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Mix Platforms

By using ThinLinc, you are free to mix all the platforms that your organisation requires. It is even possible to use them on the same desktop.

ThinLinc's server component can only be installed on Linux or Solaris, but it is possible to extend the system with any server that can communicate using X11, Microsoft's RDP or Citrix ICA.

Choose Desktop

When ThinLinc has just been installed, the user can choose from any of the desktop environments installed on the system on which ThinLinc has been installed. On Linux this usually means GNOME or KDE, and on Solaris CDE or Java Desktop.

This desktop might not suit everyone, so it can easily be changed. The desktop can be published from another Linux or UNIX machine via X11, tunnelled through SSH to guarantee secure transmission. It is also possible to use a Windows desktop, either from a plain Windows Terminal Services-server using RDP, or from a Citrix Presentation Server using ICA.

All connections utilize ThinLinc's single sign-on feature so that the user only has to enter his username and password once.

Choose Applications

In todays IT environment, a single platform is rarely enough. Different tasks require different applications and different applications require different platforms. By using ThinLinc you can mix these applications on a single desktop, removing the need for multiple workstations or unnecessary compromises because your desired application doesn't run on your primary platform.

UNIX and Linux Applications

Perhaps you have an application that only runs on an IBM mainframe, or need to mix Solaris and Linux programs. ThinLinc can transparently set up SSH tunnels to these extra application servers and publish applications using the X Window System.

Windows Terminal Server

For applications requiring the Microsoft Windows platform, the most straight-forward solution is to keep them on a Windows system. ThinLinc can integrate applications seamlessly from both Windows Terminal Services and Citrix Presentation Server onto your Linux or Solaris desktop.

ThinLinc also enhances Microsoft's Windows Terminal Services in many ways:

  • Advanced load balancing for all versions of Windows, including Windows 2000.
  • The RDP sound system can optionally be replaced, giving functions such as microphone support (see the sound support page for more information).
  • The RDP protocol is extended with seamless windows support, which allows better integration with the desktop when you wish to publish individual applications rather than a complete Windows desktop.

CrossOver

ThinLinc also works well with CodeWeavers' CrossOver, an Windows emulator for Linux. With CrossOver, you can run your Windows applications natively on your Linux server, removing the need and maintenance cost of having extra application servers.

More information about CrossOver can be found at CodeWeavers' web site.

Choose Users

Configuring what desktop to use, which applications to use and from where, is in no way a setting that can only be done globally. ThinLinc allows a great deal in flexibility where you can have different desktops and applications based on username, groups and even which terminal the user is currently at.

Example:

  • Users in group "accounting" get their desktop from a Windows Terminal Services server, while the rest get a Linux desktop locally on the ThinLinc server.
  • The application for your internal business system is only visible when you log on from a terminal inside the office LAN, not when connecting from the Internet.