How-to: Cloudapps.usc.edu (VDI)

Cloudapps.usc.edu (VDI)

Cloudapps.usc.edu, also referred to as a Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI), is a service provided by ITS that allows current USC students and faculty to access USC-licensed software packages from any computer or mobile device. These software packages include most of the applications that are installed in the WPH-B36 Computer lab. For a list of application software please visit: https://itservices.usc.edu/its-computing-centers/

Getting Started

All students and faculty can sign into Cloudapps using their USC NetID username and password. Please note that Duo multi-factor authentication is required to access the system. For information on now to enroll in Duo please visit https://itservices.usc.edu/uscnetid/ and click on Manage your MFa (Duo) devices.

Accessing Cloudapps.usc.edu

There are two ways of accessing Cloudapps from your device: You can access it by installing the Omnissa VMware Horizon Client on your computer or you can access the HTML version through your web browser. The Omnissa VMware Horizon client gives you full access to the files, microphone, and other features on your device while the Web-based access gives you only basic functionality and limited file storage options. ITS strongly suggests that you download and install the Omnissia VMware Horizon client from Omnissa in order to get the full functionality of the system.

Important note about Saving Files Created on Cloudapps

Cloudapps consists of a set of “Virtual Machines” running Microsoft Windows.

  • When you logon to Cloudapps you are assigned one of those Virtual Machines with all ITS-supported classroom applications preinstalled. 
  • When you logout of Cloudapps, your Virtual Machine is deleted and all files that have not been saved to an external storage device or cloud storage service are deleted also.
  • Please note that if your Cloudapps session is left inactive or if the connection to Cloudapps is lost without you logging off intentionally, then your session and all your files should be preserved for about two hours. Within that two-hour period, you can log back into Cloudapps and resume your session.
  • However, if you do not log back in to Cloudapps within two hours then your session, the Virtual Machine and any files you have on that machine are deleted also.

*Please be sure to regularly save your files to your device’s hard drive, removable storage device, or a preferred cloud storage service to avoid losing your work.

Accessing Cloudapps.usc.edu through the Omnissa VMware Horizon Client

NOTE: The following instructions were created on a computer running Windows 10. These instructions will work for most Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android operating systems though there may be slight variations in the actual screens you see while installing the software.

Installing the Omnissa VMware Horizon Client

To access Cloudapps through the Omnissa VMware Horizon client for the first time:

  1. Open a browser and go to cloudapps.usc.edu.
  2. Click the Install VMware Horizon Client button.
  1. You will be taken to the Omnissa Customer Connect All Downloads page.
  2. From the All downloadspage Click the “View Download Components.
  1. On the Download Omnissa Horizon Clients page, ensure you have the Product Downloads tab selected then scroll down and find your Operating System and click Go to Downloads.
  1. On the Download Product page, Click the Download Now button
  1. Click Save File and browse to a location on your computer.
  1. When the installer finishes downloading, run the installer to begin the installation.
  2. Read the General Terms agreement that appears and click Agree & Install to continue with the installation.
  1. When the installation has completed, click Finish to exit the setup wizard. You may need to restart your computer before launching the client.

Running the Omnissa VMware Horizon Client

To access cloudapps through the Horizon client:

  1. Double-click the Omnissa Horizon Client icon on your desktop or in the Start menu (Windows) or in the Applications folder (Mac) to launch the program.


NOTE: If you see a dialog box that says “Start remote USB and Printing services”, click Continue. On the next screen, enter your computer’s password and click OK.

  1. On the Omnissa Horizon Client screen, double-click the Add Server
  1. On the next screen, enter cloudapps.usc.edu in the Name of the Connection Server field and click Connect.
  1. Read the disclaimer that appears and then click Accept.
  1. On the next screen, enter your USC NetID username and password.
  2. Click Sign In.

You will be prompted to respond to your Duo multi-factor authentication.

  1. It may take a few seconds for the Windows screen to load. Once you see the USC ITS Cloudapps desktop, you can begin using the software.

Accessing Cloudapps through a Web Browser

  1. Open a browser and go to cloudapps.usc.edu.
  2. Click VMware Horizon HTML Access.
  1. On the next screen, read the disclaimer text and click Accept.
  1. On the next screen, enter your USC NetID username and password.
  2. Click Login.

Next, depending on how you configured Duo, you will either be sent a passcode to your smartphone or you will receive a phone call asking for verification. After a successful response, you will be logged into the new Cloudapps system.

For more information on using Duo, please see the FAQ page at https://itservices.usc.edu/duofaq/.

  1. Double-click the Windows 10 Lab icon that appears to launch the Windows Virtual Machine. It may take a few seconds for the Windows screen to load. Once you see the USC ITS Cloudapps desktop, you can begin using the software.

Customizing the Omnissa Horizon Client Settings

You can leave most of the settings at their default value. Below is some information on how to customize some common settings.

Once you have logged into Cloudapps with the Omnissa horizon Client, you can customize the client settings by clicking on the ellipsis … at the top right of the screen, then select Settings.

To access and use your USB ports from within the Virtual Machine:

Click USB Drives, then turn on the options you wish to use.

To share your computer’s drives with the Virtual Machine:

Click Drive and Folder Sharing

On the Drives and Folder Sharing screen, you can choose which folders on your own computer you want to share (have access to) from the Virtual Machine.

Turn on the Share your Local Files switch (to access your computer’s hard drive)

Use the Add button and browse to specific folders you want to share between your computer and the Virtual Machine. You can add multiple folders if you’d like. If you prefer to have access to the entire hard drive on your computer from the Virtual Machine, you can just select C:\ (if you have a Windows machine)

Turn on Allow auto access to removable storage (to allow automatic access to your computer’s USB drives)

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