Virtual Open Access Lab (VOAL)

Overview

The following contains information on the TAMU Virtual Open Access Lab, including its use, the software available, and how to configure the VOAL in an Internet browser, on a Windows PC, and on a Mac. 

  • TAMU-OAL - Virtual OAL Information

    Introduction

    The VOAL offers the amenities of an Open Access Lab (OAL) combined with the convenience of your personal computer, allowing you to connect to the Windows computers of the OALs remotely from your PC or Mac. Once logged in, you see your personalized desktop, complete with OAL software as if you were in the lab. When using the VOAL, you can also access your H: drive to retrieve personal, academic or web page files. This document provides information regarding the Virtual Open Access Labs.
       

    Featured software: 

    The VOAL offers the following programs remotely, for the full list of software installed on OAL computers, visit OAL Software List.

     
    • Microsoft Office
    • AutoDesk Suite
    • Maple
    • MATLAB
    • Solidworks
    • SAS
    • SPSS 25

    NOTE: Due to licensing restrictions,  the Adobe Suite software is NOT available to use on VOAL machines.

     

    Login information:

    To login to VOAL, you will need your NetID and your NetID password. To log in, visit http://voal.tamu.edu.

  • TAMU-OAL - Connecting to the Virtual Open Access Labs (VOAL) from Windows with Horizon

    The Virtual Open Access Labs (VOAL) is a program that offers the amenities of the Open Access Labs (OAL), combined with the convenience of your personal computer, allowing you to connect to the Windows computers of the OAL remotely from your PC or Mac. Once logged in, you will see your personalized desktop, complete with OAL software as if you were using one of the lab’s computers. When using the VOAL, you will also be able to access your home drive to retrieve personal, academic or web page files.

    This document will provide information regarding how to access VOAL from any computer that runs a Windows operating system using client software which works independently of your web browser.  Using the Horizon client to access VOAL offers a feature rich experience and allows interaction with devices connected to your local computer.

    The following credential information will be needed to connect to the VOAL from Windows:

    Username: your NetID
    Password: your NetID password

    NOTE: YOUR NETID MUST BE ENROLLED IN DUO TO USE VOAL! Enroll at https://duo.tamu.edu if you have not done so.

    Installation and Use of the Horizon Client

    Note: Local administrative rights are needed to install the Horizon Client on your computer. Installation will require a reboot.

     
    1. Visit https://connect.voal.tamu.edu in a web browser.
       
    2. Click "Download VMware Horizon Client"

       
    3. Find the Horizon Client for Windows section and click "Go to Downloads"

       
    4. Click "Download"

       
    5. Choose "Run" to run the installer once it finishes downloading.  This may vary based on what browser is being used.

       
    6. Click "Agree and Install".

       
    7. Click "Finish"

       
    8. Allow the computer to restart.

       
    9. After your computer restarts, you can access the Horizon client from the desktop shortcut or from your Start Menu.

       
    10. Click "New Server"

       
    11. Enter https://connect.voal.tamu.edu as the server name.

       
    12. Read and accept the disclaimer.

       
    13. Enter your NetID in the User Name field, NetID password in the passcode field, and click "Login"

       
    14. DUO PROMPT
      IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED YOUR NETID WITH THE TAMU DUO SERVICE FOR MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION, you will receive an ACCESS DENIED message. Visit https://duo.tamu.edu to learn how to enroll in DUO.
      IF YOU HAVE registered with the TAMU DUO service, you will be presented with the prompt below.  The number you type depends on how you have set up DUO.  In most cases, you'll enter "1" and click "Login".  Check your DUO enabled device and accept the DUO prompt. For more information about DUO, visit https://gateway.tamu.edu/duo-enroll/.

       
    15. If you would like to add the VOAL application icons to your computer's Start Menu, you can click "Yes".  Otherwise, click "No". 

       
    16. The client will load the desktops and applications available.

       
    17. Once you are finished using a desktop, please click the Options menu at the top left and choose "Disconnect and Log Off".  If using an application, simply close the application.

  • TAMU-OAL - Connecting to the Virtual Open Access Labs (VOAL) from a Browser

    The Virtual Open Access Labs (VOAL) is a program that offers the amenities of the Open Access Labs (OAL), combined with the convenience of your personal computer, allowing you to connect to the Windows computers of the OAL remotely from your PC or Mac. Once logged in, you will see your personalized desktop, complete with OAL software as if you were using one of the lab’s computers. When using the VOAL, you will also be able to access your home drive to retrieve personal, academic or web page files.

    This document will provide information regarding how to access VOAL from a web browser. 

    The following credential information will be needed to connect to the VOAL from Windows:

    Username: your NetID
    Password: your NetID password

    NOTE: YOUR NETID MUST BE ENROLLED IN DUO TO USE VOAL!  Enroll at https://duo.tamu.edu if you have not done so.

    Using VOAL from a Web Browser

     
    1. Visit https://connect.voal.tamu.edu in your web browser.  Click "VMware Horizon Web Access".

       
    2. Read and accept the disclaimer.

       
    3. Enter your NetID in the username field, NetID password in the passcode field, and click "Login"

       
    4. DUO PROMPT
      IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED YOUR NETID WITH THE TAMU DUO SERVICE FOR MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION, you will receive an ACCESS DENIED message.  Visit https://duo.tamu.edu to learn how to enroll in DUO.
      IF YOU HAVE registered with the TAMU DUO service, you will be presented with a prompt below.  The number you type depends on how you have set up DUO.  In most cases, you'll enter "1" and click "Continue".  Check your DUO enabled device and accept the DUO prompt.  

       
    5. You will then be presented with the desktop(s) and remote applications that you are entitled to access.  

       
    6. When you are finished using the desktop, save your work.  Click the slider on the left of the screen, click on the desktop you are using, and choose "Log Off".  

      Alternatively, you can use the virtual desktop's regular Start Menu interface to log off.
       
    7. If prompted, click OK to log off.

  • TAMU-OAL - Connecting to the Virtual Open Access Labs (VOAL) from a Mac with Horizon

    The Virtual Open Access Labs (VOAL) is a program that offers the amenities of the Open Access Labs (OAL), combined with the convenience of your personal computer, allowing you to connect to the Windows computers of the OAL remotely from your PC or Mac. Once logged in, you will see your personalized desktop, complete with OAL software as if you were using one of the lab’s computers. When using the VOAL, you will also be able to access your home drive to retrieve personal, academic or web page files.

    This document will provide information regarding how to access VOAL from any computer that runs a Windows operating system using client software which works independently of your web browser. Using the Horizon client to access VOAL offers a feature rich experience and allows interaction with devices connected to your local computer.

    The following credential information will be needed to connect to the VOAL from Windows:

    Username: your NetID
    Password: your NetID password

    NOTE: YOUR NETID MUST BE ENROLLED IN DUO TO USE VOAL! Enroll at https://duo.tamu.edu if you have not done so.

    Installation of the Horizon Client

    Note: Local administrative rights are needed to install the Horizon Client on your computer.

     
    1. Visit https://connect.voal.tamu.edu in a web browser.

       
    2. Locate the download for your operating system and click "Go to Downloads", then click "Download"
    3. Read and accept the agreement.

       
    4. Drag the VMware Horizon client icon to the Application Folder

       
    5. Click "New Server" and enter https://connect.voal.tamu.edu as the server name.

       
    6. Read and accept the authorized use agreement.

       
    7. Enter your NetID as the username, your NetID password as the passcode, and click "Login".

       
    8. DUO PROMPT
      IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED YOUR NETID WITH THE TAMU DUO SERVICE FOR MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION, you will receive an ACCESS DENIED message. Visit https://duo.tamu.edu to learn how to enroll in DUO.
      IF YOU HAVE registered with the TAMU DUO service, you will be presented with a prompt below. The number you type depends on how you have set up DUO. In most cases, you'll enter "1" as the tokencode and click "Login". Check your DUO enabled device and accept the DUO prompt. For more information, visit https://gateway.tamu.edu/duo-enroll/.

       
    9. The client will load the desktops and applications available.
    10. When finished, save all work and log off of the desktop.  If using an application, simply close the application.
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Computer Support
The "Computer Support" Service Offering allows for incidents about computer labs, Linux systems, Mac systems, Windows systems, and virtual desktops as well as requests regarding software and system updates.