Virtual Desktop Service (NX) — Legacy
N.B. This is a legacy service. For ease of setup we recommend new users use our x2go version of the virtual desktop. The NX version will continue to run for existing users for now.
A Virtual Desktop Service for users of the CSF, and other research computing facilities administered by IT Services, is in testing. This service allows users to:
- access the CSF from anywhere in the world via a Linux GNOMEv2 desktop environment without needing to install linux on their own system (a small remote-desktop client does need to be installed);
- login to the CSF (or other facility) from their office computer and begin work, then switch off this office machine, go home and then reconnect to the session from home, carrying on from where they left off (anything that was running will still be there, as though they had never left the office!);
- do interactive work over slow Internet connections from off-campus almost as conveniently as if working on campus.
It is envisaged that this service will be of particular interest to those who frequently do GUI-based work on the CSF, for example with Abaqus, Fluent or Star-CCM+.
If you wish to register to use this service, please email its-ri-team@manchester.ac.uk.