This article is for candidates.
The Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) feature allows you to access and use external software and tools, such as Excel, during your exam while remaining in lockdown mode. This enables you to write answers in the external program and then upload the file into Inspera via an Upload Assignment question.
- The VDI solution only works on PC or Mac computers at the moment. It can not be used on Chromebooks.
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Depending on what VDI solution your institution uses, the look and process may vary. In the example below, we use Appstream as our VDI solution.
Starting a test with VDI
- Sign in to Inspera Assessment as usual. The test will show up under the My tests tab.
- Select Click here to get ready.
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If you do not already have SEB installed on your computer, download SEB by clicking Download. (Learn more about how to install SEB)
If you already have SEB installed on your computer, click Start test in Safe Exam Browser.
- Enter the SEB password. Two separate windows will now open.
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Start the test in VDI by clicking Start exam on Virtual Machine in the left window.
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Log into the VDI solution with your email and password in the right window.
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Click Copy the URL to this test in the left window.
- A confirmation box will pop up, confirming that the url was successfully copied. Close this box to continue.
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Click the copy symbol in the upper menu of the right window and click Paste to remote session.
Note that if using another VDI solution than Appstream, then this might be located somewhere else.
- Paste the url to the text box that pops up, then also paste it to the browser.
- You can now start the test.
Taking a test with VDI
When you sign into Inspera and successfully start the test in the VDI, the test can be done as usual in the browser, but there will also be some functionalities available in the VDI which differ from a regular Inspera test without VDI.
As you may be using another VDI than the one used in the example (AppStream), we can not provide specific information about how the navigation experience will be. Here are some instructions of what to think about when doing a test in VDI:
- The candidate can use approved apps in the VDI, by using the upper menu in the right window. It may be a good idea to include instructions about how to use the apps and what apps are available in the Inspera test. In the example in this article, FireFox, LibreOfficeCalc and Visual Studio Code are available.
- The candidate can see notifications by clicking the bell symbol on the upper right of the left window. Only messages in the active session are displayed.
- The candidate can change settings via the gear symbol on the upper right of the left window.
Submitting a test with VDI
- When you have finished the test, it can be submitted as usual by clicking Submit at the end of the test.
- Quit Safe Exam Browser by clicking the bottom right on/off button.