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Apple Classroom

The Apple classroom contains 13 Mac mini M1 computers equipped with 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, and 10 Gbit Ethernet connectivity.

These computers are available 24/7 and can be accessed remotely only via VPN and VNC.

Login

The login screen provides at least the following account options:

  • Other for signing in using your CTU password
  • Guest account, which discards all newly created data upon logout

  • admin account used for software installation

    Apple Classroom Login Screen
Caution:
  • The Apple classroom does not use network home directories!
  • Data stored in your local home directory (when logged in using a CTU account) may be deleted at any time!

Store your work in one of the following locations:

  • Shared network storage, see Home Directory.
  • Your own external drive or USB flash drive.
  • Another preferred solution such as a GitLab repository or OneDrive (or another preferred cloud storage service).

Software Installation

  • Installation of default macOS software is managed by the Apple classroom administrator.
  • If system integrity is compromised, the computer may be restored to its default state using Apple System Recovery, which also removes all user data stored on the machine.

  • Users are authorized to use the admin account to install additional software, such as Xcode tools.

  • Requests for additional default software should be submitted through the helpdesk.

  • The admin account includes the Homebrew package manager. To install additional packages, use the following command in Terminal:

    su - admin -c "brew install atom"

System Configuration

The macOS systems are configured with the following policies:

  • Users are automatically logged out after 30 minutes of inactivity.
  • The Shut Down option is disabled on the login screen; sleep mode is preferred because of VNC usage.
  • The admin user is allowed to run sudo commands without a password.

  • The system can be accessed using SSH:

    ssh flynnkev@mac-101.ucebny
  • The default keyboard layout is EN-US.

Remote Desktop

  • Students and instructors of the BI-IOS and NI-IOS courses are authorized to connect to the classroom network shared with the Mac computers via VPN.
  • For remote access, we recommend software such as TigerVNC or TightVNC, which support VNC password authentication.

Connecting from the Network Laboratory (T9:344)

A Linux environment is available from the operating system selection menu in the network laboratory and contains shortcuts for remote access to the Mac computers:

Boot Menu
VNC Desktop Environment

After opening any of the desktop shortcuts, you will automatically connect to the remote desktop.

Connecting via VPN (TigerVNC)

  • Start VNC Viewer and enter the hostname of a running Mac mini in the following format:

    mac-[100-112].ucebny

    For example:

    mac-100.ucebny

    to connect to the first computer.

    Select VNC Server

  • In the settings, make sure that Standard VNC Authentication is enabled:

    Set Authentication Method

  • After confirming the connection, enter the VNC password:

    mac344vnc
    Enter Password mac344vnc

  • Once connected, the login screen will be displayed.

    Login Window

Support

Reporting Issues

Please report any problems or suggestions for improvement through the ICT department helpdesk.

For urgent issues during teaching, contact the ICT department by phone at +420 22435 8786.