ThinLinc 4.0.0 Release Notes

Introduction

A new ThinLinc release is finally here, version 4.0.0. It includes over 100 enhancements. The most prominent features are:

  • Support for systems with multiple monitors has been greatly enhanced. Primarily this means that the ThinLinc client can now be used on devices with multiple monitors, and the ThinLinc session will respect monitor boundaries just like a local desktop would.
  • A 64-bit client is now available for Linux. This makes it easier to install on most modern distributions, and will also give a performance boost.

Changes in This Release

In the list below, the enhancement number is given in parentheses.

Server

  • ThinLinc works on most modern Linux distributions and Oracle Solaris (R). We recommend that you deploy ThinLinc on one of these tested platforms:
    • Red Hat (R) Enterprise Linux Server 6 (64-bit)
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 SP2 (R) (64-bit)
    • Ubuntu Desktop (R) 12.04 (64-bit)
    • Sun Solaris (R) 10
  • The installation program has been updated with several bug fixes to increase compatibility. (4360, 4442, 4446)
  • The startup scripts will now fetch a Kerberos ticket for the session by default. (4301)
  • The notifications for session shadowing has been made more robust against false warnings. (4321)

General

  • The client and the server now both fully support multiple monitors. This includes both making sure the session covers all monitors, as well as exporting monitor dimensions to the server for correct window placement inside the ThinLinc session. (14, 2426, 3094, 4229)

Client

  • A 64-bit version of the Linux client is now available. (3230)
  • Compatibility with Mac OS X 10.8 has been improved. (4366, 4368)
  • Client window placement has been improved in multi monitor environments. It should now avoid crossing monitor edges, and the session will always be displayed on the same monitor as the login window. (3892, 4275)
  • Sessions are now dynamically resized as the local client window is resized. Previously a reconnect was required to resize the session. (3673)
  • A performance issue on AMD Bobcat CPUs has been identified and fixed. These CPUs are found in several recent terminals. (4328)
  • The installation programs for the Windows client are now signed, increasing security on that platform. (2075)
  • The Java client applet is now signed with a trusted certificate. This avoids unnecessary security warnings. (4402)
  • A security issue in the Java client has been resolved. The PAM account checks were not properly performed, allowing users with locked accounts to log in. (4460)
  • Support for Thinstation has been updated from version 2 to version 5. (4318, 4349)
  • Windows 2000 is no longer a supported platform for the client. Users are encouraged to upgrade to a later version of Windows. (4367)
  • The client now better supports systems that have case sensitive user names. Previously, the client always converted the user name to lowercase. This is now optional, and the default is not to alter the name. Please note: this means that in some configurations, the user name field in the earlier client was perceived as case insensitive, while the new version will require correct case. (2197)
  • Edge scrolling, also known as bump scrolling, has been restored when the client is in full screen mode. This feature was lost in ThinLinc 3.2.0. (4343)

Smart Card Support

  • The bundled OpenSC library has been upgraded, increasing compatibility with modern cards. (4377)
  • The Linux client will no longer ask for a PIN even if the server rejects the certificate. (2991)

Audio Redirection

  • The embedded PulseAudio server, which is used for audio redirection, has received a major upgrade. This will increase compatibility with modern desktop environments and applications. (2505, 3222, 3227, 4346)

Windows (R) Integration

  • The RDP client now supports Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0. TLS is the latest version of the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. (4347)
  • SeamlessRDP should now be better at ignoring command line windows (which cannot be properly exported seamlessly). (2369)
  • SeamlessRDP is now better at determining when a session should be terminated. (4007)

Corrected Issues

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

  14,  502, 1545, 1667, 2075, 2197, 2369, 2426, 2427, 2505, 2608,
2745, 2862, 2989, 2991, 3094, 3222, 3227, 3230, 3469, 3522, 3673,
3681, 3687, 3721, 3863, 3883, 3886, 3892, 3925, 4007, 4009, 4013,
4025, 4076, 4111, 4116, 4122, 4160, 4171, 4198, 4213, 4214, 4229,
4265, 4275, 4277, 4284, 4287, 4289, 4301, 4302, 4309, 4312, 4318,
4321, 4323, 4325, 4326, 4327, 4328, 4331, 4338, 4341, 4342, 4343,
4346, 4347, 4348, 4349, 4354, 4360, 4365, 4366, 4367, 4368, 4371,
4373, 4374, 4375, 4376, 4377, 4384, 4386, 4391, 4401, 4402, 4407,
4412, 4420, 4423, 4426, 4437, 4438, 4439, 4440, 4442, 4446, 4460,
Linux (R) is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Mac OS X is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Red Hat (R) is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc.
Solaris (R) is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation.
ThinLinc (R) is a registered trademark of Cendio AB.
Ubuntu (R) is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd.
Windows (R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.

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.

How can we help you?