Connecting to Citrix Using the Web Interface on a PC

Overview

To connect to Citrix using a PC, you need to install a small Citrix Web Client for the PC.  Once installed, the client will automatically map your local drives and printers so they are available to you while in the Citrix session. 

Instructions

  1. Using a brower, connect to http://www.ab.edu/mydesktop and click on the link to take you to the Citrix login screen.

  2. To connect to Citrix-delivered applications, you will need to install a Citrix client.  (This only needs to be done the first time you connect.)  In the lower right corner of the page, there will be a message that directs you to download and install the web client for Citrix.  After you click the link to the Citrix Metaframe Client and install it, it may tell you that you might need to restart your browser but this isn't usually necessary.


  3. Go back to the page and log in with your A-B College active directory username and password (this is your ABCollege domain username and password you use to log in on the Campus computers).



  4. An area will appear with all of the published software that you have rights to use. Click on the icon of the application you wish to use. If you wish to use the A-B College desktop, you will click on the application labeled as either "Faculty Staff Desktop" or "Student Desktop".

  5. If you click on one of the icons, a number of connection dialog windows will come up and the application will start. Usually the A-B College desktop will run as "full screen", meaning the desktop will look and feel like it is running on your local computer. You can change this behavior by setting "Window Size" properties accessible by clicking on the preferences icon at the top of the Applications window.

  6. IMPORTANT!   When connected to a Citrix session, the server automatically maps drives back to the local hard drives (in the computer physically in front of you) so that you can open and save files locally while in the Citrix session.  When you log on you will be asked for permission to access your local hard drive.  Once the drives are mapped, your local drives will appear as “C$ on Client (C:\)” and "D$ on Client (D:/)" and so on in the Citrix session.  For further explanation on how to handle documents while in a Citrix session, click here .

  7. IMPORTANT!   When using the Citrix Web Client, most local printers (printers connected to the computer in front of you) will be automatically mapped and set as your default printer in the Citrix session (NOTE: some operating systems do not easily map local printers). If you are using a dialup internet connection, printing to a local printer can be very slow, so use caution. Remember, if you save your documents to the "My Documents" folder on the Citrix server, you can always access and print your document from any campus computer.

  8. When you log out of the Citrix Desktop and return to the Applications web page, you are still authenticated to the Citrix server. If you wish to connect to another Citrix session, you may do so at this time.  Otherwise, click “log out” in the web interface.

  9. If you get disconnected from an application while working in a Citrix session (for example, you lose your dialup connection), you have a few minutes to get reconnected to the application before you will lose your work. Simply reconnect to the internet, log in again from http://www.ab.edu/abdesktop. Once you log in you will either be automatically reconnected to your application or you can click on the reconnect button. You will be right back where you were working. If you delay too long in getting reconnected to the application, you will lose your work. DISCLAIMER: A-B College cannot be responsible for any work lost due to disconnection from a Citrix session or any other failure while using Citrix Web Access.