Using VMware

VMware ESX server is virtualization software that partitions physical servers in multiple virtual machines. Each virtual machine represents a complete system, with processors, memory, networking, storage and BIOS. VMware ESX enables multiple virtual machines to exist on the same h/w platform and share physical resources, run unmodified operating systems and applications, represent virtual resources that may not exist on the physical server. With VMware ESX, you can virtualize any environment, from the corporate data center to the branch office running the broadest range of guest operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Netware, and Solaris. 

For our class each student is going to connect to the server and be assigned a separate virtual machine, representing a physical server running Server 2016.  You will be using VMware Client through the browser with the instructor-assigned username and password.

To log into the VMware virtual server:

1. Open the browser and type labconsole.is.umbc.edu in the address bar.

2. If you get a certificate warning, click Proceed, then click on the name of the server labconsole.is.umbc.edu.

3. To access vSphere, click on vSphere Client (HTML 5).

4. For username and password use credentials provided by your instructor

5. After a successful login, on the left side of the screen click down starting at IS Lab Network until you reach IS451M1. Then you'll be able to select and start your virtual machine running Server 2016 (name of the VM will be IS451M1-XX).

6. Right-clicking on the virtual machine you can use Power option choices to power on and power off your virtual machine, as well as restart and shutdown the OS running in your VM.

7. After powering your VM on, you connect to it by clicking Launch Web Console under the image of the screen/console.

8. Click on Send Ctrl+Alt+Del option at the top of the screen to log in.

9. Login to your Server 2016 installation by using the following credentials:

        Username: administrator

        Password: provided by the instructor.

To access your VM off campus you will need to connect to the UMBC network using VPN (vpn.umbc.edu)