Omnissa VDI Setup (Formerly VMWare)
Modified on: Tue, Feb 4 2025 5:02 PM|
Omnissa VDI Setup Formerly VMWare VDI Setup |
General Information
Before you begin: You cannot access the Remote Desktop without first setting up Multi-Factor Authentication. Click here if you have not already set up MFA to be taken to our document on setting that up. You will also require access to Omnissa to be applied to your account, which is not granted by default for most positions.
Omnissa Horizon is an application that lets you access our campus network remotely. Think of using Omnissa as remotely logging on to a secure PC that’s located on campus—it has access to campus network resources that your home computer/laptop doesn’t (shared drives, Banner/INB, BDM, Argos).
Note that accessing VDI is not the same thing as logging on to your office computer directly! You won’t have access to files/folders located only on your office computer. Files/folders that you work on should be uploaded to OneDrive for cloud accessibility.
Please note that Omnissa was formerly called VMWare Horizon. VMWare went through a rebranding to Omnissa and as a result you may see references to both VMWare and Omnissa as you go to install the application.
Getting Started
Here are the important links you should have:
- The Omnissa Horizon download page: https://customerconnect.omnissa.com/downloads/info/slug/desktop_end_user_computing/omnissa_horizon_clients/8
- Our VDI server (this is what you type in when Omnissa Horizon asks you for a server): https://mycomputer.wvm.edu/
1. Navigate to the Omnissa Horizon download page. Look for your OS (usually either Windows or macOS) and select the "GO TO DOWNLOADS" link.
2. Click the downloaded file to install it. The installation is straightforward and only requires you to hit Next or Agree. It will ask you to reboot after it finishes, which is recommended.
3. After the installation has completed, you will have an Omnissa icon on your desktop. Double click it to open it.
4. When you first open it after installing it, you likely won't have any servers and will be asked to add one.
Double click the Add Server button, and in the box that pops up labelled "Name of the Connection Server," put mycomputer.wvm.edu.
5. Once your server has been added, or if it was already on by default, you can double click it to log in.
When you enter your credentials and press Login, you may get an MFA notification on your phone that you will need to tap Approve on. If Omnissa is taking longer than usual to finish logging you in, check your phone.
6. If your credentials are accepted, you’ll see My Desktop (2D) available as a button. Double-click it to launch your Windows session.
You’ll see your Windows session booting up. If you need to get back to your computer, place your mouse over the very top of the screen right at the middle to bring down the white bar. You can go out of fullscreen or press the X to exit your Omnissa VDI desktop at any time.
Once it finishes loading, you'll be greeted with a Windows desktop where you can do your work. This desktop is securely connected to our internal network and can access all sorts of things that are usually only accessible on-campus, such as Banner.
Optionally, if you have two monitors on your computer, you can use this button on the top bar to select them and then select Apply to make VMWare use one or both of your monitors.
HTML Access Instructions
If you were unable to install Omnissa, you can select HTML access instead at https://mycomputer.wvm.edu. This has notably not worked for some users and can be slower than the installable version, so if you have the choice, you should use the installable version. Note that this page may retain some VMWare branding, but it is the same system regardless.
1. Enter your credentials at the login screen, and check your phone after you press Login in case it sends you an MFA notification.
2. If your credentials are accepted, you’ll see My Desktop (2D); double-click the icon to launch your Windows session.
You’ll see your Windows session booting up. After a short time you’ll arrive at your VDI Windows 10 desktop.
FAQ
Why does Omnissa say I don't have access when I try to log in?
Omnissa access is granted by the IS department. If you were never granted access, you won't be able to use it by default. Please put in a ticket if you need to request access.
Omnissa lets me log in, but then gets stuck on the Connecting screen and eventually fails. Why?
You are probably getting an MFA notification on your phone during the Connecting screen. Go to your Authenticator app and tap Approve, then Omnissa will proceed to the next screen.
I know I have access and I know my MFA is set up right, but Omnissa still won't work. Why?
The most common cause of this issue is that your installation of Omnissa is too old and requires an update. You can update through the app, or you can simply install it from the web by following this guide from the top. Installing over an existing installation works the same as updating it. If that still doesn't work, contact IS by putting in a ticket.
I saved files in my Omnissa desktop, but they're gone!
Most Omnissa VDI desktops are temporary, meaning that after they reboot they will lose files saved to them. When working in Omnissa, always save your files on the cloud, either with OneDrive or a network drive. In some cases where it may be necessary to save files in Omnissa itself, you'll need to request special access by putting in a ticket.
Can I get to my office desktop from Omnissa?
This requires some additional setup by the IS department and can be done, but you'll have to put in a ticket to request remote access to your office desktop.