Archive for the ‘Hardware’ 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

Info: Converted with Universal Desktop OS INTEL NUC Kit DE3815TYKHE Atom processor E3815

Friday, May 29th, 2015

Hello Folks,

today i converted a INTEL NUC Kit DE3815TYKHE Atom processor E3815 (Thanks to Intel for providing the device) with the IGEL Universal Desktop OS 5.06.10x with the following results.

intelnuc

Video: Intel HD working (thru VGA and HDMI Port)
Audio: Headset/Mic and HDMI Audio are working
Network: 1GB Ethernet and internal Wifi (Realtek, not included by default) working
USB Ports: 2.0 and 3.0 Ports are working
Internal eMMC Hardisk: Not supported thru Universal Desktop OS
SATA Controller with SSD: Working
RAM: 2GB (not included by default)

From the performance point the device is ok and quite fast for a single core INTEL Atom CPU, it do not provide a high end multimedia performance for local Youtube and Movie playback but for typical office scenarios it’s ok for a device at this price point. The power consumption is very low end is round about 5w during regular use. The case comes with a vesa mount and the device can be placed behind a display without any issues.

Cheers

Michael

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

New IGEL Universal Desktop OS Firmware 5.05.100 and Microsoft Hyper-V

Tuesday, December 9th, 2014

Hi Folks,

if you run a Universal Desktop OS VM in a Microsoft Hyper-V environment you should not perform the update to the new Firmware 5.05.100, after the update the VM will not boot anymore.

If you boot the VM in verbose mode (from boot menu, ESC key after you power on the VM) it will look like this:

505100error

In the release notes is mentioned that some drivers are removed, so i strongly recommend to test the new Firmware in advance for UDC migrated devices running the IGEL Universal Desktop OS.

Thank you IGEL!

Cheers

Michael

Migrated with IGEL UDC V2: HP ProBook 6360b

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

Hello Folks,

i got some reports about some successfull migrated devices, for the migration the IGEL Universal Desktop Converter 2 was used.

hp6360b

One device is the HP ProBook 6360b , the device is reported as fully compatible.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Regarding the fact that i don’t have a HP ProBook 6360b  available i was not able to reproduce the result. Test in advance!

Migrated with IGEL UDC V2: Lenovo L440

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

Hello Folks,

i got some reports about some successfull migrated devices, for the migration the IGEL Universal Desktop Converter 2 was used.

LenovoL440

One device is the Lenovo L440, the device is reported as fully compatible.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Regarding the fact that i don’t have a Lenovo L440 available i was not able to reproduce the result. Test in advance!

Migrated with IGEL UDC V2: Dell Optiplex 7010

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

Hello Folks,

today we migrated a Dell Optiplex 7010 with success, we used IGEL Universal Desktop OS 5.03.190.

DellOptiplex

GFX Card incl. Dual Monitor support: Working (Note: Display Port 2 seams to be not to work with DP->DVI Adapters, DP->VGA are working; this seams to be an issue with the GFX Card in general (BIOS already fail to initiate the connected Display without any IGEL Software loaded)
Network card: Working
USB Ports: Working
Audio: Working
DVD-Drive: Not tested
WiFi: Not available

Note: Disable “Deep Sleep Control” in the Energy configuration in the Dell device BIOS!

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Of course we are not responsible for any damage related to this article, test in advance if you want to migrate similar devices.

Migrated with IGEL UDC V2: Dell Optiplex 790

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

Hello Folks,

today we migrated a Dell Optiplex 790 with success, we used IGEL Universal Desktop OS 5.03.190.

DellOptiplex

GFX Card incl. Dual Monitor support: Working
Network card: Working
USB Ports: Working
Audio: Working
DVD-Drive: Not tested
WiFi: Not available

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Of course we are not responsible for any damage related to this article, test in advance if you want to migrate similar devices.

Migrated with IGEL UDC V2: Dell Optiplex 780

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

Hello Folks,

today we migrated a Dell Optiplex 780 with success, we used IGEL Universal Desktop OS 5.03.190.

DellOptiplex

GFX Card incl. Dual Monitor support: Working
Network card: Working
USB Ports: Working
Audio: Working
DVD-Drive: Not tested
WiFi: Not available

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: Of course we are not responsible for any damage related to this article, test in advance if you want to migrate similar devices.

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

Migrated with UDC2: HP ProBook 6530b

Tuesday, May 13th, 2014

Hello Folks,

today i migrated a HP ProBook 6530b Intel i7 based Laptop.

hpprobook6530b

Here are the Test results with the IGEL Universal Desktop OS Version 5.03.100:

Inbuild Touchpad: Working
Inbuild Ethernet 10/100/1000: Working, Intel 82577LM
Inbuild Audio Card: Working, Intel 3400 HD chipset
Inbuild WiFi: Working, Intel Centrino N 6200
Inbuild SD/MMC Card Reader: Working
Inbuild GFX Chipset: Working, Intel Arrandale
Inbuild Keyboard: Working incl. Mouse key
Inbuild Webcam: Working, HP Webcam 2MP
Inbuild USB Ports: Working, Intel 3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
Inbuild SATA Controller incl. external ESATA Port: Working, Intel 3400 Series SATA controller
Inbuild PCI-Express Slot: Working

Cheers
Michael

Info (Updated): USB 3.0 Memory – Same device with different results or what vendors doesn’t tell you.

Monday, April 28th, 2014

Hi Folks,

did you already got an USB 3.0 Memory or maybe two or more of them for you company? Your Users complain different write/read performance results? Why?
Reason is quite simple, it seams to be a big fun for some vendors to sale “different” devices providing different results with the same device name/part number. My negative sample for today is the Memory Vendor PNY and the Product USB-Stick 128 GB PNY Wave Attache™ USB 3.0 – Part Number FD128GBWAVE30-EF.

I got two of these devices for tests with the IGEL UD5 USB 3.0 Ports and the user was complaining different results with similar USB memory devices, so of course the different result must came from the Thin Client… 🙁 …but this is not the case. 🙂

I was able to reproduce these different results with PC’s, Tablet computer or any other device coming with a USB 3.0 port and the issue was not the thin client; it is the memory device.

The difference was “huge”, the first USB Memory provides a write speed of 60-80 mb/s which is good for a USB Memory but the second one provides only 25mb/s as max. write speed? What? It’s not much faster than a USB 2.0 device…

128 GB PNY Wave Attache, same but different

128 GB PNY Wave Attache, same but different

So i went to a electronic store close by that offers these USB Memory devices and both versions are offered here at the same time, funny but you can see the difference for this product quite simple if you know where to look (expand the upper picture).

Iam sorry to say: For me it’s a little bit “cheating” to work in this way… Provide the fast version for tests and sale “mixed” versions of the same product at the same time and i don’t believe that the production costs are equal. The slow PNY memory seams to be a “better refurbished” USB 2.0 memory and the results are not even close to the results mentioned in public available tests which can be found at Google or what PNY mentions on the package as max. speed.

So i only can recommend to test this in advance! If you buy a bigger amount force the reseller to provide you a “specification” guarantee and as end customer try to replace the device if possible, last one could be hard because the speed for the device is mentioned only “very” flexible by PNY and of course it’s a “low budget” device but a extreme result difference like this should also not happen for a “low budget” device with a brand on it from my point of view.

By this way, PNY is not the only vendor working in this way but regarding the fact that this device is “sold” and “announced” in a massive way at the moment you should have an eye on this.

I also wait for a statement from PNY and how this can be fixed, i will update this article if i got a statement from PNY and the marketing slogan “Make Life Simple” from PNY sounds like a bad joke for me at the moment but maybe there are people who like to play a device “lottery”.

 Update:

I found a 3rd Version and after this test results the best indicator to detect the fast Version is the engraved CE symbol, see picture below. The Version without the CE Mark provides a 3x faster write speed than the one with the engraved CE Mark during my tests. I’ve tested now 7 of these sticks (4 with engraved CE Mark and 3 without the engraved CE Mark), thanks also for the feedback provided by other users confirming these results! Also the slow one has a red LED, the fast one during my test always comes with an orange LED which shows Disk activity.

PNYUSB3SF

 

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: I will keep my two same but different PNY memory devices to have it as negative sample how “Same but not similar device” can look like.

P.S.2: I do not know how much versions are sold by PNY and this is only my personal result, so iam not responsible if there are also other versions with other visible indicators available. Test! Test! Test!

P.S.3: I got already similar results with display vendors (very common) and other devices like smart card readers but in these cases there was always a different revision number available (printed on the packaging and/or device) which clearly mentioned a difference.. This is not the case for the PNY memory device and i really try to find one.

Hardware support: D-Link DWA-125 WiFi Dongle and IGEL Linux V5

Friday, March 28th, 2014

Hello Folks,

today we tested the D-Link DWA-125 USB WiFi dongle with the IGEL Linux V5 (Version 5.02.100).

d_link_dwa_125

 

The device workes fine and we were not able to find any issues.

Hardware Specs:

Product: D-Link 125
Model: EWA125EU A2G
Hardware Revision: A2
Firmware: 1.40
Chipset: Ralink RT3070

Warning: There are other revisions available (incl. different chipsets) and this test was only done with revision A2 just bought in a retail store! See also: https://wikidevi.com/wiki/D-Link_DWA-125_rev_A3

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