Remote Computing Infrastructure
Tufts students, faculty, and staff can access most university software remotely for teaching, learning, research, and general-purpose needs. This remote infrastructure delivers 24/7 online access to remote desktops and specialized software, designed around the specific needs of the Tufts community and licensed by the university for use outside of physical computer labs.
Features
Tufts students, faculty, and staff can access most university software remotely for teaching, learning, research, and general-purpose needs. This remote infrastructure delivers 24/7 online access to remote desktops and specialized software, designed around the specific needs of the Tufts community and licensed by the university for use outside of physical computer labs.
The remote solutions offered by TTS include various Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) applications and desktop environments along with the TTS Remote Lab.
- TTS Virtual Lab (VDI) provides access to general computing software and resources.
Note that it does not include graphic-intensive software like Adobe Creative Cloud, GIS, etc. - TTS Remote Lab provides access to graphic-intensive and data-intensive software such as GIS, statistical applications, etc.
- Engineering Lab (VDI) provides access to engineering-specific products like the Autodesk Product Design Suite as well as data-intensive research software. However, note that Adobe Create Cloud products are not available on the Engineering Lab (VDI). All affiliates of the School of Engineering have access to the Engineering Lab (VDI). Others can request access if needed by submitting a request to Tufts Technology Services.
- Veterinary School Clinical Services (VDI)
- Dental School Clinical Services (VDI)
- Various Remote Applications (VDI)
All Tufts affiliates have access to the TTS Virtual Lab (VDI) and do not need to request access to these resources. Access to other VDI resources might be limited to specific user groups and usually require an access request to be submitted to TTS.
You can access the virtual workspace from any web browser or desktop client, by logging into the online portal https://vdi.it.tufts.edu, and using your Tufts credentials to login.
If you believe you should have access to a virtual desktop or application, and cannot see it after signing in, please contact us for assistance.
Get Started
Access via Web Application:
The web application provides a convenient interface to access remote computing infrastructure via your web browser. However, it is not optimized for performance and hence it is strongly recommended the VMware Horizon desktop application be used for access instead.
- To access remote computing infrastructure via the web application, click on the link corresponding to which environment you would like to access.
- TTS Virtual Lab (VDI). Engineering Lab (VDI) and all other VDI applications: https://vdi.it.tufts.edu/
- TTS Remote Lab: https://remotelab.it.tufts.edu/
- Click on VMware Horizon HTML Access and log in using your Tufts username and password.
- Enter your Tufts username and password once more and click Login.
- Double-click on the icon corresponding to the resource you would like to access.
- A new window will open providing you access to a remote computer.
Access via the VMware Horizon Desktop Application
Installing the VMware Horizon Client
- Navigate to https://www.vmware.com/go/viewclients and find the client corresponding to your operating system from the list.
- Click on Go to Downloads next to the client corresponding to your operating system. Then click Download Now to download the client.
- Run the downloaded installer and accept all default settings.
- Restart your computer after the installation is finished if prompted to do so.
Connecting to a Server in VMware Horizon
- Launch the installed VMWare Horizon Client.
- Click on the Add Server button, the New Server button, or the plus icon.
- Enter the URL corresponding to the resource you would like to access:
- TTS Virtual Lab (VDI). Engineering Lab (VDI) and all other VDI applications: vdi.it.tufts.edu
- TTS Remote Lab: remotelab.it.tufts.edu
- Click Connect. A web browser will open with a Tufts login window. Log in using your Tufts username and password and go through two-factor authentication.
- The VMware Horizon application will now prompt you once more for a username and password. Enter your Tufts username and password and click Login.
- Double-click on the icon corresponding to the resource you would like to access.
Accessing Remote Computing Resources via VMware Horizon
- Launch the installed VMWare Horizon Client.
- Double-click on the icon corresponding to the resource you would like to access:
- TTS Virtual Lab (VDI). Engineering Lab (VDI) and all other VDI applications: vdi.it.tufts.edu
- TTS Remote Lab: remotelab.it.tufts.edu
If the resource is not listed, follow the steps above to connect to the desired server.
- A web browser will open with a Tufts login window. Log in using your Tufts username and password and go through two-factor authentication.
- The VMware Horizon application will now prompt you once more for a username and password. Enter your Tufts username and password and click Login.
- Double-click on the icon corresponding to the resource you would like to access.
- A new window will open providing you access to a remote computer.