Academic Linux Virtual Machines

Computing environment for programming and compiling code for course work. Academic Linux VMs are provided at the request of the instructors-of-record for scheduled course sections.

1 Configuration and Resources
- 1.1 Operating System
- 1.2 Computing Resources
- 1.3 Available Shell
- 1.4 Available Editors
2 Accessing Academic VMs
- 2.1 VPN Required
- 2.2 Software
- 2.3 Log In Details
3 Life Cycle
- 3.1 Adding Users After Creation
4 Request an Academic VM

Configuration and Resources

Operating System

Academic VMs are deployed as Debian Linux.

Computing Resources

Each VM is resourced with 2 CPU and 4 Gb RAM

Available Shell

bash

Available Editors

vi (vim)
nano - https://www.nano-editor.org/
emacs
- Quick Reference Card: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/refcards/pdf/refcard.pdf
- Manual: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/index.html

Accessing Academic VMs

VPN Required

Off campus access via SSH requires you to be connected to VPN.

Software

Log In Details

System name/host name: <Course Subject and Catalog Number>-<Semester><Year>.its.albany.edu
(Example: csi500-fa18.its.albany.edu)

Semester = fa,wi,sp,su
Year = <yy>

Login as: <NetID>
<NetID> should be typed in lowercase letters.

Password: UAlbany password associated with NetID

Access method: SSH

Port: 22

Duo:
You will be prompted to enter your phone number as follows to complete multi-factor authentication steps using Duo:

Enter a passcode or select one of the following options:

 1. Duo Push to XXX-XXX-####
 2. Duo Push to XXX-XXX-####
 3. Phone call to XXX-XXX-####
 4. Phone call to XXX-XXX-####
 5. SMS passcodes to XXX-XXX-####
 6. SMS passcodes to XXX-XXX-####

Passcode or option (1-6):

Session Timeout: Idle SSH sessions will timeout after 5 minutes and shell sessions after 10 minutes

Life Cycle

Academic Linux VMs are available for the duration of a semester/term. The following outlines the timeline from request until deletion of a VM.

Instructor submit request form 1 to 2 months prior to a semester.
Instructor will be asked to confirm functionality of the Test VM prior to building the Production VM.
Once confirmed by the instructor, the Production VM will be built approximately one week prior to the beginning of the semester.
Access to the Production VM will be enabled for all students enrolled in the designated class section.
Instructors and students submit technical support request to askIT@albany.edu.
Access to the Academic VM will be terminated 2 weeks after the last day of classes for the semester and the VMs will be deleted.
1. Data for Academic VMs will not be archived.
2. If an extension for access is required, the instructor must submit a request to askIT@albany.edu prior to the last day of classes.

Adding Users After Creation

Students are auto-populated into the appropriate class group via an overnight ITS process.

Request an Academic VM

Submit the request form here.