Archive for June, 2013

Video: Swissport success story with IGEL (English)

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

Hi Folks,

here is a good Video why Swissport is using IGEL Thin Clients..

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu5kvBc_nkU]

So if you get a flight, you maybe using IGEL Technology… 😉

Cheers
Michael

New IGEL Universal Desktop W7 Firmware 3.06.100

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

IGEL Universal Desktop W7

=========================

Version 3.06.100

24. June 2013

Supported devices: UD3-730 W7, UD3-740 W7, UD5-730 W7, UD5-740 W7, UD9-730 W7, UD9-731 W7

======================

Notes:

======================

======================

Drivers:

======================

– Realtek RTL8169 Version:7.43.321.2011

– VIA HD Audio VT1708B: 6.0.01.8700

– Prolific PL-2303 USBtoSerial: 2.0.2.8

– FTDI UsbToSerial: 2.02.04

– OmniKey Cardman 3×21: 1.2.6.5

– Intel HD Graphics: 9.17.10.2875

– Realtek 8168: 7.61.612.2012

– Gemalto Minidriver for .NET Smart Card: (WES7: 8.3.1.3)

– VIA WLAN VT6656: 1.1.0.2

– Intel Centrino WLAN N-1000: 15.1.0.18

– VIA Chrome 9 VX855: 8.14.14.0141

– D-LINK DWA-131 Nano: 1085.7.0815.2009

– VIA Chrome9 VX900: 8.14.14.0181

– Ralink RT309x/2860: 3.02.01.0

– Intel 945 Express: 8.15.10.1930

– eGalax xTouch: 5.11.0.9020

– RTL8168C: 7.018.0322.2010

– Realtek HD Audio: 2.63

======================

Applications:

======================

– .NET: 3.5 Sp1

– Microsoft RDP Client : 8

– Internet Explorer: 8

– Windows Media Player: 12

– Sun JAVA RE: 1.7 Update 17

– Ericom WebConnect: 5.6.1.1000

– Ericom PowerTerm: 9.2.0.0

– NXClient: 3.4.0.7

– Quest vWorkspace Client: 7.6

– Ekiga VOIP Client: 3.2.6

– SAP GUI JAVA for Windows: 7.10 R 7

– Tight VNC Server: 2.0.2

– Citrix Receiver: 3.4

– Thin Print: 8.6

– VMWare View Version: 5.2.1 build-937772

– Fabulatech USB for Remote Desktop: 3.1.3

– NCP Enterprise Client: 9.30

– Leostream Connect Client: 2.7.129.0

– Client for RedHat RHEV-D: 3.0-26

– USB Redirection for RedHat RHEV-D: 3.0-26

– Sumatra PDF Reader: 2.1.1

======================

New features:

======================

– [System]:

– Changed boot up process with a notable improve of boot time

– Changed default user login icon

– [Citrix]:

– Updated Citrix Reveiver to version 3.4

======================

Bug fixes:

======================

– [System]:

– Fixed display error (black bars) with some display modes

for the UD5 dual core devices

– Fixed Internet Explorer session checkbox based settings

– Fixed domain join with enabled File Based Write Filter

– Fixed missing prerequisites for manual installation of

Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer 9

– Fixed language installation process to support additional

language packs

– [Citrix]:

– Fixed issue installation of Apple iPhone driver for mapping

in ICA session

======================

Known Issues:

======================

-[FABULATECH]:

– Fabulatech USB for Remote Desktop is currently

not working with Citrix XenDesktop.

 

======================

New features:

======================

– [System]:

– Hardware support for UD5-740 W7

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

 

 

XenDesktop 7 is available for download

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Hi Folks,

XenDesktop 7 is available for download at www.citrix.com. Not direct IGEL related but it might be intresting for you. 😉

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

Upcoming Partial Update (ES/W7) and Custom Partition (LX/OS) collection

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

Hi Folks,

in the upcoming weeks i will start to release some “none official” extensions for the IGEL Operating Systems.

If you want to be part of it and you have a partial Update for Windows based devices or a custom partition for Linux based IGEL Thin Clients i would be happy if you want to share it with us. So if you have a extension you want to share, just send me a small email.

Important:

– Please provide a small documentaion.

– Make sure you’re extension do not violate any copyrights or license agreements, all packets released via cloud-client.info will be proofed as much as possible in advance. So we will not release a partial Update Package for Microsoft Word… 🙂

– If the package is created with our Deployment Assistant Tool it would be create if you can add the .dti file so users can extend this package quite simple.

– If you have a UMS Profile for the deployment, please provide it also.

 

The downloads will be available via cloud-client.info -> OS Extensions Menu, the menu is not visible at the moment… Stay tuned for more news in the upcoming weeks.

Cheers

Michael

P.S.: All released extensions are without any warranty or support in general! Test in advance! We will also not create or release a extension on request! If you have a demand for a special extension contact you reseller or responsible sales contact.

cloud-client.info get a new logo…

Friday, June 14th, 2013

Hi Folks,

we will get a new logo, the logo in the Whitepapers and on all sub sites will be replaced in the upcoming weeks.

cci-withtext

I hope you like it… 🙂

Cheers
Michael

Video: Swissport success story with IGEL (German)

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

Hi Folks,

here is a good Video why Swissport is using IGEL Thin Clients, it’s only available in german at the moment but still it´s a really good Video.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95YNIBYABWE]

So if you get a flight, you maybe using IGEL Technology… 😉

Cheers
Michael

Bootime for Windows Embedded device explained (short version)

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

Hi Folks,

very often i’ve been asked why IGEL´s Windows based OS is taken a little bit longer for the boot time then Thin Clients from other Vendors.

First of all a few specs…

The new UD5 Windows 7 Dual Core provide’s: A faster CPU, faster Storage (WD SSD), faster Memory and a faster Chipset but still it takes (only for the Boottime!) a little bit longer then (much) slower Devices from other Vendors. See also my UD5 Performance Whitepaper.

The Myths:

– IGEL is running a virtualized Windows Embedded OS = Nonsense… IGEL has a Linux Partition to pevent the use of PXE crap and provide a secure and high available firmware deployment solution. There is no “Thin Client” Hypervisor or something funny at all (like the Citrix XenClient).
– IGEL devices are slower= Nonsense… Compare the overall UD5 Dual Core performance with any other current high end client and you will see which device is slower in general. Tip: It´s not the IGEL. Of course you should try devices on the same level… Comparing a UD5 with a 3rd Party entry Thin Client or a IGEL UD2 with a 3rd Party High End Thin Client doesn’t make sense at all.

The reallity:

– IGEL comes with a lot of services compared to other vendors, most of these services are enabled by default and not disabled or better: Not available.
– IGEL’s Management is very stong but these management tasks are not for free… They do require a little bit time. If a device with no really or only basic management is offered: Of course it will boot faster! If you have nothing do to at work… Of course you can make a break earlier; It’s very similar.
– IGEL Boot Loader takes a few seconds to time out.

How can it be optimized:

– Disable not used services
– Make sure the UMS is available, the Clients will always try to talk to the UMS and it takes a few seconds for a Time Out.
– Use the Standby Mode if possible, no device will boot faster if an standby mode and the new devices only requires a little bit more power compared to switched off client.
– Some vendors are using a Standby Mode by default (without mention this in the documentation), plug off the power cable to check this or enable the Standby Mode for the IGEl too.

Things to consider:
– If you’re only looking at the boot time you should figure out how often your Users are “booting” there device and compare this to other performance figures.
– People complaining about the boot time for a thin client… Compare it to your Active Directory Profile Management (if in place), how long is your logon time?
– Use the IGEL Universal Management to wake up the clients for the user’s, the new devices require less power then ever and every User is happy (or not 😉 ) if his client is ready to use.

I hope this helps a little bit…

Cheers
Michael

UD5 English Product Video

Saturday, June 8th, 2013

Hi Folks,

and here is the english Version of the UD5 Dual Core Product Video.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA9-Gc_31sI]

 

Cheers

Michael

Tip: USB Storage security with IGEL Linux (LX/OS)

Thursday, June 6th, 2013

Hi Folks,

maybe you already noticed that you have an USB Security configuration in the Device section of the IGEL Setup.

If you want to allow a special USB Memory mostly people use the Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID) for this. This works quite well but has one big disadvantage…. It works for all USB Memory with the same VID and PID.

To extend this, you can use the UUID (Unique ID) but how can you setup this?

1) First of all, it will only work with an Filesystem that supports a UUID… NTFS will do, FAT16 or FAT32 will not. So you need to format the USB Memory with NTFS.

2) Now use a thin client where one or more storage devices are allowed without any USB restrictions.

3) Open a console session and type in the command: “ls /dev/disk/by-uuid”. You will get a short list now and insert the USB Stick. Type in “ls /dev/disk/by-uuid” again, compare these lists and write down the new one. The UUID should look like “FE1CFEABB210AA”.

4) Create a new USB Device configuration and type in the PID/VID and the UUID you have written down and assign the configuration to a client. Don’t forget to allow HID devices (Mouse/ Keyboards) in General before assigning the configuration. For VID and PID, use always 4 Digits like 0C00 and remember: Linux is case sensitive! If you don’t know how you can get the VID and PID type in lsusb.

5) Done… Now you have a unique USB Memory to use with the client, all other will not work anymore. Also if someone format this USB Memory it will also not work anymore. Secure and easy to setup.

 

Cheers

Michael

New UD5 Dual Core Video (German)

Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

Hi Folks,

here is a video in german of my favorite thin client:

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL2IeR05lcw]
Have Fun

Michael

cloud-client.info is now on tumblr and some other changes

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

Hello Folks,

since today cloud-client.info is also present on tumblr.

I also added a “Share with” feature to all articles, this allows you to directly print an article, send it to a friend or share it on you favorite social network.

Cheers

Michael