Using VDI to access a local USB Pendrive or Hard Drive

[drbongo]

Hi Guys I have finally got the Java VDI interface working on Linux so
I can log into a remote windows session on the college network from
home (after months of failing) I think this is due to an update from
Java. However there doesn't seem to be a way to access a local USB
Drive or a hard drive. I suspect hard drive access is blocked, but I
think you can connect a USB pendrive on a Windows. Any ideas
appreciated.

[Mobeen Iqbal]

Hi Tony.  as far as i'm aware, nick's using VDI from VMWare to allow staff access to network resources.  VDI does support USB devices, but only using the VMWare viewer windows client, i don't think they've got a VDI viewer client for linux yet. were you prompted to install a VDI client?  the following is the vmware FAQ:

Q. Does VMware View work with USB connected peripherals such as local printers, storage devices, scanners, keyboards, mice or other devices on the client?

VMware View supports a number of devices connected via USB to the client through support for USB redirection. Additionally, VMware View Manager extends USB device support for some devices not typically supported by display protocols such as PDAs. Any device that is USB 1.1 or 2.0 compatible may be used with the VMware View solution, provided they are connected to a device running the VMware View Windows client.

I did have reservations when they implemented VDI, but nick also allowed people to use VPN.  could you get a VPN client for linux and connect to the college network that way? i can't remember what the VPN details for the college are, its been at least a year since i even atempted access to their network using VPN from the outside, at the time it worked.  he should still be allowing it unless they've turned it off for security.  they should've used a citrix based sollution, they were previously using windows remote desktop which worked well for most, they should've left the terminal online but access for a few, i.e those that couldn't use the windows client like your self. 

Mo.

[Tony Sales]

Hi Mo, I have been having ongoing discussions with the tech team about terminal server client access - they have told me that they no longer provide RDP access to staff or students because they want  people use VDI. When I said that it didn't work with Linux yet i was told that they didn't support Linux and I shouldn't be using in College anyway (even though they seem to turn a blind eye to it). I argued that I used Linux at home, and had no obligation to use Windows there and I couldn't get onto the college network, but no change in policy! In reality the terminal server client has been available on and off for months - but it isn't supposed to be and I think Geoff has finally turned it off. Thus I tried to get VDI working one more time, and it just happens that the very latest release of Java for Linux now supports VDI - so I got that working fine. I couldn't connect to any USB devices or my local drive though - but it is likely that that isn'y supported on Linux yet - I will ask the tech team but they seem to lose interest once I mention the 'L' word.

Anyway I was chatting to Mat Horsepool today and he suggested using VDI via a VPN connection which works on Windows apparantly - so i will give this a try next week - then I can do the registers etc on the VDI and transfer files using VPN. I will let you know how I get on.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Vinux Support Forum" group.
To post to this group, send email to vinux-...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to vinux-suppor...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/vinux-support?hl=en.
 
Vinux Home Page: http://vinux.org.uk/
Vinux Wiki Documentation:http://wiki.vinuxvirtual.org.uk/index.php?title=Main_Page

[Josh Kennedy]

Hi
instead of saying Linux why not say Ubuntu and let the word Linux out of
it completely? It seems like when you mention the word Linux it scares
people for some reason. I guess that's why although google android uses
Linux, Google left the word Linux out completely. If you read on
wikipedia you can see that oh yeah and by the way android uses the Linux
kernel. Well Ubuntu and Vinux use the Linux kernel as well. So what
about this new web browser in Vinux 3.1? is it console-based or gtk browser?

> <mailto:vinux-...@googlegroups.com>.

> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> vinux-suppor...@googlegroups.com

> <mailto:vinux-support%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>.

[Tony Sales]

Hi Josh the new browser Conkeror is a hybrid - it runs in a GTK window but can be navigated completely with keybindings.

[Josh Kennedy]

oh? is it faster than firefox? does it read well? is it a Linux-only
browser?
Josh

> <mailto:mobee...@gmail.com <mailto:mobee...@gmail.com>>>

> <mailto:vinux-...@googlegroups.com

> <mailto:vinux-...@googlegroups.com>>.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> vinux-suppor...@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:vinux-support%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>

> <mailto:vinux-support%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:vinux-support%252Buns...@googlegroups.com>>.

[Tony Sales]

I don't think it will be any faster - but it could be, the main advantage is the keybinding controls-  I think it may be cross-platform so there may be a windows version available to try.

[Mobeen Iqbal]

Hi Tony.  Yeah they turned a blind eye to linux but they didn't like us using it. it was quite amusing to watch the hole network crashing to the ground and the only ones that had access to the web were linux users!  i just wish i'd started using it sooner, as it was i just signed in to my home PC and just used that to access content etc, worked quite well.  VPN via linux should work for you in theory, just install samba then you'll have access to their network shares and use VDI to do your registers as you said. let me know how you get on.  nick was more layed back than geoff. sometimes they're not sure of something so they'll tell you its not compatible.  i remember nick telling me i wouldn't be able to get a nokia phone on their wireless network because the network didn't support symbian clients, only blackbury's.  I took this as a personal challenge.  an hour later, i'd got access for free instead of paying for a client as nick had said i may have to do and was using the wireless happily!  i ended up setting my phone up to automatically connect to their network when it was in range, and to switch to 3G when it wasn't. it was a pleasure walking in to the main building and having my phone automatically sync to the server via their supposed incompatible network! 

Mo.

[Burt Henry]

and Linux attracts other more free thinking folks. Although Ubuntu is by
far the most popular desktop destro in home school, and probably work
places, it doesn't have such a distinct I.D. than Linux in general, or
in other words I don't think all that many ppl know what the hell Ubuntu
is who don't have a clue as to what Linux is about.
I hear that is in the long term biz plan for Canonical, a divestiture of
the gnu Linux label from their OS, but not sure this is more than a rumor.
Don't know where they will go, nor what I'll personally do if they do
forsake their roots, at least in name. Time and product will tell. Soda
is still crap sugar water, no matter what the name. Ubuntu has shown
many, but not near enough that Linux does not have to be a pain in the
backside to learn or use.
God bless em, and keep em FOS.
B.H.

--
*the above was probably written by-
Burt Henry
(registered Linux-user 521,886)
Contact Info: *email, GTalk&AIM-
(burt1...@gmail.com)
*Follow Me on Twitter-
@BurtHenry
*and I�m on Facebook*

[Burt Henry]

sorry, Josh and all, missed the subject line.
Yes, but tech support ppl are still scared by firefox...Call the average
ISP and they will only walk one through using IE to figure out any issue.
I could not use several ISPs in the late 90s because they would not let
you just enter server settings and such/insisted on you using a bleeping
CD to install their software. I was still using the last versions of
ms-dos/no stinking windows on my old box, and yes one could do just
about anything with DOS that win95 could do, just one thing at a time.
Never did get streaming audio to work myself, but heard from others that
it was indeed possible to listen to real audio streams with a player run
in DOS 6.x
Anyway, my screen did not look like anyone else's either, so most
friends could not help, and often even with my help gave up on using my
box on-line...
Anyone here remember/use nettamer?
(used a tweaked version of lynx as well, actually a tweaked version of
bobcat.)
B.H.

On 12/10/2010 03:56 PM, Josh Kennedy wrote:

--