Chapter 2. Running Virtual Machines

2.1. Connecting to Virtual Machines
2.2. Turning Off a Virtual Machine

This chapter describes how to run, connect to and stop virtual machines on the Power User Portal. You can use multiple virtual machines simultaneously, or use machines running different operating systems.

2.1. Connecting to Virtual Machines

After you have logged into the portal, you can start, stop, or connect to the virtual machines that are displayed.

Summary

This procedure describes how to start a stopped virtual machine, and how to connect to the virtual machine.

Figure 2.1. Virtual machine turned off

Select the virtual machine you wish to connect to and click the Play button. The virtual machine powers up. The Stop symbol next to the virtual machine's name changes to a Powering Up symbol.
When the virtual machine is turned on, the Play symbol displays next to the virtual machine's name.
Figure 2.2. Virtual machine turned on
Click the Console button to connect to the virtual machine.
Figure 2.3. Connect to virtual machine
If it is the first time connecting with SPICE, you will be prompted to install the appropriate SPICE component or plugin. If you are connecting from a Windows computer, install the ActiveX component. If you are connecting from a Red Hat Enterprise Linux computer, install the Mozilla Firefox plugin. See Section 1.2, “Logging in for the First Time” for details if required.
A console window of the virtual machine displays. You can now use the virtual machine in the same way that you would use a physical desktop.

Figure 2.4. Connect to virtual machine

Result

You have started a stopped virtual machine and connected to it.

Warning

By default, a virtual machine running on Windows 7 will be suspended after an hour of inactivity. This prevents users from connecting to the virtual machine from the User Portal. To avoid this, disable the power-saving feature on the guest's power manager.