Click Connect.

• Login Problems

• • Make sure there is not a space in front of the 1st letter of your username.
  • Error message, “Failed to authenticate” – Type the password again.
  • Error message, “Bad Username or Password” – Check for spelling errors & type the password again.

Call the Technology Help Desk if you still cannot login. 903-446-2400.

• Printing

Student thin clients do not allow printing.

• Saving Documents
  • NEVER save files to your desktop or to My Documents.
  • Always save to your H: drive or a flash (pen) drive.

IMPORTANT: Once you log off the thin client student computer the computer will be deleted so it is impossible to retrieve documents you did not save correctly.

• Login Problems
  • Erase the previous username and start with a clean typing space.
  • Make sure you do not have a space in front of the 1st letter of your username.
  • Type the password slowly.
  • “Failed to authenticate” - Type the password again
  • “Bad username or password”
    • Check for typing errors.
    • Type the information again slowly

• Power Issues

Is the blue light glowing just below the Samsung label and above the silver bar? If not,

• • Make sure the power cable is pushed in snugly under the monitor and on the wall.
• *Make sure the toggle switch is turned ON.

• • Push the ON/OFF button under the silver bar gently to see if the blue light comes on.

• Black Screen/Analog Message

If the screen has a black screen with signal/source lost or analog message going across the screen.

• • Locate the SOURCE button on the silver bar.
  • Gently push the button located under the word source.

• View Connection Error
  • Make sure the network cable is plugged into the correct hole under the monitor. See Samsung Thin Client Hookup
  • Check to make sure the network cable is plugged in at the wall.
  • Check the Configuration settings. See Samsung Thin Client Network Configuration
  • Gently wiggle the mouse and wait for the login window to appear.
  • Repeat, if needed.

• Black Screen/White Arrow
  • Student:
    • Wait 2-3 minutes.
    • After 2-3 min. call the Help Desk and give the student’s name and ID # .

Staff:

• Wait 5-10 min. to allow updates to be installed.
• After 5-10 min., if the computer still does not go to the desktop call the Help Desk 903-446-2400 and have the computer Reset.

• Other Error Messages
  • “Display Protocol…”
  • “Agent Unreachable…”
  • “Blocked by a Firewall…”
  • “Domain Contoller…”

Call the Help Desk. 903-446-2400