Archive for the ‘IGEL Hardware’ Category

cloud-client.info will discontinue support for current IGEL Hardware and will add Google ChromeOS

Friday, March 6th, 2015

Hi Folks,

rearding the fact that we doesn’t have any current IGEL Hardware like the new UD6 or UD3 we will not provide any information’s or faq’s for these devices in the future and all related hardware whitepaper’s are discontinued. Please do not contact us if you have questions related to these devices because it’s not serious to provide information’s or help without any way to reproduce.

We’re also currently investigating  the Google ChromeOS to put some attention on this OS. Citrix has announced a partnership with Google and also Clients from VMWare and 2X are available incl. a management solution; so this one could be an intresting cloud client OS for road workers. For us important are the limitations and differences between the ChromeOS clients and the Windows/Linux/MacOSX clients. If you have already some experience with the Chrome OS we will be happy if you share some daily use experience with us incl. how updates are handled thru the different hardware vendor’s (the main gap for Google’s Android OS).

Cheers

Michael

New IGEL UD5 / UD6 photo series

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015

Hi Folks,

here are some more pictures for the new IGEL UD5 / UD6, click on the foto to enlarge.

New IGEL UD5/UD6 Front

New IGEL UD5/UD6 Front

New IGEL UD5/UD6 foot and connection bar plug

New IGEL UD5/UD6 foot and connection bar plug

UD5/UD6 Connection Bar

UD5/UD6 Connection Bar

Old UD5 (left) beside the new UD5 / UD6 (right)

Old UD5 (left) beside the new UD5 / UD6 (right)

Is it a new UD5 or UD6, how to find out...

Is it a new UD5 or UD6, how to find out…

UD5/UD6 Mainboard

UD5/UD6 Mainboard

Productsheet: UD6 Productsheet

Hardware Platform Name: H830C

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Deeper review will follow once i received my test device. I will not review the different IGEL OS coming with the device, they’re similar to the old UD5.

 

View inside the new UD5 Dual Core and UD6 Quad Core IGEL Thin Clients

Wednesday, January 7th, 2015

Hello Folks,

it’s not far away that IGEL will release the new UD5 (Dual Core-Intel J1800 CPU) and UD6 (Quad Core-Intel J1900 CPU) devices.

Both devices are using the new IGEL H830C Hardware, only the CPU seams to be the difference between the UD5/UD6. Want to get a look inside? Here you go… Click on the picture to enlarge…

UD5-6MB

 

As you see the Mini PCI-E Slot is still available. I will post a bigger review and some test results after the promised test device arrived from IGEL, this one is not my device and i don’t get the time to perform a bigger test at moment with the available device.

There will be also an update for our Windows App incl. the new UD5/UD6 Tech Specs in the upcoming days.

Please note: The connection foot for the older UD5 to provide a WiFi/LPT Port is not compatible with the new UD5/UD6, it will not fit under the new case.

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: UD3 / UD5 Mini PCI Express Port and mSata Harddisk

Sunday, May 18th, 2014

Hello Folks,

in the last time i got some reports where user try to connect a mSATA SSD thru the Mini PCI Express Port coming with the IGEL UD3 / UD5 Dual Core Mainboard.

This will not work!!! The Mini PCI Express Port and the mSATA Port are looking equal but they are not.

See also Mini PCI Express Specs and Mini SATA Specs.

There are some Boards offering a “cross” compatible connector but the Port coming with the UD3 and UD5 is a pure Mini PCI Express Port and a mSATA Module will not work with it!

Cheers

Michael

The new UD3 facelift (aka IGEL meets Darth Vader)

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Hello Folks,

maybe you already noticed the UD3 Facelift announced by IGEL in the last weeks, but what do it mean for you as user?

From the technical point… Not much, the biggest new technical change is the extension foot (see below) which now contains two RS232 Ports. For the end user there will be some changes in the handling.

– The front USB hatch will be more stable and easier to handle
– The power switch is now a contact switch, means the User only needs to touch it (compare it to the Xbox 360 power switch)
– The case is “more” green by having no mixed material in the case which means it’s easier to recycle
– The power LED is now located as eye of the IGEL symbol (Eye of the hedgehog)
– The device is a little bit smaller than the old UD3, mostly related to the new “smaller” foot coming with the device
– Easier access to the RJ45 network connector

ud3newback ud3newfoot ud3new

From the Operating System Side and the other technical specs it looks quite similar, like already mentioned; so it’s clearly a facelift from the optical point of view and for the user “handling”. Iam sure a lot of people will like it and a lot of people will also don’t like it but at least this is a question of personal preference.

I will post some more details after i got a trial device, but i believe the device has made some good progress for the end user handling at all.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: The title comes from my first impression after i saw the new design, i remembered the first time i saw the “black” Darth Vader outfit. 🙂

Info: IGEL will not deliver the DVI->VGA Adapter by default anymore together with a thin client.

Thursday, November 28th, 2013

Hello Folks,

maybe this is important for you…

In the past IGEL has delivered a free DVI to VGA Adapter with every device, this has changed now and new ordered devices will not come with a DVI->VGA Adapter anymore (Starting with the first of december 2013).

IGEL's DVI to VGA Adapter

IGEL’s DVI to VGA Adapter

Why? I believe a lot of people don’t use it and in this case it is  just useless waste; but this is only my unterstanding.

The good news: You can order the adapter together with the Thin Clients and this order is for FREE but you should not forget it if these Adapters are required for a roll out.

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… 🙂

Fun with the UD5: Building a Thin Server (Updated)

Friday, November 8th, 2013

Hello Folks,

this is a project done some time ago, the device is now been used nearly six months 24/7 and i did not got any issue with it.. So time for posting it.

First of all: If you do this you will loose your warranty! That’s it and quite simple…

Reason why i did this: I needed a very compact test environment/server providing enough resources to host a Windows Server 2012 incl the Hyper-V and some other roles for demonstration/test scenarios with a low power consumption (required, has to be used in a car/van if needed). So the new UD5 dual core was very promising to be right for this job.

The base UD5 device did not fit to my requirements:

– Supporting two seperate WiFi Networks (one via extension food,one inbuild)
– RAM extension to min. 4GB RAM
– External ESATA connection available
– Increased SSD Size to min. 128 GB
– No external extensions without the power supply

So i did start in the easy way and ordered a half size MiniPCIExpress WiFi Module (~20 US$ @ Ebay), a SATA extension cable (8inch/20cm, 22pins like http://www.amazon.com/SATA-Male-Female-Extension-Cable/dp/B00366PSC0, don’t use a longer cable;You will not get it into the case!), a PCI Express ESATA card, 4GB RAM and a 128 GB SSD.  (I did not say that this was a cheap project… 🙂 )

First of all the “easy” part…

Simple to include: RAM extension, WiFi module and ESATA controller

Simple to include: RAM extension, WiFi module and ESATA controller

The grey and black wire are for the WiFi antenas, i’ve placed them in the front plate because i needed the signal in the front direction.

Now the difficult part… Placing the SSD in the case, it’s tricky but it can be done… In the front side on top of the smart card reader is just enough room to host the SSD but you need something to mount it. Where is my drill?

I need a place to mount the SSD, who needs warranty? :-)

I need a place to mount the SSD, who needs warranty? 🙂

Looks better now…. Now let me insert the SSD. (The inbuild smart card reader don’t need to be removed!)

Inbuild SSD, fit's exactly in this place... :-)

Inbuild SSD, fit’s exactly in this place… 🙂

Fit’s exactly! After a quick assembling the device is now used for a long time and the client ups… server will not get to hot or something like this (Zero time of failure until now). So for me this is the perfect solution. The SSD is running a pre-installed Windows Server 2012 Standard (already upgraded to R2) via VHD boot to provide a very simple way to upgrade/backup the Server.

Oh i forgot… This is not supported by IGEL Technology in any way! I would also not use a HDD for this solution, a SSD requires less power,produces less heat compared to a HDD and is not as rough for mobile use like a SSD.

Of course you can say… Why not using a Laptop? Try to find a “silent” Laptop providing two WiFi cards, inbuild smart card reader, eSATA, DVI/Display Port/VGA connectors, two serial Ports, 4 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 Ports, 1 LPT Port (extension food) for max. connectivity and with a >~20W power consumption in total. No chance!

 

Add-On: I’ve been asked if this can be done with an UD3… Yes but in this case you will loose your SSD warranty and the UD3 can not host a external SATA Controller or a 4GB RAM extension(only max. 2GB!) and the UD3 do not support VT to run a Hypervisor. By default the UD3 can not host a SSD Drive but mostly all SSD’s are using less then 30% of there case… A normal 2.5″ SSD case can not be mounted in the UD3 (not possible) but if you open the SSD case you will see that the “pure” SSD is not much larger as the inbuild SSD Drive coming from IGEL. Before you open the SSD case figure out how the SSD looks inside in advance (for example the SSD i’ve used: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/storage/2013/01/28/sandisk-ultra-plus-256gb-review/6). You will loose your warranty!!! I will not provide any warranty for this! 🙂 You can proceed in this way also for the UD5 (and save the extension cable) but for my personal use i decide to not go in this way…

Have fun!

Michael

 

Some facts about the upcoming IGEL UD 10

Tuesday, September 24th, 2013

Hi Folks,

i just want to share some facts about the new IGEL UD 10 device with you.

 

The new IGEL UD10

The new IGEL UD10

 

CPU: VIA Eden X2 dual-core processor
Chipset: VIA VX900
RAM: Up to 2GB DDR3
HDD: Up to 4GB
Ports: 3x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, 2x PS/2, 2x RS232, 1x parallel port, 1x Display Port
Ethernet: 1GB
Seperate (sold) Options: WiFi b/g/n , a internal Smart Card Reader and a infrared touchscreen
Max. Resolution (inbuild Display): 1920×1080
Max. Resolution (Display Port): 2560×1600
Inbuild Display Specs: 23.6″ Widescreen
Power consumption: ~38 W (Comment: mostly for the Display…)
Operating Systems: IGEL Linux V5 (UD10-LX), Windows Embedded 7 (UD10-W7)
Launch date: 1st of October 2013

Regarding the new IGEL Linux V5 i can’t tell much at the moment, the screen above is a fake (i just want that it looks nice… 🙂 ..but the device picture is real. ) but the final result will look like that. As soon there is a IGEL Linux V5 available i will write more about it but currently IGEL do not share any RC’s or preview Versions. 🙁

You should be aware that a few things will change in the upcoming months, like the Productnames (see above) but don’t panic… It’s still a IGEL Linux. Regarding Windows 7 is not much to say, still a IGEL optimized Microsoft Windows Embedded but i will send also an update regarding this once it is available.

Regarding the specs, the device looks nice on the first view and could be a very nice solution depending on the use case. If you’re looking out for a cool (large display) all in one device you should try to get a trial device after the product lunch…

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Of course i will rework the cloud-client.info hardware whitepaper after the final release.

New UD3/UD5 Mini PCI Express slot pictures

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Hi,

like promised some Pictures showing the “hidden Feature” Mini PCI Express Slots.

UD3 Mini PCI Express Slot Full Size

UD3 Mini PCI Express Slot Full Size

UD5 Mini PCI Express Slot Half Size

UD5 Mini PCI Express Slot Half Size

 

UD5 Mini PCI Express Slot Half Size with Atheros AR9285 based WiFi Modul.

UD5 Mini PCI Express Slot Half Size with Atheros AR9285 based WiFi Modul.

Please Note: Bluetooth Modules will not work with the IGEL Linux, for Windows 7 you might be required to install Drivers and check any Module you want to use in advance!!! I do not provide any warranty that this will work with all types of modules, you need to check out this by your own! Also do always use external Antennas for WiFi/Bluetooth Modules like the DELOCK Antenne WLAN internal 701 or similar, this antenna can be mounted outside the metal case quite simple. To get a small overview check out the Delock Site: http://www.delock.de/produkte/F_558_ehftechnik_701_Antennen.html (Available in several languages), the cable should have a length of min. 10cm but this depends on the placement you want to use. Please also make sure that the antenna has no direct contact to the internal thin Client metal case to prevent any signal conduction directly to the case, this will have very bad effects for your WiFi connection. 😉

Cheers

Michael

 

 

UD3 and UD5 Dual Core and a nice hidden hardware extension feature…

Monday, June 24th, 2013

Hello Folks,

very often Hardware Vendors announce features… If they have it or not.

IGEL is different, they build in a new feature and do not mention it anywhere incl. the hardware documentation!

If you open a UD5 and/or a UD3 and you look under/at the place where the smart card reader is mounted you will see a small slot where something can be mounted. You will not find it in “any” documentation, manual or product description but what is it? Quite simple:

It’s a not restricted (UD5=Half Size/UD3=Full Size) Mini PCI Express Slot (very common in Laptops/Ultrabooks)

Why is this intresting? This provides a new way to extend the device and there are a couple of extensions possible:

WiFi Card (you need seperate Antennas which can be mounted outside the metal case)
WiFi / Bluetooth combinations for Windows based Thin Clients (external Antennas required)
Storage Controllers
LTE/UMTS Moduls
Internal SSD HDD (yes, without an extra controller) and more…

When i first saw this slot i was not sure if this one is locked thru the (UEFI) BIOS and no one could provide me any details: so i ordered some Mini PCI Express Cards for my tests.

Until now i’ve tested a WIFI Modul from Atheros (B/G/N) and a WIFI/Bluetooth Modul coming from Ralink: Both worked without any issue and can be fully used. Remember, the IGEL Linux can not handle Bluetooth but Windows will do.

Advantage:

Very good way to extend the device without any external hardware.

Disadvantage:

I’ve no idea if this will have some impact on the warranty for the UD3.
Not mentioned in any documentation.. So it might be not supported in general.
Not in the manuals also mean: maybe gone with future board revisions.

Important: It’s a half size Mini PCI Express Slot, full size do not fit without an extra adapter! Do not use Wireless Cards without an antenna (pigtail) or an antenna mounted in the metal case, this mostly destroys the Radio component at the modul after some time. Needed Antennas can be ordered very cheap at EBay or good IT Shops. Test always in advance!

I did not test internal Mini PCI Express SSD’s, they are high expensive and this was to much for a “just for fun” test.

There will be some pictures available in the next days.

Cheers

Michael

First Pictures new UD3 Dual Core device

Friday, March 15th, 2013

Hello Folks,

during a product presentation i got the change to take some Pictures of the new UD3 Dual Core device that was also shown at the CeBit a week ago.

IMAG0176 IMAG0175

The case comes with the same form factor like the current UD3, regarding the performance the UD3 Dual Core seams to provide a little bit more power like the current UD5. The serial port/rs232 port is gone to provide a second DVI Port for dual Monitoring and this allows to connect two digital display to the client without the need of a Y-cable, users requiring a serial port can get this with a add-on connection foot for the client.

Also IGEL has shown a beta firmware of the upcoming 4.12.100 Linux firmware, the firmware looks to support RDP8 (Windows Server 2012 / Windows 8) incl. RemoteFX which is very  unique in the Linux Thin Client world (RDP7 incl. RemoteFX is already supported by the current IGEL LX/OS Firmwares).

At all the device looks very good on the first view, iam still waiting to get a sample for some more tests in my hands incl. the upcoming UD5 dual core. I have only one point to consider, the USB, Network and the PS/2 ports on the back are very close together incl. the two USB 3.0 Ports, this might be hard to handle for users if they want to connect a USB Harddisk or Memory supporting USB 3.0. For example to connect a USB WiFi Device (without extension foot) i was required to use a short USB extension cable because the WiFi device (a big one) did block the other ports also a regular USB Memory (not a ‘very’ small one) did block ports around without the use of an extension cable. But this point is currently the only thing that bother me a little bit and are related to the small form factor.

Cheers
Michael

P.S.: Sorry for the cables around… It was a tech preview…. 😉

Whitepaper: Current IGEL Hardware

Monday, July 9th, 2012

This  Whitepaper describes the current IGEL devices including the hardware names (like M310C), the technology, is the device still available, end of life dates, warranty times and available firmware Versions. So if someone call’s you and only know’s he got a IGEL D200 you know what device it is and how long the support/warranty time will apply to the device.

It includes also the new IGEL UD2 Multimedia which is based on the ARM Technology.

This is not an official IGEL document, this document comes without any guarantee.

The whitepaper is available at papershare: http://www.papershare.com/app/paper.aspx?id=2538&o=3736 and here: http://www.cloud-client.info/whitepaper/WhitepaperIGELHardware.pdf

Cheers
Michael

Want to learn more about the new UD2 Multimedia?

Friday, July 6th, 2012

Learn more about our first System on Chip device – IGEL UD 2 – LX – MultiMedia

Sign in for the following webinars for free. Duration is around 60 minutes.

09.07.2012 09:00 – 10:00 (English)
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/571980462
10.07.2012 18:00 – 19:00 (English)
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/252757374
11.07.2012 09:00 – 10:00 (English)
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/541561622
12.07.2012 13:00 – 14:00 (English)
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/958049382
13.07.2012 09:00 – 10:00 (English)
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/426394958

Test units available now!

Cheers
Michael

UD2 MultiMedia (ARM) Beta features

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Here is some info about what you can and can not do with the just shipped ARM (1.01.500 Beta) devices from IGEL:

Citrix Receiver (12.2.0.203213)

USB Redirection NO

Multimedia Redirection YES (alpha)

Smartcard Authentication YES

DSP accelerated ICA YES

Flash Redirection NO (next SDK)

RDP/RemoteFX Client (1.6.0)

USB Redirection NO

Multimedia Redirection NO

Smartcard Authentication NO

RemoteApps Support YES

DSP accelerated RemoteFX support YES

VMware View (1.5.0)

Currently only the integrated standard VMware View client is integrated, which only provides limited acceleration through the SoC architecture.

Local media player accelerated through DSP

Supported Container: ASF, AVI, MPEG1, MPGE2

Supported Codecs: WMA, WMV VC1, MPEG3, MPEG4, H.264

Additional Clients/Tools

XDMCP, Leostream Java Connect, Appliance Mode, Firefox, SSH

Network

WOL, DNS, DHCP

Print Services

LPD, IPP, CUPS

DSP Chooser, required to select DSP accelerated content in the Universal Desktop LX for ARM firmware

The Acceleration Chooser Setup ist required to configure which type of content (ICA or RemoteFX) is accelerated through the DSP.

Sebastian

Solved: New UD5 LX shows no screen @ display port if configured for dual monitoring and high resolutions

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

Today i played a little bit with resolution’s and dual monitor settings with a UD5. When using a high resolution (2 times 1920×1200, millions of colors) i got no screen on my second display connected via the display port.

I tested a couple of settings but finally i only need to increase the video memory in the BIOS to 256MB, after this both screens are available and the issue was gone. Funny, Windows ES/Windows 7 don’t need this configuration…  To change the setting press DEL to enter the BIOS after you powered on the client. In the Advanced BIOS settings increase the shared video memory to 256mb and save the configuration, it’s quite simple to solve if you know it. 🙂

Cheers
Michael

First pictures of the new IGEL LX Thin Client (System on a Chip)

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

Today i got the time to play a little bit with a new IGEL Thin Client generation. The client is Linux based (LX), comes with a ARM CPU and a digital signal processor (DSP) aka System on Chip (SoC).

The ARM based “system on a chip” technology comes with the benefit to provide a good multimedia experience for a low price. Of course you can’t compare it with a UD3/UD5 in the overall performance, but for multimedia content it can beat other devices in the thin client entry level segment. SoC was introduced by Citrix in 2011 and also Microsoft Remote Desktop Services have a clear advantage here.

The device was already introduced at the CeBit 2012 (Europe), the Microsoft TechEd North America (US) and the Citrix TechEx (Germany).

 IGEL ARM Client

Specs:
CPU: Texas Instruments DM8148 ARM 1GHz
DSP: 750 MHz
RAM: 1GB DDR3 800MHz
Audio: Texas Instruments TLV320AIC3104
Network: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Network Chipset: Realtek RTL8211E
Storage: 2GB eMMC
Display: DVI-I Port
Connectors: 4 x USB 2.0, Audio In, Audio Out
Available Sessions (Beta Firmware): Citrix ICA (incl. HDX), Microsoft RDP (incl. RemoteFX), VMWare View (no SuC support), Browser, local Media Player, Leostream and Appliance Mode support for Citrix XenDesktop and VMWare View

+ Price
+ SuC support for Citrix HDX and RemoteFX (VMWare View/PCOIP was not available during my tests, maybe upcoming?)
+ Multimedia performance
+ Managed with IGEL Universal Management Suite
– Overall performance (1)
– Less session types available compared to x86 based devices (1)
– Only USB Ports available; no serial,lpt or PS/2

Cheers
Michael

(1) = ARM technology related