I am looking for a solution for my students who all have Chromebooks (which are locked down).

Their opportunities will be greatly expanded if they had access to Windows-based software (Blender, Unreal Engine, 3D slicing software, etc.,).

I have access to a couple desktop machines that I could host virtual boxes on if there was some way for them to remote into them through a web browser.

Is that something that is possible, and where would I get the information to get started hosting something like that?

If not, are there any alternative solutions that do not require a paid subscription?

  • Brkdncr@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    2 days ago

    Screenconnect, teamviewer, proxypro, vnc, RDP are all remote access solutions. Some work fine through a browser but work better from a chrome app.

    I wouldn’t virtualize that type of software you listed though, I’d just give them access to the desktop itself.

    • Vegan_Joe@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      The only reason I would virtualize would be to allow multiple users to have access to their own workspaces.

      It would seem safer to have them sandboxed within a virtual workspace than to give them all user accounts synchronously on a desktop, if that’s even possible.

      • Brkdncr@lemmy.worldEnglish
        10·
        2 days ago

        The apps you list need decent gpu and gpu doesn’t virtualize well. You also don’t run into licensing issues with Windows.

        You can create individual accounts on the desktops so they get their own workspace.

        • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
          3·
          2 days ago

          The apps you list need decent gpu and gpu doesn’t virtualize well.

          That’s not really true any more. To actually get it working, especially sharing a GPU between multiple VMs, is finicky, especially if you’re not using the very narrow supported configuration and expensive enterprise hypervisor features. But it is possible, and you can find plenty of articles from people who have gotten it working.

          But I still wouldn’t recommend it. I’d give one whole GPU to one VM with PCI passthrough, and let multiple users remote in. Hopefully the apps support that.

          • Brkdncr@lemmy.worldEnglish
            6·
            2 days ago

            But I still wouldn’t recommend it. I’d give one whole GPU to one VM with PCI passthrough, and let multiple users remote in.

            Which is why I’ve made the recommendation I did. Skip virtualization and go straight to remote access.

            • jacksilver@lemmy.worldEnglish
              2·
              23 hours ago

              Yeah, that would be my recommendation too. Anything else will produce a worse experience (laggy and slow) and more complexity to get setup/maintain.