Instructional Support

Last Update: 5/8/20

Viterbi MyDesktop (VDI or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) is the current label for virtual computing resource available to students of select engineering classes.

Viterbi MyDesktop is intended to provide Viterbi students with access to engineering and scientific software packages whose licensing terms prohibit their installation on personally owned computers, involve complex installation procedures, or require elevated hardware resources for satisfactory experience. The intent is to provide access to “installed software, on any device, from anywhere and at any time” to the extent possible.

What is Viterbi MyDesktop?
Viterbi MyDesktop currently uses VMWare Horizon virtual desktop technology. Virtual desktops supported on MyDesktop run Windows software only.

There are currently three virtual desktop pools on MyDesktop:

General Desktop with light 3D graphics acceleration
Enhanced Desktop with heavier 3D graphics requirements
Enhanced Desktop with higher computational requirements with modest 3D graphics requirements

Who has access to Viterbi MyDesktop?
MyDesktop is set up for classroom / instructional use only. Each semester, professors may make a request for their class to have access to MyDesktop. Only students taking classes with approved access to MyDesktop will be able to access MyDesktop. At the end of each semester, student access will be discontinued.

How do classes get access to Viterbi MyDesktop?
Faculty should supply the following information for the class to have access. Approval is on a case by case basis and for the upcoming semester only. Faculty must make access request for each subsequent semester. Faculty may make the request through the Viterbi Service Desk within myViterbi.

Course name, course number and section that will need access to MyDesktop.
Software installed on MyDesktop that will be used by the students.
List of TAs that will need access to MyDesktop.

My class has access. How do I get on?

Please click MyDesktop Logon Instructions for the step by step PDF.

Benefits of using Viterbi MyDesktop

Access to the software from anywhere at any time. The user does not need to come on campus and find an available computer to work on.
In most cases, the user does not need to install anything on their computer to access MyDesktop. There is an HTML5 web access method for MyDesktop. The user does have the option to install a client (multi-platform) for faster access and better performance while using MyDesktop.
Users could make use of the software installed on MyDesktop with their own laptops in classrooms not outfitted with computers.
Apple Mac users will be able to access Windows only Engineering software.
Users do not have to deal with software installation headaches and hassles such as:
1. Do I have the right operating system?
2. Does my computer meet the minimum hardware requirements?
3. The software didn’t install properly. Now what do I do?
4. Software licenses and how do I get that back from the students when they are done with the class?
All users on MyDesktop have a roaming profile (where permitted by software) and network storage. Logging in with your USC Net ID, whether it is in an ITP classroom, on MyDesktop or in the Engineering Computing Center (SAL125), your shortcuts and files will follow.
Easily copy and paste between MyDesktop and your own computer.
Easily mount and have access to your own computer’s hard drive from within MyDesktop.
Most USB flash drives plugged into your own computer will be accessible through MyDesktop. Other USB devices may also work but will depend if Windows has driver support for your device.

Usage Guidelines

Login and Getting Started guide could be found here: MyDesktop Logon Instructions
In order to provide fair access to all while allowing students to get their work done, session limits are enforced. Virtual desktops are automatically shut down after 8 hours to make resources available for others. Users may log off and log back on to reset the 8 hours. There are no limits to how often you may connect to MyDesktop.
You are limited to one active virtual desktop session at a time. You will not be able to initiate multiple MyDesktop sessions. Please make sure you log off your session properly. Simply closing or quitting the session may result in your session being hung that may require you to wait until the session times out.
Virtual desktops are automatically shut down if there is no activity or if it remains idle for 60 minutes.
You should always save your work to your assigned space on the Viterbi network file storage. MyDesktop standard configuration will redirect My Documents/Documents, Desktop and Downloads to space on the Viterbi network file storage. This is also mapped in the VM as your U:\ drive. Performance is generally best when saving to the U:\ drive. You should always save your work in at least two locations. You may keep backup copies of your work on your Google Drive or other cloud storage accessible to you. Please use the web interface for these cloud storage services. You may also copy your data to an attached USB flash drive or to your local computer’s storage.
1. For the Spring semester, all data will be purged starting on 5/31
2. For the Summer semester, all data will be purged starting on 8/31
3. For the Fall semester, all data will be purged starting on 12/31
4. Be sure to copy your data before the above-mentioned dates.
Read all notices when you log in. Any interruption to services will be posted when you log in.

Troubleshooting Common Viterbi MyDesktop Login Problems
Before reaching out for help, try the following:

If you are unable to login with the HTML5 method, have you tried downloading the Horizon client and see if you are able to login?
If you are unable to login with the Horizon client, have you tried using the HTML5 to login?
If you are using the Horizon client, are you using the latest version? If you have a Mac and running Bootcamp, you could try both the Windows and Mac version of Horizon client to see which works better for you.
Are you using your USC Net ID and the correct password? If you are not sure, try logging into myViterbi. If you can’t log in to that either, there’s something wrong with your username, password or both. Please contact ITS at (213) 740-5555 to confirm your USC Net ID and or reset your password.

If the above fails, please contact your faculty or TA for assistance. If your faculty redirects you to Viterbi IT for help logging into myViterbi or if your class does not have a TA, please email Viterbi IT at engrhelp@usc.edu. Please provide the following information:

Computer Operating System and version you are using. For example, Windows 7, Windows 10, Mac OSX El Capitan…
Are you using the Horizon client? If yes, which version did you download and install?
Your USC Net ID. Do NOT send your password.
The class you are in that requires access to MyDesktop. Please provide the class name and course number.

Viterbi IT is opened from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. If you send in a request after hours or on the weekends, you may not receive a reply until the offices are opened. Viterbi IT will only be able to help you log onto MyDesktop. Viterbi IT will not be able to help you with computer hardware or software problems.

Caveats when using Viterbi MyDesktop

MyDesktop is set up as an additional way to deliver software for classroom and instructional purposes. It is not meant as a straight replacement for classroom or lab computers. As such, while the performance of MyDesktop is quite good, it will not outperform a desktop computer equipped with a similar processor, RAM, video capabilities and an SSD.
The user’s ISP speed connecting to MyDesktop will play a part in the user experience. The faster the connection, the more responsive MyDesktop will feel. Conversely, the slower the connection, MyDesktop may feel laggy and slow to respond.
Roaming profiles and network storage is very convenient but please take note. The more that is saved to the roaming profile, the longer the login time. Keep only the necessary items on the desktop. Move your homework files to the network storage.

Last Update: 5/29/20

Summer, 2020 Classes with Access to MyDesktop

All ITP classes have access to the General VDI

Pool Name	Class	Section
General	CE-573	29681
Enhanced	CE-573	29681
General	EE-457	30420
General	EE-457	30422
General	EE-560L	30460
General	EE-560L	30462
General	EE-560L	30464
General	ITP-515	31512
General	ITP-515	31712
General	ITP-101	31807
General	ITP-101	31808

Last Update: 5/19/20

About

The Engineering Computing Center (ECC) is located in SAL 125. The ECC entrance is located on the west side of the building. The ECC contains Macs and PCs for students taking at least one Viterbi class during the semester to log into and use. Computing labs may be reserved for hands-on instruction.

On-site support for the ECC is available at the front desk in SAL 125.
Contact: (213) 740-1062

Support Hours

Summer, 2020 Semester Operating Hours

The Engineering Computing Center is closed until further notice.

During this COVID-19 crisis, several Viterbi computer labs have been made available for remote access to Viterbi students and faculty who would like to use instructional software on the computers in the labs. Click Viterbi Computer Classrooms / Labs to find out more.

Exceptions:

Closed during all USC holidays

Holidays

The ECC is closed during all USC holidays.

Printing

The ECC is equipped with wēpa cloud-based printing. Standard letter black & white and color printing are available. Students can print via cloud drives, web, email, mobile and USB.

Forms of Payment
The wēpa print station accepts credit card, USC card, PayPal and wēpa print card.

Price Per Print
Single-sided B&W: $0.09
Double-sided B&W: $0.17
Single-sided Color: $0.45
Double-sided Color: $0.68

wēpa Support
(800) 675-7639
help@wepanow.com
Monday – Sunday
6:00am – 4:00pm PST

Loaner Laptops

20 Macbook Pros are available for check out at the ECC front desk. You must be enrolled in at least 1 Viterbi course and have a valid USC ID to be eligible. Laptops may be checked out for four hours. You will be emailed confirmation of the laptop loan and required time of return. Students must agree to the Student Laptop Loan Agreement prior to checking one out.

Software Available in the ECC

To see what software is installed in the ECC, visit the following link.
Viterbi Software List

Open Lab

During the semester, Open Lab hours are reserved for each ECC classroom for students to use the computers. Please refer to the ECC classroom calendar for Open Lab hours. You may also inquire with the front desk what the Open Lab hours are for each classroom. TAs may also meet with students in the classrooms during Open Lab hours. Note that during Open Lab hours, the classroom is available to all. There will be no exclusive use of the classroom during Open Lab hours. Once designated as Open Lab, reservations could not be made for those times.

Group Study Rooms (SAL 109)

4 group study rooms will be available for collaboration. Available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are a party of 1, you may be asked to vacate the room for teams of 2 or more. While class is in session, group study rooms will be unavailable.
SAL 109A is also equipped with a wePresent wireless presentation system. Instructions are posted in the room. For additional information, see the ECC front desk.

Collaboration Spaces (Open Space)

5 collaboration spaces are available. Available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are a party of 1, you may be asked to vacate the space for teams of 2 or more.

Computing Labs

Room	SAL 109	SAL 125	SAL 126	SAL 127
Type	Instructional Computing Lab	Open Area/Lobby	Instructional Computing Lab	Instructional Computing Lab
Computers	30 PC Desktops 1 Instructor Desktop	16 PC Desktops	36 PC Laptops 1 Instructor Desktop	36 PC Desktops 1 Instructor Desktop
Furniture Type	Fixed Tables	Fixed Tables	Mobile Tables	Fixed Tables
Whiteboards	2	3 (2 per group space)	4	1
Equipment	Fabric screen HDMI Connection 2 LCD Projectors Network LAN jack 5 Digital Displays wePresent Display *Document Projector	5 Digital Displays HDMI Connection Document Scanner	Fabric screen HDMI Connection 2 LCD Projectors Network LAN jack *Document Projector	Fabric screen HDMI Connection 2 LCD Projectors Network LAN jack *Document Projector

*One document projector is available for instructional use only. Inquire with the front desk.

Lost and Found

We understand that sometimes it’s easy to forget items in the Engineering Computing Center. If you have misplaced something, check with the front desk to see if the item was turned in. Please provide a description of the item especially if there’s anything on the item that could denote ownership. Items not picked up within a reasonable amount of time will be discarded or until drawer is full.