UD's Academic VDI

The Academic Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) provides students and faculty with remote access to specialized academic software you may not have installed on your own computer. When you're connected to the Academic VDI, your computer screen will look and function as if you were at a classroom or lab computer.

• Accessing the Academic VDI
• Saving Files from the Academic VDI
• Disconnecting from the Academic VDI
• Academic VDI Software
   

Accessing the Academic VDI

Video: Accessing the Academic VDI (41 seconds)
 

1. Install the VMware Horizon Client on your personal computer or UD-owned computer.
    
2. Open the VMware Horizon Client.
    
3. Double click on the vdigateway.udayton.edu connection server link.
   
   
    
4. Type in your University username and password (the same credentials you use to access Porches) and click Login.
   
   
    
5. When prompted with the screen below, complete 2FA authentication by entering one of the following options in the “Next Code” field and clicking Login:
   
   

• Type push1 to send an approval notification to the DUO app on your smartphone 
• Type phone1 to send a verification phone call to your primary device.
• Type the 6-digit code from a DUO token or the DUO app on your smartphone into the "Next Code" field.
   

6. Double click the Academic image. NOTE: Your instructor may direct you to connect to a different VDI image, depending on the specific needs of your class.
   
   
    
7. Your computer will display the Academic VDI desktop (as shown below). You can now access software and web browsers as if you were at a lab computer.

Saving Files from the Academic VDI

Just like when you're at a public-use computer (like at the library or a computer lab), when you disconnect from the Academic VDI, any files you've created on the Academic VDI will be deleted. Save files to a cloud storage tool (like Google Drive or Box) or on a removable storage device (like a USB drive) before exiting the Academic VDI desktop.
 

Saving a file to Google Drive
 

1. Select Save on the file you're in (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and select the location desktop to temporarily store it on the Academic VDI desktop.
    
2. Double-click the Google Drive shortcut icon on the Academic VDI desktop.
   
   
    
3. Sign into Google Drive with your University username and password.
    
4. Upload the file(s) to Google Drive.
    
5. Disconnect from the Academic VDI to delete files saved to the Academic VDI desktop.
    

Disconnecting from the Academic VDI

1. Click the Options icon (three dots) on the Academic VDI toolbar
   
   
    
2. Select Disconnect and click OK to confirm.
    
3. Click the Disconnect from this server icon and click OK to confirm.
   
   
    

Academic VDI Software

The following software is included on the Academic VDI image.