Quick Start

Available to: Faculty, Researchers, Staff, Departments

Cost: See Cost details, below.

Windows Virtual Labs offers virtual Windows desktops and application, centrally hosted in Microsoft’s Azure cloud environment and managed by IS&T. Windows Virtual Labs can be customized to meet a variety of needs, including access to specialized applications.

Benefits

Windows Virtual Labs provides access to a scalable, flexible, and securely managed pool of virtual Windows desktops. Virtual Labs are configured and maintained for you, reducing time and effort related to maintaining a physical lab. Virtual desktops ensure users are presented with the same experience each time they log in.

Key Features

  • High availability access to Windows based applications.
  • Scalable desktop performance for demanding applications.
  • Central management of patches and security updates.
  • Azure Virtual Desktop supports virtualizing both full desktops or individual applications.
    • Full Desktops offer a familiar Windows environment that can be fully customized with installed applications or security policies to meet your needs. This service ensures users are presented with the same experience each time they log in.
    • Virtualized Applications allow for Windows applications to run on a wide variety of devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The applications are available from anywhere and are maintained centrally.
    • Customizations, software installations (with appropriate license), upgrades, or modifications to your pool can be accommodated by requesting changes from IS&T.
  • Virtual Desktops can be sized appropriately to your specific application, ranging from small, efficient machines to high performance, graphics-heavy instances. Access to a virtual pool can be restricted by security group as needed.

What to Expect

IS&T employs a change management policy that governs planned changes that will disrupt, or have the potential to disrupt, services. Virtual Desktop services are normally available 24/7 except for standard change windows, as described in IS&T’s standard policies, procedures, and schedules for making changes. You will receive notice at least three days in advance of a planned outage. In the event of an unplanned outage, every effort will be made to provide timely notification.

Requirements

  • Request must be supported by a school, college, department, or research project.
  • An active BU login name and Kerberos password.
  • Microsoft Remote Desktop application, available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Installation instructions can be found on the BU Common from Anywhere page.

Cost

  • Costs vary based on consumption. Please contact us for a consultation and estimate.

Getting Started

  • Submit a request for a Virtual Lab pool.
  • Upon receipt, IS&T will review your request and work with you to build your environment.