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JMU CS Virtual Machine

Now that you have installed the virtual machine and set it up, you will configure it for your class using a software called Ansible. We use Ansible to download and install software and files needed for your various classes. To see the details of how this is implemented, you can view the GitHub project hosted by the Unix Users Group.

Configuring the VM for your class

You can configure the virtual machine for the various classes you're in using one of two methods: typing commands on the command-line or using the provided scripts on your machine.

The way that Ansible knows how to configure your computer is by reading a set of files, called playbooks. The playbooks are resumable, which means that if for any reason you need to cancel the playbook while it's running, you can do so (press Ctrl + C), and then you can run it again whenver it is convenient.

Configuring using the provided scripts

On your desktop or in the menu there is a shortcut called "JMU CS VM Configuration." Open this tool and select the courses that you need to have your virtual machine set up for. Once you've selected the necessary courses, click "Run." You can watch the status in the black terminal window within the program and you will receive a notification when the configuration is complete.

Configuring using the command line

To configure using the command line, you will need to open a terminal and run the following command, using the substitutions that are provided after.

ansible-pull -U https://github.com/jmunixusers/cs-vm-build -i hosts -K -t TAGS

When you run this command, replace TAGS with a comma-separated list of classes that you are taking. Valid values are:

  • cs101
  • cs149
  • cs159
  • cs261
  • cs354

For example, if you needed your computer to be set up with the correct tools for CS101, CS159, and CS261, you would run the following command:

ansible-pull -U https://github.com/jmunixusers/cs-vm-build -i hosts -K -t cs101,cs159,cs261

Installing and removing software

Using the Software Manager GUI

In the Menu, search for the Software Manager application. You can use this to search for software to install. Much like the App Store or Windows Store, once you find what you're looking for, click the "Install" button.

Using the apt tool on the command line

While the virtual machine, after running the Ansible playbooks, should contain all of the software and files needed for the courses you're taking, you may want to install more software for your own use. On Mint, the best way to install software is by using the command line and utility called apt. The term that is used to describe the software you install with apt is a package.

For detailed information about how to use the apt tool, you can either run man apt or apt --help in your terminal; however a basic primer is included below.

To install a particular package, run

sudo apt update
sudo apt install PACKAGE

where PACKAGE is the name of the package you want to install.

To remove a particular package, run

sudo apt remove PACKAGE

To update all software on your system, run

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Linux Mint provides a list of all available packages.

Shutting down and snapshotting the virtual machine

To shut down the virtual machine, you have a few options. You can either:

  • Click the Mint menu in the lower-left of the VM, choose Quit in the lower-left of the menu, then choose Shut Down in the dialog that comes up
  • Click the Machine menu in VirtualBox and choose the ACPI Shutdown option. In the dialog that comes up in virtual machine, choose Shutdown.
  • To absolutely force the machine to power off (analogous to holding the power button on a physical machine), click the File menu in VirtualBox, cick Close, and then Power off the machine.

This will perform a full shutdown of the system. To save the machines state until the next time you're ready to use it, you can pause the VM.

There are times where you may want to preserve a copy of the virtual machine's state, such as before making a major change. To do this, go to the Machine menu, click Take snapshot, and then name the snapshot something meaningful and press Ok. Snapshots should not be used as a long-term retention policy. Over time, the cumulative size of the snapshots can grow quickly, taking up a large amount of disk space. In general, it is best to keep the last couple of snapshots and to mostly focus on taking snapshots before making major changes to your virtual machine.

Connecting to stu easily

Using Filezilla

If you only need to access stu in order to copy files to or from your VM, then you can use Filezilla. In the menu, search for Filezilla and open it. In the top-left is a black arrow. Click that and then select the "JMU CS Student server (stu)." You will be prompted for your JMU e-ID password. After entering that, you will be connected to stu and will be able to copy files.

Through the command line

There will be times in your courses where you need to connect to stu (or other systems). To do this, open a terminal window and type

ssh [email protected]

where EID is your JMU e-ID.

This will prompt for your e-ID password and you will then be signed into stu. Similar instructions will allow you to connect to any remote system that allows you to sign in using SSH. The general usage of the SSH command is:

ssh USERNAME@HOST

Eventually it will be exhausting to type your password in every time that you need to connect to stu. You can use an SSH key to sign in to to stu.

To generate a key, run

ssh-keygen -t rsa

Follow the prompts, using the default location and setting a password of your choosing (preferably one that's different from your e-ID password).

Then run

ssh-add

to add the key to your SSH agent.

Finally, copy the key to stu using the following command

ssh-copy-id [email protected]

Again, replacing EID with your JMU e-ID.

Now you can use your key to more securely connect to stu.

Reporting problems with the VM

Should you encounter any issues with your virtual machine or if you notice there is software that you wish was installed by default, open an issue on the GitHub project. You can use this same form to request software be added for a particular course. If you get an error while configuring the virtual machine, try to have any files in /opt/vmtools/logs on your VM ready if possible when creating an issue.

Getting involved with the UUG

To learn more about how to use your new VM or being a part of a community of users of open-source software, come to a meeting of the Unix Users Group on Wednesday nights at 6:30PM in ISAT 246.

Follow us on Twitter @jmunixusers or see upcoming events on BeInvolved.