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).

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.

1. Connect to VPN for off campus users or connect to TAMU Wi-Fi for on campus users

2. Navigate to https://coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu/

3. Click on Install VMWare Horizon Client

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4. Follow the steps below for your operating system

Installation - Windows

1. Click on the executable file that appears at the bottom of the browser to open the VMWare Horizon Client installer

   1. 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).

      1. If prompted for User Account Control credentials, enter an admin username and password

2. Complete the VMWare Horizon Client install process

   1. Click on the Agree & Install icon to accept the Privacy Agreement and License Terms

   2. Click Finish

   3. Click Restart Now

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First Time Configuration - Windows Local Client

1. After restarting your computer, enter VMWare Horizon Client into the Windows search bar to launch the application

2. Double click on Add Server or click on New Server at the top left hand corner of the screen

3. Enter the name of the Connection Server coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu and click Connect

4. Click Accept on the Disclaimer pop up box

5. Enter your NetID and password in the Login pop up box

   1. User name: NetID

   2. Password: password

   3. Domain: AUTH

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Installation - Mac

1. Open the Downloads folder and double click on the .dmg file

2. Click on Agree to accept the License Agreement

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3. On the following pop up window, click and drag the VMWare Horizon Client icon to the Applications folder icon to install the client

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First Time Configuration - Mac Local Client

1. Open the VMWare Horizon Client through Applications or Launchpad

2. Click on Open to proceed and open the application

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3. 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

   1. If prompted for credentials, enter a username and password with administrative privileges and then click OK

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4. Click on one of the New Server + icons at the top left hand corner of the screen

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5. Enter the name of the Connection Server coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu and click Connect

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6. Click Accept on the Disclaimer pop up box

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7. Enter your NetID and password in the Login pop up box

   1. User name: NetID

   2. Password: password

   3. Domain: AUTH

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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).

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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.

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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.

1. Connect to VPN for off campus users or connect to TAMU Wi-Fi for on campus users

2. Navigate to https://coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu/

3. Click on VMWare Horizon HTML Access

4. Click on Accept to the Texas A&M University system policy

5. Enter your NetID and password in the Login pop up box

   1. User name: NetID

   2. Password: password

   3. Domain: AUTH

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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.

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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.

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Click on the Open Menu icon and select Log out to log out from the web client.

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File Sharing with VMware Horizon

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)

1. Enter VMWare Horizon Client into the Windows search bar to launch the application

2. Double click on the coe-connect.engr.tamu.edu server icon

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3. Click Accept on the Disclaimer pop up box

4. Enter your NetID and password in the Login pop up box

   1. User name: NetID

   2. Password: password

   3. Domain: AUTH

5. Click on the Settings icon in the upper right hand corner

6. Select the Sharing tab from the side panel

7. Click on the Add icon

8. Browse for folder and select Windows (C:) > Users > Your Username

9. Click OK

10. Check the following boxes:

    1. Share your local files Your Username

    2. Allow access to removable storage

    3. Do not show dialog when connecting to a desktop or application

    4. Open local files in hosted applications

11. Click OK to save the changes made

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File Sharing - Mac (Local Client Only)

1. Open the VMWare Horizon Client through Applications or Launchpad

2. Click on the VMWare Horizon Client tab on the menu bar

   1. Select Preferences…

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3. Select the Sharing icon from the tabs at the top of the Preferences pop up window

4. Click on the + icon

5. Select Macintosh HD > Users > Your Username from the drop down menus

6. Click Add

7. Check the following boxes:

   1. Allow access to Your Username

   2. Allow access to removable storage

   3. Do not show dialog when connecting to a desktop or application

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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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