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Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Access
This document outlines the connection procedure for accessing the VMware VDI environment.
What is VDI?
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is the hosting of desktop environments on a central server; it is a way to access a computer desktop over the internet.
VDI Video Tutorial
How do I access it?
Accessing VDI using the VMware Horizon Desktop Client
- If you are using campus hardware or a Charger Tech 360 laptop, install VMware Horizon through the Company Portal. See Company Portal for install instructions.
- Once the VMware Horizon is installed through the Company Portal, open "VMware Horizon Client" from the desktop shortcut or start menu.
- Double click on the "virtual.swtc.edu" entry.
- You will then be prompted to log in with your netID. Enter your credentials and click "Login".If your name is John Smith and your student ID is 1234567, you will log in with smi4567. If you need assistance with account access or password reset, please visit our KB page: https://kb.swtc.edu/82541
- Once you login you will now see your the virtual machines your account is entitled for. You can then click on the virtual machine and it will load and fill your screen and you can begin using the virtual desktop.
Accessing VDI from a web browser
1. To access VDI, begin by visiting the webpage https://virtual.swtc.edu
2. Once your webpage loads, you should see a screen with a prompt like the one shown below:
3. Select "VMware Horizon HTML Access" on the right to proceed.
4. A new screen should load prompting for login credentials. Login with your Southwest Tech username and password
that you would use to login to the computers on campus. If you need
assistance with changing passwords, please visit our student password
reset guide: https://kb.swtc.edu/82541
4.
Once logged in, you will then see a grey screen with a computer icon.
This is a virtual machine that you are entitled to use. Click on the
virtual desktop you would like to access and it will begin the login
process.
5.
During the login process, you will be met with a familiar Windows
screen showing your username and a loading wheel. Once your profile
setup has been completed, you will see the Windows desktop with the
Charger logo.
The virtual desktops are not persistent,
meaning that anything you customize or save locally will not exist the
next time you access the desktop.
6. From here, you can use the computer as you normally would if you were sitting in front of one on campus.
Note:
this virtual desktop is running through a web browser and all of the
browser controls still apply. For example, if you select the Back
button, your browser would exit the desktop and revert to the previous
page. Similarly, if you close out of the web browser, your virtual
desktop session will close as well.
What software is available in VDI?
VDI offers the same base software that is available on campus computers. These include: Microsoft Office Suite, VLC Media Player, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Adobe Acrobat DC.In addition, there are some program and department specific software available on VDI.