How to run a Windows image on the Nectar Research Cloud

Windows Server 2022 can be accessed through the Virtual Desktop Service. For more information, please read about it on the ARDC website, follow our tutorial on the Virtual Desktop Service, and find specifications on our Support Article.

Note: Due to licensing, Windows is only currently available to Nectar Cloud users who have a national allocation. If you wish to have Windows licences available at your local node, complete our expression of interest form.

Prerequisites

1. A national Nectar Research Cloud project allocation. 
2. Terminal Software.
3. Remote Desktop Client on your local machine (for example: X2Go, Microsoft Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop Connection).

Step 1: Launching the instance

Launch an instance through the standard launching process, selecting the Windows image NeCTAR Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Datacenter x86_64 as the Source:

Additionally, the flavor you select must have a minimum 4 GB RAM and 30 GB root disk.

Note: If you are using the GPU reservation service, ensure you select the correct reservation flavor.

Step 2: Ensure the instance is ready

Once the instance has started, click the instance name:

Then select the Console tab:

You will see Windows run through a series of processes, including a Getting ready and rotating symbol, and the screen may also go blank. You will also see a Windows Login page, for the Administrator user saying "The user's password must be changed before signing in." DO NOT CLICK ANYTHING YET, not even the OK button. There are still background processes happening.

Once you see a page reflecting the time and date, the machine is ready. 

Step 3: Setting up a Windows password through SSH

3a. Information on the Instances page

Note down your instance’s IP address and your public/private key name from the Instances page on the Dashboard.

3b. Connect to your instance

Open your terminal/command line software, and enter the following command (remember to use your private key name and instance IP address):

ssh -i ~/.ssh/yourprivatekeyname  administrator@yourinstanceIPaddress

If successful, you will see the name of your instance inside the terminal, as well as the file path to the home directory.

If your connection was unsuccessful, you can troubleshoot the SSH connection.

3c. Set the instance password

While still in the terminal window, set the instance password using the following command and then press the enter key:

net user administrator yourpassword

In the console tab of your instance, click the Send CtrlAltDel button in the top right corner. 

3e. Log in

You should now see a login page. Enter the password which was set. If successful, you will see the login process occur as normal and see a standard windows desktop similar to the one below.

Step 4: Set up remote desktop software

4a. Create a tunnel

Open your command line software and enter the following command:

ssh -i ~/.ssh/yourprivatekeyname -L 3390:127.0.0.1:3389 administrator@yourinstanceIPaddress

Once successfully connected, minimise the terminal window.

4b. Connect via your remote desktop software

In the connection/computer/IP address/hostname field (this name varies depending on the software you use) of your remote desktop software, enter: 127.0.0.1:3389.

4c. Connect to your Windows virtual machine

You should be prompted to enter the username and password of your Windows instance.

Congratulations! You have connected to your Windows virtual machine.

Step 5: Complete a Windows update

Keeping operating systems updated is good security practice.

5a. Open Settings

Go to the Windows Start menu in the bottom left corner, and click the Settings symbol.

Select Update & Security from the menu.

5c. Install updates

If there are updates available, click the Install now button. 

Congratulations, you have successfully set up and accessed a Windows image!