ThinLinc 1.5.0 Release Notes

Introduction

Cendio is proud to announce our latest ThinLinc release, version 1.5.0. This version includes several new features as well as many corrections. In total, this release contains more than 150 enhancements.

With the release of ThinLinc 1.5.0, the LiveCD product is discontinued.

Changes in this release

For each enhancement, the issue 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 4 (Nahant Update 3)
    • SUSE (R) Linux 10.0, in 64-bit mode
    • Ubuntu (R) 5.10
    • Sun Solaris (R) 10
  • The VSM server now purges old sessions in the background. This reduces startup time and improves Webmin performance. (1151)
  • A new utility script, tl-ssh-all, makes it easy to run a command on all servers in the cluster. (592)
  • The support for SELinux systems has been improved. (1229)
  • Improved compatibility with 64-bit Linux distributions. (1678)
  • GTK+ is no longer required. (1537)
  • Installing the ThinLinc server from a CD that is mounted with "noexec" is now possible. (1636)
  • It is now possible to restrict write access to the UNIX home directory. This can be used to force the user to save documents to a NCP or CIFS mounted subdirectory. (1538)
  • The default access mode for home directories created by VSM agent is now 0700. (1864)

Desktop Customizer

  • The Desktop Customizer now supports the GNOME desktop environment in addition to KDE. (1465)
  • The Desktop Customizer does not affect the root user, by default. (1573)
  • The Desktop Customizer features a new, improved GUI. For example, it is now possible to browse for icons and programs. Defining Windows (R) applications is much easier. (1683)
  • The Desktop Customizer features improved compatibility with software packages adding .menu files to /etc/xdg/menus/applications-merged, such as CrossOver Office (R). (1630)
  • Sample application definitions are included, which makes it easier to start working with the Desktop Customizer. (1578)

Client

  • A client package for HP t5000 terminals is now included. (1402)
  • The ThinLinc RPM client package now includes a desktop icon. (1342)
  • The client package for Neoware NeoLinux (R) now features a Snapin for easier installation. (1710)
  • A client package for ThinStation is included. (1644)
  • The Windows (R) client supports sound redirection, in both directions. (262)
  • The Java Browser Client works with One Time Passwords, since it now supports "keyboard-interactive" prompts. (465)

General

  • A new sound architecture - Polypaudio - replaces the Esound software. Polypaudio is fully backwards compatible with Esound but features a new, superior protocol. (29)
  • A Polypaudio plugin has been donated to the ALSA project. This means that virtually every ALSA application can use sound redirection. (1739)
  • Authentication using RSA SecurID (R) is now supported. (1418)
  • The server, client, and TLCOS CD contains source code for all Open Source components. (1438)
  • Two serial ports are now supported. (1807)

Novell Integration

  • The eDirectory (R) integration module in Webmin now has a health status and performance check. (1501)

Windows (R) Integration

  • Applications running on Windows Terminal Servers can now be published to a Linux desktop seamlessly, by using a feature called SeamlessRDP. This allows for full integration with the desktop. The remote applications can be moved, resized and restacked. (243)
  • The tl-loadagent package has been replaced with a "WTS Tools" package. It includes the load agent as well as the SeamlessRDP server component. (459)
  • Sound redirection for Windows Terminal Servers is now enabled by default. It is no longer necessary to call tl-run-winapp (and similiar tools) via esddsp. (1676)
  • RDP connections are created with a color depth of 16 bits by default. (1600)
  • Several problems related to clipboard operations over RDP has been corrected. (1860)

SafeLinc

  • SafeLinc is no longer a separate product, but instead a feature of the ThinLinc product. (1841)

Documentation

  • The ThinLinc Userguide has been renamed to ThinLinc Administrator's Guide, to better reflect the content. (1445)

Corrected issues

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

  29,  154,  243,  262,  391,  459,  465,  524,  592,  843,  873,
 973, 1119, 1151, 1229, 1253, 1273, 1304, 1334, 1342, 1401, 1402,
1418, 1428, 1438, 1441, 1445, 1446, 1453, 1465, 1466, 1467, 1480,
1481, 1483, 1488, 1493, 1495, 1498, 1501, 1502, 1503, 1507, 1517,
1537, 1538, 1541, 1542, 1543, 1550, 1552, 1553, 1554, 1555, 1557,
1558, 1569, 1573, 1576, 1577, 1578, 1582, 1585, 1586, 1588, 1590,
1596, 1598, 1599, 1600, 1602, 1607, 1608, 1610, 1614, 1615, 1616,
1623, 1625, 1629, 1630, 1632, 1636, 1637, 1638, 1640, 1641, 1644,
1645, 1646, 1647, 1648, 1666, 1669, 1670, 1672, 1674, 1676, 1677,
1678, 1679, 1683, 1689, 1698, 1700, 1705, 1710, 1738, 1739, 1744,
1748, 1749, 1754, 1755, 1758, 1761, 1764, 1765, 1773, 1774, 1775,
1779, 1786, 1787, 1791, 1793, 1794, 1796, 1803, 1804, 1810, 1811,
1813, 1817, 1827, 1841, 1844, 1845, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1871,
1887, 1897, 1903, 1904, 1908, 1919, 1924
ThinLinc (R) and SafeLinc (R) are registered trademarks of Cendio AB
eDirectory (R) and SUSE (R) are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc.
Windows (R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.
Solaris (R) is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Red Hat (R) is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc.
Linux (R) is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Ubuntu (R) is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd.
NeoLinux (R) is a registered trademark of Neoware, Inc.
RSA SecurID (R) is a registered trademark of RSA Security Inc.
CrossOver Office (R) is a registered trademark of CodeWeavers, 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.

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