Archive for the ‘Tips and Tricks’ Category

Info (Updated): IGEL Universal Desktop OS 5.08.100 will not work on Microsoft Hyper-V anymore

Monday, December 14th, 2015

Hi Folks,

if you used the IGEL Universal Deskop OS as virtual Test/Demo System together with a Microsoft Hyper-V Server, please note that this will not work anymore after updated to Version 5.08.100. The VM will not boot…

So if you still want to use it on Hyper-V you have to stay on the 5.07.100 Version.

Update: This will be fixed with an private build, please contact the IGEL Support to receive the update!

Cheers

Michael

Tip: How to detect the used monitor connectors thru the IGEL Linux

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

Hi Folks,

you need to figure out the names of the used Monitor connectors (DVI, Displayport, HDMI or VGA) and/or you run into issues if you want to configure the display setup by your own and never got it to work?

Open the IGEL Setup and create a Terminal Session in Accessories, make sure that the Display Setup is fully set to Auto in the User interface configuration.

Now start the Terminal Session and login as root, enter the command: “xrandr -q”; this will give you a list which Monitor connectors are used and the supported resolutions. Now you can configure your display setup as required.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Best Citrix Receiver support in town, IGEL LX/OS 5.06.10x

Monday, May 18th, 2015

Hello Folks,

maybe you used already the Citrix Receiver Switch in IGEL Linux Firmwares before Version 5.06.10x.

This old switch allowed you to switch between Citrix Receiver 12 and 13 and this was already really a unique feature. Since Version 5.06.10x you can switch between three Receiver Version, this allows you to choose the Receiver Version which works best for your requirements but you should note a few things.
From the release notes:

– Removed parameter “ica.useversion13″. Parameter was replaced by ica.activeversion
– Added parameter “ica.activeversion”, which is available in the registry and on page “Citrix > Citrix Receiver Selection”
in setup/UMS. This parameter is set to “Default” by default, which means that the used Citrix Receiver version is
the recommended version for the particular firmware version (in this firmware it is Receiver 13.1.3).
It is possible to change this behavior by pinpointing a specific Receiver version here, but if a later firmware
version does not contain the chosen version, the default version of this later firmware will be used instead.
CAUTION: Please note that the default version up to this firmware was 12.1.8 for a long time now.
With this firmware release, it switches to 13.1.3. You have to change “ica.activeversion” if you insist on
continuing to use Receiver 12.1.8.

This means, if you want to configure this thru the UMS the old Profiles will not work!!! You need to create a new profile for the new 5.06.10x firmware and than you are required to make the configuration thru System->Registry. Be warned, if you not perform this configuration in advance it can happen that the User is not able to connect to your Citrix environment. Tip: You can assign the old configuration (optimized for the Firmware < 5.06.100) and the new configuration at the same time thru the UMS. The firmware will choose the right setting by there own.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Having trouble with Remote Desktop Gateway and IGEL Linux V5.. Ask for a trial firmware.

Tuesday, March 24th, 2015

Hi Folks,

a User reported that IGEL has a none public Firmware Version 5.05.250 for the LX based devices available which fixes a few issues with the Remote Desktop Gateway access. We got this as email regarding the fact that some of our FAQ’s did not solve an issue for a user and i believe this do may apply also for other users.

This beta Firmware comes also with an updated Citrix Receiver 13.1.2.295815 but from the release notes it doesn’t support the new UD6 Hardware (iam not sure if this is a mistake).

To get the firmware you should get in contact with the IGEL Support but please note that this is not an official release.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Still using IGEL LX/OS Version 4.x.x and require SHA2 or Storefront support for Citrix ICA sessions?

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015

Hi Folks,

i know a couple of customers and users are waiting for this, so if you still have older IGEL UDx-x2x and UDx-x3x running IGEL LX Version 4.x.x or migrated 3rd Party devices (migrated with the Universal Desktop Converter Version 1) you can now use SHA2 certificates and Citrix Storefront with the latest Version 4.14.100.

Please be aware: Read the disclaimer coming with the new firmware release, it’s very important for devices coming with only a 512MB HDD/CF-Card! Also the “old” hidden failback switch (mentioned here) to select between different Citrix Receiver 12 Versions is obsolete with Firmware 4.14.100, you can now switch  between Citrix Receiver Version 12 and 13!

For the Storefront Setup you can use our Whitepaper here, only the local Client screens will look a little bit different regarding the GUI difference between Linux V4 and V5.

Cheers
Michael

Tip: Business Card Scanners for Linux / MacOSX in virtual environments and without USB Redirection.

Monday, February 9th, 2015

Hi Folks,

from time to time customers are asking what type of Business Card Scanners can be used with the IGEL Linux or any other “none” Windows Client devices together with XenApp or Microsoft Remote Desktop Services. Typical these customers don’t want to deal with USB Redirection (XenApp 7.x or Microsoft Remote FX) or don’t have USB Redirection available (XenApp <=6.5 / Windows Terminal Server <= Windows 2008 R2)

If you run in a situation like this you should look out for solutions like IRIS Card Anywhere (Canon). Devices working in the same way don’t need a “special” driver installed, they come with an internal memory or SD-Card and can be used like an regular USB Memory and this means: It can be used with Windows, Linux, MacOSX or an Android Tablet providing a USB Port. Disadvantage: They are a little bit more expensive but if you calculate the work to get a driver installed or deployed in your environment than you will have a much cheaper TCO.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: I used the IRIS Card as sample regarding my past experience, it’s not an advertisement. 🙂 In any way there are several solutions out there and you should test it in advance and before ordering a bunch of these devices. 😉

Tip: Flashplayer 16, Citrix HDX Flash redirection and Linux based Thin Clients

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

Hello Folks,

the Flashplayer 16 plugin  now comes in two plugin versions (NPAPI and PPAPI), one for Chrome and one for Firefox… Both Plugins will currently not work with HDX Flash Redirection for Linux based Thin Clients.

To get it working you need to perform the configuration settings from an older article here in the blog and you have now to install the following Flash Players to the VM / Terminal Server / Thin Client.

Follow these steps:

1) Install the Flash Player 15 Plugin (not the ActiveX Plugin!) to the VDI/Terminal Server (download can be found in the flash player archive)
2) Install the Flash Player 16 ActiveX Plugin to the VDI/Terminal Server
3) Disable Flash Player Updates in the system control
4) Perform the configurations to the registry mentioned here: HDX Flash Tweaks
5) Deploy the Flash Player for Linux to the IGEL LX/OS based devices and make sure HDX Flash Redirection is enabled in the Sessions->Citrix->ICA Global configuration!
6) Make sure the Citrix Policies for the Flash redirection are in place incl. the website compatibility Policy!!

That’s it!

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: I forgot… Install the Internet Explorer 11 or any other HTML 5 enabled browser if you want to watch youtube and kick out any Flash Player in your environment! This is the best multimedia support.. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Do you believe i hate flash? Yes, you’re right but iam sorry to say that we currently still have to live it. 🙁 🙁

P.S.2: Perform the steps in the order like shown! Tested with XenDesktop 7.5 and XenApp 6.5.

Tip: Workaround for NumLock issues in Citrix Session with the IGEL Linux

Monday, November 24th, 2014

H Folks,

maybe you run into an issue that the NumLock Key is partial not working in a ICA Session if you’re using the Citrix Receiver for Linux.

To fix create a new profile  or open the local setup at the IGEL and browse to System->Firmware Customizations->Custom Commands->Desktop Commands and add the following line to the Custom Command Desktop Final Area:

xmodmap -e 'remove mod2 = Num_Lock'

Close the setup and apply the configurations or assign the profile to the affected devices.

After a reboot the issue should be gone but please note, the NumLock key will be not available for local Applications if used. This is only a temporary work around until this behavior is fixed with newer Citrix Receiver Versions.

Cheers

Michael

Whitepaper: IGEL Linux and USB Redirection Guide

Saturday, November 8th, 2014

Hi Folks,

if you are looking for some information’s how to setup USB redirection with the IGEL Linux and/or you need a few more facts around USB redirections than this Whitepaper could be right for you: IGEL Linux and USB Redirection Guide

Have Fun and a nice weekend!

Michael

Solution: Using the IGEL Universal Management Suite on Linux Servers with upstart (for example Ubuntu 14.04)

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

Hello Folks,

if you are using a new Linux distribution like Ubuntu 14.04 you maybe run into the issue that the Universal Management Suite background service will not start after a reboot.

Reason for this is a new system to start these services coming with newer Distributions and currently (> UMS Version 4.07.110) the IGEL UMS installer for Linux seams to be not able to handle upstart.

The fix for this issue is quite simple… Open a terminal session (command line) and enter the following commands.

cd /etc/init
sudo nano igelRMserver.conf

Now enter the following code lines, in this sample i use the editor nano but you can also use any other editor like vi.


#Start igelRMserver daemon
start on runlevel [2345]
stop on runlevel [016]
exec /etc/init.d/igelRMserver start

 

Important: The code is case sensitive! Save the igelRMserver.conf and reboot the system, the Service should work now and the UMS is available.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Maybe IGEL will add this to the installer in the future.. 😉

Info (updated): IGEL Linux and Shellshock security issue

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Hello Folks,

already a few days the Linux/MacOSX Shellshock issue is sneaking around the internet, one question: Is the IGEL Linux affected?

Here is the answer: Yes

All IGEL Linux Version up to Firmware 5.04.100 have a Bash Version lower than 4.3 installed, means all these systems are affected.

You can check this quite easy with the command “bash –version”

or enter the following comand in a Terminal Session:

test=”() { echo Hello; }; echo Hacked” bash -c “”

Is it critical? Depends on your configuration, by default the IGEL System is very secure and the regular user don’t have any option to gain access to the command line or to a configuration to enter these “variable” hacks. So as long the user can not access the command line nothing will happen, there is no webserver or similar to sneak in with some dirty “cheats”.

So we classify this issue as “Low” for a regular configured IGEL Linux based Thin Client.

I will update you and provide a fix asap for the x86 based Linux (iam sorry but i don’t have a ARM platform to provide a ARM compiled bash replacement), these fix can be used until IGEL will release a firmware update to fix this issue.

Update: IGEL has released fixed firmwares for all current devices.

Cheers

Michael

Release: Pidgin Multichat Tool for the IGEL Linux (LX/OS) x86 custom partition package

Thursday, September 18th, 2014

Hello Folks,

after some time I would like to introduce a new custom partition sample package for the IGEL Linux, this time it’s the Pidgin Multichat Tool.

pidgin

 

cloud-client.info Pidgin custom partition sample
———————————————————

Version: 1.0.0

Release Date: 18.09.2014

Copyright 2014 cloud-client.info

EMail: blog@cloud-client.info

For use with IGEL Universal Management Suite 4.07.110 or higher only!

Tested with IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS Firmware 5.04.100

WARNING: ONLY FOR TESTS AND PERSONAL USE – NOT FOR PRODUCTION!
General Informations – Tems of use
———————————-

The use in public presentations, for comparing the IGEL products with other solutions or a public release in any other form is not permitted without the written permission by the author.

Universal Desktop and Universal Management Suite is a registered Trademark of IGEL Technology.

IGEL Technology and cloud-client.info will not support this partial update in any kind.

cloud-client.info is not responsible for any damage or loss, caused by using this partial update sample. You are using this partial update on your own risk!

This custom partition sample is for technical demonstrations and tests only.

Content
——-
This partial Update contains one package:

Pidgin Multichat Client: Pidgin Version 2.10.9
Installation
————
The pack contains also the UMSProfiles.zip, import this file into the IGEL Universal Management Suite to get the required configuration. After the import change the download path’s under System->Firmware Customization->Custom Partition->Download to your download site/server.

Restart the client after the package is deployed.
Starting / Configuring a Pidgin Session
——————————————
After the client reboot a desktop link to the generated script is available on the desktop, the script will be generated in the /config/sessions folder with the name pidgin0.

You can add parameters by modifing the script generation, you can find the script generator in the UMS Profile->System->Firmware Customization->Custom Commands->Desktop Commands->Custom Command Desktop Final area.

The following chat platforms are tested:

Lync 2013 – IM only, no voice or video calls!
Skype – Not supported, skype denied our written request to provide the client thru cloud-client.info.
Facebook – Follow https://www.facebook.com/sitetour/chat.php, use Port 443 and force encryption!
AIM – Just enter your credentials
Google Talk – Follow http://www.pctipp.ch/tipps-tricks/kummerkasten/internet/artikel/google-talk-in-pidgin-einrichten-66194/ (German)
Yahoo – Enter your username without @yahoo.com, as server use scs.msg.yahoo.com and as pager port 80.
ICQ – Just enter your credentials to get it working.
IRC – Regular IRC Setup, nothing special.
MSN – Not tested regarding the fact that Microsoft will discontinue MSN Chat and move it to Skype.

All other services are not tested, it may work but it don’t have to be.

The download is available here: Pidgin for IGEL Linux (LX/OS) x86

The package can be opened and modified with our Deployment Assistant Tool for IGEL Thin Clients (DATI), see also the Whitepaper on our main site.

Have Fun

Michael

Tip: Configure hidden VMWare View settings that are not available in the IGEL Linux Setup incl. registry

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Hello Folks,

you want configure a few more settings for the VMWare View client like mentioned in the following links:
Setting Frames for Real-Time Audio-Video
VMWare View Client Release Notes

…and maybe other Sources.

A couple of these settings are currently not available in the Setup/Registry provided with the IGEL Setup / UMS Profile, but how can you apply it if you need it?

Quite simple, open the IGEL Setup or the UMS Profile and browse to System->Firmware Customization -> Custom Commands -> Desktop Commands.

In the “Custom Command Desktop Final” add the following lines, this sample is for Real-Time Audio-Video Frames configuration.

echo ‘rtav.srcWCamFrameWidth=”320″‘>>/etc/vmware/config
echo ‘rtav.srcWCamFrameHeight=”240″‘>>/etc/vmware/config

Repeat this for all settings you want to deploy, the text between the ‘….’ is the parameter, the configuration will be added to the /etc/vmware/config file after a reboot. If you finished the configuration apply the settings and reboot the device. The settings should be applied now. 🙂

Attention: If you change something else via a profile or the IGEL Setup you must reboot the device to take over the configuration!

Maybe IGEL will include these configuration’s in later Firmware releases but until now (Firmware 5.04.100 / 4.13.180) they are not.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: All configuration’s are done at your own risk!

Tip: Troubleshoot Citrix HDX Flash redirection issues

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Hi Folks,

you have issues with the HDX Flash redirection? Just try the following steps:

 

1) Make sure the Flash Player plugin is installed on the Server and the Client site, it’s not available for ARM based devices like the IZ1(!).

 

2) Disable the Flash Player Auto Update at the Server site!

 

3) Flash redirection in general is not 100% compatible and never could be it.

 

4) Make sure that all Citrix Server Policies for HDX Flash redirection are enabled and configured in the right way.

 

5) Make sure that the Flash Redirection feature is enabled at the client site.

 

6) Make sure content fetching is enabled if the client can not access the Internet directly, this needs to be enabled at the Server and the Client.

 

7) Follow http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX134786, perform the registry settings to disable the Version check:

You can disable the version check by modifying Windows Registry Key on VDA, named “FlashPlayerVersionComparisonMask” which is a dword that should be set to zero.

This needs to be set on each and every VDA you need the checking disabled on.

32-bit OS HKLM\\Software\\Citrix\\HdxMediaStreamForFlash\\Server\\PseudoServer

64-bit OS HKLM\\Software\\Wow6432Node\\Citrix\\HdxMediaStreamForFlash\\Server\\PseudoServer

 

8) Ask user where they have to upload or download data thru websites and verify that these sites will not be redirected. Why? If the content is redirected the user will only see the file system coming from the Thin Client! It’s running redirected local at the client right… 🙂

 

9) For XenApp 6.5 make sure CTX140236 Hotfix is installed, http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX140236

 

10) For XenDesktop 5.x/XenApp 7.x or higher make sure the latest VDA Version incl. Hotfixes are installed.

 

11) If it is still not working add the following Registry Keys to the PseudoServer Registry Part (see 7).

UserEnabledFlashV2 as REG DWORD = 1
IEBrowserMaximumMajorVersion as REG DWORD = Installed IE Version in decimal, for example IE 9 = 9

 

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Getting struggled with SHA2 certificates and the Citrix Linux Receiver?

Friday, September 5th, 2014

Hi Folks,

if you got issues with SHA2 certificates in the past and if used together with a Citrix environment you should try the latest IGEL 5.04.100 LX/OS firmware.

The new firmware contains a updated Citrix Receiver 13 version which comes now with SHA2 certificate support, important here: You must use the Citrix Receiver 13, no option to use Receiver Version 12 here! So it might be that you have to reconfigure your thin clients to work together with your environment and to get Receiver 13 to work.

Please test the new configuration in advance, do not just modify it to see what happens for all your users (otherwise they will hate you). 😉

Cheers

Michael

 

Whitepaper: How to use the IGEL Linux together with the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Broker

Friday, August 29th, 2014

Hi Folks,

very often i’ve been asked how to setup the RDP Client coming with the IGEL Linux to use the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Broker in the right way.

So here is a new Whitepaper how to setup this step by step, the Whitepaper is based on a Windows Server 2012 R2 environement and the current IGEL Linux Firmware 5.03.190.

The download is available here: Download

Cheers

Michael

IGEL offers W7+ devices

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014

Hello Folks,

IGEL brings up a a new  device/firmware type called Universal Desktop W7+, the Universal Desktop W7+ is similar to the regular W7 but it comes with an 8GB SSD and not like the regular W7 devices with a 4GB SSD.

Main benefit for the W7+ is the fact that you have much more space available to install applications or drivers to the device, for example to install the Lync 2013 VDI Plug-In from Microsoft.

Import: If you are running a mixed environment (W7 and W7+) you have to handle two seperate firmware’s. The Images are not compatible.

W7+ is available for the current UD3, UD5, UD9 and UD10.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: How to solve scrolling issues with XenDesktop 7.x and the Linux Citrix Receiver 13

Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

Hello Folks,

if you got in issue with scrolling in web sites that contain a lot of pictures like Google Pictures than you should try the setting to enable the registry key to enable the h264 deep level compression (System->Registry->ica.wfclient.h264enabled).

Plesase note: You must use Receiver 13 and this settings is currently not available for ARM based Client like the IZ1 or UD2 Multimedia.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: How to avoid Adobe Flash in Terminal Server/VDI environments with the IGEL LX/OS

Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

Hi Folks,

maybe you also agree that Adobe Flash content is one of the biggest crap that can be used in a Terminal Server/VDI environment. For example youtube or similar site’s mostly waste expensive Server CPU resources only for watching a “funny” video..

flashtaskbar
Yeah… One User with one HD Flash Movie use 41% of  Server CPU resources!

HTML5 is still not a big deal for most site’s, so how can you handle it?

1) Ban it… Block unwanted traffic with a firewall or proxy. This is highly efficient but will upset the user base and maybe you need it (schools/education), so mostly this option is no deal.

2) Buy more Server.. More or less efficient and very expensive (Hardware, licensing, setup and cooling). No deal!

3) Use solutions like Citrix HDX Flash Redirection… More or less efficient, hard to setup and not 100% compatible, it could be a option but it’s not a real solution.

4) Ban it from the servers… I just setup this for a PoC and it seams to be the most efficient way which is also acceptable for most users. So how is the setup?

a) You need IGEL Linux based devices (LX or OS) based on the x86 architecture to do this.

b) Setup a local Firefox browser session and deploy any Version of the Adobe Flash Player for Linux to it (Browser Plugins in the IGEL Setup).

c) Assign a Hotkey to the Firefox Browser Session like ALT+CTRL+i.

d) Setup a IIS/Webserver on any System that is not already running a IIS/Webserver

e) On the Terminal Server/VDI (i recommend to use the golden Image) site open the hosts file which is located in the Windows/System32/drivers/etc folder and edit it. Now add any Website you want to outsource, point it to the “new” Webserver. Example:

192.168.1.150 youtube.com
192.168.1.150 youtube.de
192.168.1.150 anyotheruselessflashsite.com

Do not perform this for any Website which is used for “business” uploads/work! Don’t use a DNS Server to apply the configuration, this might also point the Thin Clients to a “wrong” site… Of course you can also add Webradio Website’s, browser based games or what ever you don’t want to see in a Webbrowser on the server backend. But at all.. It’s not a security solution at all, it’s to save resources only!

f) Create a small HTML Website with a short Text like “This site can not be used on a Server/VDI! Please press ALT+CTRL+i to open the local Browser and use ALT+CTRL+TAB to switch between the Browser/Session.” or similar. Make it simple and easy to understand… Now set this HTML Page as default and 404 error page for the new Webserver (d).

g) Let the user test it… If the User enter www.youtube.com the “new” Website will open and point the user how to work with the local Browser.. For the User it looks “very” embedded into the session, not 100% but it will be good enough to watch movies for most of them.

I know this solution is also not a 100% one and it can be bypassed if the User is using the IP. 😉 ..but it’s not a security solution, the User can watch Movies and you have minimized the wasted CPU resource on your backend. It’s easy to control, high compatible and everyone is happy. From my point it’s currently the best way to handle Flash until it will be fully replaced by HTML5 or any other “better” working solution. The performance depends on the User device, a UD5 will better perform than a UD2 but still: A slow client is better than a slow server for most company environments.

Also some more benefit’s.. You can seperate client traffic from your server traffic quite simple, the customer where i suggest this mentioned that they have 10GB or more “flash” streaming traffic (only youtube) per day in the server infrastructure with a little bit more than 300 user’s. You can use it with any Terminal Server/VDI solution but please note: If using VMWare View, Microsoft RemoteFX, Citrix XenDesktop x.x / XenApp 7.5 or any other solution that support real USB redirection don’t setup USB Redirection for Human Interface Devices (HID) because in this case the Mouse and Keyboard can not be used outside the Session (…and with the local Browser).

You can also add other description’s to the created “manual” website, for example for Android press the home button and open the local Browser or similar.

If you have suggestions to improve this solution feel free to give me a mail or add a comment.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Fix missing “I want to download Adobe Flashplayer..” setting for LX/OS Profiles in UMS 4.06.100

Thursday, May 15th, 2014

Hello Folks,

maybe you also discovered the issue in the IGEL Universal Management Suite Version 4.06.100 if you create a new Profile for a LX/OS based Firmware and you want to deploy the Adobe Flashplayer.

Local at the Client you have a Setting “I want to download Adobe flashplayers and care about the licensing by myself” setting in the Session->Browser->Browser Plugins->Adobe Flash Player configuration but this setting is not available in the UMS if you create or edit a Profile. So you can not create a working configuration thru the regular UMS Profile GUI (see picture below).

umsflashmissing

You can fix this quite simple, just configure all required settings to deploy the Adobe Flashplayer in the regular GUI and now browse to System->Registry->browser_plugin->flashplayer and enable the download_flashplayer setting (see picture below).

umsflashmissingfix

Now you can save the profile and assign it to the IGEL devices, the Flash Player deployment should work now.

Cheers

Michael