Archive for June 26th, 2012

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

Quick configuration for IGEL Linux based devices without the IGEL Universal Management Suite

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

Maybe you’re environment don’t need a UMS Server, UMS configuration is not possible or it’s just to small to setup an extra management server… A quick and easy configuration is also possible in environments like this, all you need is a FAT32 formatted USB Memory.

Note: If you want to deploy background pictures or firmware updates just create a folder on the USB Memory and place the files into this folder.

1) Setup the first thin client like you want it, enable at least one USB Device in the Devices->Storage Devices! If you want to use the USB Memory also to deploy firmwares, change the update settings to file and point to the folder on the USB Memory where the firmware or other files are placed. For all related settings point to the Update configuration (like background picture or in the flash player download configuration)!

2) Press ALT+CTRL+F11 and login as root, now execute “store_usbconfig”. You will be asked for the configuration name (you can store a couple of different configurations if required) and you’re done here.

3) Boot the client where you want to deploy the configuration and press ALT+CTRL+F11. Execute “load_usbconfig”, you will be asked to replace the existing configuration and after this you can select a configuration from the USB Memory. Reboot the device and execute the “update” command if you want to start the firmware update (needs to be configured and the firmware @ the USB Memory).

4) Proceed 3) at all clients where you want to deploy a configuration….

That’s it… If you want to switch back to the IGEL Desktop just press ALT+CTRL+F1.

Cheers
Michael