3.2. Running Virtual machines

In the User Portal, virtual machines are represented by icons that indicate both type and status. The icons indicate whether a virtual machine is part of a virtual machine pool or is a standalone Windows or Linux virtual machine. The icons also show whether the virtual machine is running or stopped.
The User Portal displays a list of the virtual machines assigned to you. You can turn on one or more virtual machines, connect, and log in. You can access virtual machines that are running different operating systems, and you can use multiple virtual machines simultaneously.
If you have only one running virtual machine and have enabled automatic connection, you can bypass the User Portal and log in directly to the virtual machine, similar to how you log in to a physical machine.

3.2.1. Connecting to Virtual Machines

After you have logged into the portal, you can start, stop, or connect to the virtual machines that are displayed. Alternatively, you can configure the system to automatically connect to a virtual machine, as long as there is only a single virtual machine running when you log in. See the Automaticallly Connecting to a Virtual Machine section in the Virtual Machine Management Guide for more information.

Note

If the virtual machine is headless, you will not be able to connect to it via a graphical console. See the Configuring Headless Virtual Machines section in the Virtual Machine Management Guide for more information.

Procedure 3.1. Connecting to Virtual Machines

  1. Select the required virtual machine, then click the Run button. The virtual machine powers up.
    Virtual machine turned off

    Figure 3.2. Virtual machine turned off

    The Stop symbol next to the virtual machine's name changes to a Powering Up symbol.
    When the virtual machine is turned on, the Run symbol displays next to the virtual machine's name.
    Virtual machine turned on

    Figure 3.3. Virtual machine turned on

  2. Click the Console button to connect to the virtual machine.
    Connect to virtual machine

    Figure 3.4. Connect to virtual machine

  3. If it is the first time connecting with SPICE, you will be prompted to install virt-viewer.
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.

Warning

By default, a virtual machine running 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.

3.2.2. Turning Off a Virtual Machine from the User Portal

If you attempt to turn off a virtual machine from the User Portal, it may freeze with a status of Powering Down, indicating that it has not completely shut down.

Important

To minimize the risk of data loss, log off from a virtual machine before turning it off.

Procedure 3.2. Turning Off a Virtual Machine from the User Portal

  1. Log out of the guest operating system.
  2. If you were using your virtual machine in full screen mode, press Shift+F11 to exit full screen mode, and close the virtual machine's console window. You are now returned to the User Portal.
  3. To turn off the virtual machine, click the button. The Stop symbol appears next to the name of the virtual machine when it has been turned off.

Note

You can also turn off virtual machines gracefully using the native method from within the virtual machine itself. For example, in Windows virtual machines you can click Start → Shut Down, and in Red Hat Enterprise Linux virtual machines you can click System → Shut Down.

3.2.3. Rebooting a Virtual Machine from the User Portal

Important

To minimize the risk of data loss, log off from a virtual machine before rebooting.

Procedure 3.3. Rebooting a Virtual Machine from the User Portal

  1. Log out of the guest operating system.
  2. If you were using your virtual machine in full screen mode, press Shift+F11 to exit full screen mode, and close the virtual machine's console window. You are now returned to the User Portal.
  3. To reboot the virtual machine, click the button. The Reboot symbol appears next to the name of the virtual machine while it is rebooting, then changes back to a Run symbol when reboot completes.