View source for Requesting A Virtual Machine

<!-- == CS Now Hosting Virtual machines (VMs) ''For Educational Use''. ==

:CS now has a ''Virtual Machine'' (VM) server for educational use.  CS Faculty, Instructors, and students may request a VM be created for CS class use and CS-related school projects.  '''(NOTE:  This VM server is ''not'' for production systems; it is only for class-related work.''')

:We can support both ''Linux'' and ''Windows''-based VMs.  ''(Windows-based VMs might require you to obtain a license for the Windows OS version you plan to install.)''
-->
== IMPORTANT NOTES  (Please read ''before'' requesting a VM.)==

* Our VM service is for CS class use and CS-related school projects. Certain exceptions might be made for short, light research VMs. 

* Our VM service is '''not''' for ''production'' systems.

* You will need a '''CS Faculty "sponsor"''' for your VM.  The list of CS Faculty members can be found [https://www.cs.jhu.edu/faculty here].  

* '''You''' will supply the CS IT staff with the OS disc (on CD or DVD) that you want installed. 
** We can support both Linux and Windows-based VMs. (Windows-based VMs might require you to obtain a license for the Windows OS version you plan to install.) 
** In certain instances, e.g. Linux distributions, there are some versions we already have available.
** We will discuss with you what we need you to provide. 

* '''You''' will be the root/super user/admin for your VM.
** We (the CS admins) will simply install the basic OS.
**We or both you and we will configure the networking on the VM.
**  We will supply you with the root password.
**You may create accounts as needed, however, we must retain a copy of the root password for your VM.

* '''You''' are responsible for providing any additional OS patches or necessary software applications for your VM.

* '''You''' will need to arrange for any necessary port openings through the JHU Firewall (for connections from outside of JHU to your system within JHU.)
**  See [[Requesting Open Ports on the JHU Firewall]].

* We '''do not''' do regular backups of VMs.
** (We generally create a baseline backup of our VMs, and occasionally backup all VM images on the server.)
** You are responsible for backing up any ''system files or data'' created on your VM.

* When your VM is no longer needed (per the length of time info you provide when requesting the VM), we may remove the VM without additional notice.

* '''You''' are responsible for any security issues that arise due to your VM. 
** We have the right to shut down a VM that is causing any security issues.
** JHU has the right to close any network ports for the IP for your VM.

* Occasionally, we have to do maintenance on the VM server, and we try to notify all VM owners when the server must go down.  However, running a VM on our VM server is ''at your own risk'', and there might be times when there is unannounced unavailability of the VM server and its VMs.

* Not all VMs may be approved for installation.

== Requesting a VM ==

:To request a VM, please fill out the following online form:

::[https://support.cs.jhu.edu/forms/vm-request-form CS Virtual Machine (VM) Request Form]

:'''NOTE:''' Please make sure your instructor knows you are requesting a VM and an IP, as we will contact the instructor you list in these forms for authorization.

:'''Please allow ''at least'' 2 business days for your VM to be created.'''

[[Category:Virtual Machines (VMs)]]