Opening, Closing, and Locking VDI

ANNOUNCEMENT: The VMware Horizon application that is used to access the Tufts VDI has rebranded as Omnissa Horizon. If you have installed the VMware Horizon application to a personal computer or mobile device, you will need to uninstall it and install the new Omnissa Horizon application.

You can connect to the Tufts Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) via the Omnissa Horizon web client (through your browser) or a native client (an application downloaded and installed on your device). See sections below for directions on connecting to the VDI, locking the VDI for brief periods, and disconnecting from the VDI.

Important note about inactivity: After 1 hour of inactivity if not locked and 4 hours of inactivity even if locked, VDI will automatically disconnect. Be sure to save your work so it isn’t lost!

You can connect to the VDI using either the Omnissa Horizon web client or the downloadable “native” application. Either will work, but the native application is recommended for better performance and features!

TTS-managed computers should already have the Omnissa Horizon app installed. To get Omnissa Horizon for your personal device, follow the instructions on the Native Client Installation page.

 

Connecting to VDI via the Web Client

  1. Visit the Tufts VDI website.
  2. Click the Omnissa Horizon Web client option. (Optional: If you want this to be your default selection, click on the radio button next to “Check here to skip this screen and always use Web Client.”)option to launch web client
  3. Log in with your Tufts credentials.
  4. Double-click on your desired virtual desktop (e.g., TTS Virtual Lab) or software to launch. It may take a minute for your chosen resource to load, so be patient. (Note: Available options may vary by user. For more information, see the AccessTufts Remote Computing Infrastructure page.)

 

Connecting to VDI via the Native Client

Reminder: You must first follow the steps to install the Omnissa Horizon native client to your device and add the Tufts VDI server.

  1. Open the Omnissa Horizon application on your device.
  2. Double-click on the vdi.it.tufts.edu server (TTS Virtual Lab). You can also click on the options button and select Connect. (Tip: Having trouble connecting? If you are not using a secure on-campus connection, try connecting to the Tufts VPN first.)Option to connect to Tufts VDI server

     

  3. A Tufts login screen may open in your browser. Log in with your Tufts credentials.
  4. Back in the Omnissa application, a VDI login screen will appear. Log in with your Tufts credentials. Make sure the domain says TUFTS.native client VDI login window
  5. Double-click on your desired virtual desktop (e.g., TTS Virtual Lab) or software to launch. It may take a minute for your chosen resource to load, so be patient. (Note: Available options may vary by user. For more information, see the AccessTufts Remote Computing Infrastructure page.)Native client window after login with available resources

Important: The Tufts VDI will automatically close after periods of inactivity – 1 hour of inactivity when LOCKED, 4 hours of inactivity when UNLOCKED.

As you use the VDI, it is highly recommended that you save your work to Box or connected local storage!

 

Locking the VDI

  1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom toolbar.Windows icon
  2. Click the Power icon.Power icon
  3. Choose Lock.

Reminder: Save your work before you disconnect from the VDI!

 

Disconnecting from the VDI on the Web Client

Simply close the browser tab in which the VDI was open.

 

Disconnecting from the VDI on the Native Client

  1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom toolbar.Windows icon
  2. Click the Account icon.account icon
  3. Choose Sign out.