Hosting virtualbox for my students

Submitted ⁨⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world⁩ to ⁨selfhosted@lemmy.world⁩

I am looking for a solution for my students who all have Chromebooks (which are locked down).

Their opportunities will be greatly expanded if they had access to Windows-based software (Blender, Unreal Engine, 3D slicing software, etc.,).

I have access to a couple desktop machines that I could host virtual boxes on if there was some way for them to remote into them through a web browser.

Is that something that is possible, and where would I get the information to get started hosting something like that?

If not, are there any alternative solutions that do not require a paid subscription?

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Comments

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jpablo68@infosec.pub ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
“Remote desktop” from google works good for what you’re trying to do I think

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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I thought so too, but the students are locked out altering any software on their Chromebooks
  
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  - jpablo68@infosec.pub ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    You only need to install the “host” software on the machine you’re going to share, the chromebooks only need to visit remotedesktop.google.com
    
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possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I would recommend that you bring in someone with experience instead of trying to wing it.

What you are looking for is virtual desktop. It will cost money but it is worth it in the end. I would highly recommend that you take a look at Azure virtual desktop.

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- B0rax@feddit.org ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Sounds like OP is a teacher at a school. Schools very seldom have It departments, even in this day and age…
  
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bmcgonag@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
If you can get It’s blessing I’d suggest something like KASM workspaces or WebTops, basically a Linux desktop in the browser.

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swizzlestick@lemmy.zip ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Whatever way you go for setting up the systems themselves, I’ve found dwservice.net to be perfect for accessing systems with only a browser.

The host component is Mac, Windows and Linux compatible. The clients need only an account at DW. Hosts tied to your own account can be shared with others.

Depending on host OS, you get screen, terminal and fire transfer access. Sessions are logged if you need to review who’s accessed what.

Free. Donation optional.

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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  This might be the solution I was looking for! Thanks!
  
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drspod@lemmy.ml ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

if they had access to Windows-based software (Blender, Unreal Engine, 3D slicing software, etc.,).

All of those applications that you mentioned run on Linux too. Maybe check if everything you want to use runs on Linux and then you don’t need to sell your students’ souls on their behalf.

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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I’m fine with them accessing either OS. Right now they only have access to a glorified bloated web browser.
  
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Brkdncr@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Screenconnect, teamviewer, proxypro, vnc, RDP are all remote access solutions. Some work fine through a browser but work better from a chrome app.

I wouldn’t virtualize that type of software you listed though, I’d just give them access to the desktop itself.

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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  The only reason I would virtualize would be to allow multiple users to have access to their own workspaces.
  
  It would seem safer to have them sandboxed within a virtual workspace than to give them all user accounts synchronously on a desktop, if that’s even possible.
  
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  - Brkdncr@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    The apps you list need decent gpu and gpu doesn’t virtualize well. You also don’t run into licensing issues with Windows.
    
    You can create individual accounts on the desktops so they get their own workspace.
    
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thelittleblackbird@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Explore kasm, it is fucking amazing Kasm

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- possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I would go for something Cloud based like Azure virtual desktop or similar. I don’t think Kasm has a cloud option.
  
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  - thelittleblackbird@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Why?
    
    There are not benefits in the cloud solution over the hosted server. It could even be more expensive on the long run…
    
    And yes, kasm has a cloud solution in its web page
    
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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  This looks great! It’s far outside of my price range though.
  
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catloaf@lemm.ee ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Students, as in you’re a teacher? Talk with your school’s IT department first.

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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I’m in a rural area without much funding. They would likely take issue with me adding complexity to their already overworked schedule.
  
  I’d rather ask forgiveness than for permission in most instances like these anyway.
  
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  - possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    That’s a very bad idea
    
    It will almost certainly blow up in your face
    
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  - salacious_coaster@infosec.pub ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Please ask for your department’s help before setting up rogue hypervisors on your school’s network. Depending on network security, you might not get far anyway.
    
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TheButtonJustSpins@infosec.pub ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Try Guacamole.

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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I’m vegan, so I’ve had it before…Oh, the software! Looks exactly like what I need (even though it might be out of my league to set up)
  
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  - rumba@lemmy.zip ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    It’ll all be alien to you, But a couple of lines later and it will all just work. Guak is your best option, It supports everything
    
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  - TheButtonJustSpins@infosec.pub ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Docker is your friend. :)
    
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jrgd@lemm.ee ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
How locked down are the Chromebooks?

Remote VM seems overkill if you can just enable “Linux for Chromebook”, which gives a sandboxed terminal at which point you can setup and install software like Blender, PrusaSlicer, etc.

It won’t be the fastest because they are thin clients, but even modern thin clients do decently for ‘light’ work.

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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  If only! They cannot be reimaged at all. They cannot even add extensions to Chrome. They are LOCKED down.
  
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  - possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    By whom?
    
    Please talk to your IT department. If nothing else you could get the green light for something else.
    
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  - lorentz@feddit.it ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Linux from chromebook is just a configuration you enable from the settings menu. If offers you a shell which is similar to a Ubuntu and you can install standard Linux software using the “apt install” command. Said so, if they cannot even install chrome extensions this is likely disabled too.
    
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  - paf@jlai.lu ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Does it have access to boot menu? If so, change boot order so it goes to usb first. You will then only need to create a bootable usb stick with Linux on it
    
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wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
What you’re looking for is Promox.

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- possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I don’t think Proxmox can do VDI
  
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  - wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    github.com/joshpatten/PVE-VDIClient
    
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- Vegan_Joe@lemmy.world ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Just checked it out, and this might be exactly what I was looking for!
  
  Thanks!
  
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