A system includes a virtual desktop server having a first processor and a photonics module. The photonics module includes a photonics interface connected to the first processor and connected to a photonics device via an optical channel, and a photonics controller having a second processor and a memory storing computer executable code. The code, when executed at the second processor, is configured to: control the photonics interface to receive first electronic signals from the first processor; convert the received first electronic signals to first optical signals; control the photonics interface to transmit the first optical signals to the photonics device via the optical channel; control the photonics interface to receive second optical signals from the photonics device via the optical channel; convert the received second optical signals to second electronic signals; and control the photonics interface to transmit the second electronic signals to the first processor.