virtual desktops guide

Virtual Desktops guide will help you connect to the Omnissa Horizon Virtual Desktop used by the College of
Engineering and Computer Science (CoECS).

Students can securely access a Virtual Windows PC 24/7 from anywhere with an internet connection. These cloud desktops are preloaded with essential software used in your courses, such as MATLAB, SolidWorks, and Ansys, and include access to your shared drives. You’ll have reliable access to the tools you need—ready to go, anytime.

To simplify Virtual Desktops we have sectioned the guide into 8 sections.The sections of this guide can be accessed via the navigation menu on the left or through the selections provided below.

Microsoft Authenticator Mobile Setup

This section outlines the required steps to install and configure the Microsoft Authenticator application on a mobile device. It covers enrollment in Microsoft Entra multi-factor authentication (MFA), which is mandatory for secure access to FAU systems and the Omnissa Horizon Virtual Desktop environment.For detailed instructions, please refer to the link: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/tsg/instructional-resources/omnissa/mfa-mobile/

Accessing Virtual Desktops

This section provides detailed instructions for accessing the Omnissa Horizon Virtual Desktop environment. Users may connect either through a supported web browser or by installing the Omnissa Horizon Client on a Windows or macOS system. Authentication using FAU credentials and MFA approval is required for all connection methods. For detailed instructions, please refer to the link: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/tsg/instructional-resources/omnissa/accessing-omnissa/

Maintaining Virtual Desktops

This section describes the proper procedures for signing out of a virtual desktop session. Correctly ending a session ensures system stability, prevents session lockouts, and allows users to reconnect without access issues. For detailed instructions, please refer to the section link: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/tsg/instructional-resources/omnissa/maintaining-omnissa/

Mapping Shared Drives

This section explains how FAU network drives are accessed within the Omnissa Horizon Virtual Desktop environment. It describes the purpose of each available drive and provides guidance for restoring drive mappings if they are not visible.For detailed instructions, please refer to the section link: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/tsg/instructional-resources/omnissa/mappingshareddrivesomnissa/

Transferring Images to the Virtual Desktop

This section provides instructions for uploading image files from a local system into the virtual desktop when using the Omnissa Horizon Web Client. Uploaded files are stored in the user’s Documents directory within the virtual machine and are available for use in supported applications. For detailed instructions, please refer to the section link: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/tsg/instructional-resources/omnissa/transferimagestovirtualdesktop/

Troubleshooting MFA Access Issues

This section addresses common multi-factor authentication issues, including account lockouts, blocked sign-in attempts, and missing MFA prompts. It provides corrective actions to restore authentication functionality and reestablish access. For detailed instructions, please refer to the section link: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/tsg/instructional-resources/omnissa/troubleshootingaccessissues/

Troubleshooting Web Login Service

This section explains the “Web Login Service – Stale Request” error encountered when using the Omnissa Horizon Desktop Client. It outlines the cause of the error and provides resolution steps, including clearing cached authentication data and restarting the login process. For detailed instructions, please refer to the section link: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/tsg/instructional-resources/omnissa/troubleshootingwebloginservice/

Troubleshooting MacOS Horizon Client Login Issues

This section is intended for macOS users experiencing login failures caused by cached auto-login settings. It provides instructions for removing stored Horizon preference files and resetting the Omnissa Horizon Client configuration.For detailed instructions, please refer to the section link : https://www.fau.edu/engineering/tsg/instructional-resources/omnissa/troubleshootingmacclientlogin/

Each section walks you through exactly what you need to do, whether you're setting things up for
the first time or solving a problem.

For more information, please refer to our full guide: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/pdf/coecs-horizon-virtual-desktop-guide.pdf

For any further questions or assistance contact us at: help@eng.fau.edu or through our form found here.