CLA Research Desktops by LATIS

LATIS provides a Windows-based remote computing system for research use that allows remote access to many specialized (and some common) applications. This allows users to utilize software without downloading it to their computer. It's accessed via the UMN AppsToGo interface and connects to CLA’s 8 powerful Windows servers to spread the work.

CLA Research Desktops by LATIS

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Access

CLA

  • Faculty, staff and graduate students automatically have access
  • Access can be requested for affiliated researchers
  • Undergraduates may ask a faculty member to request access on their behalf by contacting us.

CSOM

  • Researchers are provisioned access by Carlson IT.

Other Colleges

  • Access is provided to CBS and CFANS researchers by their respective IT units.

Instructional Use

Most instructional needs are provided directly by AppsToGo but occasionally, using our systems makes sense.  If you need access for a class, we have a page on what information to send us.

Contact Us

For any access related questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Connect

Accessing this system starts by going to the website at  https://apps.umn.edu.

Newly available is the Citrix "Light" client where access is provided right from your web browser and no additional software installation is needed. LATIS currently recommends using the light client in most cases.  To use the light client, when prompted to Detect Citrix Workspace app, instead click on "Use light version".

For those that prefer the full client, instructions for installing the Citrix Workspace client are here.

When you first connect, it will default to the Home tab.  Click on the Desktops tab and click on CLA Research by LATIS - WTS.  For SAS software, please use the Desktop called CLA - SAS. The software license we have for it requires that we run it on a different server.

Image showing the AppsToGo (Citrix) Interface with the Desktop tab selected and "CLA Resaerch by LATIS - WTS" as an available desktop.

Sign out or Disconnect

To Sign Out go to Start, click on your name and select Sign Out.  This will end all running programs.

To Disconnect, go to Start, click on Power and select Disconnect.  This will keep programs running.  Your session will last up to 3 days.  The system will still obey the maintenance window listed in the sidebar.

 

Data Storage

Confirm where your important data are stored before you sign out.  Data stored in a path that contains the C: drive will not be preserved.

The system will delete files left on the desktop when you log off.  The desktop background wallpaper will remind you.  Save all data to network or cloud options.  Network drives (such as H: or U:), Research Data Storage (R:), UMN Google Drive, and UMN Box Drive are available options.

The login for Google Drive is displayed upon login.  Subsequent connections may require you to login again if you reach a different server or if your credentials have expired.  Google Drive will usually map to I:.  The drive letter for Google Drive may change without warning.

To login to Box Drive, launch the Box Drive app from the Start menu.  If you receive the message "Device Not Fully Secure", click on the Google Drive app in the lower right, click on the gear icon, and select Quit.  Then launch the Box Drive app again and it will work.

You may map a drive to other locations to which you have permission.  If you are unsure how to map the network drive, please see our guide on connecting to a network drive.

 

Data Security

This system is designed and managed for working with data that meets the Medium security level as defined by the Information Security Standards.

For help determining if the data you are working with can be used on this system, please use the guides on our Protecting Your Data page.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Available Software

For a current list of available software, please see Research Software

This system currently has the chromium-based Brave web browser installed.  It's based on the same open source project as Google's Chrome and Microsoft's Edge.

Do not attempt to download and install software.  If you would like to request additional software, please contact us by emailing [email protected]

Session Duration and Timeout

  • If you Disconnect from a session, the session will remain for 3 days.  During this time any running programs will continue to run.  
  • If you don't reconnect within 3 days, the session will be terminated.
  • The Windows Maintenance time listed in the sidebar of this page still applies.  The system may reboot or be unavailable during which times any running sessions will end.
  • Please note that other AppsToGo desktops and applications likely have a different (and likely shorter) session timeout.  

WTS (old version)

If you are in the process of transferring file from the previous version of this system (wts.umn.edu) and need instructions for connecting, please see these instructions.

This version of the system will be retired on October 31, 2023.

WTS to CLA Research by LATIS - What's Changing? explains this change in more detail.

 

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