Accessing VCL (Virtual Computer Labs)
This guide covers how students can access the VCL Virtual Computer Lab to run specialized applications.
Supported Browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Firefox
1. Start by connecting to the campus MyVPN network using GlobalProtect.
You must be connected to the MyVPN network in order to use remote desktop functionality such as Virtual Computer Lab.
2. Next go to the Virtual Labs website, select your college, and then click on the VCL link on the college webpage.
- Go to the CSUF Virtual Labs website.
- Click on your college.
- Click on the VCL link on the college webpage.
Note you can also access VCL by clicking the VCL link on the Virtual Computer Lab webpage.
Choose what type of device you are using:
1. Choose CSUF Login and then click Proceed to Login.
2. If you are not logged in to the campus portal, you will be prompted to enter your username/password.
3. You'll be prompted to authenticate with Duo.
New to Duo?
Remember you can use Other options to choose another way to authenticate with Duo.
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.
1. Download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Apple App Store if you have not done so already.
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. You'll be prompted to authenticate with Duo.
New to Duo?
Remember you can use Other options to choose another way to authenticate with Duo.
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.
1. Download and install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Google Play Store if you have not done so already.
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. You'll be prompted to authenticate with Duo.
New to Duo?
Remember you can use Other options to choose another way to authenticate with Duo.
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.