Once logged in, navigate to the '''My Virtual Machine''' section to view all the VM Labs assigned to you.
Once logged in, navigate to the '''My Virtual Machine''' section to view all the VM Labs assigned to you.
# '''Launch Lab''': Before using the lab, you must launch it. This action is a one-time process that deploys a VM Lab instance and assigns it to you. This process may around 5 minutes to complete. Launching is only possible if the lab admin has enabled lab access. [[File:CloudLabs 1776976784782.png|alt=CloudLabs dashboard under the 'My Virtual Machine' tab. Two lab cards are visible. The 'Launch' button is highlighted with a red box.|center|643x643px|thumb]]After clicking on '''Launch''' read the message displayed in the pop-up carefully, and then click '''Launch '''again to confirm.[[File:CloudLabs 1776977135697.png|alt=Notification modal. It states labs are for education only. The 'Launch' button at the bottom right is highlighted with a red box.|center|thumb]]
# '''Launch Lab''': Before using the lab, you must launch it. This action is a one-time process that deploys a VM Lab instance and assigns it to you. This process may around 5 minutes to complete. Launching is only possible if the lab admin has enabled lab access. [[File:CloudLabs 1776976784782.png|alt=CloudLabs dashboard showing the My Virtual Machine tab with two lab cards labeled MyLab-02 and MyLab-01, each with a blue Launch button, the MyLab-02 Launch button highlighted with a red box|center|643x643px|thumb]]After clicking on '''Launch''' read the message displayed in the pop-up carefully, and then click '''Launch '''again to confirm.[[File:CloudLabs 1776977135697.png|alt=Notification modal. It states labs are for education only. The 'Launch' button at the bottom right is highlighted with a red box.|center|thumb]]
# '''Start/Stop VM''': These options are available if lab access is enabled. You can stop the VM when it is not in use, or it will deactivate after a period of inactivity.[[File:CloudLabs 1776977207362.png|alt=CloudLabs 'My Virtual Machine' dashboard. A toggle switch is set to the 'on' position with the label 'VM Running' and is highlighted by a red box. |center|thumb|523x523px]]
# '''Start/Stop VM''': These options are available if lab access is enabled. You can stop the VM when it is not in use, or it will deactivate after a period of inactivity.[[File:CloudLabs 1776977207362.png|alt=CloudLabs 'My Virtual Machine' dashboard. A toggle switch is set to the 'on' position with the label 'VM Running' and is highlighted by a red box. |center|thumb|523x523px]]
# '''Connect to VM''': Click the “'''Connect'''” button to access your VM once it is running. If Direct Web Connect is enabled, you will be able to access your VM directly using a web browser. Otherwise, connection details for RDP or SSH will be displayed, which you can use to establish a connection to the VM Lab instance.[[File:CloudLabs 1776977274610.png|alt=CloudLabs dashboard showing a virtual machine in a running state. A blue monitor icon, representing the VM console, is highlighted with a red box next to the 'VM Running' toggle.|center|thumb|676x676px]]
# '''Connect to VM''': Click the “'''Connect'''” button to access your VM once it is running. If Direct Web Connect is enabled, you will be able to access your VM directly using a web browser. Otherwise, connection details for RDP or SSH will be displayed, which you can use to establish a connection to the VM Lab instance.[[File:CloudLabs 1776977274610.png|alt=CloudLabs dashboard showing a virtual machine in a running state. A blue monitor icon, representing the VM console, is highlighted with a red box next to the 'VM Running' toggle.|center|thumb|676x676px]]
Revision as of 01:28, 7 July 2026
Online access to software
Faculty, Students
Web
No
Property
Value
Description
Online access to software
Access
Faculty, Students
Platform
Web
CloudLabs is a service that makes software available through a web browser. It can be used to provide software to students that can only be installed on college owned computers or allow Mac users to run Windows software. You can connect to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive to load and save your working files like you would on a public lab computer.
Access CloudLabs
Access to CloudLabs is assigned by enrollment to specific classes that utilize remote access to lab software. Contact ITS through the support portal (Support : Swarthmore Service Portal ) if you are enrolled in one of these classes but do not have access.
Sign In:
Visit the CloudLabs portal and choose sign in with Work or School Account
Sign in with your Swarthmore email address and credentials.
Lab Actions
Once logged in, navigate to the My Virtual Machine section to view all the VM Labs assigned to you.
Launch Lab: Before using the lab, you must launch it. This action is a one-time process that deploys a VM Lab instance and assigns it to you. This process may around 5 minutes to complete. Launching is only possible if the lab admin has enabled lab access. After clicking on Launch read the message displayed in the pop-up carefully, and then click Launch again to confirm.
Start/Stop VM: These options are available if lab access is enabled. You can stop the VM when it is not in use, or it will deactivate after a period of inactivity.
Connect to VM: Click the “Connect” button to access your VM once it is running. If Direct Web Connect is enabled, you will be able to access your VM directly using a web browser. Otherwise, connection details for RDP or SSH will be displayed, which you can use to establish a connection to the VM Lab instance.
All data stored in CloudLabs will be deleted at the end of the semester. Save all your files to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive to avoid losing data.
Troubleshooting
After logging out, it may take up to 5 minutes to shut down an old session and start a new session. You may need to wait a while before being able to log back in.
If you encounter any issues, please contact ITS to let us know.
