V-Lab Central for SAP:

Directions & Use Guide

How to use this Cloud V-lab Environment for Training, POCs &
Demos

Published: June 13, 2013

Table of Contents
Purpose of the Document ....................................................................................................................................... 2
SECTION I: How to access and use the Virtual Lab (V-lab) ..................................................................................... 2
Access to the image ............................................................................................................................................ 2
URL for V-lab Central site ................................................................................................................................ 2
Using your ‘hyper-key’ to access your V-lab ................................................................................................... 2
Logging in ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Using your V-lab image ................................................................................................................................... 3
Logging Out ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Saving a Customized Image ......................................................................................................................... 4
Mapping image to a local drive: .................................................................................................................. 4
Different uses for the image ............................................................................................................................... 6
SECTION II: V-Lab Central FAQ ............................................................................................................................... 6
SECTION III: Troubleshooting tips .......................................................................................................................... 8
A. Image won’t open ....................................................................................................................................... 8
B. General questions ....................................................................................................................................... 8

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Purpose of the Document
This document is meant to assist anyone who uses the V-lab Central cloud lab environment. Whether your
intent is to test software, present a demonstration or attend a Workshop with these pre-configured v-labs,
or other means, this document will help to guide you through the use of the V-Lab UI. Should you have
questions regarding images, content or features, please contact V-lab Central provider AcXess,
[email protected]

SECTION I: How to access and use the Virtual Lab (V-lab)

Access to the image
The V-lab Central Hyper-V Cloud environment is accessed globally from your local Internet connection
through Remote Desktop Services (rdp). In other words, it is important to note that a good local connection
is needed to provide a good V-Lab experience, so if you are having problems with what you consider to be
“slow” performance on the site, you should also check your local connection on www.pingtest.net we
recommend a “C” rating or better with 0% packet loss. If you don’t have a good (or better) local connection,
your performance could be less than optimum.

URL for V-lab Central site

V-Lab Central Cloud Environment
URL or http://vlabs.vlabcentral.com/
AcXess Key VL0093-HS49Z-WSDE26-IOH5Z (example key)

Using your ‘hyper-key’ to access your V-lab

The first time you access the system you will need to have a key sent to you.

1. Click on the AcXess key that was provided to you for each v-lab for ‘one-click’ secure access
VL0093-HS49Z-WSD26-IOH5ZA (example) or go to the url provided and paste your key in the window.

Logging in

1. Click on the button – IF your V-Lab is a large enterprise environment (20GB+

memory with enterprise SW stack) – wait a few minutes (3-5+) for the servers & software to start up
before you do any work since the system image is starting up from scratch in the AcXess V-lab cloud
data center.
2. Your lab may be set up with ‘auto-login’ – (if not, type in the Windows login provided with your lab
after connecting)
3. You will get a RDS connect window at this point.
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 4. Click ‘Connect’

Using your V-lab image

You will see the time clock that your lab is set to run and the number of users or additional v-labs provided
with your service.

Click on the ‘Maximize’ button for full-screen access and viewing of your lab.

The ‘Stop’ button is only for deleting all your work and re-starting the system from scratch – ALL PRIOR
WORK ON THE LAB WILL BE DELETED and the image can be restarted from the previous saved master
state after 5 minutes.

You can leave the site and log back in with your key as long as the lab clock permits and number of times
the key can be accessed.

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Logging Out

Some V-labs will have the ‘Auto-save’ function enabled – when the session clock runs down to zero the
system will automatically stop the lab and save any changes that were made to that v-lab for the next
login.

If the ‘Auto-save’ is not enabled, you can sign out at any time from V-lab Central and the image will revert
to its original (previous) state when the clock runs down to zero. However, if you want to save your
custom work for use at another time, be sure to follow the ‘Saving a Customized image’ directions below.

Saving a Customized Image

To save or not to save – that is the question… 

Some V-labs are provided with a ‘stop & save’ button for multiple saves to shorter multiple lab sessions

1. Make the customization changes to the V-lab during a session (adding content, modifying reports,
editing headers, etc…)
2. Minimize your remote connection window (the image window)
3. Click the “Stop and Save” button on the UI window

4. Enter a name for your custom image and save it

5. The system will ‘Stop’ your customized V-lab automatically, saving the changes you made.

Mapping image to a local drive:

This step is useful when needing to copy unique content from your pc into the image.

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Hyper-V Cloud images cannot be simply ‘pasted’ into from something ‘copied’ from your desktop. Instead,
to insert content into your own environment for customization purposes, you do this by mapping your local
drives inside of the image.
1. Add the site (http://vlabs.vlabcentral.com ) in your trusted sites in IE.
 Click on Tools > Internet options > Security > Trusted Sites > Sites > and add site
 Note: make sure to uncheck the Require Server Verification (https) box before adding the site.
You can recheck this box after adding the site to the trusted list and before closing out of
Internet Options.
 Once step 1 is complete, your remote connection permission window will show that drives are
accessible: (look for the checkbox next to the word ‘Drives’)

2. Click to launch your v-lab session.

 When your session opens you will be looking at the UI in a remote session.
3. Locate the Computer drive folders through Windows Explorer or whatever means you traditionally do
so.
 Start or Libraries button on the Windows Server desktop, and choose Computer…or…
 Right mouse click the folder icon in the shortcut tray and choose Explore

4. Locate your PC drives.

 Cut and Paste content ‘as needed’ between your local drives and the local C:/ drive inside of
the remote session.

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Different uses for the image
This image may be used for a variety of purposes, and can even be customized ‘by you’ for your own needs
based on the requirements of specific prospects or opportunities you have.

1. Training: Training with the latest up to date software for learning from beginner to professional
state of the art techniques for all levels of staff, admins or developers.
2. Proof of Concept (POC): Build out a specific form to prove out that your software solution can in
fact do what you need it to do.
3. Demonstration: Whether you are an employee or a partner, you may use this environment to demo
to prospects and customers. The image structure is such that you can customize your own ‘version’
of the image to add nuances or prep for demonstrations that are unique to you and your needs.

SECTION II: V-Lab Central FAQ

What type of connection do I need to use this Hyper-V cloud-based site?
-It is important to note that a good local connection is needed to provide a good V-Lab experience, so if you
are having problems with what you consider to be “slow” performance on the site, you should also check
your local connection on www.pingtest.net we recommend a “C” rating or better with 0% packet loss. If you
don’t have a good (or better) local connection, your performance will be less than optimum.

What are the V-Labs running on in the Remote Data Center?

-The AcXess V-Works environment is built on HP blade servers with a high speed backbone and SAN for very
fast performance. This is why typically if you are having slow performance, it is related to your local
connection and packet-loss in particular. Remember that this is a complete Enterprise Server environment
that you are controlling and not just a remote or Virtual Desktop with pre-defined “click-through”
applications and access.

What are the minimum system requirements for the Virtual Classroom site?
-You must use Internet Explorer 8 or later and have Windows 7, Windows Vista with SP1/SP2 or Windows XP
with SP3 to have the correct Remote Desktop Connection (7.0) client to use this cloud resource.

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If I don’t have the proper software updates, where can I get them?
-Use Windows update for your computer and If you are using Windows XP with SP3 or Windows Vista with
SP2 we recommend that you update to Remote Desktop Connection 7.The Microsoft downloads are
provided here in this link.

What if I get a yellow warning triangle at the bottom of my browser?

-This typically means that you do not have the RDP add-on from Microsoft Corporation ‘enabled’ in your
browser. The Remote Desktop client is included with all PCs with a Microsoft Windows OS; you just need to
right (or double) click on the yellow triangle and ‘enable’ the RDP add-on for your browser.

How can I allow Pop-ups for this site?

-Depending on your software version, If you see a bar at the top of your window, click on it to see the
options, and allow popups. You will have to re-attempt the connection after you do this. You can also click
on the “tools” menu on your browser and change your settings by allowing pop-ups for this site and
reducing the restriction level while you are using the V-lab Central portal.

Does this need to be a “trusted site” in my Internet connections to use?

-Not typically, but if you want to map your local drive for customizing the image for your clients and your
own use later, or having problems with your unique configuration you will need to change the settings by
clicking on the “tools” menu button on your browser, then Internet options, then security, then trusted sites,
then sites, and adding this site http://vlabs.vlabcentral.com as a trusted site. Make sure you un-check the
https setting in this menu; otherwise you will not be able to add the site.

What if I get disconnected from my V-Lab during a remote session?

-This can be caused from a poor local connection or because your lab has timed out on the system. Each
time that you ‘save’ your v-lab the system will disconnect you in order to create a separate ‘saved state’
server image. This process takes as long as 15 minutes and then you can restart your V-lab from where you
left off.

What if my credentials do not work for the user sign in?

-This could mean that there were too many attempts with the wrong password and the system has locked
out the account. If you have trouble logging in at any time, contact your AcXess rep or administrator and
they will have the account sign in reset for you.

I get a ‘Red X’ on my connection screen - What do I do?

- This is a problem that is unique on some Windows XP with SP3, with the symptom in the screenshot below
(‘red X’; with connection window missing). This link provides a Workaround/fix that fixes this problem for
users with this older configuration – this is a known Microsoft RDP support issue and not an issue with the
V-lab Central portal. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951607

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I still can’t connect! What do I do?
-If you are still having problems with connecting to a V-lab or getting into the site, contact
[email protected] for further troubleshooting with your unique system configuration.

SECTION III: Troubleshooting tips

A. Image won’t open
Sometimes cookies or temporary internet files can interfere with the ability for the image to open.
If you open the Main Login page ( ) and ‘login’, but the portal itself won’t open try the following.

1. Go to Tools | Internet Options on your IE toolbar

2. Choose ‘delete’ on the Browsing History section of the General tab
3. Check mark to ‘delete’ the following
 Temporary Internet Files
4. Click ‘Delete’
5. Click OK to close Internet Options
6. Close your IE browser
7. Reopen and attempt to login again.
8. This has fixed 99% of the occurrences of the issue described above.

B. General questions
If you have any other questions on how you can use this innovative cloud resource, email
[email protected] or call 1-800-680-1360

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