MyIT

BEES Remote Lab

Student User guide and FAQs

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2025-biological-sciences-07

User Guide

  • What you need: 

    • A desktop or laptop running Windows or macOS (recommended)
    • Citrix Workspace app installed
    • A supported browser: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari (macOS)
    • A stable internet connection

     

    Installing Citrix Workspace

    If Citrix Workspace is not already on your device, install it from the Citrix documentation pages:

     

    Note: Mobile and tablet access (Android, iOS, iPadOS) is supported but provides a limited experience. Avoid using mobile or metered data connections as myAccess can generate high data usage.
    1. Open your browser and go to: https://myaccessunsw.cloud.com
    2. Sign in with your UNSW credentials: zID@ad.unsw.edu.au (e.g. z1234567@ad.unsw.edu.au) and your UNSW Password
    3. Approve the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) prompt on your device. If you need support for MFA, visit the myIT MFA support pages.
    4. Read and accept the Terms and Conditions when prompted.
    5. Select the Desktops tab and click AZ-VDI-BEES1 to launch.
      Note: If the desktop does not launch automatically, open the downloaded .ica file to start the connection.
    6. Your Remote Lab desktop will load. You are now connected.

  •  

    Launching applications

    Once connected, open your applications using the Windows Start menu, the search bar (Windows key + S), or All Apps.

     

    Saving your work

    Always save your data to the H: drive, accessible through File Manager. Files saved elsewhere on the virtual machine may not persist between sessions.

    Refer to the myAccess File Manager guide for detailed instructions on saving and accessing your datasets.

     

        Performance tips

    • Use a wired or strong Wi-Fi connection where possible.
    • Avoid streaming video or running large downloads while connected.
    • Close applications you are not actively using.
    • The Remote Lab is designed for teaching and coursework. High-CPU or long-running research workloads should run on HPC services or dedicated desktops.

  • Choose the right option depending on whether you are stepping away or finished for the session.

    Action

    When to use

    What happens

    Lock 

    Stepping away briefly, returning soon 

    Session stays active. Applications keep running. 

    Log off 

    Finished for the session 

    Session closes. Frees resources. Preferred option. 

    Shut down 

    Only if instructed by IT support 

    Powers off the machine. Do not use unless advised. 

     

    How to lock

    1. Select the Start button.
    2. Select your user profile icon.
    3. Select Lock.

    Shortcut: Windows key + L

     

    How to log off

    1. Save your work and close any applications.
    2. Select the Start button.
    3. Select your user profile icon.
    4. Select Sign out.

    Note: Log off is the preferred way to end your session. Do not simply close the browser window — this does not free up resources for other users.

Support

If you experience any issues, contact the Lab Support Team:

Please use the subject line: BEES Remote Lab, and include a brief description of the issue you are experiencing. 

FAQs

  • The Remote Lab is currently running as a pilot with the School of BEES. Access is available to BEES academics and students for T2 2026.
    1. Install Citrix Workspace on your device if you have not already done so.
    2. Open a supported browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari on macOS) and go to: https://myaccessunsw.cloud.com
    3. Sign in with your UNSW zID and Zpass.
    4. Approve the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) prompt.
    5. Accept the Terms and Conditions.
    6. Select the Desktops tab and click AZ-VDI-BEES1.

    If the desktop does not launch automatically, open the downloaded .ica file to start the connection.

  • Lock your session if you are stepping away briefly and plan to return to the same session.

    1. Select the Start button.
    2. Select your user profile icon.
    3. Select Lock.

    Shortcut: Windows key + L. Your session stays active and applications keep running.

  • Log off when you have finished your work. This closes your session and frees up resources for other users.

    1. Save your work and close any applications.
    2. Select the Start button.
    3. Select your user profile icon.
    4. Select Sign out.

    Log off is the preferred way to end a session. Do not simply close the browser window.

  • No. In most cases, users should not power down the machine. The Remote Lab platform manages machine availability automatically.

    Only use Shut down if you have been specifically instructed to do so by IT support or your course coordinator.

  • Lock: Use when stepping away briefly. Your session stays active and applications keep running.

    Log off: Use when you have finished. Closes your session and frees up resources for other users. This is the preferred option.

    Shut down: Only use if instructed by IT support. Do not use this in normal circumstances.

  • Each Remote Lab session has access to 16 GB of RAM by default. This memory may be shared across sessions.

    When utilisation reaches around 70%, the platform automatically provisions additional resources to meet demand.

  • No. The Remote Lab is designed for teaching and coursework. High-CPU or long-running research workloads should continue to run on HPC services or dedicated desktops, consistent with current operating guidelines.

  • Not automatically. Remote Lab machines are drawn from a virtual pool and may be reset between sessions. Software or configuration changes installed during a session may not be available next time.

    If specific applications or dependencies are needed across multiple sessions, contact the Lab Support Team to have them added to the standard lab image, making them available across all Remote Lab devices.

  • Always save your work to the H: drive, accessible through File Manager. Data saved locally on the virtual machine may not persist between sessions. Refer to the myAccess File Manager guide for instructions.

  • Contact the Lab Support Team:

    • Nic Beatson: nic@unsw.edu.au
    • Leadea Yousif: l.yousif@unsw.edu.au

    Please use the Subject line: BEES Remote Lab, and include a brief description of issue.