Product SiteDocumentation Site

Chapter 8. Using Virtual Machines - Advanced

8.1. Configuring Connection Protocols
8.1.1. Configuring SPICE Console Options
8.1.2. Configuring RDP Console Options
8.2. Using Advanced Features
8.2.1. Using SPICE Connection Options
8.2.2. Using USB Devices on Virtual Machines
8.2.3. Using Local Drives
8.2.4. Configuring Single Sign On for Virtual Machines
This chapter describes how to configure advanced operations on virtual machines. You will learn how to configure connection protocol options and enable the use of local drives and USB devices on your virtual machine.

8.1. Configuring Connection Protocols

A connection protocol enables you to see and interact with a virtual machine. When connecting to virtual machines, SPICE or RDP connection protocols can be used. Each protocol offers several connection options which can be enabled when the virtual machine is running.

8.1.1. Configuring SPICE Console Options

SPICE is the recommended connection protocol for Linux and Windows virtual machines.
To configure SPICE connection protocol options
  1. Select a running virtual machine. Click the Edit Console Options button.
    Select connection protocol
    Figure 8.1. Select connection protocol

  2. The Console Options dialog displays.
    Configure Console Options
    Figure 8.2. Configure Console Options

  3. Select SPICE. The SPICE Options display.
    • Pass Ctrl-Alt-Del to virtual machine: Tick this checkbox for this keystroke to be intercepted on the virtual guest. The use of this command depends on the operating system: on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, it sends a signal to reboot the computer; and on Windows, it displays the task manager or Windows Security dialog.
    • Enable USB Auto-Share: Tick this checkbox to use USB devices on the virtual guest.
  4. Click OK. You are returned to the Virtual Machines tab.

8.1.2. Configuring RDP Console Options

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) can be used for Windows virtual machines.
To configure RDP connection protocol options
  1. Select a running virtual machine. Click the Edit Console Options button as illustrated in Figure 8.1, “Select connection protocol”.
  2. The Console Options dialog displays as illustrated in Figure 8.2, “Configure Console Options”.
  3. Select Remote Desktop. The RDP Options display.
    • Use Local Drives: Tick this checkbox to use local CD or DVD drives on the virtual guest.
  4. Click OK. You are returned to the Virtual Machines tab.
Note that if your Linux virtual machine uses VNC as its default display protocol, you will not be able to connect to it on the User Portal. On the other hand, a Windows virtual machine using VNC display can be accessed via RDP. You can only establish an RDP connection once remote access has been enabled on the virtual machine. To do so, the initial log in to the Windows virtual machine must be performed using the SPICE protocol.
To enable remote desktop connection on a Windows desktop
  1. Select the Windows virtual machine and click Edit. The Edit Server Virtual Machine dialog displays.
  2. On the Console tab, set the Protocol to SPICE. Click OK.
  3. Turn on the virtual machine as instructed in Section 2.1, “Connecting to Virtual Machines” and click the Console button to log in. Make sure you have administrative permissions for the virtual machine.
  4. On the Windows virtual machine, enable remote access according to instructions specific to your operating system.
You will now be able to access the Windows virtual machine using RDP from the User Portal. Repeat this procedure for every Windows guest which uses RDP. Once you are done, you can change the default connection protocol for the virtual machines back to RDP.