German Thin Client brand IGEL Technology is working on their next release of the IGEL Linux based Thin Client operating system. This is the Linux based OS that will power their own Thin Client Hardware as well as their software based Universal Desktop Converter (UDC).
The Universal Desktop Converter (UDC) thin client software provides a highly effective alternative to traditional thin client hardware. The software is installed as the operating system on PCs, notebooks and selected thin clients, and turns the hardware into a powerful software-based and universally deployable thin client allowing secure access to almost all centralized IT infrastructures.
A first preview of the upcoming release of the IGEL Linux OS can be downloaded from their website. After registration you will get the link to download a zip archive with the installation image. To test the OS it’s possible to burn an installation boot media and install it on a bare metal box. I just wanted to have short view, so I installed it as a VM, which is very straight forward since you get an install ISO.
In order to install and run IGEL Linux 10 Sneak Preview, you need a device (or VM) with:
- x86_64 CPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 2 GB mass storage, preferably Flash
- Intel or ATI graphics chip (Nividia partially supported)
- USB port for booting
- Wired Ethernet adapter
Installing IGEL Linux 10 Sneak Preview will overwrite all data on your mass storage device (hard disk or flash storage)!
IGEL Linux 10 Sneak Preview comes with a limited license that expires on November 30 2016 and has some functional limitations.
In my quick LAB setup I did not test all the possibilities of the operating system. First thing that came to my eyes is the redesigned user interface. It looks clean, nice and modern.
Second small test was, if the appliance mode does still work on this new release. IGEL’s appliance mode provides fast, convenient and efficient access to virtual desktops.
- After switching on a thin client, the user is immediately taken to the log-on screen for the virtual desktop, bypassing the local thin client interface in the process.
- Choose between direct access to a VDI environment and a need-based delivery of centralized IT and cloud services.
- The appliance mode can be activated and deactivated as needed within the console of the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS) remote management software, which comes standard with IGEL devices.
After registering and setup (assigning my already available configuration policies) the test device in the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS), everything was just as it should be. The device boots into the appliance mode, connects to my StoreFront portal, where the users log on and can start their virtual desktops or applications.
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