Archive for September 28th, 2012

Tip: Optimizing Audio quality for RDP connections for IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS

Friday, September 28th, 2012

Hi,

this hint is only for RDP connections between a IGEL Universal Desktop LX / OS and a Windows based Remote Desktop Server (for example Windows 2008 R2 SP1, not Remote FX) and if you got a bad audio quality (noisy/cropped). It can be used with different firmware versions, in my case i used the 4.10.100.

Open the IGEL Setup and/or the profile and go to System->Registry->rdp->winconnect->sound-driver and change it to OSS.

Apply the settings and restart the session to the Server, the result should be much better now.

Cheers

Michael

Posted in IGEL Universal Desktop LX/OS (x86), Remote Desktop Services, VDI | No Comments »

Running Windows 8 to go on a IGEL UD5 Hardware (incl. WiFi Add-On Food)

Friday, September 28th, 2012

Hello Folks,

today i’ve tested Windows 8 to go together with an IGEL UD5 incl. the optional WiFi Add-On Food and here are the results.

Requirements:
– IGEL UD5 with min 2GB of RAM (Windows 8 to go requirement)
– A USB Storage that can run Windows 8 to go and of course it should be installed
– In the UD5 BIOS (DEL after power on the Client) you need to enable to boot from a USB device

My Setup:
– A UD5 (VIA Nano based), 2GB RAM coming with the optional WiFi Food (BIOS Setup to provide 128MB Video RAM)
– one 750 GB USB 3.0 HDD running Windows 8 to go (x86 Version) incl. enabled Bitlocker drive encryption for the HDD.
– Installed Software: Office 2010, System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection, KL Codec pack, Evince PDF Viewer and Citrix Receiver
– Enabled Windows 8 Features: Nearly everything available with Windows 8 x86 Version

windows8togoud5.jpg

Results:
– System is booting fine, incl. hardware setup i was able to get/work with the desktop in round about 1:30min (please note: this results can vary depending on your USB Memory Speed)
– Available max. Resolution: 2560×1440
– Supported Hardware: Nearly every needed driver incl. the optional WiFi Food is coming with Windows 8 to go without the audio driver. Regarding VIA the audio driver is currently under development and will be available soon.
– No issues if using Bitlocker Drive encryption coming with Windows 8 to go.

Disadvantage:
– Of course the System can not be managed by the IGEL UMS in any kind when running Windows 8 to go
– You might be required to increase the RAM if you are not already using a Windows 7 based UD5, i tested it also with 1 GByte RAM and it works for me too but it’s a little bit slower and 2GByte of RAM is the Microsoft defined requirement to use Windows 8.
– Currently no audio driver from VIA is available (also not thru Windows update)
– I don’t recommend to use a UD2 for this, a UD3 might provide enough perfomance but i would prefer a UD5 in any way…. I will check out a UD9 later incl. touch Screen but i suggest this combination will work too.
– Not official supported by IGEL Technology

Advantage:
– Very simple way to switch from a full managed to a none managed Windows based desktop without touching the original IGEL OS.

Use case:
– Mobile workers using Windows 8 to go can use a thin client as “fast to setup” workplace.
– Guest workers can get a seperate full Windows workplace that is not attached to your environment in only a few minutes.
– Lab environments to check/create Windows 8 to go based desktops/medias or need to switch the OS very fast to access or test other systems in the environment.

Cheers

Michael

Posted in Solutions | 1 Comment »