Archive for the ‘Tips and Tricks’ Category

Tip: Using ICA Sessions with IGEL Linux 5.03.100 and XenApp/XenDesktop 7.x

Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Hi Folks,

in the release notes for the IGEL Firmware 5.03.100 IGEL mentioned that “single” ICA session are not possible with the Citrix Receiver 12/13 for Linux and XenDesktop/XenApp 7.x:

"- ICA sessions created on the IGEL device only work
with Citrix XenApp servers up to version 6.5."

This statement is not really true because in Citrix Terms it means only ICA Sessions based on the Citrix IMA Service (XenDesktop or XenApp 7.5 is using FMA), it is not right for sessions based on a Server IP Address or Hostname where the IMA service is not required/used.

This is also mentioned in the Citrix Edocs in the XenDesktop/XenApp 7.5 Feature description:

  • Custom ICA files — Custom ICA files were used to enable direct connection from user devices (with the ICA file) to a specific machine. In this release, this feature is disabled by default, but can be enabled for normal usage using a local group or can be used in high-availability mode if the Controller becomes unavailable. 

If configured right it can be also used as small HA “solution” for smaller installations with only one XenDesktop/XenApp controller server, please refer also to:  How to enable simple XenDesktop/XenApp 7.5 HA Mode

To enable the feature in general follow this article: Enable direct ICA connections for XD/XA 7.x

In the ICA Session configuration in the UMS Profile/local Thin Client configuration use only the Server IP/Hostname for the connection (see picture below), if you have more than one Server you need to create seperate profiles for each server and assign the profiles to different clients. Of course this is a “manual” work but you are still able to use the ICA sessions if required, a Citrix Storefront or Webinterface Server is not required in this case. If HA mode is enabled like mentioned also a XenDesktop/XenApp 7.x controller can be offline for a short time period (for example maintenance).

 

icssession

Disadvantage:

1) It will only work in LAN environments.
2) No Load Balancing, the clients will always connect to “one” server or you have to configure “several” ICA sessions per Client.
3) No “roaming” sessions if the User use several Thin Clients and these Clients are connecting to different server.
4) Not really usefull for large environments.

It will work with Citrix Receiver 12 and 13 for Linux but also older Receiver Versions (any OS) should work with it.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Hidden Citrix Receiver failback switch in the IGEL Linux

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Hello Folks,

iam not sure how long this feature already exists but i should mention it here….

IGEL has included in all current LX/OS Firmware Versions (V4.13.x or V5.01.x to < 5.03.100) a hidden “failback” Switch which can help to bypass issues with the latest included Citrix Receiver Version.

In the current IGEL Firmware 5.02.100 you are able to switch between Citrix Receiver 12.1.8.250715 (default, mentioned in the release notes) and Citrix Receiver 12.1.6.231670 (mentioned nowhere… 🙁 ). I do not unterstand why this is included as a hidden feature because it’s a clear benefit to have this option available.

Switching between these Versions is quite simple, you only need to execute the command /services/ica/bin/switch_ica_fallback. This can be done from a command line/terminal session for tests / troubleshooting or you can execute it during boottime for production. If you want to switch back to the “default” version just execute the command again… Funny right?

If you want to perform the last option open a profile or the local IGEL Setup and browse to System – Firmware Customization – Custom Commands – Desktop Commands and enter the command in the Custom Command Desktop Final field. After this change is done the setting will be active after the next reboot.

Update: This solution is not available in the Firmware 5.03.100, use here the switch in the gui or the registry setting System->Registry->ICA and enable useversion13.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: It might be that this switch will be removed in later firmware releases..

Tip: Fixing Microsoft Remote Desktop Services issue with IGEL Linux 5.02.100 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

Friday, April 11th, 2014

Hello Folks,

if you have discovered issues with the Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) client coming with the latest IGEL Linux V5.02.100 Firmware you should try the following setting:

If using the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS) make sure the profile is optimzed for a Firmware 5.x.x.

In the setup browse to Sessions-RDP-RDP Global-Options and enable the RDP Legacy Mode, if you are using an older UMS Version and the setting is not shown in the GUI browse to System-Registry-RDP and enable RDP Legacy Mode here.

Assign the profile and restart the RDS Session, issues shown on the server (like not working RDS Services) should be gone now.

Cheers

Michael

Info: Is the IGEL UMS affected by the OpenSSL Heartbleed (CVE-2014-0160) issue?

Thursday, April 10th, 2014

Hello Folks,

i just made some tests but it doesn’t look like the IGEL Universal Management Suite is affected by the Heartbleed issue.

You can test against our public UMS Server if you like but here is the result:

UMS Console Port Default 8443 on our Server 443

UMS Console Port Default 8443 on our Server 443

 

I’ve tested the console port 8443 and the client connection port 30001, in both cases the results are ok and did not show up any Heartbleed related issue.

 

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Please note that I run only a test for the last Version 4.06.100 of the IGEL Universal Management Suite and that my test is not an official statement from IGEL Technology!

Tip: Disable the Last Logon User shown in the Windows ES W7 Logon screen

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

Hello Folks,

sometimes you don’t need the Auto Logon feature coming with the Windows based IGEL Thin Clients, for example if the device is joined in a domain and you don’t want to see the local Administrator and User account in the Windows Logon Page to make the handling simple for the user.

You can download a new Partial Update for Windows based IGEL Thin Clients here: Download

This Partial Update will disable the Last User Logon Informations in the Windows Logon Screen, the result will look like the screenshot below.

withdisabledlastusername

You can also use this as sample how to deal with a Partial Update for a Windows based IGEL Thin Client. The archive contains the package, a manual as PDF, the required UMS Profile and the project file to edit the Partial Update together with our DATI tool.

Cheers

Michael

Tip: What are the differences in the Citrix Receiver by OS?

Friday, April 4th, 2014

Hello Folks,

you want to know what is the difference in the Citrix Receiver Versions for MacOSX, Android, Windows 8 or Linux, have a look in the new Citrix Receiver Feature Matrix which is available here: Citrix Receiver Feature Matrix

Cheers
Michael

cloud-client.info UMS4 LIVE Alpha Test

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

Hello Folks,

for a limited time you can use a free service provided by cloud-client.info called UMS4 Live.

What is it? A public available online UMS4, you can use it for tests (GUI handling) or if you’re looking for a configuration or configuration settings. The Alpha Version require to have an installed IGEL UMS4 Console (Version 4.06.100) available, you can use this console to connect to the UMS Live server.

UMS4 LIVE

UMS4 LIVE Alpha Test

Please Note:

1) We do not guarantee any availability, performance or anything else, you should not use it for public demonstrations or similar!
2) We are not responsible for any damage caused by the use of this service at all!
3) We can stop this service at anytime regarding misusage, hacking or any other “not” wanted use!
4) You do not get any write access to the database, configurations or similar! Read access incl Profile export is allowed.
5) You can not add a Thin Client, deploy a firmware update or similar thru this service!
6) This service is not related to IGEL Technology in any kind!
7) This service comes as it is without any support!
8) By using this service you agree that the related network traffic incl. the use of this service will be monitored for internal use only.
9) The service will be online until the first of April 2014, depending on the usage data this service will be continued or not.

Connection:
Start the UMS Console and use the following connection settings:

Universal Management Suite Server: ums.cloud-client.info
Port: 443
User Name: ums
Password: live

Required UMS console: IGEL Universal Suite 4.06.100
Access to the UMS internal Webserver on Port 9080 is blocked!

Cheers
Michael

P.S.: This service is hosted by Windows Azure!

Tip: Fixing IGEL Linux V5 issues with none RemoteFX capable Remote Desktop Services

Saturday, March 15th, 2014

Hi Folks,

if you have issues with the new IGEL Linux V5 and none RemoteFX capable Remote Desktop Services (Windows 2008 and older or Windows 7 without SP1 and older) you can fix the issue in two ways:

1) In RDP->RDP Global disable RemoteFX (similar for sessions if the global configuration is not used)!

2) or enable the Legacy RDP Client in RDP->RDP Global->Option, make also sure that RemoteFX is disabled!

If you not perform one of these steps a connection from the client can have a impact for all connected RDS Users (EventID 1503 and other on the Server). Please note that the new IGEL Remote Desktop Service Client is not really designed to work with such old systems like Windows 2003 or similar!

RemoteFX capable are: Windows 2012 (incl. R2), Windows 8 (incl. 8.1), Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 7 SP1, RemoteFX needs to be enabled/configured thru Policies! Windows 2008 R2 in general can not use RemoteFX USB Redirection and a Windows 7 SP1 VM needs to have a RemoteFX GFX Adapter assigned in the Hyper-V console to redirect USB devices. USB Redirection means USB Port to Server redirection and not Printer or USB Memory mapping, only to be clear here… 🙂

Cheers

Michael

Tip: Troubleshoot disconnecting ICA Session with Citrix Receiver for Linux

Monday, March 10th, 2014

Hi Folks,

if you have an issue with disconnecting ICA Session coming with the lates Version of the Citrix Receiver try the following steps:

1) Make sure you have no network issue (use the network tool coming with the IGEL Linux)

2) Disable all not needed redirection features in Sessions->ICA->ICA Global like Printer redirection, Serial Port redirection and so on.

3) Very often it seams to be that this issue is related to Flash (last Flash versions are very unstable, try also an older one on client and also server side) or Multimedia redirection, disable this in the ICA Global settings too.

Please report if this fixed the issue for you and what setting helps most.

Cheers

Michael Hoting

P.S.: If you run in a issue like this, request exact reports what was the last user action before the session drops.

Release: cloud-client.info IGEL UMS Template 1.0.70

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

Hello Folks,

there is a new Version of the cloud-client.info IGEL UMS Template available here: Download

1.0.70
——–

– Support for IGEL Zero Firmware 5.02.100
– Support for IGEL Universal Desktop LX V5 (x86) Firmware 5.02.100
– Support for IGEL Universal Desktop OS 2 V5 (x86) Firmware 5.02.100
– Support for IGEL Universal Desktop OS Firmware 4.13.100
– Support for IGEL Universal Desktop LX (x86) Firmware 4.13.100
– Added new Thin Client folder structure for IGEL Zero Clients
– Added default directory rules for IGEL Zero Clients folder structure
– Added Profiles for IGEL Linux V5 and the Shared Workplace Feature to configure a different display resolution
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop OS V5 to enable advanced Graphics support
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS V5 to enable the RDP inverted cursor color setting
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS V5 to setup a VNC Viewer session
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS V5 to disable the Shadowing “disconnect” button for the User
– Added Profile for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS V5 to configure multiple WiFi access based on different SSID’s
– Fully removed Universal Desktop CE from the UMS Template (last IGEL Windows CE based product goes end of maintenance on 31.03.2014), Profiles are still available as Import file in the “Template via Import” folder but will not be part of the template anymore.
– Changed “Template via Import” subfolder structure, import is now based on OS Version (Linux, Windows ES or CE).
– Removed old Firmwares
– Profiles Total 470

 

Cheers

Michael

Solution: Change Thin Client resolution for Shared Workplace Users with IGEL Linux V5.x.x

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Hello Folks,

if you are using the Shared Workplace Feature (assign Profiles to a Domain User and not to a Thin Client) you maybe have noticed a difference between the IGEL Linux V4 and V5.

In the old V4 Linux it was possible to assign a different resolution to a User to provide the User a lower resolution, this could be required if the User has bad eyes and can not work with an high HD resolution. This feature is gone in the new IGEL Linux V5 but still it can be done by a work around.

First of all you require a Shared Workplace License for the device, otherwise it will not work and also the Shared Workplace Feature must be enabled (Profile->Security->Login). To make it simple i’ve added the required UMS Profiles, just download the Archive and import it into the UMS. The pack contains four profiles:

Generate Resolution Scripts = This sprofile needs to be assigned to all Thin Clients that are using the Shared Workplace feature, it will generate three scripts to switch to the 1028×768, 1440×900 and 1680×1050 resolutions. You can modify this if required in the profile and change or add othere resolution scripts.

Set XXXXxXXX User resolution (3x)= These profiles will switch to the specified resolution by executing one of the previous generated scripts, one of these profiles needs to be assigned to the User which requires an other resolution. If the User performs a “Shared Workplace” Logoff the Client will switch back to the default resolution which is assigned to the client by an other profile (for example your “base” configuration).

The handling should be quite simple and maybe IGEL will provide this feature again together with a later released Firmware but until this you now have a working solution again.

Download: SWPResolutionProfiles

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Check out in advance that your Displays do really support the resolutions you set in this way, otherwise the User will get a black or messy screen… 😉 The ZIP attached to this blog contains also the required firmware settings to prevent UMS import issues, you can directly use the ZIP file for the import.

 

Important: Issue with folder based views in the UMS 4.06.100 and the administrative Task “Delete Thin Clients”

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014

Hello Folks,

if you are using folder based views together with the Administrative Task “Delete Thin Clients” you should be aware that there is an issue with a folder based view if it points to two or more directories combined with the “or” operator in the view.

As soon you have combined two or more folders with the “or” Operator all Thin Client’s in your environment are “shown in the view”, this is not critical by default but if this view is assigned to the Administrative Task “Delete Thin Clients” it will wipe out all Thin Clients out of the UMS Environment after you have updated the UMS to 4.06.100 and the task is executed.

So if your using the Administrative Task “Delete Thin Clients” have a Eye on this before upgrading to 4.06.100!

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: This issue with the “or” criteria might also have an impact on other views, so please check it if you are use the “Delete Thin Client” Task and disable it before you upgrade to be on the save side.

Update: Deployment Assistant Tool for IGEL Thin Clients 1.08

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Hello Folks,

here is a new Version of the Deployment Assistant Tool for IGEL Thin Clients: Download

DATI 1.08: IGEL Linux Script Engine

DATI 1.08: IGEL Linux Script Engine

– Version 1.08
Fixed ILISE directory mapping syntax to prevent double mappings
Fixed ILISE create archive function if the folder name contains spaces (Engine freeze)

Cheers
Michael

Tip: Citrix Linux Receiver settings explained

Thursday, December 5th, 2013

Hello Folks,

Citrix has released  a new Version for the Linux Receiver documentation explaining a couple of settings, the new document is already for the Receiver Version 13 but most settings are similar to Receiver 12 and explaining a lot of useful settings that can be found in the IGEL Setup->System->Registry->ICA->wfclient area.

You can found the documentation here: Download Linux Receiver Guide

Cheers
Michael

Fun with the IGEL Linux: FreeCiv for IGEL LX/OS based Clients

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

Hello Folks,

this pack is the result of a small discussion during a event, content: What are our favorite all-time games?

After a couple of time we agree that Sid Meier’s Civilization is one of the most favorite game for IT Guy’s and someone came up with the point “He, it would be great to play it on an IGEL Thin Client.. …but this will not work on a thin client.”

It works and here is the result!

Fun: FreeCiv for the IGEL Linux

Fun: FreeCiv for the IGEL Linux

Download is available here: Download

So where is my beer now… 🙂

Have fun!

Michael

P.S.: This is not a serious article or important for any business IT. 😀 This is also posting 300 in this blog and don’t have to be serious… ..but it demonstrates what can be done with the custom partition feature.

Solution: TrueCrypt for IGEL Linux (x86)

Monday, November 18th, 2013

Hello Folks,

there is a new OS Extension available, i’ve created this already some time ago but i was asked to provide it if possible. So here you go…

 

TrueCrypt 7.0a for IGEL Linux (x86)

TrueCrypt 7.0a for IGEL Linux (x86)

You can find the download here: Download

Cheers
Michael

Tip (Update): Runtime display resolution change for IGEL Linux based devices (without UMS and local IGEL Setup)

Friday, November 15th, 2013

Hi Folks,

i got a request for a resolution change solution which allows the user a resolution change without contact the helpdesk or using the IGEL Setup via an icon on a desktop or maybe a hotkey.

First of all: This will not have an impact on running session like RDP/ICA or whatever, the user needs to do this before he starts any session!!!

Preparing the solution:

You need to figure out what display types/connector’s you are using for example for the UD2 Multimedia/IZ1 you have VGA and DVI-D. If you are not quite clear what you have to use here go to the client which should get the solutions and open a terminal session, log in as root and execute the command “xrandr -q”. This command will give you all supported resolutions including the available display connector names. Write it down and also the resolutions you want to use (this can be more or less as mentioned in the IGEL Setup depending on the connector/display(!)).

Okay… Now the funny part, open the profile in the UMS and/or the local IGEL Setup; in my sample i will create two add-on sessions to switch between 1280×1024 and 1024×768 for the VGA and the DVI-D port on a IZ1/UD2-Multimedia.

In the profile/igel setup browse to System->Firmware Customization->Custom Commands->Desktop Commands->Custom Command Desktop Final and add the following script.

#Generate 1280×1024 script
echo “#!/bin/sh” > /config/sessions/res0
echo “xrandr –output VGA –mode 1280×1024 –pos 0x0 –rotate normal” >> /config/sessions/res0
echo “xrandr –output DVI-D –mode 1280×1024 –pos 0x0 –rotate normal” >> /config/sessions/res0
chmod 777 /config/sessions/res0
#Generate 1024×768 script
echo “#!/bin/sh” > /config/sessions/res1
echo “xrandr –output VGA –mode 1024×768 –pos 0x0 –rotate normal” >> /config/sessions/res1
echo “xrandr –output DVI-D –mode 1024×768 –pos 0x0 –rotate normal” >> /config/sessions/res1
chmod 777 /config/sessions/res1

Update:

If you want to start the last user display configuration after a thin client restart use this script:

#Generate 1280×1024 script
echo “#!/bin/sh” > /config/sessions/res0
echo “xrandr –output VGA –mode 1280×1024 –pos 0x0 –rotate normal” >> /config/sessions/res0
echo “xrandr –output DVI-D –mode 1280×1024 –pos 0x0 –rotate normal” >> /config/sessions/res0
echo “cp /config/sessions/res0 /wfs/lastres”>>/config/sessions/res0
echo “chmod 777 /wfs/lastres” >> /config/sessions/res0
chmod 777 /config/sessions/res0
#Generate 1024×768 script
echo “#!/bin/sh” > /config/sessions/res1
echo “xrandr –output VGA –mode 1024×768 –pos 0x0 –rotate normal” >> /config/sessions/res1
echo “xrandr –output DVI-D –mode 1024×768 –pos 0x0 –rotate normal” >> /config/sessions/res1
echo “cp /config/sessions/res1 /wfs/lastres”>>/config/sessions/res1
echo “chmod 777 /wfs/lastres” >> /config/sessions/res1
chmod 777 /config/sessions/res1
chmod 777 /wfs
/wfs/lastres

This will copy the last executed script to the /wfs folder and will execute it during the boot up (last line in script), of course you can use also a custom application with the enabled autostart option for this. Attention: in this case we have to make the /wfs folder writable for the user to copy the script in the permanent folder, this could be a security issue depending on other applied configurations like a teminal session that is available for the user. This will also bypass any resolution configuration coming from the UMS!

This will create two scripts in the /config/sessions folder, i’ve added two xrand lines per script to bring both available display connectors to the same resolution (if they are available or not…). You can also add different resolutions to it or configure the rotation, for more options see the xrandr documentation here: http://www.x.org/wiki/Projects/XRandR/

Good.. Now we have the script(s) and need to bring them available for the user… In the same profile browse to custom appliaction which is also located in the System part of the profile/setup. Per script you want to deploy add a custom application and configure it like shown in the screenshot:

 

Configure the session to switch to a resolution

Configure the session to switch to a resolution

You can configure the Desktop Integration Options as you like: A hotkey, where should the session be shown and so on.

Apply the configuration/profile and you are good to go after a thin client reboot…

You can do much more with it (screen rotation and so on), feel free to play around with it but please note: As soon you reboot the client (if script one is used) or apply a new configuration thru the IGEL Setup/UMS the default resolution is applied again! If a script is not working check out that you have configured a valid resolution/display connector like mentioned above.

Update: You can also use xrandr -s 1440×900 (resolution) if you don’t want to configure seperate screens, this will always configure the default screen. See also the xrandr documentation for the exact syntax because wordpress will corrupt some characters in the script syntax.

Have Fun

Michael

P.S.: This is not official supported by IGEL Technology, no warranty or anything else from my side… 🙂

Tip: Fixing RDP session issues with IGEL Linux V5.x.x

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

Hello Folks,

it might happen that you run into issues with RDP Sessions in the new IGEL Linux, this is currently very rare but in the case that a RDP Session did not work for you anymore after you have updated from IGEL Linux V4 to V5 you should try the setting RDP Legacy Mode. You will find this setting in the Setup->Sessions->RDP->RDP Global->Options.

If this fixes the issue for you i recommend to contact IGEL and provide some details about your Remote Desktop Services setup.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: I got this only two times, so from my point it’s really rare but it might help. 😉

Solution: IGEL Linux V5 Desktop Experience Pack for IGEL Linux V4.x.x

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

Hi Folks,

are you not happy because you can’t upgrade your old IGEL Linux based Thin Clients to the IGEL Linux V5? …your Users want the stylish new GUI or you have a mixed IGEL V4/V5 environment?

Then try this: http://www.cloud-client.info/cms/index.php/os-extensions/custom-partition-lx-os/v5deskexp-for-linux

Please Note: This is only a graphical theme for the IGEL Linux V4 (OS/LX) and will NOT add any new software features!

IGEL Linux V4.x.x with IGEL Linux V5 Desktop Experience Pack

IGEL Linux V4.x.x with IGEL Linux V5 Desktop Experience Pack

Have Fun!

Michael

P.S.: This pack could be also a Blueprint to create your own company themes for the IGEL Linux V4.

Tip: UMS 4.05.200 and Active Directory User

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

Hi Folks,

if you are using the Igel Universal Management Suite together with Active Directory based User accounts for the Thin Client Administration  you should skip the Update to Version 4.05.200. There seams to be in issue with the User rights handling and there should be a fixed Version available soon.

Cheers
Michael