This document discusses delivering GIS software to students through a virtual desktop environment. The goal is to provide full-featured GIS software like ArcGIS to distance learning students so they can complete assignments off-campus. The solution developed was a remote application server hosted on a terminal server with Server 2008. This allows students to access the full software through a web interface in their browser from anywhere, without needing to install any software themselves. It provides a secure way to deliver high-end GIS and other applications to students while only needing to maintain a single copy.

1. GIS on a Virtual Desktop Across the Internet in a Secure Environment Vince DiNoto Co-PI National GeoTech Center JCTC – Dean of College and Systemic Initiatives Vince.dinoto@kctcs.edu

2. Important Links TechCenter - http://techcenter.jefferson.kctcs.edu/GIS/modules/Hi-Tec_2010/Pages/default.aspx This presentation is on Slideshare.com – the direct link is on the page listed above 2

3. Goals To discuss the concerns with software delivery To try the application server To see how demographics can be used to better understand student data 3

4. Problem How do you deliver high end software to students? Students in distance learning courses Ability for students to learn off campus, i.e. homework assignments 4

5. Potential Solutions Students load ‘lite’ version of the software Students load trial/expiring copies of the software Remote Desktop Remote Application Server 5

6. Solution Develop a web based terminal server at a low cost – works only with IE JCTC Professional IT staff No software to install Full functional version of software (ArcGIS 9.3.1, Adobe Suite, etc.) Patch single copy as updates needed Other software the students might need to complete the course Useful for all students not just virtual learners 6

7. Remote Application Server – JCTC Solution Terminal Server running on Server 2008 as a Web application. 7

8. Solution 8

9. Clipboard available as are local drives 9

10. Security and License Students must login into the server Students must login into the software Can assign specific students to specific software Software hits license manager Inside the college firewall 10

11. Application - ArcMap 11

12. Base Maps and Data Using an ArcGis Server base map Using an ArcIMS Server vector base map Using compressed data Using data from mass storage array 12

13. Server Array 13

14. Services 14

15. Compressed files 15

16. Direct Connect to Shapefiles 16

17. Map Library 17

18. Resource ArcGIS Servers – from within ArcMap http://216.69.2.35/arcgis/services http://216.69.2.32/arcgis/services ArcIMS – from within ArcMap http://ims.jcc.kctcs.edu http://arcims.jcc.kctcs.edu Map Library – http://legacy.jefferson.kctcs.edu Web applications http://216.69.2.35/flexviewer http://216.69.2.35/ky 18