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Accessing virtual computers

Once you have created your virtual computer, you will be able to access and launch the computer on a web browser. We recommend waiting ~10 minutes before accessing the instance. It takes time to create the instance and for all software to be installed.

  1. To access a virtual computer, navigate to Lightsail for Research. Search for "Lightsail for Research" using the search bar and then select the product.

    Search for Lightsail

    Warning

    Be sure to search for "Lightsail for Research" and not just "Lightsail," which is a different product.

  2. This will take you directly to a page that lists your virtual computers. You should see the virtual computer you created with the instance name that you provided during set up.

    List of computers

  3. To launch the computer, click Start computer.

  4. When the computer is ready, you can open a session in a new browser window (you may need to enable pop-ups) using one of two approaches:

    1. Use the drop-down menu on the lower right-hand side to select Access operating system to open the Ubuntu Desktop view.

      Start computer

    2. If applicable, use the Launch RStudio and/or Launch VSCodium button.

      • Clicking this button will launch only the RStudio or VSCodium application, respectively, and you will not be able to access other applications from the same browser window.
      • If you need to access additional applications (e.g., GitKraken) you can open a separate window with Access operating system. Both of these windows can be open simultaneously.
      • Note that because the RStudio and VSCodium applications have built-in terminals, you can always use the terminal directly from them.
      Working with VSCodium virtual computers

      When you launch a VSCodium computer via Access operating system, you will not be able to use or access VSCodium itself. You can only access VSCodium if you use the Launch VSCodium button.

      If you need to use both VSCodium and other computer applications (e.g., GitKraken) at the same time, you can have two separate windows open at the same time: One opened with Access operating system to be able to use GitKraken, and one opened with Launch VSCodium to be able to use VSCodium.

      Note that this is not the same for RStudio. Unlike VSCodium, you can open the RStudio application from the Desktop view opened with Access operating system.

  5. A new window should open in your browser with the Ubuntu desktop view.

See Working with storage volumes in Lightsail for Research and Getting started with development on Lightsail for Research for next steps.