Virtual Desktop Access
ViDA (Virtual Desktop Access) gives students 24/7 remote access to high-end software normally available only in technology spaces on campus. For questions or comments about ViDA, email help@uw.edu and include "ViDA" in your message.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I access ViDA from off-campus?
- If I go away from my computer, how long will I stay connected to ViDA?
- Why is the ViDA security certificate showing as untrusted?
- Which devices are supported by ViDA?
- How do I save files on ViDA? What happens to files on log off?
- Do UW Faculty or Staff have access to ViDA?
Can I access ViDA from off-campus?
UW students can access this high-end software from any location with Internet access—whether on or off campus: Odegaard, a coffee shop on the Ave, or a student’s home. Internet connection speed will affect the performance of ViDA.
If I go away from my computer, how long will I stay connected to ViDA?
Due to limited number of connections available for ViDA, once your session is inactive for more than thirty (30) minutes, your session will be disconnected and all of your work potentially lost. Remember to save early and often.
Why is the ViDA security certificate showing as untrusted?
ViDA uses the standard UW Certificate. By installing the UW Services CA root certificate in your web browser, you will be able to visit and use secure UW Web sites with certificates issued by the UW Services CA without being confronted with warning messages from your browser. Click here to install the UW Services CA Certificate.
Which devices are supported by ViDA?
ViDA uses the Citrix Reciever for desktop and mobile devices, including Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows Mobile as well as Linux, OS X, UNIX and Windows. Click here for a complete list.
How do I save files on ViDA? What happens to files on log off?
ViDA currently operates like many of the general-access computer labs on the UW Seattle campus. Students can save work locally during their session, but must save their work somewhere else before logging off. This can be a personal USB drive, STFP, Google Docs, SkyDrive or any other method, including simply emailing the files to one's self.
Once a student logs off of ViDA, their files are erased and the virtual desktop is made ready for the next student, just as happens in Odegaard. This is protect student privacy and allow other users a standard experience.
Do UW Faculty or Staff have access to ViDA?
Although Faculty and Staff currently have access to ViDA as a part of the initial roll-out process, ViDA is a Student Tech Fee funded service intended for student use. UW-IT will be limiting access to students only starting in Spring 2012. In the meantime, Faculty or Staff utilizing ViDA are personally responsible for working with their departmental compliance officers to ensure adherence to departmental policies.
