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| − | '''''Rebranded as ZCentral Remote Boost by HP in 2021 | + | '''''Rebranded as ZCentral Remote Boost by HP in 2021. In CAEDM we refer to ZCentral as the hardware/workstation and ZConnect as the session or connection'''' |
[[File:Blade_chasis.jpg|thumb|320px|RGS is used to access high-end graphical software from the labs, and from off-campus. The high-end software is installed on workstation-class blade servers with much more horsepower than a regular desktop computer.]] | [[File:Blade_chasis.jpg|thumb|320px|RGS is used to access high-end graphical software from the labs, and from off-campus. The high-end software is installed on workstation-class blade servers with much more horsepower than a regular desktop computer.]] | ||
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===How CAEDM uses ZCentral=== | ===How CAEDM uses ZCentral=== | ||
| − | The college is heavily invested in ZCentral technology, allowing anyone with a [[CAEDM account]] to use graphics-intensive applications from [[Remote Computing#Resources Available by Internet Connection| anywhere with a robust internet connection]]. Since ZCentral displays everything going on graphically, it can be network intensive. We recommend using a wired internet connection for best results. CAEDM supports Windows and Linux clients connecting to both Windows and Linux ZCentral workstations. | + | The college is heavily invested in ZCentral technology, allowing anyone with a [[CAEDM account]] to use graphics-intensive applications from [[Remote Computing#Resources Available by Internet Connection| anywhere with a robust internet connection]]. Since a ZCentral workstation displays everything going on graphically, it can be network intensive. We recommend using a wired internet connection for best results. CAEDM supports Windows and Linux clients connecting to both Windows and Linux ZCentral workstations. |
| − | Each user logged into | + | Each user logged into a ZConnect session uses one physical ZCentral workstation in one of our server rooms. Each workstation has multiple processors and gigabytes of memory, making high-end CAD and graphics work possible. You will not find all CAEDM software on ZConnect because not all software requires multiple processors and high-end graphics. Less resource intensive applications are instead installed on [[Citrix]], which allows many users to share the resources of one physical server. |
| − | ===Download | + | ===Download ZConnect=== |
| − | + | ZConnect Client downloads are available on the [[Downloads|CAEDM Downloads]] page. | |
| − | The | + | The ZConnect Client is available for Mac, Windows 10, and Red Hat or Debian based distributions of Linux. |
| − | ===Using | + | ===Using ZConnect=== |
{{rgsconnect}} | {{rgsconnect}} | ||
Run the '''ZConnect''' shortcut from your Start menu. Login to the ZConnect client using your [[CAEDM account#CAEDM credentials| CAEDM credentials]]. From here you may choose to connect to a Windows or Linux machine, from both [[Network access|on or off campus]]. You will then automatically be directed to a free machine of the type chosen. | Run the '''ZConnect''' shortcut from your Start menu. Login to the ZConnect client using your [[CAEDM account#CAEDM credentials| CAEDM credentials]]. From here you may choose to connect to a Windows or Linux machine, from both [[Network access|on or off campus]]. You will then automatically be directed to a free machine of the type chosen. | ||
| − | Once logged in, you will see a full desktop, including a Start menu, of a remote workstation with all the graphics-intensive software installed. When finished, please use the "logoff" button on the task bar, or select "logoff" from the Start menu. Please do not just close the | + | Once logged in, you will see a full desktop, including a Start menu, of a remote workstation with all the graphics-intensive software installed. When finished, please use the "logoff" button on the task bar, or select "logoff" from the Start menu. Please do not just close the ZConnect session window with the "red X" in the top right corner. This will not log you out, but will "disconnect" your session. Disconnected sessions stay available for a number of minutes before you are forcibly logged off. |
To switch between full screen mode, or to toggle an advanced options toolbar at the top of the page, use the following key sequence: | To switch between full screen mode, or to toggle an advanced options toolbar at the top of the page, use the following key sequence: | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
(If this toolbar was accidentally accessed, simply use the sequence above to toggle it off.) | (If this toolbar was accidentally accessed, simply use the sequence above to toggle it off.) | ||
| − | ===Printing in | + | ===Printing in a ZConnect Session=== |
| − | Printing from ZCentral is a great resource, but it is slightly limited. From any computer | + | Printing from within a ZConnect session from a ZCentral workstation is a great resource, but it is slightly limited. From any computer ZConnect has the capability to print to a CAEDM printer, but it cannot print to local printers. The advantage of using a ZCentral workstation is the processing power, for this reason ZConnect does not provide Microsoft Office or other programs requiring lower processing power, rather, it provides CAD programs and other programs that require high end processing power. |
| − | ===Accessing files in | + | ===Accessing files in a ZConnect Session=== |
| − | File access is a slightly limited from | + | File access is a slightly limited from a ZConnect session. The user's personal J Drive will automatically be mapped and USB connections are automatically detected, but ZConnect will not automatically connect to files on the user's local machine. The best way to access personal files in a ZCentral Session is to map the J Drive on your local machine and copy the desired files to the J Drive, or to put those files onto a flash drive, as USB support is automatic. |
| − | ===Examples of Software on ZCentral=== | + | ===Examples of Software on ZCentral Workstations=== |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| '''CAD Programs''' | | '''CAD Programs''' | ||
| − | | Altair HyperWorks, Ansys, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, CODE, Fluent | + | | Altair HyperWorks, Ansys, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, CODE, Fluent, LSDYNA, Marc Mentat, MD R2 Adams, QT4, SolidWorks |
| Altair Hyperworks, Ansys, Cadence, Ensight, Fluent, iSight FD, LSDYNA, OptdesX, StarCCM+ | | Altair Hyperworks, Ansys, Cadence, Ensight, Fluent, iSight FD, LSDYNA, OptdesX, StarCCM+ | ||
|- | |- | ||
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*During installation, if you receive an error stating "Failed to create process default activation context," you will need to install the .NET framework from Microsoft. | *During installation, if you receive an error stating "Failed to create process default activation context," you will need to install the .NET framework from Microsoft. | ||
*[[Remote Computing#Resources Available by Internet Connection| BYU Guest Wireless]] is not supported. Please connect using a [[Remote Computing#Resources Available by Internet Connection| wired connection]] or [[Remote Computing#Resources Available by Internet Connection| BYU Secure Wireless]]. | *[[Remote Computing#Resources Available by Internet Connection| BYU Guest Wireless]] is not supported. Please connect using a [[Remote Computing#Resources Available by Internet Connection| wired connection]] or [[Remote Computing#Resources Available by Internet Connection| BYU Secure Wireless]]. | ||
| − | *If you are using | + | *If you are using ZConnect and the remote workstation becomes unresponsive, you really have little choice but to close the window to the ZConnect session. Closing the window of an ZConnect session ''does not log you out''. Instead, it "disconnects" the user from the session. "Disconnecting" is useful, for example, if you have connected via wireless and you lose signal. ZConnect assumes that you want to come back to your session, and it holds that workstation for you for about a half-hour or so. Normally this would be a wonderful feature, but if you've locked up the workstation, every time you connect back to ZConnect you will receive the same hung workstation that is unresponsive. To fix this, you must [[Contact Us| contact an administrator]]. |
===Advanced Options=== | ===Advanced Options=== | ||
*On-screen collaboration is possible with multiple users. [[RGS Collaboration| Click here for instructions]]. | *On-screen collaboration is possible with multiple users. [[RGS Collaboration| Click here for instructions]]. | ||
[[Category:Services]] | [[Category:Services]] | ||
Revision as of 16:23, 12 August 2021
Rebranded as ZCentral Remote Boost by HP in 2021. In CAEDM we refer to ZCentral as the hardware/workstation and ZConnect as the session or connection'
HP ZCentral Remote Boost (formerly known as HP Remote Graphics Software or HP RGS) is a client-server remote desktop software produced by Hewlett Packard specifically designed for use with graphics-intensive applications. It is similar in function to Citrix, remote desktop, or VNC, but is specifically designed to handle graphic intensive applications such as 3D modeling.
Contents
How CAEDM uses ZCentral
The college is heavily invested in ZCentral technology, allowing anyone with a CAEDM account to use graphics-intensive applications from anywhere with a robust internet connection. Since a ZCentral workstation displays everything going on graphically, it can be network intensive. We recommend using a wired internet connection for best results. CAEDM supports Windows and Linux clients connecting to both Windows and Linux ZCentral workstations.
Each user logged into a ZConnect session uses one physical ZCentral workstation in one of our server rooms. Each workstation has multiple processors and gigabytes of memory, making high-end CAD and graphics work possible. You will not find all CAEDM software on ZConnect because not all software requires multiple processors and high-end graphics. Less resource intensive applications are instead installed on Citrix, which allows many users to share the resources of one physical server.
Download ZConnect
ZConnect Client downloads are available on the CAEDM Downloads page. The ZConnect Client is available for Mac, Windows 10, and Red Hat or Debian based distributions of Linux.
Using ZConnect
Run the ZConnect shortcut from your Start menu. Login to the ZConnect client using your CAEDM credentials. From here you may choose to connect to a Windows or Linux machine, from both on or off campus. You will then automatically be directed to a free machine of the type chosen.
Once logged in, you will see a full desktop, including a Start menu, of a remote workstation with all the graphics-intensive software installed. When finished, please use the "logoff" button on the task bar, or select "logoff" from the Start menu. Please do not just close the ZConnect session window with the "red X" in the top right corner. This will not log you out, but will "disconnect" your session. Disconnected sessions stay available for a number of minutes before you are forcibly logged off.
To switch between full screen mode, or to toggle an advanced options toolbar at the top of the page, use the following key sequence:
<shift(hold)><space depress><space release>+<h>
(If this toolbar was accidentally accessed, simply use the sequence above to toggle it off.)
Printing in a ZConnect Session
Printing from within a ZConnect session from a ZCentral workstation is a great resource, but it is slightly limited. From any computer ZConnect has the capability to print to a CAEDM printer, but it cannot print to local printers. The advantage of using a ZCentral workstation is the processing power, for this reason ZConnect does not provide Microsoft Office or other programs requiring lower processing power, rather, it provides CAD programs and other programs that require high end processing power.
Accessing files in a ZConnect Session
File access is a slightly limited from a ZConnect session. The user's personal J Drive will automatically be mapped and USB connections are automatically detected, but ZConnect will not automatically connect to files on the user's local machine. The best way to access personal files in a ZCentral Session is to map the J Drive on your local machine and copy the desired files to the J Drive, or to put those files onto a flash drive, as USB support is automatic.
Examples of Software on ZCentral Workstations
| Windows-based Applications | Linux-based Applications | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CAD Programs | Altair HyperWorks, Ansys, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, CODE, Fluent, LSDYNA, Marc Mentat, MD R2 Adams, QT4, SolidWorks | Altair Hyperworks, Ansys, Cadence, Ensight, Fluent, iSight FD, LSDYNA, OptdesX, StarCCM+ | |
| Math | MathCAD | MatLab, Maple, Mathematica | |
| Graphics | Gimp | ||
| Note: Software such as Microsoft Office is not found on ZCentral, but may be accessed through Citrix. | |||
Troubleshooting
- During installation, if you receive an error stating "Failed to create process default activation context," you will need to install the .NET framework from Microsoft.
- BYU Guest Wireless is not supported. Please connect using a wired connection or BYU Secure Wireless.
- If you are using ZConnect and the remote workstation becomes unresponsive, you really have little choice but to close the window to the ZConnect session. Closing the window of an ZConnect session does not log you out. Instead, it "disconnects" the user from the session. "Disconnecting" is useful, for example, if you have connected via wireless and you lose signal. ZConnect assumes that you want to come back to your session, and it holds that workstation for you for about a half-hour or so. Normally this would be a wonderful feature, but if you've locked up the workstation, every time you connect back to ZConnect you will receive the same hung workstation that is unresponsive. To fix this, you must contact an administrator.
Advanced Options
- On-screen collaboration is possible with multiple users. Click here for instructions.
