Engineering Virtual Labs User Guide
The Engineering VDI is accessible through the VMWare Horizon Client (local client) and the VMWare Horizon HTML Access (web client).
ENGR VDI requires constant internet access through on-campus Wi-Fi or VPN to be able to access the client.
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Installing and Using the Local Client
The local client connects to the ENGR VDI environment through installation of a computer program, where any running applications act as if they were installed on your computer.
Administrative privileges on the machine are necessary for installation.
If you are using an Engineering owned device, you will need to install the client via the Self Service Portal.
Installation and use of the local client is recommended over the web client.
Google Chrome and Firefox are recommended browsers for the best performance.
Connect to VPN for off campus users or connect to TAMU Wi-Fi for on campus users
Navigate to https://coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu/
Click on Install VMWare Horizon Client
Follow the steps below for your operating system
Installation - Windows
Click on the executable file that appears at the bottom of the browser to open the VMWare Horizon Client installer
Click on the Run icon on the pop up that appears at the bottom of the screen for browsers other than Google Chrome (i.e. Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox).
If prompted for User Account Control credentials, enter an admin username and password
Complete the VMWare Horizon Client install process
Click on the Agree & Install icon to accept the Privacy Agreement and License Terms
Click Finish
Click Restart Now
First Time Configuration - Windows Local Client
After restarting your computer, enter
VMWare Horizon Client
into the Windows search bar to launch the applicationDouble click on Add Server or click on New Server at the top left hand corner of the screen
Enter the name of the Connection Server
coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu
and click ConnectClick Accept on the Disclaimer pop up box
Enter your NetID and password in the Login pop up box
User name:
NetID
Password:
password
Domain: AUTH
Installation - Mac
Open the Downloads folder and double click on the .dmg file
Click on Agree to accept the License Agreement
On the following pop up window, click and drag the VMWare Horizon Client icon to the Applications folder icon to install the client
First Time Configuration - Mac Local Client
Open the VMWare Horizon Client through Applications or Launchpad
Click on Open to proceed and open the application
Click on Continue to start remote USB services if you would like to be able to save files to your own computer from within the VDI environment or print to one of your printers from the VDI environment
If prompted for credentials, enter a username and password with administrative privileges and then click OK
Click on one of the New Server + icons at the top left hand corner of the screen
Enter the name of the Connection Server
coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu
and click ConnectClick Accept on the Disclaimer pop up box
Enter your NetID and password in the Login pop up box
User name:
NetID
Password:
password
Domain: AUTH
Navigating the Local Client Interface
Double click on an application or desktop icon to open it inside a separate window. Opened applications will appear in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, as if it were running directly on your computer. Any number of applications may be open at once.
The settings icon is located in the top right hand corner and accesses various settings (e.g. file sharing settings, graphical settings).
Click on the Disconnect from this server (ALT+ D) icon in the top left hand corner to close out of any VDI application or desktop windows as well as the VMWare Horizon Client. Click on the X in the top right hand corner to close the VMWare Horizon Client.
Using the Web Client
The web client uses a browser (e.g. Google Chrome) to connect to the ENGR VDI environment. There is no software installation required, but some features (e.g. file sharing between your computer and the VDI environment) are not available through the web client.
Connect to VPN for off campus users or connect to TAMU Wi-Fi for on campus users
Navigate to https://coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu/
Click on VMWare Horizon HTML Access
Click on Accept to the Texas A&M University system policy
Enter your NetID and password in the Login pop up box
User name:
NetID
Password:
password
Domain: AUTH
Navigating the Web Client Interface
Click on an application or desktop to launch it inside of the window. Most of the VDI controls can be found in the side panel on the left hand side of the screen. Click and hold on the gray slider to drag it up and down as desired on the screen, and click on the slider to open the panel.
Inside the gray side panel, a list of all the available applications can be found under Available. Click on the application name to open it.
All of your opened or currently running applications can be found at the top of the panel under Running. Click on the application names to switch between them. Click on the drop down arrows to the right of the application name to display/hide the sub windows open under that application. You can also click on the individual sub windows to specifically select them. Click on the X icon next to each application or window to close it.
Click on the Open Menu icon and select Log out to log out from the web client.
File Sharing with VMware Horizon
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The VMWare Horizon Client utilizes the feature of file sharing between applications within the VDI environment and your local computer. Please follow the steps below to configure your Client settings to enable file sharing.
File Sharing - Windows (Local Client Only)
Enter
VMWare Horizon Client
into the Windows search bar to launch the applicationDouble click on the coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu server icon
Click Accept on the Disclaimer pop up box
Enter your NetID and password in the Login pop up box
User name:
NetID
Password:
password
Domain: AUTH
Click on the Settings icon in the upper right hand corner
Select the Sharing tab from the side panel
Click on the Add icon
Browse for folder and select Windows (C:) > Users >
Your Username
Click OK
Check the following boxes:
Share your local files Your Username
Allow access to removable storage
Do not show dialog when connecting to a desktop or application
Open local files in hosted applications
Click OK to save the changes made
File Sharing - Mac (Local Client Only)
Open the VMWare Horizon Client through Applications or Launchpad
Click on the VMWare Horizon Client tab on the menu bar
Select Preferences…
Select the Sharing icon from the tabs at the top of the Preferences pop up window
Click on the + icon
Select Macintosh HD > Users >
Your Username
from the drop down menusClick Add
Check the following boxes:
Allow access to Your Username
Allow access to removable storage
Do not show dialog when connecting to a desktop or application
Saving Files (Local Client Only)
Save your file with the desired file name inside of the opened application (e.g. Notepad ++), which is done through File Explorer for Windows and Mac. Save the file under the desired path This PC > Your User on Your Computer
.
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