On August 31, 2020, NCSU students will be redirected to use Azure WVD (Windows Virtual Desktop) service to remotely access windows based applications. VCL is not retiring or being decommissioned; it will continue to provide Linux environments to students, faculty, and staff. Faculty and staff will continue to have access to MS Windows application environments.
FAQS
General
Is VCL going away?
No, most certainly not!!
Why is this happening?
Under Microsoft’s new licensing model, the cost of Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) rose over 200 percent making it far too expensive to license. As a solution, Microsoft strongly encouraged the university to move VCL Windows images to the Azure cloud using Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) as it eliminates the need for VDA.
What is changing?
Only the Windows applications for students are moving to Azure WVD. Linux environments will continue to be available for all students, faculty, and staff. Windows environments will be available to faculty and staff. Any student needing to remote to university owned Windows computers or Windows virtual machines from a personal device will need to be licensed with a named user license of Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Windows E3.
I am a student….
How do I access applications?
Students needing to use Windows only applications will be provided a link to Azure WVD when they log into VCL. Once on the Azure WVD site, one or more computer icons will be available that will open a html5 based remote desktop. Proceed to login using your NCSU Unity ID credentials.
Where do I save my files?
Each Azure WVD virtual machine will contain Google Drive file stream and the NCSU drive(B:).
What are the connection methods?
The html5 web interface will be the primary connection method, allowing users to connect via a web browser.
Will I have admin access on the vm?
No. Due to the shared nature of Azure WVD, windows administrator access will not be allowed.
I am a Faculty member….
How do I provide applications to my students?
For Windows only applications, send a support request vcl_help@ncsu.edu and OIT staff will assist in installing the application. Departmental staff may also provide assistance in delivering the application.
Linux applications will continue to be provided through VCL as it has in the past. For any applications that can run on both Windows and Linux, you will be requested to install the Linux version on a VCL Linux desktop environment where applicable.
How do VCL block allocations for my class work now?
Microsoft Azure has a feature called Azure Lab Services that is very similar to VCL Block Allocations. Faculty or staff will be able to create a custom image and set a schedule for remote access for a set of users, i.e a course roll. A VDI Windows E3 license is not required for Azure Lab Services.
What if there are applications or class server environments that will not work in Azure WVD?
If there are any applications that will not work in Azure WVD, NCSU will continue to support the existing VCL service; however, a VDI Windows E3 license is required by any student who would remotely access from their personal machine. Please see NCSU’s software licensing FAQ for pricing.
For IT staff….
How does Azure WVD work?
Azure WVD desktops are multi-session Windows 10 desktops and integrated with NCSU’s Azure AD instance. An Azure WVD environment consist of a set of 1 or more host pools. A host pool is a collection of Azure vm’s (session hosts) that will contain the same image and are load balanced to support connecting users. Detailed information: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/overview
Are Azure WVD vms domain joined?
Yes, all Azure WVD VMs will be domain joined and have appropriate security policies applied for OS updates. Campus users will be able to login using campus Unity ID credentials and have access to campus resources, such as NCSU and Google Drive, license servers, etc.
How do I install and deploy applications on Azure WVD?
Where possible, all Windows only applications should be packaged and deployed via campus SCCM. Applications not suitable for SCCM packaging will be discussed on a case by case basis.
What applications will be available?
Any Windows only application NCSU is licensed for or approved via clickwrap can be available. The Azure WVD images will be similar to on-campus lab environments. The goal is to add many applications to the general NCSU Azure WVD VM or session host image.
Will departments be allowed to create Host Pools?
Colleges will be allowed to create an Azure WVD host pool for applications in a limited basis. This will be determined on a case by case basis and proper training. College Azure WVD host pools would support applications only licensed to a college or department. In the future, will will explore FSlogix application masking that will allow OIT to provide access to college or departmental licensed applications to a subset of defined users.
Will Azure application streaming be supported?
TBD. OIT is targeting application streaming later this year for certain applications that do not need a full desktop. In the initial phase, only full desktops in Azure WVD will be provided.
Where can I learn more about Microsoft VDI E3 licensing?
You can learn more about MS Windows VDI E3 licensing from campus software FAQ.