Connecting to CSE using VLAB
VLAB is a virtual lab that you can log into over the internet. You can log in using your zID and zPass the same way you would log in to CSE lab computers and you connect to a system that is much the same as the Linux system on the computers in the CSE labs.
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Install a VNC viewer. You can use other VNC viewers, but we recommend using the TigerVNC VNC client to access the VLAB servers.
Download and run the appropriate version of TigerVNC vncviewer from the following links:
Move the VNC viewer application to somewhere you will be ableto find it later. In macOS, you may want to move this to your Applications folder. On windows, you may want to move it to your desktop.
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If you are connecting remotely from outside of UNSW, we recommend you use UNSW's VPN Service and install the Cisco AnyConnect VPN software. It is available from https://vpn.unsw.edu.au/
You will need to log in with your UNSW zID and zPass in order to download and install it.
Full instructions to set up the VPN connection on your computer can be found here.
1. If you are Outside of CSE you will need to use UNSW’s VPN Service and find and run the AnyConnect VPN application.
Then log in using your student id and zpass and then click Accept after reading the conditions.
You should then become connected to the UNNSW VPN. To disconnecto from the VPN when you have finished using VLAB, click the AnyConnect icon in your taskbar or menubar and select disconnect. Do not disconnect from the VPN whilst you are still logged in to VLAB.
2. Start your TigerVNC (or your other chosen VNC Viewer) and enter your VNC server as
vlab.cse.unsw.edu.au:<port>
In this example I used port 5916 which works well on my macbook
You can enter any of the following addresses/ports. Each one will connect at a different screen resolution. Use a smaller screen resolution if you are using a slower internet connection.
| Screen Resolution | Server Address |
|---|---|
| 640 x 480 | vlab.cse.unsw.edu.au:5911 |
| 800 x 600 | vlab.cse.unsw.edu.au:5912 |
| 1024 x 768 | vlab.cse.unsw.edu.au:5913 |
| 1280 x 800 | vlab.cse.unsw.edu.au:5914 |
| 1680 x 1050 | vlab.cse.unsw.edu.au:5915 |
| 1920 x 1080 | vlab.cse.unsw.edu.au:5916 |
3. Log into VLAB using your Zid and Zpass
You may need to set up VLAB if you haven’t connected to it before.We recommend you select XFCE4 from the window that appears. This is the same system you will likely be using on the UNSW CSE lab computers.
Assuming you chose XFCE4 which is what we recommend you to get started with, you should end up getting something like the image below. This is a linux environment and this is your desktop.
You can now right click on your desktop and open a terminal. A terminal (shown in the image below) allows you to type in linux commands. You will learn more about using linux throughout the course. But for now well done! You have connected to your CSE account from home!
For more information about Vlab and for alternatives to UNSW's VPN service, see the documentation: http://taggi.cse.unsw.edu.au/Vlab/
Transferring Files To and From CSE
Windows Users:
- Many students use WinSCP ( winscp.net/eng/index.php ) to transfer files to/from CSE. Here is comprehensive HOWTO .
- PuTTY PSCP ( www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html ) provides similar capabilities to PSCP.
All Users:
A Summary for transferring files to/from CSE for users of all platforms can be found at http://taggi.cse.unsw.edu.au/FAQ/SCP_and_SFTP
Other Alternatives to Connecting to CSE
If you successfully set up and used Vlab you will most likley not need to try these other alternatives.
But if you wish, click on the icon for your platform for more information.
 Using Windows at home |
