The SAL Portal & Blog
There are a limited number of Virtual Desktop access points for coursework students who are unable to use ArcGIS on their personal computer or access the main campus due to COVID-19. Where this access is needed, the subject coordinator needs to contact the SAL Lab Manager so that appropriate access can be set up.
Each time you connect, you get the “next available” computer. If you logon, logoff, logon, logoff, then logon again – You might get three different computers! There is no way to control which one you get. Save your work to your USB or personal drive.
VDI = Virtual Desktop Interface
You can follow the instructions provided by IMTS: Virtual Desktops\Labs for Students
It’s pretty straightforward:
You only need to install the VMware Horizon Client software once.
For additional assistance with installing VMware Horizon Client, should you need it, contact IMTS.
If you have been authorised for access, you will see the ArcGIS Pool when you are logged in to the VMware Horizon Client and connected to “vdiconnect.uow.edu.au”. To access an ArcGIS Pool computer, you double-click on the ArcGIS Pool icon.
You may be asked to log in again – provide your UOW credentials if you are, the domain is automatically added, do not change this. This will take you to the Computer Rules Screen you are used to seeing when you sit down at a computer in the Spatial Teaching Lab.
Click the OK button, just like you would if you were sitting in front of the computer in the lab; as you have already authenticated to connect to it, you will go through to the desktop and be able to use the computer as you normally would. The only difference will be that it is in a window on your home computer and you need to save your files to a USB device.
Disconnect your USB storage device from your personal computer in the usual way and it will be safely removed from the VDI at the same time. Pulling a USB device out without disconnecting it first is NOT recommended.