Access workspace using a web browser

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Preparation

No need to install any software, a web browser suffices.

Access to the workspace requires that you register a time-based one-time password (TOTP). See the SURF wiki for instructions to configure a time-based password.

Accessing a running workspace

Login to SURF ResearchCloud portal. The dashboard shows the workplaces that you have access to. Unfold the workspace to check the text underneath “URL”. If the URL starts with “https://” then the workspace includes a graphical desktop that can be accessed using a browser. Click the yellow “access” button to navigate to the workspace.

How to cut/paste data from laptop/workstation to workspace

Note that data that you cut/paste locally on your laptop/workstation remains local, it is not shared with the workspace.

To copy data to the workspace:

1. Copy or cut the data locally at the source
2. Press CTL-ALT-SHIFT, this opens a hidden “Guacamole” menu in your browser (on a touch screen: swipe right from the left edge of the screen)
3. Paste the data on the Guacamole menu clipboard. This will transfer the data to the workspace.
4. In the workspace paste the data into an application.
5. Press CTL-ALT-SHIFT again to hide the Guacamole menu

Data can also be copied in the opposite direction. The Guacamole clipboard on your laptop/workstation reflects the content of the workspace clipboard.

NB: To protect sensitive data, this feature is not available on workspaces that are configured as a closed environment.