Open OnDemand allows users to access Linux or Windows desktops through a web browser without needing to install any client software. However, if you want to connect directly from your local computer using VNC or RDP, you'll need to install a few additional tools.

• Linux Installation
• Windows Installation
  • Installing Stunnel
  • Installing TurboVNC
  • Installing the oodproxybyu Client
• Using the oodproxybyu Client

Coming soon...

To access VNC or RDP desktops directly from Windows, install the following:

• Stunnel for Windows
• TurboVNC
• oodproxybyu Client

Stunnel is used to establish a secure encrypted connection to the HPC cluster.

1. Download the installer from the Stunnel Downloads Page.
   • Look for a file named like stunnel-latest-win64-installer.exe.
2. Run the installer.
3. During installation, a prompt may ask for certificate details:

Country Name (2 letter code) [PL]:

• You can simply hit Enter repeatedly or close the prompt, as this certificate will not be used.

4. Choose whether to install for all users (admin privileges) or just the current user.

TurboVNC is the VNC client used to connect to Linux desktops.

1. Download TurboVNC from the TurboVNC Releases.

• The file name will look like TurboVNC-<version>.exe.

2. Run the installer.

• Installation requires administrator privileges.
• Follow the standard installer prompts.

The oodproxybyu client downloads a configuration file from the Open OnDemand server and launches a secure connection using VNC or RDP.

1. Download the client from the BYU HPC GitHub Repo by clicking the download button as highlighted here in red:
2. Double-click the installer.

• Ensure Stunnel and TurboVNC are already installed.
• The installation is quick and straightforward.

Once installed, follow these steps to use the oodproxybyu client:

1. Launch a desktop job (Linux or Windows) through your HPC cluster’s Open OnDemand interface.
2. You will see an Open OnDemand job card similar to the following:

3. Click the “VNC” or “RDP” button on the card as highlighted here in red.
4. Your browser will download a .oodproxybyu config file.
5. Click the downloaded config file in your browser’s download menu as highlighted in red below.

6. The oodproxybyu client will:

• Create a secure encrypted tunnel.
• Launch TurboVNC or your system's RDP client.
• Connect you directly to your desktop session.