Amazon Workspaces is a VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) that allows a user to securely connect to a cloud compute instance. SEAS Computing has bundled a few software (Solidworks or Comsol) as applications which authorized SEAS users may utilize.

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1. Login to your class Canvas site.

2. Look for  a VDI button (VDI_AWS or VDI_AWS-Workspace or SEAS_VDI) on the canvas landing page for your class and click on it.

3. Follow the instructions on the new page that opens. 

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For linux, Web Access is the only viable option. Web Access can also be used on Mac (not on Safari) or Windows.

Note: First time provisioning of a machine can take as much as 30 minutes. Try to get yourself setup well before the first class.

4. Please make sure to check your spam folders in case Amazon AWS informs you that a mail has been sent and you did not receive it.

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A note about email: The email where you will receive notification is the one you use for Harvard Key. If you do not have a Harvard Key, it depends on the nature of your association with Harvard and the email in Harvard records. If you have XID, then the email is the one you used for obtaining XID.

5. Once you are done with your work on the machine, close any commercial software and log out of the machine.

File Transfers

You cannot transfer files from the VD to your local machine directly. You can transfer files as attachments to your email. You can also use Google Drive/OneDrive/Dropbox. You should be able to install Dropbox client or work via a browser. Please try to transfer files as soon as you can. If the machine is decommissioned or has to be recommissioned for a user due to technical difficulties, all the files on the machine may be lost.

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A. Problem: You did not receive an invitation email from Amazon

     Solution: It may be in your spam folder. If you are using, for example gmail (including g.harvard.edu), check your spam folder. Once you locate the email in your spam folder, click the 'NOT SPAM' button on top of the email. This  sends the email to your inbox and activates any links.

 B. Problem: Invitation link does not work

     Solution:  The link expires when you clicked on it earlier and set up your password.  If you have done that and remember your password, you should be

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                    - enter the password (if you do not remember the password, see below)

C. Problem: I don't remember my password

     Solution: You should have the client downloaded and installed. If not, see Problem B above. Once you have the client installed:

      - click 'forgot my password' on the workspaces client 

Other than email related difficulties already discussed, you should generally not have much difficulty with the VDI. If you encounter difficulties with VDI, you should contact your TFs or instructor first. If the TFs or instructors cannot resolve it, they (not individual students) need to contact  ithelp@harvard.edu. Use "SEAS VDI difficulties" in your subject line. Please do not send software specific questions (COMSOL, SOLIDWORKS, ABAQUS, etc.)  to this address.