This page describes how to log into Champlain’s virtual desktop infrastructure.
VDI overview
Forensic VDI VMs
- Windows 10
- Has forensic software pre-installed and configured
- Used by Grad, ITS and CPS Forensic students
- Currently up to 80 VMs available
- Has network drives mapped
- VM is non-persistent (Changes made to the desktop and local machines don’t persist between sessions)
Student VDI VMs
- Windows 10
- Has Office and MS Project software pre-installed and configured
- Has Browser plugin for vCenter access.
- Used by MGMT and CPS students
- Currently up to 50 VMs available
- Has network drives mapped
- VM is non-persistent (Changes made to the desktop and local machines don’t persist between sessions)
Non-persistent VDI virtual machines and what this means for users
The non-persistent virtual machines are refreshed immediately after you log out (or after 2 hours if you have disconnected from the desktop without logging out) which means that any work that is not saved to a network drive will be lost. Don’t save files to the virtual machine’s desktop or C:\ drive if you need to access it across multiple VDI sessions. All data that needs to persist should be saved to your H:\ drive, your Google Drive or another network drive in order to be accessible after the VM is refreshed.
Accessing the virtual desktop
There are two ways to connect to the virtual desktop. The recommended method is to install the Horizon client on the device that you are using to connect. The second option is to use your browser to directly connect to the desktop but the installable client provides the best connection and most features.
There is a client available for most operating systems and devices. You can find the client for your device here.
Connecting with the Horizon client
After the client is installed, add a New Server and enter viewportal.champlain.edu as the connection server, then click Connect.
Log in with your Champlain credentials and you will be presented with the virtual desktops available to you.
If you have two monitors and wish to use both, right click on the desktop navigate to Display and choose All Monitors.
Double click the virtual desktop you wish to use and you should be connected to it once it loads.
Note: Your desktop may look slightly different than the above image depending on which VM the class you are in uses.
Logging Into VMWare Horizon View with HTML Access
You can also access the virtual desktops via your browser although using the installable client is the recommended method.
If you wish to use your browser, navigate to https://viewportal.champlain.edu and click the link for VMware Horizon HTML Access.
Enter your Champlain username (not your full email address) and password and click login.
You will be presented with the virtual desktops that are available to you.
Click on the desktop that you wish to launch and you will be logged into the virtual desktop using your browser. It should look something like below:
Note: Your desktop may look slightly different than the above image depending on which VM the class you are in uses.
Troubleshooting
TCP Ports
VMware View requires only 443 when connecting using HTML Access.
Permissions
If you log in and see no desktop resources then you may not have been properly assigned access. An error will read “You are not entitled to use the system” Please reach out to the Helpdesk and request access to the required desktop resource. See Fig. 4 below for an example.
Comcast Xfinity
If you’re using their combined modem/router/firewall than you need to allow port 8443 in the firewall on the router. Find there support page here.
Verizon FIOS
If you’re using their combined modem/router/firewall you may need to back down the firewall security settings to allow outbound traffic. Find their support page here.