Author Archives: wpadmin
Missing programs and features on classroom machines
We have noticed numerous issues on the classroom workstations regarding Start menu and some applications. Common issues currently occurring are:
- Cannot see any programs on Start menu or Desktop
- Cannot use search features
- Cannot open Windows 10 native applications such as calculator
We are currently investigating these issues. In the meantime, one can use the Programs -shortcut on the desktop to access software:
If even the Programs -shortcut is missing from the Desktop, software can be found in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) -folders manually.
On new installations, waiting for a period of time (15 minutes) and signing out/in can help also.
VPN to LabraNet
You can access your home folder and other resources from your home network with VPN. Instructions for connecting to the LabraNet VPN and mounting your home folder can be found in the LabraNet Remote Access Guide
If you encounter any problems with VPN connection here are few remedies to known problems:
– DNS problems are often solved by flushing the DNS cache (in windows the command is “ipconfig /flushdns”, in linux you need to restart nscd daemon with command “/etc/init.d/nscd restart”)
– Connectivity problems are caused by not receiving proper routes from VPN connection, DHCP clearance is often needed to get VPN routes. In windows commands are: “ipconfig /release” and after that “ipconfig /renew”. In linux “dhclient -r” will renew DHCP bindings.
– Check whether the VPN tunnel is in full or split mode (See Advanced Routing in the Guide). Sometimes full tunnel mode works better
– In newer Mac OS X, check the Service order in the Network settings page, and the scutil –dns command output. Wrong service order will make the system use your default DNS servers, and the system cannot resolve LabraNet names.
– If the Windows 10 app freezes and doesn’t show connection options you can complete or close the connection using the following command line commands:
– To make the connection: rasdial.exe “connection name” (add username and password if you haven’t saved them in connection options: rasdial.exe “connection name” “username” “password”)
– To close the connection: rasdial.exe “connection name” /disconnect
Notice! Due to server side access control implementation, passwords with umlaut characters or more uncommon special characters might not be accepted during authentication. You can use the password reset service to test if this is an issue for you.
LabraNet VPN Auto Triggering
Windows 10 adds the possibility to auto trigger VPN connections. This following guide shows how you can add applications that automatically trigger a VPN connection when launched. The example shows a custom application but you can use whatever application suits you best, for example MySQL Workbench.
Prerequisites for custom application
- Python installed and in path
- Example uses version 3.8.1
- VPN connection created with correct settings
- Credentials saved for the connection
Open a new PowerShell window. Run it as administrator if you want to save the shortcut to public desktop later as per these instructions.
Install PyInstaller for building an executable out of chosen Python-script
python -m pip install pyinstaller
Write your connection script. Here the input() function is chosen so that the script finishes and executable closes after enter is pressed
Write-Output ‘input(“Press enter to disconnect”)’ | Out-File -FilePath vpn.py -Encoding utf8
Build the executable.
python -m PyInstaller -F vpn.py
Move the created executable to current directory.
Move-Item .\dist\vpn.exe .
Configure vpn triggering. Split tunneling is required for triggering to work. IdleDisconnectSeconds define how long the connection stays on after the executable is closed.
$vpn = (Get-VpnConnection).Name
$app = “$((Get-Location).Path)\vpn.exe”
Set-VpnConnection -Name $vpn -SplitTunneling $True -IdleDisconnectSeconds 5
Add-VpnConnectionTriggerApplication -ConnectionName $vpn -ApplicationID $app
Create a shortcut to public desktop. If you did not lauch PowerShell as admin, either escalate privileges or change the $ShortcutLocation path below.
$ShortcutLocation = “[Environment]::GetFolderPath(‘CommonDesktopDirectory’)\Connect to LabraNet.lnk”
$WScriptShell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
$Shortcut = $WScriptShell.CreateShortcut($ShortcutLocation)
$Shortcut.TargetPath = $app
$Shortcut.save()
Check the connect automatically checkbox in vpn settings.
Connecting via auto trigger should function similarly to video below.
SSH to Student Server
For connecting to Student server you can use what ever SSH client, for example PuTTY.
First enter the address to Student server which is student.labranet.jamk.fi (see figure 1).
Figure 1. PuTTY startup screen
Then PuTTY asks login ID and password. Use your LabraNet account’s ID and password (see figure 2). Capitalize the first letter of your student id when logging to student via SSH.
Figure 2. PuTTY login screen
After successful login you are in Student server (see figure 3).
Figure 3. PuTTY logged in to Student server
SFTP connection to Student server
LabraNet users can use WinSCP SFTP client to remote access their LabraNet home folder. The WinSCP client can freely downloaded from http://winscp.net/
Download and install the client. Choose Start -> Programs -> WinSCP -> WinSCP
Once the program starts you need to enter the address to Student server which is student.labranet.jamk.fi.
After that you need to enter your LabraNet UserID and password. Port number is 22 (see figure 4).
Figure 4. WinSCP startup
Your local files are in the left window of the client and the remote files (your home folder on Student server) are in the right (see figure 5).
Figure 5. WinSCP connected to Student server
You can transfer files by dragging them from window to another.
Services on Student server
What is student.labranet.jamk.fi server?
- Server that is dedicated only for ICT-students.
- Virtualized
- 4GB of memory
- Diskspace quota is set (500MB for every ICT-student)
- Running Linux environment (CentOS 8) with LAMP (Linux, Apache, MariaDB, PHP)
- Administered by Labranet’s administrators
What it isn’t
- No screen processes
- No IRC-connections
- No IRSSI, Bitch-x, etc
- No IRC-bots (eg. eggdrop, energymech)
- No illegal material (storing illegal material will cause you to lose your account, see policy)
What does student server offer for you?
- Anything you can do in UNIX/Linux environment
- gcc/cc/java
- WWW-space
- PHP
- SSH/SFTP Connections
- Crontab
- ETC (basically anything you can do in UNIX/Linux environment, feel free to ask if you need something)
How you can access student.labranet.jamk.fi?
See the SSH to Student Server – instructions.
Requesting Virtual Machines
LabraNet provides virtual machine hosting, such as development or production servers for different projects. Project servers can be used internally as a project environment, software development, etc. and can be used from local workstations or through LabraNet VPN. For customer-related projects we can offer external hosting with public internet access also, but as we have limited number of public IPv4 addresses, we can currently issue only a handful of publicly visible servers. There must be a real reason for public server use, if the virtual machine is to be used primarily by students and staff it will be internal server only.
When requesting a virtual server, please use our Helpdesk to create a ticket, and fill the following information:
-
- Name of the server (hostname.labranet.jamk.fi)
- Required operating system
Primarily supported operating systems: Rocky Linux 8 & 9, Ubuntu Server (22.04), Windows Server 2019, Windows 10 & 11. Other OS can be requested but a good reason must be provided.
-
- Short description of usage and the course or project involved
- A contact person who will receive the administrative account for the virtual machine (Will be the creator of the ticket if not provided)
- How long will the server be in use (Exact date!)
We will contact people when the use date is exceeded about whether the vm is still needed or not. Long-term usage must be discussed with administration on case by case basis.
- Will the server need to be used from the internet and why?
After the VM is created, the appointed administrative person will be responsible for updates and other security of the server. If a default password is provided, it must be immediately changed to more secure one. All LabraNet Usage Policy rules apply to virtual machines also. LabraNet administration reserve the right to access and manage the virtual machine if rules are broken and also in case of severe problems that may affect the security or functionality of other systems.
By default, access to vms will be restricted to most used protocols only (http, https). Management is handled by SSH or RDP and only from local network. Other protocols/applications can be requested when needed.
