Virtual Lab is a system that lets you use your laptop or mobile device to access programs normally found only in computer labs and libraries. Through Virtual Lab you can work with Stata, SPSS, SAS, and dozens of other applications anywhere, anytime, as long as you have an Internet connection. All programs available through Virtual Lab are free to use.
How Virtual Lab works is a little different depending on the type of device you're using to access it. For example, if you're using an iPad or iPhone, you can't save files to the device's storage because of Apple's file architecture and application permissions.
Information
Getting Ready to Use Virtual Lab
The first step to using Virtual Lab is to install the Citrix Workspace application. Instructions are slightly different depending on which operating system you are using. Click the name of the operating system to see details on how to install Virtual Lab in that operating system.
Microsoft Windows
Android
iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod)
Mac
Opening a Program in Virtual Lab
To open an application in Virtual Lab, you click the icon to open it in Citrix Workspace (it may take a few seconds to open).
If the program doesn't open up automatically, try double-clicking the downloaded .ica file to associate it with Citrix Workspace so that it can open.
Either when you open the application or when you open a file (depending on how your device is set up), you'll see a security warning. Choose “Permit all access”:
Important: Always Choose a Drive When Saving Files
Virtual Lab’s applications are hosted on the ITS servers, so when you open a file or choose Save As in an application, the default location to save the file is on the server. If you save the file there, you won't be able to access it again.
The key to saving files in Virtual Lab is to always choose the drive you want to save on, whether that is your local hard drive, a network hard drive, a flash drive, or your H: drive. Here are some tips for saving files successfully:
- When you're opening or saving files and you choose the drive you want to save on, don't go to My Documents or Libraries. Instead, go to Computer (the icon on the left). From Computer, you can see a number of drives.
- The most reliable way to navigate is by drive letter. For example, to access the hard drive on your workstation, choose “Local Disc (C:).” Your network drives and any other drives, such as flash drives, will be assigned letters (such as A: and B:) as well.
- When you attempt to access your local drive, you'll see a security message asking what access to grant the program. Choose "Permit all access" so you can open files from and save files to your local hard drive.
- Most of the folders used to save files are located in C:\Users, including Documents, Downloads, and the Desktop.
Available Applications
- Access
- Alteryx Designer - 75 licenses (must request access)
- ChemDraw Professional
- Connexion Client
- Crystal Ball - 150 Licenses
- Ecopath with Ecosim
- ENVI
- Epi Info™ 7_2
- Excel
- JMP Pro 16
- Mathcad Prime
- Mathematica
- MATLAB R2023a
- MestReNova Lite
- Mplus 8 – 25 Licenses
- Multisim - 15 licenses
- Publisher
- R x64
- RStudio
- SAS 94 English
- SAS Enterprise Guide
- SPSS Statistics 28 – 150 Licenses
- StataSE 18 64-bit – 220 Licenses
- Tableau Public
- Utiliboard - 15 licenses
- Visio 2016 – 45 Licenses
- Word
- WordPad
Need software that's not there?
If you need something special in Virtual Lab, submit a help ticket. ITS often adds software in response to student and faculty requests, so if you'd like a software added, submit a help request or use the Request button at the bottom of the Virtual Lab pages.
Printing from Virtual Lab
Your virtual session automatically detects the printers available to you. In most programs, you can choose File -> Print and see Carolina Print Hub as an option. Some programs also let you save or print to other formats, including XPS and PDF. If you have a printer hooked up to your computer, you'll see it as an option as well.