Welcome to ESC Virtual Labs
To facilitate off-campus access to campus software and services, this page helps to direct students and faculty to the most appropriate way to access the resources they need.
There are currently two remote methods to use Lab software:
• AWS AppStream 2.0
• Engineering RDP (Physical Workstations)
AWS AppStream 2.0
Amazon’s AWS technology powers millions of sites worldwide, including the massive amazon.com shopping experience, and now it is host to several Notre Dame applications required for technical courses here in the colleges of Engineering and Science.
To connect to AppStream please click one of the links below that corresponds with the software you need. (IMPORTANT) See instructions below on how to save your files, and other important details. AppStream is currently for educational purposes only.
Video Tutorials
Engineering Graphics Virtual Lab: [Click here to access Engineering & Science Graphics Virtual Lab]
- ArcGIS
- Autodesk Civil 3D / AutoCAD
- Autodesk Revit
- COMSOL 6.1
- CSi ETABS 2020
- Foxit Reader
- Google Chrome
- GrabCAD
- LibreOffice
- MATLAB R2023a
- SAP2000
- SOLIDWORKS 2022
Engineering Standard Virtual Lab: [Click here to access to Engineering & Science Standard Virtual Lab]
- AQUASIM
- Aspen
- BioWin
- COMSOL 5.6
- CSi Bridge 2020
- Foxit Reader
- Google Chrome
- LibreOffice
- Polymath Plus
Science Standard Virtual Lab: [Click here to access to Science Standard Virtual Lab]
- Advion Data Express
- Foxit Reader
- Google Chrome
- LabView 2021
- LabView DAQmx
- LibreOffice
- SPSS
- TopSpin
AppStream is a full Windows desktop. Once launched you will see a desktop similar to Windows 10. The normal load time is approximately two minutes. During the load time you will see a countdown until your desktop is ready.
Important: Make sure you save your files on Google Drive. Files saved anywhere else on the AppStream virtual instances space will be deleted when you disconnect.
To connect your Google Drive to AppStream, you will need to allow it access only once, and the connection will persist. To connect Google Drive, click on the My Files icon in the upper left of the window.
Then you can click Add Storage in the upper right and select Google Drive. Once you have authorized Google Drive access, your file open and save dialogs should allow you to open and save to Google Drive.
You will only have to complete this step once. Most applications will allow you to select “This PC” to access Google Drive. Some applications listed below require a different way to access your files.
Instance Timeouts
All of Engineering and Science AppStream instances have time outs. The current idle timeout meaning you have not moved your mouse or keyboard in the AppStream instance is 30 minutes. Once you reach that limit you will be disconnected and have 15 minutes to rejoin your session or it will be lost.
Using Google Drive to Open and Save files in AppStream Applications (Currently being updated)
If you experience any issues with these services, please reach out to eschelp@nd.edu for assistance.