What is Cloud Desktop?


Cloud Desktop is provided as a solution for BRCC employees and vendors to provide secured access to resources generally only available on-premise, such as Colleague UI and Informer. This tool allows you to these resources in a self-contained environment within your web browser while connected to the Palo Alto Global Protect VPN service. You are able to operate Colleague and Informer and transport files to and from each system, using OneDrive as your file storage. This allows seamless access between your local computer and its programs, such as Excel, and these online resources.


How is this different from traditional remote desktop?


Many users are familiar with using a desktop icon to access their desktop PC on campus while connected to the VPN. This solution differs in the following ways:

- All users connect to the same server, rather than individual physical desktops on campus.

- The operating environment runs in the Cloud, meaning any local or campus power/network outages will not impact operations.

- The remote computer only runs the Edge web browser and a limited number of applications. Most work tasks requiring Microsoft 365 or other applications will be conducted on your local computer, not the remote computer.

- You must save your files within the cloud environment to either your OneDrive or your department's OneDrive. Any files saved directly to the server and not OneDrive may be lost.

- The cloud desktop environment runs within your browser and the Remote Desktop Connection application.

- This system can be used on a personal device if a BRCC provided device is unavailable.


How to use Cloud Desktop


Before attempting to connect to Cloud Desktop, you must be connected to the Palo Alto Global Protect VPN. Please see the following KB article for instructions on how to connect to it first.


1. Navigate to Cloud Desktop by clicking this link and optionally bookmarking it, or finding the link in The Insider under Useful Links, "Off Campus- (VPN Required)" section

2. You will be prompted to sign in to the system. You must use only your BRCC employee username (everything before the @blueridge.edu), followed by your password used for logging into your computer. If you receive a message regarding your password being incorrect or access denied, please contact the Helpdesk.

An example sign-in in the valid format


3. You are presented with a list of available applications to run within the browser-contained environment. Click on an option to launch the application.

List of applications provided in Cloud Desktop


4. If you receive a message asking what local resources to allow, click "clipboard" only and "Don't ask me again for connections to this computer."

Only clipboard access is allowed



5. When this message appears regarding configuring the remote connection, you must click "Show Details" to accept the Acceptable Use Statement before login can proceed. If you receive any message regarding connection to the remote PC being lost, make sure you are properly connected to the VPN. Please contact the Helpdesk.

Accept the Acceptable Use Statement by clicking Show Details

The Acceptable Use Statement for Cloud Desktop


6. Once you have signed into the system, your application will automatically open.

Colleague UI open inside the Cloud Desktop environment


7. You may now sign in to your chosen website as normal. 

Please be aware that this session is subject to timing out when inactive for an extended period of time and the session is reset after 8 hours of inactivity, where any unsaved work will be lost.


Useful tips

  • More than one application can be opened in one Cloud Desktop session, clicking the "Home" button on the top white bar will bring you back to the list of applications. Clicking a different application will open it in another window.
  • Windows in the remote session can be manipulated the same as on your local computer and can be maximized, put side by side, and closed.
  • The remote session can be set to fullscreen to maximize the viewable area by clicking the following button:

Fullscreen

  • Additionally, the top bar can be hidden when not in use by clicking the "unpin" button to conserve screen space. The top bar can be retrieved by hovering your mouse towards the top of the remote session window.

Unpin

  • The web browser integrated into the remote environment can only be used with the websites listed in the home page. General web browsing is only possible within the browser used on your local computer.


Questions or concerns?

Please contact the Helpdesk at [email protected] or by calling (828)694-1895.