Archive for the ‘IGEL Universal Desktop LX (ARM)’ Category

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: 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: 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

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

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

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: 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

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

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.

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.

 

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

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… 🙂

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.

Update: Deployment Assistant Tool for IGEL Thin Clients 1.06

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Hello Folks,

here is the final Version 1.06, i fixed some issues and also some new features are available. It’s not recommended to use any of the 1.05 Version anymore, iam sorry that i did not note all issues during testing and thanks for your comments pointing out some “issues” and help fixing it.

– Version 1.06
Important: Please delete the dati.ini after update!
Added Option to configure automatic Update check for DATI during the application starts.
Improved Update Check feature.
ILISE added Linux Library clean up, see in this ReadMe.txt for more information’s.
ILISE “Create .tar.bz2” button will now also create the .inf file in one step, you still have seperate options for archive/.inf files in the ILISE Menu if required.
Fixed issue with the “Show Warnings” Option, the setting was ignored sometimes.
Fixed ILISE issue that protects an automatic generated script to be overwritten by the generator if no MyScript Area exists.
Fixed wrong commandline in the ILISE “write custom session” snipplet
Fixed ILISE issue that a .tar.bz2/.tbz archive was created successfull message shows up but the file wasn’t created.
Added check to verify that all files are added by ILISE to a generated script (Only if the “Dynamic file integration folder based” option is not used)
Fixed ILISE issue if a folder contains one or more subfolders and some files are not identified/added correctly to the script.
Fixed ILISE .tar.bz2 / .tbz switch.

The download is available here: Download

Cheers

Michael

Tip: How to allow RDP and unmanaged ICA connections to XenDesktop 7 Terminal Servers (Windows Server 2008R2/2012)

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Hello Folks,

not 100% IGEL related: If you already use XenDesktop 7 you maybe want to allow/use RDP connections or unmanaged ICA connections to a Terminal Server.

In XenApp 6.5 you only need to setup the Citrix “Desktop Access” Policy but for XenDesktop 7 this is not enough and still RDP or unmanaged ICA connections didn’t work.

After you installed the XenDesktop 7 VDA for a Server OS you will get a new “local” User Group “DirectAccess Users”, add your Domain Users or User Groups to this local Group on the Terminal Server.

XenDesktop 7 local DirectAccess Users group.

XenDesktop 7 local DirectAccess Users group.

 

After this is done, you are able to connect to the Terminal Server as User via RDP or unmanaged ICA.

 

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: This is useful for the IGEL Linux if you want to setup a direct ICA session for a Desktop Session… 😀

Solution: Deployment Assistant Tool for IGEL Thin Clients Version 1.05

Thursday, September 19th, 2013

Hello Folks,

here is a new release for the Deployment Assistant Tool for IGEL Thin Client Version 1.05.

You want to customize your IGEL Thin Clients, then you should try it… 🙂

DATI: Windows Partial Update Front End

DATI: Windows Partial Update Front End

DATI: IGEL Linux Integration Script Engine (ILISE)

DATI: IGEL Linux Integration Script Engine (ILISE)

Changelog:

– Version 1.05
ILISE has now a drop down menu that contains several features/options.
ILISE allows to edit the generated integration shell script now.
ILISE can now add a protected MyScript Area for your own extensions, this area will not be overwritten by the script engine.
ILISE can now load already created shell scripts (ilise.sh) if available in the content folder for the custom partition package.
ILISE now supports up to 15 custom code snipplets to be added to the ILISE MyScript Area.
Added find and replace function to ILISE, find and replace will modify all lines generated by ILISE and the MyScript Area by default.
Added “Reset Settings Option” to ILISE.
Fixed a small display issue with the ILISE Tooltip’s.
Added Cloud-Client.info Website URL’s to Info Menu.
Updated URL to IGEL’s LUNA Script Language Manual for Windows Embedded Partial Updates, URL can be modified in the dati.ini if changed again.
Added Cloud-Client.info Whitepaper related to Linux custom partition basics as Helpfile (optional download).
New Feature: Help Download Tool, DATI will now offer the download and include of missing Helpfiles / Whitepapers.
Added change path option to ILISE for the 7za.exe if required or 7za.exe is located in an other folder
ILISE can now create .tar.bz2 or .tbz files (configured thru ILISE options), .tbz format/extension is used by IGEL Technology.
ILISE will now check that 7za.exe is available in the configured/default folder before creating a .tar.bz2/.tbz archive.
Custom Partition Package .inf file creator can now select .tar.bz2 and .tbz files to create the required .inf file.
Added Print Script feature to ILISE for the purpose of documentation, this will print the generated script incl. the MyScript Area.
Added DATI .ini file, the .ini file will be created if not exists and contains configuration settings for DATI.
Optimized code and graphics, dati.exe size reduced from 364KB to less then 220KB without loosing any features.

 

Download here: Download

 

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: There is Version 1.05.1 available fixing an issue with the .tbz/.tar.bz2 switch in the options, thanks for the report!

Using Citrix GoToMeeting with Citrix XenApp or XenDesktop

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Hi Folks,

maybe this information is useful: If you want to use Citrix GoToMeeting you should be aware that you can not use GoToMeeting  together with an Audio Headset and XenApp.

If you are using XenDesktop together with a Desktop OS (not Server OS!) then it will work and you can use the Headset.

This is not related to IGEL, it’s a general behavior for GoToMeeting together with XenDesktop/XenApp and the Client OS (Windows/Linux) is not important!

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Future versions of GoToMeeting maybe will not show this behavior… 🙂