Panther Virtual Desktop (Panther Cloud) – Lab Access Quick Reference

Intended Audience: Students and Faculty

Summary

The Panther Virtual Desktop (Panther Cloud) is the updated and rebranded version of PVAMU’s Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). It provides secure, flexible access to PVAMU applications and resources from campus computer labs or any compatible device (PC, Mac, iOS, or Android).

Panther Cloud makes software that was once restricted to departmental labs available anywhere, anytime. It is especially useful for accessing resource-intensive and storage-heavy applications (such as SPSS, MATLAB, AutoCAD, or ArcGIS) that may not run smoothly on personal devices. Think of it as a “cloud computer” that gives you the full lab desktop experience wherever you are.

Problem

In the past, PVAMU relied on Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) through the VMware Horizon client. While functional, access was limited and often tied to specific lab machines.

Now rebranded and updated as Panther Cloud, the platform expands availability and provides a consistent, secure environment for students, faculty, and staff. Traditional lab desktops once required you to be physically present and limited the ability to run resource-intensive or storage-heavy applications unless you had expensive hardware.

With Panther Cloud, those applications are now available anywhere, on almost any device.
👉 Do you need VPN? No. Panther Cloud already provides a secure connection, so VPN is not required.

Solution

Panther Cloud allows students and faculty to log in with their PVAMU credentials and access a secure, personalized desktop environment optimized for applications that require significant computing power or storage capacity.

✅ Example Use Cases

• A College of Business student runs SPSS or Stata from their dorm laptop without needing to install them.

• An engineering student uses AutoCAD or MATLAB on their personal device — Panther Cloud’s servers handle the heavy processing and storage requirements.

Steps

Getting started with Panther Cloud is simple. Use the steps below to log in, access your virtual desktop, and launch the applications you need.

When you log into Panther Cloud, you’ll first see the VMware Horizon login screen:

• On-campus (labs): The Horizon login screen will appear automatically when you log in at a campus lab computer.

• Off-campus or personal devices (PC, Mac, iOS, Android):

  • Download the VMware Horizon Client for your device, or

  • Use the VMware Horizon Web Login Portal in your browser.

💡 Tip: If you’re off campus, bookmark https://view.pvamu.edu for quick access.

Once there, follow these steps:

Steps to Access Lab Virtual Desktops

1. Enter Credentials

   • At the VMware Horizon login screen, enter your User Name and Password (same as PantherTracks).

2. Verify MFA

   • Approve your login using the mobile app or a voice call. (SMS/text MFA does not work.)

3. Select Virtual Machine

   • Choose General User VM from the list of available desktops.

4. Accept Logon Banner

   • When the Logon Banner appears, click OK to continue.

5. Profile Setup

   • The system will load your profile. The screen may briefly turn black—this is normal. Wait until the desktop appears.

6. Launch Applications

   • Click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner to view and open installed applications.

7. Sign Out When Finished

   • Always sign out after use:

     • Click the Windows icon,

     • Select your profile photo/initials,

     • Choose Sign Out.

Technical Troubleshooting

⚠️ Black Screen Persists

• Wait at least 2–3 minutes; the system may still be loading your profile.

• If it does not resolve, sign out and try again.

🔐 MFA Prompt Not Working

• Ensure your MFA is set to mobile app or voice call. SMS does not work.

• If your device isn’t receiving prompts, check your internet connection or re-register your MFA method.

📦 Applications Missing

• Some apps may be tied to your college or program. Contact the Service Desk if you believe software should be available to you.

🌐 Off-Campus Access Issues

• Confirm you are connected to the internet with a stable connection.

• VPN is not required, but if problems continue, restart your device and relaunch VMware Horizon or the web client.

Tips

👉 MFA Reminder: Verify your MFA app or voice option works before entering the lab.
⏳ Be Patient: Don’t restart if the screen goes black—it’s just processing your profile.
💾 Save Smart: Always save work to OneDrive or SharePoint, not the lab desktop.