I am looking for a solution for my students who all have Chromebooks (which are locked down).
Their opportunities will be greatly expanded if they had access to Windows-based software (Blender, Unreal Engine, 3D slicing software, etc.,).
I have access to a couple desktop machines that I could host virtual boxes on if there was some way for them to remote into them through a web browser.
Is that something that is possible, and where would I get the information to get started hosting something like that?
If not, are there any alternative solutions that do not require a paid subscription?
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if they had access to Windows-based software (Blender, Unreal Engine, 3D slicing software, etc.,).
All of those applications that you mentioned run on Linux too. Maybe check if everything you want to use runs on Linux and then you don’t need to sell your students’ souls on their behalf.
I’m fine with them accessing either OS. Right now they only have access to a glorified bloated web browser.
If you can get It’s blessing I’d suggest something like KASM workspaces or WebTops, basically a Linux desktop in the browser.
How locked down are the Chromebooks?
Remote VM seems overkill if you can just enable “Linux for Chromebook”, which gives a sandboxed terminal at which point you can setup and install software like Blender, PrusaSlicer, etc.
It won’t be the fastest because they are thin clients, but even modern thin clients do decently for ‘light’ work.
If only! They cannot be reimaged at all. They cannot even add extensions to Chrome. They are LOCKED down.
Linux from chromebook is just a configuration you enable from the settings menu. If offers you a shell which is similar to a Ubuntu and you can install standard Linux software using the “apt install” command. Said so, if they cannot even install chrome extensions this is likely disabled too.
Students, as in you’re a teacher? Talk with your school’s IT department first.
I’m in a rural area without much funding. They would likely take issue with me adding complexity to their already overworked schedule.
Anyway, I’d rather ask forgiveness than for permission in most instances like these.
Screenconnect, teamviewer, proxypro, vnc, RDP are all remote access solutions. Some work fine through a browser but work better from a chrome app.
I wouldn’t virtualize that type of software you listed though, I’d just give them access to the desktop itself.
The only reason I would virtualize would be to allow multiple users to have access to their own workspaces.
It would seem safer to have them sandboxed within a virtual workspace than to give them all user accounts synchronously on a desktop, if that’s even possible.
The apps you list need decent gpu and gpu doesn’t virtualize well. You also don’t run into licensing issues with Windows.
You can create individual accounts on the desktops so they get their own workspace.
The apps you list need decent gpu and gpu doesn’t virtualize well.
That’s not really true any more. To actually get it working, especially sharing a GPU between multiple VMs, is finicky, especially if you’re not using the very narrow supported configuration and expensive enterprise hypervisor features. But it is possible, and you can find plenty of articles from people who have gotten it working.
But I still wouldn’t recommend it. I’d give one whole GPU to one VM with PCI passthrough, and let multiple users remote in. Hopefully the apps support that.
But I still wouldn’t recommend it. I’d give one whole GPU to one VM with PCI passthrough, and let multiple users remote in.
Which is why I’ve made the recommendation I did. Skip virtualization and go straight to remote access.
Yeah, that would be my recommendation too. Anything else will produce a worse experience (laggy and slow) and more complexity to get setup/maintain.
What you’re looking for is Promox.
Just checked it out, and this might be exactly what I was looking for!
Thanks!
Explore kasm, it is fucking amazing Kasm
This looks great! It’s far outside of my price range though.
