Access CRC using the Virtual Computing Lab (#70)

* Updated documentation to remove Host Process from job profile.

* Accessing CRC using the Virtual Computing Lab.

* Remove blank lines identified by codacy.

* Updated images, fence the avd as an tip admonition, highlighted EULA for MobaXterm.

* Added jupyter.crc.pitt.edu to CRC Webportals section.

docs/getting-started/access_avd.md

@@ -0,0 +1,271 @@
+---
+hide:
+  - toc
+---
+
+# Access CRC Using Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
+
+If for whatever reason you are unable to get VPN to work, you can try accessng CRC through AVD. The AVD is a 
+cloud-based Windows instance with direct access to PittNet.
+
+A schematic of the process is depicted below.
+
+![GETTING-STARTED-MAP](../_assets/img/avd/schematic-AVD.png)
+
+^^**Definitions**^^
+
+*   **Client** -- this is your computer or internet-connected device
+*   **Access Portal** -- one of several remote servers used to submit jobs to the high performance computing clusters or to perform
+data management operations
+*   **CRC Ecosystem** -- the total footprint of the CRC infrastructure, including high performance computing 
+clusters, data storage systems, networking equipment, and software 
+*   **Azure Virtual Desktop** -- A cloud-based Windows Remote Desktop that has a direct connection to PittNet
+
+^^**1. Install and Configure Remote Desktop client**^^
+
+You will need to install the [Remote Desktop client](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-clients) 
+for your OS. The previous link provides instructions for various types of devices. Below, we will only highlight MacOS and Windows. 
+
+!!! example "Installing and Configuring the Remote Desktop client"
+    === "MacOS"
+        In MacOS, the Windows App client software is distributed through the Mac App Store. Open the the Windows App after download.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-01](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-01.png)
+
+        Next, add Pitt's Remote Desktop Device by selecting *Add Work or School Account* from the + widget, located towards the upper right-hand 
+        corner of the window.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-02](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-02.png)
+
+        This will take you to the *Microsoft Sign in* panel for authenticating using Pitt Single Sign-On.
+
+        | Authenticate via Pitt Passport| |
+        | ----------- | ------------------------------------ |
+        | **1**![MacOS-AVD-03](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-03.png) | **2**![MacOS-AVD-04](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-04.png) |
+        | **3**![MacOS-AVD-05](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-05.png) | **4**![MacOS-AVD-06](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-06.png) |
+
+    === "Windows"
+
+        In Windows, the Microsoft Remote Desktop software is distributed through the Microsoft App Store. Open Remote Desktop installer after download.
+        ![Win-AVD-01](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-01.png)
+
+        Next, add Pitt's Workspaces by selecting *Workspaces* from the **+ Add** widget, located towards the upper right-hand
+        corner of the window.
+
+        ![Win-AVD-02](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-02.png)
+
+        This will take you to the *Subscribe to a Workspace* window where you will be asked to sign in using your Pitt credentials..
+
+        ![Win-AVD-03](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-03.png)
+
+        | Authenticate via Pitt Passport| |
+        | ----------- | ------------------------------------ |
+        | **1**![Win-AVD-04](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-04.png) | **2**![Win-AVD-05](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-05.png) |
+        | **3**![Win-AVD-06](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-06.png) | **4**![Win-AVD-07](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-07.png) |
+
+^^**2. Connecting to an AVD Device**^^
+
+!!! example "Connecting to a Remote Device"
+    === "MacOS"
+
+        After successful authentication, you will be presented with list of authorized remote Devices that you can connect to. Your
+        device list may be different from what is shown below. The *Device* we wish to log in to is **Pitt IT - Virtual Student Computing Lab**.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-07](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-07.png)
+
+        Double clicking on that selection will prompt for your Pitt credentials.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-08](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-08.png)
+
+        You will see the Remote Windows Desktop after successful login. From this remote portal, you can access CRC.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-09](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-09.png)
+
+    === "Windows"
+
+        After successful authentication, you will be presented with list of authorized Workspaces that you can connect to. Your
+        Workspaces may be different from what is shown below. The *Workspace* we wish to log in to is **Pitt IT - Virtual Student Computing Lab**.
+
+        ![Win-AVD-09](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-09.png)
+
+        Double clicking on that selection will prompt for your Pitt credentials.
+
+        | Authenticate via Pitt Passport| |
+        | ----------- | ------------------------------------ |
+        | **1**![Win-AVD-10](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-10.png) | **2**![Win-AVD-11](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-11.png) |
+
+        You will see the Remote Windows Desktop after successful login. From this remote portal, you can access CRC.
+
+        ![Win-AVD-12](../_assets/img/avd/Win-AVD-12.png)
+
+^^**3. Various Methods Connecting to CRC**^^
+
+!!! example "Options for Connecting to CRC"
+
+    === "Full Desktop Overview of all Tools"
+
+        Shown below is the Desktop of the Virtual Computing Lab, where there are active connections
+        to CRC using
+
+        * **PuTTY**
+        * **WinSCP**
+        * **MobaXterm**
+        * **Viz, Open OnDemand portals via a web browser**
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-All-Tools](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-All-Tools.png)
+
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+
+    === "PuTTY"
+        Search for and launch the PuTTY app from the Windows Start Menu.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-01](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-01.png)
+
+        Fill in the PuTTY Configuration using the following values:
+
+        * **Host Name (or IP address):** h2p.crc.pitt.edu or htc.crc.pitt.edu
+        * **Port:** 22
+        * **Connection type:** SSH
+
+        You might also want to Save the profile under a name for quick loading in the future.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-02](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-02.png)
+
+        When you first connect, you may see the following PuTTY Security Alert message below. Select Accept.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-03](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-03.png)
+
+        The login credentials are your  Pitt username (all lowercase) and password.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-04](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-04.png)
+
+        A successful authentication will present you with a terminal to one of the CRC login nodes.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-05](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-PuTTY-05.png)
+
+    === "WinSCP"
+        Transfer of files from the AVD to CRC can be done using WinSCP. Go to the Windows Start Menu
+        and search for the WinSCP app.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-01](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-01.png)
+
+        Fill in the Login Session panel using the following values:
+
+        * **File protocol:** SFTP
+        * **Host name:** h2p.crc.pitt.edu or htc.crc.pitt.edu
+        * **Port number:** 22
+        * **User name:** your Pitt username all in lowercase
+        * **Password:** your Pitt password
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-02](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-02.png)
+
+        You might want to Save the session under a Site name for quick loading in the future.
+        Press Login to initiate the connection.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-03](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-03.png)
+
+        When you first connect, you may see the following Warning message below. Select Accept.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-04](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-04.png)
+
+        Enter the password again if prompted.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-05](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-05.png)
+
+        A successful connection will present a window with two panes. The left side shows 
+        the filesystem on the AVD device, while the right side shows your $HOME folder 
+        on CRC.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-06](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-06.png)
+
+        You can transfer files between the two filesystems by dragging and dropping between the
+        two panes.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-07](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-07.png)
+
+        When terminating a session, you may be prompted with the option to save the workspace.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-09](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-WinSCP-09.png)
+
+    === "MobaXterm"
+        Within the AVD, point your browser to the [**Download page**](https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/download-home-edition.html) 
+        to get the Portable edition of the software.
+
+        !!! warning "End User License Agreement (EULA)"
+            Please read the full [**MoabXterm terms and conditions**](https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/license.html). According to
+            the EULA, section **5.1 Right of use**:
+
+            *...*
+            <br>
+            *Individual end-user is allowed to download (only from MobaXterm website: https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net) and to use 
+            MobaXterm Home Edition in a commercial or company environment. However, software installation must be performed by 
+            the end-user himself: the user who uses MobaXterm Home Edition inside a company must be the same person who 
+            downloaded the software and installed it. It is therefore not allowed to redistribute or deploy MobaXterm Home 
+            Edition inside a company. It is also not allowed for multiple users to use a single shared installation of MobaXterm 
+            Home Edition in a company, whether at the same time or not. These usages are covered by MobaXterm Professional Edition.*
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-01](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-01.png)
+
+        Navigate to the directory where the MobaXterm zip file was saved and double click on it to extract. Go into the 
+        resulting software directory and run the MobaXterm program. 
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-02](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-02.png)
+
+        Click on the Session widget to open the settings panel. Select the SSH option and fill in the Basic SSH setting 
+        with the following values:
+
+        * **Remote host:** h2p.crc.pitt.edu or htc.crc.pitt.edu
+        * **Specify username:** your Pitt username in all lowercase
+        * **Port:** 22
+
+        followed by clicking on OK.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-03](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-03.png)
+
+        Input your Pitt password. If the authentication becomes successful, you may be prompted to
+        save your password. Make sure your Master Password is super strong if you decide to 
+        save your Pitt password locally on the AVD device. Selecting No will result in MobaXterm
+        prompting for your password when you login again. 
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-05](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-05.png)
+
+        A successful authentication will drop you onto the commandline on one of the CRC login nodes.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-06](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-06.png)
+
+        By default, X-forwarding is enable on MobaXterm, giving you the capability to
+        to display GUI applications through the included X server.
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-07](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-MobaXterm-07.png)
+
+    === "CRC Webportals"
+
+        From within the AVD, all CRC webportals are accessible, including
+
+        * **Open OnDemand:** [https://ondemand.htc.crc.pitt.edu](https://ondemand.htc.crc.pitt.edu)
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-Webportals-01](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-Webportals-01.png)
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-Webportals-02](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-Webportals-02.png)
+
+        * **Viz Linux Desktop:** [https://viz.crc.pitt.edu](https://viz.crc.pitt.edu)
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-Webportals-03](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-Webportals-03.png)
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-Webportals-04](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-Webportals-04.png)
+
+        ![MacOS-AVD-Webportals-05](../_assets/img/avd/MacOS-AVD-Webportals-05.png)
+
+        * **JupyterHub for teaching:** [https://jupyter.crc.pitt.edu](https://jupyter.crc.pitt.edu)
+
+        ![avd-jupyter-01](../_assets/img/avd/avd-jupyter-01.png)
+
+        ![avd-jupyter-02](../_assets/img/avd/avd-jupyter-02.png)
+
+        ![avd-jupyter-03](../_assets/img/avd/avd-jupyter-03.png)

docs/getting-started/getting-started-step1-account.md

@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ our [**service catalog**](https://crc.pitt.edu/service-request-forms).
 The CRC Ecosystem is hosted at the Pitt data center and is firewalled within PittNet. You will first need to establish 
 a [**VPN**](https://services.pitt.edu/TDClient/33/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=293) in order to gain access.
 
+!!! tip "Alternative Access Point: AVD"
+    If after exhausting all troubleshooting avenues and the VPN remains non-functional, an alternative approach is to use an
+    [**Azure Virtual Desktop**](access_avd.md) as a so-called *jump box* to CRC.
+
 A schematic of this part of the process is highlighted below.
 
 ![GETTING-STARTED-MAP](../_assets/img/getting-started/getting-started-step-1.png)