Accessing Virtual Labs
This article covers how CSUF students can access virtual labs to run specialized applications.
Start by going to the Virtual Labs website.
- Go to the CSUF Virtual Labs website.
- Click on your college.
- Choose the software that you want to use.
You will be taken to the tool that you will use to access the software.
Depending on which software you pick, you will be taken to a different page.
CSUF AppStream
For AppStream, you will be taken to the AppStream landing page.
Splashtop
For Splashtop, you will be taken to the Splashtop landing page.
Virtual Computing Lab (VCL)
For Virtual Computing Lab, you will be taken to the Virtual Computing Lab landing page.
Which tool are you using to access the software?
Okay, let's connect to CSUF AppStream!
System Requirements for AppStream
Supported internet browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Internet Explorer 11 and above
- Firefox
AppStream also works best with 5 Mbps bandwidth and <100 ms of network latency for your internet capacity. You can check your internet capacity once you are logged in to AppStream; instructions on how to check it can be found below.
1. If you are not logged in to the campus portal, you will be prompted to enter your username/password.
2. Choose which app you want to run.
3. If you see any pop-up messages asking to show notifications or allow access, click Allow.
4. Please be patient as your session loads. You will see a timer indicating how long until the session is ready.
5. Your session loads and you can now start working.
6. When saving your work, you may want to save to your CSUF OneDrive or Google Drive for easy access.
6.1. To connect your OneDrive or Google Drive, click My Files and then select Add Storage.
You do not need to add both OneDrive and Google Drive; you can choose whichever you use the most.
You will only need to connect your account once. In future AppStream sessions, it will automatically be available for you.
- Click My Files.
- Click Add Storage.
6.2. Choose the account you want to add.
6.1. Click OneDrive to connect your CSUF OneDrive account.
6.2. Choose @csu.fullerton.edu to sign in with your CSUF student account.
If you are faculty/staff, choose @ad.fullerton.edu to sign in with your faculty/staff account.
6.3. Enter your CSUF student email address and password. Then click Sign In.
6.4. Click Accept.
6.1. Click Google Drive to connect your CSUF Google Drive account.
6.2. Choose @csu.fullerton.edu to sign in with your CSUF student account.
If you are faculty/staff, choose @ad.fullerton.edu to sign in with your faculty/staff account.
6.3. Enter your CSUF student username and password. Then click Sign In.
6.4. Choose your CSUF account from the list.
6.5. Click Allow.
6.3. The account(s) that you added now show up under My Files.
7. To adjust your streaming settings or check if you meet the system requirements, click the gear icon and then choose Streaming mode.
- Click the gear icon.
- Select Streaming mode.
7.1. You can switch between Best responsiveness and Best quality to adjust the streaming mode. Click Show Streaming Metrics to check your internet capacity.
- Choose either Best responsiveness or Best quality to adjust the streaming mode.
- Click Show Streaming Metrics to check if your bandwidth and latency meet the system requirements.
7.2. Check your internet capacity to see if it meets the recommended bandwidth and latency. Then click the x to close this window.
- Check your Bandwidth Usage. Recommended is 5 Mbps.
- Check your Network Latency. Recommended is <100 ms
- Click the x to close the window.
8. To switch to another AppStream Application, click on the app chooser and select the app. You can also choose to View Catalog to see all available apps.
- To switch to another app in AppStream, click the app selector icon.
- Then choose another app or click View catalog to view all available apps.
9. When you are ready to end your session, click on the person icon and then select End session.
Be sure to end your session rather than just closing your browser window to avoid issues.
- To end your session, click on the person icon.
- Then select End session.
10. Click End Session.
Be sure that you have saved any progress to an external source (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive) before you end your session!
Great! View our guide on accessing and using Splashtop for more information.
Okay! What type of computer are you using?
Okay, let's connect to the Virtual Computer Lab on your PC!
Supported Browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Firefox
1. Click on VCL Login.
2. Choose CSUF Login and then click Proceed to Login.
3. If you are not logged in to the campus portal, you will be prompted to enter your username/password.
4. Click Reservations.
5. If you see any pop-up messages asking to show notifications or allow access, click Allow.
6. Click New Reservation.
7. Choose the software/environment you want to use. Then indicate when you want to reserve it and for how long. Then click Create Reservation.
Reservations can be made up to four days in advance and the maximum duration is four hours.
- Select the software/environment you want to use from the drop-down list.
- Select Now to use it now or enter a future day/time for your reservation.
- Enter the amount of time you want for your reservation.
- Click Create Reservation.
8. If you selected Now, you will see an estimate of how long until your reservation is ready. If you selected a future day/time, you can return to the Reservations page on that day/time to connect.
9. Click Connect when your reservation is ready.
Once your reservation is available, you have 15 minutes to connect. After 15 minutes, you reservation will be canceled.
10. Make a note of the User ID and Password the system. Click Get RDP File.
Your User ID is your campus-wide ID (CWID).
- Make a note of the User ID and Password. You may need to enter one or both of them to complete the connection.
- Click Get RDP File.
11. Click Connect.
12. Enter the username and password you received for the reservation. Then click OK.
13. Click Yes to accept the certificate.
14. Be patient, as it may take several minutes to initiate the session. Then you can begin!
15. When you are done, please disconnect your session rather than just closing the window.
Be sure to save your work to an external source (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive) before disconnecting! View instructions on saving files and folders to a cloud app.
These instructions are for Windows software environments. Your steps to disconnect may be slightly different depending on your selection.
- Click the Windows Start button.
- Select Power.
- Select Disconnect.
16. Next, click Delete Reservation.
17. Then click Delete Reservation again to confirm.
Okay, let's connect to the Virtual Computer Lab on your Mac!
Supported Browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Firefox
1. Download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Apple App Store if you have not done so already.
2. Click on VCL Login.
3. Choose CSUF Login and then click Proceed to Login.
4. If you are not logged in to the campus portal, you will be prompted to enter your username/password.
5. Click Reservations.
6. If you see any pop-up messages asking to show notifications or allow access, click Allow.
7. Click New Reservation.
8. Choose the software/environment you want to use. Then indicate when you want to reserve it and for how long. Then click Create Reservation.
Reservations can be made up to four days in advance and the maximum duration is four hours.
- Select the software/environment you want to use from the drop-down list.
- Select Now to use it now or enter a future day/time for your reservation.
- Enter the amount of time you want for your reservation.
- Click Create Reservation.
9. If you selected Now, you will see an estimate of how long until your reservation is ready. If you selected a future day/time, you can return to the Reservations page on that day/time to connect.
10. Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app. Then click Connect when your reservation is ready.
Once your reservation is available, you have 15 minutes to connect. After 15 minutes, you reservation will be canceled.
11. Make a note of the User ID and Password the system. Click Get RDP File.
Your User ID is your campus-wide ID (CWID).
- Make a note of the User ID and Password. You may need to enter one or both of them to complete the connection.
- Click Get RDP File.
12. Double click to open the RDP file once it's downloaded.
If you don't see it in your browser like the screenshot below, check your Downloads folder.
13. Enter the username and password you received for the reservation. Then click Continue.
14. Be patient, as it may take several minutes to initiate the session. Then you can begin!
15. When you are done, please disconnect your session rather than just closing the window.
Be sure to save your work to an external source (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive) before disconnecting! View instructions on saving files and folders to a cloud app.
These instructions are for Windows software environments. Your steps to disconnect may be slightly different depending on your selection.
- Click the Windows Start button.
- Select Power.
- Select Disconnect.
16. Next, click Delete Reservation.
17. Then click Delete Reservation again to confirm.
Okay, let's connect to the Virtual Computer Lab on your Chromebook!
Supported Browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Firefox
1. Download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Google Play Store if you have not done so already.
2. Click on VCL Login.
3. Choose CSUF Login and then click Proceed to Login.
4. If you are not logged in to the campus portal, you will be prompted to enter your username/password.
5. Click Reservations.
6. If you see any pop-up messages asking to show notifications or allow access, click Allow.
7. Click New Reservation.
8. Choose the software/environment you want to use. Then indicate when you want to reserve it and for how long. Then click Create Reservation.
Reservations can be made up to four days in advance and the maximum duration is four hours.
- Select the software/environment you want to use from the drop-down list.
- Select Now to use it now or enter a future day/time for your reservation.
- Enter the amount of time you want for your reservation.
- Click Create Reservation.
9. If you selected Now, you will see an estimate of how long until your reservation is ready. If you selected a future day/time, you can return to the Reservations page on that day/time to connect.
10. Click Connect when your reservation is ready.
11. Make a note of the User ID and Password the system. Click Get RDP File.
Your User ID is your campus-wide ID (CWID).
The password is usually complex, so consider highlighting it and copying it so you can paste it when you log in.
- Write down the Remote Computer IP address, the User ID, and Password. You will need to enter this information manually in a few minutes.
- Click Close.
12. Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.
13. Click the plus sign to add a new desktop.
14. Select Desktop.
15. Enter the Remote Computer IP address. Then click Save.
- Enter the Remote Computer IP address from your reservation information.
- Then click Save.
16. Double click on the desktop that you just added.
17. Click Connect.
18. Enter the User ID and password you received for the reservation. Then click Connect.
- Enter the User ID from your reservation (this is usually your CWID).
- Enter the password from your reservation.
- Click Connect.
19. Be patient, as it may take several minutes to initiate the session. Then you can begin!
20. When you are done, please disconnect your session rather than just closing the window.
Be sure to save your work to an external source (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive) before disconnecting! View instructions on saving files and folders to a cloud app.
These instructions are for Windows software environments. Your steps to disconnect may be slightly different depending on your selection.
- Click the Windows Start button.
- Select Power.
- Select Disconnect.
21. Next, click Delete Reservation.
22. Then click Delete Reservation again to confirm.
Need More Help?
Contact the Student IT Help Desk at [email protected] or 657-278-8888.
Need a CSUF Dropbox account? Request one at the CSUF Student Dropbox website.