How to Work Remotely with VDI (Virtual Desktop)

Introduction

This article explains how to access Keyano resources and applications while working remotely. Through our VDI (Virtual Desktop) you can access Connect, your shared drives, and other applications (e.g. ReQlogic, Power Campus, etc.). The VDI can be accessed by most devices anywhere via your web browser, or for a smoother experience use the VMware Horizons app on your device.

Note: Keyano ITS no longer provides or supports any VPN service, all remote access is provided via the VDI.

How-to Access VDI via the VMware Horizon App

1. Access the virtual desktop from the installed Horizon Client desktop App, open your Start Menu
2. Search for "VMware Horizon"
   
3. Select the VMware Horizon Client
4. Double-click the cloud icon labelled "desktop.keyano.ca" 
   or 
   • If you have a "+ Add Server" button instead, press it
   • Enter "desktop.keyano.ca" (no quotation marks) into the box that pops up
   • Click Connect
5. Your web browser should open and you'll be prompted to sign in with your Keyano credentials
   • Note: this prompt requires your full Keyano email address!
6. Once you've signed in successfully VMware Horizon Client will display the virtual desktops you have access to:
   • You may see one or more icons depending on your department and role, each virtual desktop will have department-specific software.
     
7. Double-click on the cloud-PC icon for the virtual desktop you wish to select
8. A virtualized desktop will appear on your screen, it can then be used like a regular computer.
   
   • By default this window will be full-screen, you can make it windowed by selecting the Exit Fullscreen button on the top menu bar
   • If a menu bar isn't present at the top of your screen, move your mouse to the top-center of your screen and it should drop down
9. Sign in to the virtual desktop with your Keyano credentials (this can be your username, not your full email address)

How-to Access VDI via a Web Browser

1. Open your web browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari are all supported)
2. Browse to https://desktop.keyano.ca
3. Sign in with your Keyano credentials
   • Note: this prompt requires your full Keyano email address!
4. A page will load asking you how you'd like to connect:
   • If you don't have the VMware Horizon app installed, select the VMware Horizon HTML Access to continue in your web browser
   • If you do have the VMware Horizon app installed, select Launch Native Client to open the VDI using the app
     
5. Once you've signed in successfully the page will load and display the virtual desktops you have access to
   • You may see one or more icons depending on your department and role, each virtual desktop will have department-specific software.
6. Double-click on the cloud-PC icon for the virtual desktop you wish to select
7. A virtualized desktop will appear on your screen, it can then be used like a regular Keyano PC
8. Sign in to the virtual desktop with your Keyano credentials (just your username, not full email address)