Windows Virtual Desktop

Service Description

The service provides a managed, remotely accessible virtual Windows desktop. This allows members of the University to access University software and services from anywhere with a compatible device.

Features

  • Cloud-hosted, remotely-accessible Windows 10 desktop
  • Student-focussed desktop pre-installed with common cluster-room PC software
  • Staff-focussed desktop pre-installed with common enterprise applications
    such as SAP GUI
  • Access to University file store including home folder (H: drive)
  • Accessible from any location with a device that supports the remote access application

Users

The Windows Virtual Desktop service is available to registered staff and students.

Level of Service

The service is provided by Microsoft Azure and is bound by the Azure Windows Virtual Desktop and Azure Virtual Machines service level agreements. NUIT provides a monthly availability target for the service of 99.5% which is measured against the following:

Service Component

Measure

Desktop Access 

The desktop can be connected to by the Remote Desktop application.

Campus Connectivity

Resources on-campus (e.g. file store, SAP) can be reached from the virtual desktop.

In the event of the service failing to meet these targets on at least 3 out of any 5 consecutive months a Service Improvement Plan will be put into place.

Availability measurements exclude service interruption resulting from:

  • Scheduled maintenance windows.
  • Customer’s failure to make use of the service as specified in the service definition. · Customer’s failure to adhere to University IT Policies.
  • Customer’s failure to follow configuration requirements for the Service as documented, or abusive behaviour, or faulty input.
  • Use of the service outside of the scope and limits provided by the Microsoft Azure SLAs.

Support and Documentation

Documentation and other support resources are available at the Windows Virtual Desktop knowledge webpages.

Additional support is available via the IT Service Desk on 0191 208 5999 or https://nuservice.ncl.ac.uk

All incidents relating to this service will be handled according to the NUIT Incident Management and Major Incident Management processes.

Request Process

Provisioning: No special request to use this service is required; it is available to any staff or student member of the University.

User Responsibility

It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that they follow the IT Rules of Use