We have to use these virtual desktops at school to use certain programs and I do not understand how they work. Is there a secret computer stored somewhere deep in the depths of one of our school? How many people can access the virtual desktop at one time? I checked the IP of my computer vs the remote desktop and they’re different. Basically, this “computer-ception” is hurting my brain.
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There is a not-so-secret computer stored somewhere that may or may not be at your school. It’s called a server. A server is just a computer that primarily “serves” client computers. Client computers are the kind you’re familiar with. A virtual desktop is just a way of operating the server remotely using a desktop environment.
The basic premises of virtual desktop is “Virtual Machine”. At the basic level, you can create one in [VirtualBox](https://www.virtualbox.org/). (Example: [https://itsfoss.com/install-linux-in-virtualbox/](https://itsfoss.com/install-linux-in-virtualbox/))
Now, put this Virtual Machine somewhere else – on either a school own-server, or more commonly a cloud-based server by a third-party provider (eg: put it somewhere on Google) that you can remote in, and you have your virtual desktop.
As to how many people can access the virtual desktop: In properly configure version, that particular virtual desktop is tied to your school comptuer account. Otherwise it just exist as a file on that server/cloud and thus save processing power. (If you want to understand this concept: continue above experiment, but now create more virtual machine. Compare between activating only 1, vs activate 4 in total).
Or in details: just like a web server, many people can access the server, but they will receive their own copy of virtual desktop. Kind of like Reddit!
Yes there is another computer somewhere else (a server) that runs your virtual desktop. But each desktop is a virtual machine which means one physical server can simulate multiple separate computers. That server is more powerful and expensive than a normal computer but it can run many virtual desktops and is also stored in a secure location so the expensive machine with your important data stored on it doesn’t get broken, or stolen, and if it needs repairs it’s easy for your IT people to locate it and fix it. Also if it breaks some of the functions can often be transferred to a different server to minimize interruptions.
The Virtual Desktop is on a server, which is basically a computer that has been built specifically to run lots of Virtual Desktops. You are accessing it, likely, on a much smaller and cheaper computer. Usually the one you are using is nothing more than a network connection, juuuuuuust enough of a CPU to handle the network connection and monitors, and a couple USB outlets for your mouse and keyboard.
This is an extremely common setup in schools especially. Rather than spending thousands each for computers, they can spend ten thousand for the server, then a couple hundred for the computers. On top of that, if you break your computer it is much cheaper and easier to replace. Further, the virtual setup allows administrators much deeper control over what you can and can’t do, which is always useful for school computers.
Finally, your question was about IP addresses and how many people can use the same desktop at any given time. Theoretically there isn’t an upper limit on who can be using the same desktop at any time. Realistically though, that’s limited by the system administrators and by the number of connections that server can actually hold.
For the IP address question, your school likely uses DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol). This means that your school has a limited number of IP addresses, and gives them out whenever you need them, then takes them back to give someone else. If you disconnect and reconnect your computer you should likely see that your IP address has changed. Static IPs (that don’t change) are often reserved for shared resources like the server or a printer.
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