Open http://www.vdcstudents.

com/ in a browser and follow the instructions

Connecting to the VMware Virtual Data Center (VDC)
Operating System Requirement
Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP1 or SP2, Windows 7 or Windows 7 SP1
or Windows 8.x
If you are using Windows XP SP3 or Vista, it is recommended that the following
Microsoft RDP update be applied:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969084
If you are using Windows 7 SP1, it is recommended that the following Microsoft RDP
update be applied:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2592687
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Though not officially supported, many students have successfully used the
following RDP Clients for Mac and Linux.
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The following are RDP configuration files that temporarily change the default Remote
Desktop Connection settings optimized for best user experience with minimum
bandwidth. The configuration file must be selected for every connection, as it does not
make any permanent changes, and will work with all supported versions of Windows, as
well as Mac clients that use the RDC for Mac client from Microsoft:
vdcaccess-2_1.rdp - This file is for general use to improve the student experience
in accessing the VMware VDC/vClass RDP Terminal Servers.
LOW_BW_High_Latency_vdcaccess-2_1.rdp This file is for those cases where the
connection between your computer or classroom and the VMware VDC in
Wenatchee, WA, USA have low bandwidth and/or high-latency, as is often the
case in many Geos throughout the world or people using wireless connections,
which, while unsupported, are often used by necessity.

How do you know when to use the Low_BW_High_Latency_vdcaccess-2_1.rdp

configuration file instead of the vdcaccess-2_1.rdp file? When you experience lag
between your computer and the VMware VDC RDP Terminal Server desktop.
How do they work? They temporarily change the session parameters to reduce the
bandwidth requirements on data being sent from the VDC to your desktop which, by the
nature of the sessions, is where the vast majority of bandwidth is consumed. It does
this by telling the RDP client and server to reduce unnecessary screen graphics,
increase client-side bitmap caching, reduce the color palette and control the negotiated
screen size.
What is the difference between the two files? The vdcaccess-2_1.rdp file uses a 15-bit
color palette and the Low_BW_High_Latency_vdcaccess-2_1.rdp file uses an 8-bit color
palette, and, as a result, reduces the bandwidth going to the client by up to 50%, at a
cost of a reduced number of represented colors.
By using one of these files, it not only reduces your computer's inbound bandwidth
requirements, it also helps provide the best possible classroom lab exercise experience.
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Note: The VDC uses Windows Remote Desktop Connection and Microsoft
Terminal Services that uses the RDP protocol.
Network Requirements
NOTE: It is recommended to disable NIC Power Management, as there have been
reported cases of RDP connections being dropped with certain client computer
configurations!
Outbound Port Access
Students access remote server kits located at VMwares Virtual Data Center (VDC)
to deliver a VMware Education Services class. In order to access the VDC, the
classroom network must allow outbound access to the following ports:
TCP port 3389 for Windows Desktop Assistant access using the RDP protocol
Remote Server Addresses
VMware Education Services maintains two VDC locations and request that all
connections are opened to all possible remote servers. That way, students can
connect to an alternate VMware server if the assigned server should become

unavailable during class. The destination subnets that belong exclusively to

VMware systems are as follows:
208.91.3.0/24

(208.91.3.0 thru 208.91.3.254) Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

207.189.189.0/25 (207.189.189.0 thru 208.189.189.126) Subnet Mask

255.255.255.128
207.189.190.0/25 (207.189.190.0 thru 208.189.190.126) Subnet Mask
255.255.255.128
Test Connectivity to VDC using Windows Remote Desktop Connection
Follow the steps below to test connectivity with a remote servers in each VDC
To test 208.91.3.0/24 (208.91.3.0 thru 208.91.3.254) Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

1. Open connections and ports to the destination networks listed above

2. Open port 3389/TCP (Windows Desktop Assistant/RDP client access) to all
destination addresses listed above.
3. Start the Windows Desktop Assistant by selecting Start | Run | type "mstsc.exe".
4. For the host, enter access-test-a.vmeduc.com or access-test-b.vmeduc.com
When prompted, login as username = student, password = student, Domain =
VMEDUC.
You will receive an error that the username or password is incorrect, but will
confirm that you can connect to the test server using the RDP protocol, as the
server you connected to could not authenticate the account. This error is a
normal indication.
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To test 207.189.189.0/25 (207.189.189.0 thru 208.189.189.126) Subnet Mask
255.255.255.128

1. Open connections to the destination network listed above.

2. Open port 3389/TCP (Windows Desktop Assistant/RDP client access) to all
destination addresses listed above.
3. Start the Windows Desktop Assistant by selecting Start | Run | type "mstsc.exe".

4. For the host, enter vdc-us04-a.vmeduc.com

When prompted, login as username = student, password = student, Domain =
VMEDUC.
You will receive an error that the username or password is incorrect, but will
confirm that you can connect to the test server using the RDP protocol, as the
server you connected to could not authenticate the account. This error is a
normal indication.

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To test 207.189.190.0/25 (207.189.190.0 thru 208.189.190.126) Subnet Mask
255.255.255.128

1. Open connections to the destination network listed above.

2. Open port 3389/TCP (Windows Desktop Assistant/RDP client access) to all
destination addresses listed above.
3. Start the Windows Desktop Assistant by selecting Start | Run | type "mstsc.exe".
4. For the host, enter vdc-us24-a.vmeduc.com
When prompted, login as username = student, password = student, Domain =
VMEDUC.
You will receive an error that the username or password is incorrect, but will
confirm that you can connect to the test server using the RDP protocol, as the
server you connected to could not authenticate the account. This error is a
normal indication.