What is VDI?

VDI stands for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and is the technology that enables an operating system and software stored in a central location to be streamed to devices (virtual desktops) in remote locations.  

Using a Virtual Desktop 

A virtual desktop provides the functionality and experience of a regular computer (software, browsers, etc.) with one MAJOR exception:

Once you log out of a virtual desktop nothing will remain from your session, NOTHING!  

  • No files downloaded or saved to the desktop or elsewhere
  • No software preferences
  • No recent or temp files created during a session 
  • No drives you may have mapped  
  • NOTHING 

How to save on a virtual desktop- 

You must save anything you wish to keep to a cloud account like Box or OneDrive, to your Z: drive on Opal, or to an external or thumb drive.  

VDI at MSU

VDI is replacing the traditional computer environment used in many computer labs on campus and can be found in these locations:

  • Landscape Design Lab (Linfield Basement)

  • Barnard Hall 255 (Physics Student Lab)
  • Gaines 145, 147 (Earth Sciences Classrooms)
  • Gaines 346 (Chemistry & Biochemistry Classroom)
  • Gaines 343c (Physical Chemistry Lab)
  • Gaines 210, 216, 218, 245, 247, 249 (General Chemistry Labs)
  • Gaines 217 (Chemistry Help Center)
  • Leon Johnson 105 (Cell Biology & Neuroscience Classroom) 
  • Wilson 1 (Native American/Native Alaskan Club Room)
  • Wilson 1-155 (Native American/Native Alaskan Student Success Services)
  • Wilson 1-144 (Mathematical Sciences Classroom)

  • Student Computing Labs* 
    • AJM 233
    • Animal Bioscience 234
    • Barnard Atrium
    • Linfield 232
    • Reid 302, 305, 306
    • Roberts 111
  • SUB - all public computers
  • Renne Library - all public computers *

* All labs and all Library computers will be on VDI by Fall 2017