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Virtual Lab Set-up and Access
Access
There are two ways to access the Virtual Lab: by downloading the VMware Horizon client, or by logging in through your web browser.
Which method should I use?
Use Case | Possible with the Horizon Client? | Possible with a Web Browser? |
---|---|---|
Use multiple monitors | Yes | Yes - but must be manually set. |
Saving to external drive(s) | Yes | Yes |
Keyboard shortcuts | Yes | Some unavailable |
Use multiple computers | No | Yes |
Download Instructions
Windows Horizon Client Download
1. For a video walk-through of the download and installation process, click here.
2. Begin by going to Virtual Lab start page. Click on the Download the Horizon Client for Windows link located near the bottom of the page. Do not enter your credentials to attempt to log in.
3. Now identify the product for your specific operating system (Windows), and select Go to downloads
4. Upon selecting your client, the product and download file details will be displayed (64-bit Windows used here as an example). Click on Download Now
5. From within the Windows File Explorer, double click on the Horizon Client application file located in the Downloads folder to launch the installer
6. You may be prompted to allow changes to be made to your computer, click Allow
7. A new dialogue box will appear asking you if you agree to the VMware terms and conditions. Once you have read through them, click on Agree & Install or Upgrade if you've previously installed the Horizon Client. Statuses will then be displayed while the installer works
8. When the installer has completed you will receive a Success! message, click on Finish to close the installer
9. You will then be prompted to restart your computer, click on Restart Now to finalize installation
10. To sign in, find the VMware Horizon icon on your desktop or search from installed Applications
The first time you launch the VMware Horizon client, you will have to add the UW-Extended Campus server. Click on + New Server, or double-click on the Add Server icon
11. Enter in virtuallab.wisconsin.edu into the "Enter name of connection server" field, and click Connect
12. You will then be prompted for your UWEX-provided Lab credentials, which were sent to you via email at the start of Preview Week. Click Login
NOTE! Subsequent attempts of launching the VMware Horizon client will show a cloud icon with the newly added server name. Double clicking will launch the server
13. Double click on the desktop icon labeled with your program name to launch a connection to your VM desktop machine. You will see a status message informing you that the Virtual Desktop is being prepared
Please Note that the first time you log into the Virtual Lab, you may need to wait for your account to be provisioned. This usually takes less that five minutes
Once you are fully logged in, you should see something that looks like a normal desktop. Best practice is to ensure you see your VM's information displaying near the top right-hand corner of the screen, as this ensures your profile has fully loaded and is ready to use
Mac Horizon Client Download
1. For a video walk-through of the download and installation process, click here.
2. Begin by going to the Virtual Lab start page. Click on the Download the Horizon Client for Mac OS X link located near the bottom of the page. Do not enter your credentials to attempt to log in.
3. Now identify the product for your specific operating system (macOS), and select Go to downloads.
4. Next the horizon client and download file details will be displayed (macOS used here as an example). Click on Download Now.
5. Depending on your web browser you may be prompted to allow downloads from "customerconect.vmware.com". Click Allow.
6. Next you may see the download progress, and then the completed download of the DMG file notification within the browser window.
7. Double click on the DMG file (either from the web browser download notification or the Downloads folder within the Finder) to begin installation. You will then be shown the VMware User Agreement. Once you have read through the terms and conditions, click Agree
8. A new window will appear prompting you to click and drag the Horizon Client application into the Applications folder
9. You should now see the VMWare Horizon Client application icon within your Applications folder
10. To sign in, find the VMware Horizon icon in your dock or search from installed Applications
11. The first time you launch the VMware Horizon client, you will be shown a warning about opening applications from the internet. Click on Open
12. Additionally on the first time you launch the VMware Horizon client, you will have to add the UW-Extended Campus server. Double-click on the New Server button
13. Enter in virtuallab.wisconsin.edu into the "Enter name of connection server" field, and click Connect
14. You will then be prompted for your UWEX-provided Lab credentials, which were sent to you via email at the start of Preview Week. Click Login
NOTE! Subsequent attempts of launching the VMware Horizon client will show a cloud icon with the newly added server name. Double clicking will launch the server
15. Double click on the desktop icon labeled with your program name to launch a connection to your VM desktop machine. You will see a status message informing you that the Virtual Desktop is being prepared
Please Note that the first time you log into the Virtual Lab, you may need to wait for your account to be provisioned. This usually takes less that five minutes
16. Once you are fully logged in, you should see something that looks like a normal desktop. Best practice is to ensure you see your VM's information displaying near the top right-hand corner of the screen, as this ensures your profile has fully loaded and is ready to use
17. To log in, find the VMware Horizon icon in your dock or search from installed Applications
18. The first time you launch the VMware Horizon client, you will be shown a warning about opening applications from the internet. Click on Open
19. Additionally on the first time you launch the VMware Horizon client, you will have to add the UW-Extended Campus server. Double-click on the New Server button
20. Enter in virtuallab.wisconsin.edu into the "Enter name of connection server" field, and click Connect
21. You will then be prompted for your UWEX-provided Lab credentials, which were sent to you via email at the start of Preview Week. Click Login
NOTE! Subsequent attempts of launching the VMware Horizon client will show a cloud icon with the newly added server name. Double clicking will launch the server
22. Double click on the desktop icon labeled with your program name to launch a connection to your VM desktop machine. You will see a status message informing you that the Virtual Desktop is being prepared
Please Note that the first time you log into the Virtual Lab, you may need to wait for your account to be provisioned. This usually takes less that five minutes
23. Once you are fully logged in, you should see something that looks like a normal desktop. Best practice is to ensure you see your VM's information displaying near the top right-hand corner of the screen, as this ensures your profile has fully loaded and is ready to use
Web Browser Access
1. Begin by going to the Virtual Lab log-in page
2. Enter in your lab credentials and click Login
3. Click on your program tile to launch a connection to the Lab
4. Once you are fully logged in, you should see something that looks like a normal desktop. Best practice is to ensure you see your VM's information displaying near the top right-hand corner of the screen, as this ensures your profile has fully loaded and is ready to use