Accessing CSUCI Virtual Labs and Desktops with a Web Browser
The following will guide you through accessing CSUCI Virtual Labs using any HTML 5 capable browser such as Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
CSUCI remote virtual desktops and labs are a "virtual" computing environment that allows students, faculty and staff to remotely access CSUCI’s computer systems and services from their home, dorm room or anywhere else with a stable broadband internet connection.
Important considerations before using a virtual desktop or lab
CSUCI Virtual Labs and desktops are available seven days a week between the hours of 6:00 AM to 11:59 PM.
Please be aware that idle sessions will automatically be logged out after 2 hours.
Since this is a shared environment, any files saved to the local hard drives (C:\) or desktop will be purged on a periodic basis.
Save your work often:
- Save your work to your network file share drive (Z:\ or G:\). These mapped network drives are backed up and recoverable should anything happen to your virtual desktop.
- Microsoft One Drive and Dropbox will installed on each of the virtuaI desktops. Sign into your cloud account to access those resources.
- Although we consider the platform to be stable, working remotely brings many factors into play including unexpected network outages, Internet Service Provider (ISP) issues, or problems with your home network or personal device. Saving often will help avoid frustration and lost work and productivity.
If you do get disconnected from the virtual environment and have difficulty reconnecting, try the following steps to reconnect:
- Clear your web cache.
- Open a new browser session in the following mode (depending on your browser): "Incognito Mode", "Private Mode", "InPrivate Mode”, etc.
- Or connect via a remote desktop protocol (RDP) client (such as Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager).
A current modern web browser is needed in order to connect to CSUCI's remote virtual desktops and labs.
- ITS recommended browsers include: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Using a web browser, navigate to http://go.csuci.edu/vdi.
Microsoft will require you to authenticate to CSUCI's instance and redirect you to the myCI login page.
- Log in using your myCI credentials as you would if you were on campus.
- For Faculty and Staff - Duo two-factor authentication require you to authenticate as it would if you were on campus. Choose your preferred authentication method and log in.
You will now be taken to the Azure Remote Desktop Portal. Based on your level of security only one Virtual Machine might be associated with your account. Choose the Virtual Machine best suited to your role (Art Lab, Student Lab or Staff VDI) and the work you will be doing.
You will be prompted with a popup-dialog box asking you to allow the remote computer to access printer and clipboard functions on your computer. This is completed by checking or unchecking the boxes labeled Printer and Clipboard. You can also disable this popup in the future by checking the box labeled Don't ask me again for connections to this computer.
The following message will show you the status of the connection. Status only no action needed.
Once a connection is established, you will be prompted for your Domain credentials.
Enter your Dolphin ID and password.
Click Submit.
The following Windows 10 desktop will be presented to you once you have successfully logged into the Domain.
To register the installed copy of Office 365, choose any of components within the Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). You need only register one of the Office applications to register the entire suit. Follow the steps to register using your University email account.
To see if you are connected to your network fie-share drives (G:\, S:\ or Z:\ drives) follow these steps:
Open Windows File Explorer (in the Windows search at the bottom of your Windows desktop type "File Explorer").
On the left facing tree structure, find "This PC" and click on it.
Need more help?
If you need further assistance, submit a support ticket or call the ITS Help Desk at (805) 437-8552.