Virtual Machines

In this chapter we will show you how to add Virtual Machines to your Workspace.

In a Workspace, you will most likely work with one or more Virtual Machines (VMs): either Windows- or Linux-based. When requesting a Workspace, VMs can be added to the Workspace by your local Support Team member. However, Workspace Accountable and Privileged Members are able to self-service add VMs to the Workspace.

If you want to add a VM to your workspace

1. Navigate to your Workspace and enter the Workspace by clicking anywhere on the tile. By default you will land in the Virtual Machines tab.

2. Workspace Accountable and Privileged Members should see a purple +Add Virtual Machines button on the top left.

3. Clicking the +Add Virtual Machines button will start the VM creation wizard. First, you can select one of the common VM templates. You may access the organization's VM templates only if you are a member of that organization. It will not work otherwise. Read more about Virtual Machine Types

4. After selecting the desired VM template, you can move on to Choose a VM Series. Select one of the categories.

5. After selecting a category, you can proceed to Hardware configuration. Here you choose your VM type/size. We usually recommend to start out with a general purpose VM such as a B2ms-type (2 CPU, 4 GB RAM). 

Start small, you can always resize afterwards!

6. After choosing your configuration, you can customise the quantity. Be aware that one Workspace can hold up to 11 VMs in total. Click on Add Configuration.

7. Finally, you will have an overview similar to a shopping cart with the configured VMs that you want to deploy. You can still change the quantity here, remove the configuration (by pressing X) or go back by pressing the arrow.

8. When ready, click on Create Virtual Machines. A confirmation box will show up, click Yes when you want to proceed. A progress message will pop up.

9. VM deployment will take about 20 minutes. If the status is still on Deploying after 20 minutes, please try to use the Refresh button. After the deployment, the VM will have the status Running. Although you can technically sign in to the VM immediately, we recommend to deallocate it once first and then start it up again.

How to start a VM

Although VMs are not physically present on your desk,  like a laptop or desktop, they are very similar in use. This means that you also need to start and stop them. But instead of pressing a physical button, you need to click on the start and stop button in the myDRE portal. Please find the quick instructions below for starting and stopping a VM.

1. Go to your Workspace.

2. In the Virtual Machines tab, select the VM you want to start.

3. Click on Start

The VM will now start up, which is reflected in its status. It will take about 2 to 3 minutes before the VM is running. Afterwards, you can connect to it (see below).

Once a VM is running, it incurs costs. It's therefore important to turn off the VM after you're done using it. All workspace members can start VMs, so make sure that everyone is also aware that they need to stop VMs too.

By default, there is an auto-shutdown present on DRE VMs to prevent VMs from running forever because workspace members forget to turn them off. You can adjust this setting or turn it off.

Connecting to a VM

Click on the Connect button if you want to connect with a .rdp file or select the down arrow next to the Connect button to connect via Bastion.

For Windows computers, connecting via .rdp will always work. If you're working on a Mac, you first need to download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the app store. With that app, you can open the RDP file. Bastion works everywhere.

Make sure that, for both options, you connect with your @mydre.org account and password.

How to delete a VM

Users may have completed the use of Virtual Machine and may not need the VM for later. There might be multiple reasons for this, may be the project is downsizing or may be the deployment of VM failed and user wants to delete it from the screen.

Below are the steps to delete it:

1. Select the VM and click on the options icon (three dots) and select Delete. The VM must be deallocated in order to be deleted.

2. In another popup, the user is requested to confirm the action of deletion by writing 'yes' in the text-box. This stands important so that there is still some time before user makes the decision.