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ThinLinc 2.0.0 Release Notes

Introduction

Cendio is very proud to present ThinLinc 2.0.0. With this release we introduce several major new features, including support for Smart Cards, integration with web portals, limited support for application publishing and a printer access control feature. The reliability and performance has also been greatly enhanced. In total, this release contains more than 100 enhancements.

Changes in This Release

For each enhancement, the enhancement number is given in parenthesis.

Server

  • ThinLinc works on most modern Linux distributions and Sun Solaris (R). This release has been extensively tested on the following platforms:
    • Red Hat (R) Enterprise Linux 5.1 (in 32-bit mode)
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 SP1 (R) (in 32-bit mode)
    • Ubuntu (R) 7.10 (in 32-bit mode)
    • Sun Solaris (R) 10
  • Python 2.3 or newer is now required. (2574)
  • The session manager has been rewritten, using a new asynchronous framework. This gives a radically improved scalability but also better protection against malfunctioning and rogue clients. (113)
  • The profile selection dialog only displays profiles that are actually available on the system. For example, the KDE Desktop option will not be displayed if KDE is not installed. It is also possible to use the same mechanism to control profile availability based on other parameters such as group membership. (1259)
  • The license system honours license files with hard limits. It is not possible to start new sessions if all licenses are in use. (License files are currently delivered with a 10% margin.) (903)
  • The two new directories sessionstartup.d and sessionreconnect.d allows for executing programs on the VSM server host, as root, during the session startup and reconnect. (1617)
  • The translated server side programs, such as the profile selection dialog, now works correctly in environments using the ISO-8859-1 locale. (2399)
  • The user visible server side programs have been translated to Brazilian Portuguese. (2487)
  • The compatibility with Brazilian ABNT2 keyboard layouts has been improved. (2447)
  • The ThinLinc Administration module for Webmin is now compatible with the latest Webmin versions. (2476, 2477)
  • After logging in to Webmin, the ThinLinc Administration module is automatically displayed. (2578)
  • tl-setup can now correctly configure the font path on systems which uses "font catalogues". This includes Fedora 8. (2539)
  • The "homecreatefilter" feature uses the stat64() system call, for improved compatibility. (2463)
  • The license system has been adapted to support multiple concurrent sessions per user. One license is required for each pair of (username, client terminal identification). This means that sessions for a single user running from multiple client terminals requires multiple licenses. (2513)
  • Local drives are enabled by default at installation. (2625)

General

  • ThinLinc now supports multiple concurrent sessions using a single user name. Reconnecting to disconnected sessions can be done either using the policy used in Windows Terminal Services, or using a policy which provides greater control. It is also possible to configure how many sessions per user that should be allowed. (715)
  • The "thinlocal" and "nearest" print queues have been adapted to support multiple concurrent sessions per user. These queues will now redirect the print job based on the last connecting terminal. (2512)
  • Accessing local Smart Cards is now supported. This includes applications running on the ThinLinc server as well as applications on Windows Terminal Servers. (96)
  • The new "Printer Access Control" feature makes is possible to restrict access to certain print queues based on the connecting terminal. The list of available printers in applications only displays printers that are accessible. (240)
  • It is no longer necessary to manually create printer queues, since the system printers can be automatically imported. (555)
  • Usernames and passwords with characters outside ASCII (international characters) are now supported. (471)
  • The unencrypted Java Browser Client has been removed. Shadowing from the administration interface is now done using the native client. (612)
  • In previous versions, both the ThinLinc session manager and the system SSH daemon verified the user password at login. With ThinLinc 2.0.0, the user credentials only needs to be verified by the SSH daemon. This means that password based authentication is no longer a requirement. The login procedure is also faster. Note, however, that users must be allowed to execute "/usr/bin/thinlinc-login". (1283)
  • Authentication using SSH public keys is now supported. (2449)
  • Authentication using Smart Cards following the PKCS#15 standard is now supported. The client can be configured to automatically disconnect the session when the Smart Card is removed. (2439)
  • It is now possible to specify a "start program" in the client, which will be used to start the session, instead of using server side session profiles. This feature can be used to start an application specified by the client. (2044)
  • The SafeLinc functionality has been removed. (2402)
  • ThinLinc 2.0.0 features a new web browser integration which allows starting the native client from a web page or portal. If the native client is not installed, a signed Java Applet guides the user through the installation. The web browser integration is designed to be platform and browser independent. Single Sign-On is available when used with products such as PortWise 4.6. (2410)
  • The session name, which is displayed in the clients window title, can be dynamically updated. When using a "start command", the session name is set to this command by default. The session name can also be customized. (2528)

Client

  • The client is now translated to Brazilian Portuguese. (1437)
  • In some cases, the Windows client was sending a period instead of a comma, when using the numeric keypad. This has been corrected. (1919)
  • The new configuration parameter DISPLAY_MODE allows for specifying if the client should start in simple or advanced mode using a configuration file. (2145)
  • The client is no longer supported on Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME, since these platforms are no longer supported by Microsoft. (2311)
  • All client packages for thin terminals are preconfigured for local drive redirection. (2337)
  • The native client can now use additional configuration files, ending with .tlclient. These can be placed, for example, on the desktop or start meny and provides an easy way to switch between different client configuration profiles. The configuration files can also specify which server to connect to and which application to execute. (2618)
  • Compatibility has been improved with Local Drive Redirection using the Windows client and 32-bit applications running on recent Linux kernels. (2471)
  • The Solaris Client now correctly reports a terminal identification. This allows using the "nearest" printer queue from Solaris clients. (2497)
  • Sound system autodetection now works on eLux-based thin terminals. (2499)

Novell Integration

  • The tl-mount-ncphome.sh script has been removed, since using the NCP for the home directory itself doesn't work very good in practice. (2210)
  • The LDAP configuration file generated by the ThinLinc Novell Configurator now includes "bind_policy soft". This is to avoid long delays during boot with some Linux distributions, for example Suse. (2562)

Windows (R) Integration

  • The ThinLinc sound driver "tlsnd", which supports microphones and other input devices, now includes sample mixing support. This allows playback from multiple applications at a time. (2293)
  • When using application publishing via SeamlessRDP, the correct window icons are now set. Full 32-bit color support is available. (2404)
  • The performance of the local drive redirection when using the Windows client has been enhanced, especially when using large folders. (2440)

TLCOS

  • The new TLCOS is based on the Linux distribution Fedora 8, which includes many enhancements. Old kickstart files can still be used, but booting from floppy disks is no longer supported. (2270)
  • It is now possible to configure TLCOS to use languages other than English. All available client translations can be used with TLCOS as well. (2246)

Corrected Issues

ThinLinc has also been enhanced in many other ways. The complete list of corrected issues follows:

  96,  113,  240,  420,  471,  555,  612,  715,  903, 1092, 1259,
1283, 1437, 1534, 1559, 1617, 1628, 1640, 1781, 1797, 1808, 1809,
1821, 1842, 1867, 1919, 1939, 1968, 2007, 2014, 2044, 2057, 2127,
2132, 2136, 2141, 2145, 2153, 2201, 2210, 2230, 2246, 2270, 2285,
2286, 2293, 2301, 2311, 2337, 2357, 2358, 2384, 2393, 2399, 2402,
2404, 2410, 2411, 2415, 2420, 2431, 2435, 2438, 2439, 2440, 2446,
2447, 2448, 2449, 2450, 2452, 2454, 2455, 2457, 2461, 2463, 2471,
2472, 2476, 2477, 2487, 2495, 2497, 2498, 2499, 2500, 2501, 2503,
2512, 2513, 2515, 2518, 2528, 2529, 2539, 2547, 2548, 2549, 2562,
2572, 2574, 2578, 2595, 2600, 2602, 2603, 2604, 2607, 2617, 2618,
2621, 2624, 2625, 2628, 2632, 2645, 2647, 2666, 2673
ThinLinc (R) is a registered trademark of Cendio AB
Linux (R) is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Solaris (R) is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Red Hat (R) is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc.
SUSE (R) is a registered trademarks of Novell, Inc.
Ubuntu (R) is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd.
Windows (R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.
eLux (R) is a registered trademark of UniCon Software GmbH in Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ThinLinc is packaged in subscriptions with a tiered pricing system. A higher number of subscriptions will give a lower price. The subscriptions can be purchased for different periods, 12, 36 and 60 month. A longer duration will give a greater price. The payment of the subscriptions is done in advance.

    The default rule is that the prices are set in accordance with the number of subscriptions that are purchased at the actual call off. Deviation from this can be eventually agreed if a roll-out plan can be committed in advance.

  • Every valid ThinLinc Subscription Agreement has a specific ID. Contact Cendio at support@cendio.com and refer to your ID, and we will issue new user licenses for you.

  • Contact Cendio support team at support@cendio.com. And refer to your ThinLinc Subscription ID in your support request.

  • We will set up an evaluation account that gives the permission to receive support directly from our technical team. Cendio can also provide trial licenses for more than 10 users. Please contact sales@cendio.com directly.

  • Cendio wants to sponsor organizations where the business aims to make the world better. This means to help people, regions etc. that really need help. Please contact us a sales@cendio.com.

  • Cendio offers a non-profit discount for organizations that fall under the definitions that can be found at the https://www.cendio.com/thinlinc/shop/non-profit-organization/. Please contact us at sales@cendio.com for pricing. 

  • Cendio will, in good time before expiration of the ThinLinc Subscriptions Agreement, send a reminder by email. The renewal process will follow the same routines that are used in a new or additional purchase.

  • Other set-ups are possible for bigger deals. Contact sales@cendio.com.

  • Purchases can be done directly via invoice, web shop or by a reseller. Cendio is a Swedish and EU company with long experience from doing business with foreign organizations. If you have any questions or need support, please contact us at sales@cendio.com

     

  • Best functionality and performance will always be achieved by upgrading to the latest version, both on the server and client-side. A newer version on the client-side will always give a better user experience than a former version. Cendio’s ambition is to keep good compatibility and functionality between the different versions. Historically, good compatibility between versions has been 3-5 years.

  • A ThinLinc set-up consists of a server software, client software and user licenses.

    Server software

    The server software is the heart of ThinLinc installation and handles all sessions, desktop environments and generates the virtual desktop, workspace etc.

    User licenses

    To allow more than 10 sessions to connect access to the server software, user licenses need to be added into the server software. User licenses are bought from Cendio. Please note, when placing user licenses into the ThinLinc server, the counting starts from 0, not 10. In concrete, this means that you need to buy and install the number of user licenses that you need.

    Client software

    The client software is installed on the device that is used to connect to the server and provision the virtual desktop / workspace. If using the web access client, no local installation of client software is needed, the provisioning is generated via the web browser that is installed at the server.

  • It’s up to the licensee to decide who can connect into the server installation. The ThinLinc client software is free of charge and can be downloaded by everyone.

  • The licensing is per organization. There is no limitation on how the ThinLinc user licenses are distributed in the legal organization, as long as the number of consumed licenses don’t exceed the number of paid licenses. It’s allowed to move the user licenses, but not copy.

  • The license use can be seen in the status module, how to manage can be found at https://www.cendio.com/resources/docs/tag/tlwebadm_status.html#tlwebadm-status . ThinLinc will notify you when the limit of licenses has been reached, for detailed information see, https://www.cendio.com/resources/docs/tag/licensehandling.html?highlight=soft

  • Both the ThinLinc server and client software are free to distribute. The user licenses are connected to a purchase and are not allowed to distribute. For more detailed information, see https://www.cendio.com/thinlinc/docs/legal/eula

  • A specific version of ThinLinc is supported 3 years from release date. After 3 years, Cendio can’t guarantee support.

  • The number of user licenses that will be delivered will be in accordance with the number of subscriptions that have been acquired by the customer. The user licenses are perpetual.

  • When adding user licenses into the ThinLinc server, the counting will start from zero. So if you require 200 users, you need to have 200 user licenses

  • You need to buy user licenses and install them in the ThinLinc server. The user licenses are received through buying ThinLinc subscriptions.

  • It’s easy to add new users into a current ThinLinc set-up. By purchasing additional subscriptions into your agreement, so will we issue additional user licenses.

  • Cendio will, after receiving a valid order, distribute user licenses via email for the latest version after a purchase. If the purchase is a renewal and the customers have already received the latest version, no user licenses will be delivered by default, updated licenses will be delivered on request in this case.

  • It’s possible to merge existing agreements. When doing a merge, the period shall be at least 12 months.

  • The default rule is that the prices are set in accordance with the number of subscriptions that are purchased at the actual call off. Deviation from this can be eventually agreed if a roll-out plan can be committed in advance.

  • The client software packages are free of charge.

  • The ThinLinc license is perpetual and will still work after the expiry date of the ThinLinc subscriptions.

     

  • Both as an individual and as an organization, it is not allowed to use the free version of ThinLinc if you have valid user licenses.

  • ThinLinc is free to use for up to 10 concurrent users for both individuals and organizations (on a group basis).

  • ThinLinc Subscriptions give the possibility to run more than 10 concurrent users per ThinLinc installation. It also gives technical support directly from Cendio and the right to get upgrades (new versions) for ThinLinc.

  • ThinLinc Premium Subscription gives prioritized answers, faster response time, and direct access to our qualified technical support via telephone service.

  • The free version of ThinLinc is limited to 10 concurrent users and is supported via the ThinLinc Community. The commercial version of ThinLinc is packaged in a so-called subscription and can be scaled for more than 10 users. The subscriptions also give the right to get professional support in ThinLinc directly from the Cendio technical team.

  • ThinLinc is free to use up to 10 users at the same time per individual or organization worldwide, without any obligations. The usage can be 10 installations with one user per each or one installation with 10 users. What matters is that the 10 users aren’t exceeded.

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