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Reference articleQUICK GUIDE - Onboarding for End-users

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QUICK GUIDE - Onboarding for End-users

This quick guide provides an overview of the steps to get started with Tehama and connect to a virtual desktop.

Before proceeding, check out if this guide is for you at Who should use this guide?

Then read a brief explanation of Tehama and virtual desktops at What is Tehama? What is a Virtual Desktop?

Ready to start using Tehama? Follow these steps to onboard and connect to a Tehama virtual desktop.

Who should use this guide?

This guide is geared towards getting end-users of Tehama, users who connect to virtual desktops to do work, up and running quickly.

Use this guide if you:

  • have received an automated welcome email inviting you to join Tehama,
  • are logging in to Tehama for the first time, and
  • want to connect to a Tehama Virtual Desktop to perform your work.

What is Tehama? What is a virtual desktop?

Tehama is a platform that provides Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS). It is a simplified way to provide end-users like you with desktops - remote virtual desktops.

A virtual desktop is a computer that is running in the cloud. Tehama allows you to access this virtual desktop from your physical computer, letting you view and interact with the virtual desktop using the screen, mouse and keyboard of your physical device.

The work you do on a virtual desktop is kept separate from your physical computer. This means no files or applications you interact with are stored or running on your physical computer. This makes it easier for your organization to manage tools you need to do your work, and helps them keep important data safe.

Tehama provides remote virtual Windows desktops and remote virtual Ubuntu-Linux desktops. Sessions on these virtual desktops are accessed through a "Tehama Client" which you install on your computer (the one physically in front of you).

Your employer will create a Tehama virtual desktop for you. You can log in to it securely from your employer’s corporate Tehama Portal, accessible through the Tehama web interface.

(1) Check system requirements

This step ensures your browser and devices (your host device and a secondary device for authentication, if necessary) meet Tehama's system requirements.

(a) Choose a browser from which to log in to your corporate Tehama Portal:

(b) If you opt to use Tehama native Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), you will require a secondary device capable of running an authenticator application, for example Google Authenticator:

(c) Ensure that the physical computer (the host device) from which you intend to connect to your Tehama remote virtual desktop, meets the requirements of the Tehama Client. (Your employer may have provided you with a corporate device for this purpose. If not, you may need to select a host device yourself.) See the requirements listed at the following link:

(2) Join Tehama

This step logs you in to your corporate Tehama Portal for the first time, setting up your login credentials and your user profile details.

Your employer will have chosen which method you will use to log in. Determine which method you need to follow based on the type of link in your welcome email, and your own options.

Open up your "You have been invited to join the Tehama organization ..." email. Click on the link provided in the email to start the process of joining Tehama. (Be sure to open the link in a browser supported by Tehama. See Step 1.)

You will be prompted along through the process.

Read through the options below, and follow the instructions for the option that is right for you:

  • If your "You have been invited ..." email contains:

    • a link inviting you to log in to Tehama through your Identity Provider account, or
    • a link inviting you to create an Identity Provider account

    Then go to Set up Corporate (SSO) Authentication. This type of login uses your corporate login to access Tehama through Single-Sign On (SSO).

  • If your "You have been invited ..." email contains:

    • a let's get started link, for Staff members, or
    • an Accept invitation link, for Org Manager and Room Manager members

    Then choose one of the following two options:

    Note: Once selected, this choice is permanent. You will not be able to switch from one to the other.

(3) Install the Tehama Client

This step walks you through installing the "Tehama Client".

You need to install the "Tehama Client" on each physical device from which you plan to connect to your Tehama desktop.

Download the appropriate client installation bundle (depending on your device type) from your corporate Tehama Portal, and follow the instructions for installation found below.

Periodically check the portal for updated versions the client and re-install as necessary. (The following instructions go through uninstalling and reinstalling the client.)

Follow the client download and installation instructions for your device type:

(4) Connect to your Tehama virtual desktop

This step tells you how to connect to your Tehama virtual desktop.

From your host device, the one you installed the Tehama Client on:

  1. Log in to your corporate Tehama portal (on one of the supported browsers).

  2. Click on the DESKTOPS tab in the navigation bar. You will see the DESKTOPS page.

  3. Locate the desktop you wish to connect to in the list of desktops on the page.

    Most end-users will have just one desktop assigned to them. If you have more than one and are uncertain of the purpose of each, talk to your employer.

  4. Click on the CONNECT button for your desktop. The PREPARING YOUR DESKTOP dialog will appear. Your desktop is waking up and getting ready to be launched.

  5. Wait until the LAUNCHING YOUR DESKTOP dialog appears.

    At this point, your desktop is launching, through the Tehama Client on your device. This may take a number of minutes.

    You will see a message asking you to allow the Tehama application that launches the Desktop to open. You must allow the application to open, in order to launch your Desktop.
    • On Mac:
      Message: "Open Tehama.app?".
      Click on Open Tehama.app to allow the app to open.
    • On Linux:
      Message: "Open xdb-open?".
      Click on Open xdb-open to allow the app to open.
    • On Windows:
      Message: "Open Microsoft© Windows Based Script Host".
      Click on Open Microsoft© Windows Based Script Host to allow the app to open.

    Optional: Check the box beside the "Always allow <your corporate portal> to open links of this type in the associated app", before clicking on the Open button, to permanently allow the application to open without having to see this message again.


  6. Wait until your virtual desktop interface appears.

    You will be automatically logged in to your virtual desktop with secure temporary credentials created by Tehama just for this desktop session. The interface to your virtual desktop is displayed to you by the Tehama Client.

Welcome to your first Tehama virtual desktop session!

You can find desktop connectivity troubleshooting tips here:

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