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.

• This VM server is not for production systems.

• You will supply the CS staff with the OS disc (on CD or DVD) that you want installed.

• 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), 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:

(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.)

CS Virtual Machine (VM) Request Form

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