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ThinLinc 2.1.0 Release Notes

Introduction

Cendio is proud to announce a new major release: ThinLinc 2.1.0. As with earlier releases, this version includes several new features as well as many corrections. In total, this release contains more than 90 enhancements. These include:

  • Improved support for the latest operating systems, including Windows (R) Server 2008, Mac OS X 10.5, Red Hat (R) Enterprise Linux 5.2, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 SP2, and Ubuntu (R) 8.04.
  • Improved Smart Card support. With ThinLinc 2.0.0, we made password based authentication optional, by allowing Smart Card authentication instead. ThinLinc 2.1.0 removes the username dependency as well, by allowing login using a username automatically derived from the Smart Card certificate. The login can be triggered automatically when the Smart Card is inserted, thus providing outstanding session mobility.
  • Support for accessing different client devices is better than ever, with extended serial and parallel port support.

Changes in This Release

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

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 5.2 (in 32-bit mode)
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 SP2 (R) (in 32-bit mode)
    • Ubuntu (R) 8.04 (in 32-bit mode)
    • Sun Solaris (R) 10
  • Configuration of the server font path is now easier on distributions such as Ubuntu, where the font path is not available in the X server configuration file. (2675)
  • With the ThinLinc 2.0.0 server, it was not possible to shadow using 1.6.0 clients. This problem has now been fixed. (2704)
  • The vsm-single-signon utility has been renamed to tl-sso-password. Similarly, tl-sso-getpass has been renamed to tl-sso-update-password. (2719, 2720)
  • The Webmin interface now shows a summary of the number of active sessions and users. (2079)
  • Previous ThinLinc versions used lowercase usernames in many places. This includes the session directory below /var/opt/thinlinc/sessions as well as the USER environment variable. ThinLinc 2.1.0 uses the native case on the server, as returned by the Name Service Switch modules. (The client still uses a lowercase username during the SSH authentication). (2753, 2685)
  • Mount options for local drives can now be customized. By default, local drives are mounted with the "-n" option, so that /etc/mtab is not updated. (2573)
  • Profile commands can now include quote characters. (2694)
  • The "root" user is no longer affected by "homecreatefilter", which limits file creation in the home directory. (2473)
  • Clipboard transfers to and from clients failed on servers with the XCB Xlib implementation, such as Fedora 8. This has now been corrected. (2693)

General

  • Windows Server 2008 is now supported, both as a client platform and application server. (The ThinLinc sound driver "tlsnd", which supports microphones and other input devices, still requires Windows Server 2003). (2707)
  • A server connection can now be automatically established upon Smart Card insertion. In this case, the username will be derived from the card certificate. (2740, 2631, 2715, 2722)
  • Smart Card Single Sign-On is supported. The client can optionally transfer the PIN to the server. This means that Windows Terminal Services connections can be authenticated using a Smart Card, without having to enter the PIN code. (Currently requires a terminal server with the Novell Client). (2591, 2636)
  • The python-ldap package is no longer distributed on the server CD. (2669)
  • The special print queue that transfers a print job to the client ("thinlocal") now supports raw print jobs, finalized at the server. This is useful for ASCII print jobs, which cannot be transferred via PDF. (1080)
  • Basic parallel port emulation has been added. A device node corresponding to the client print queue ("thinlocal") is now created. It is called $TLSESSIONDATA/dev/lp0. Currently, communication must be unidirectional and without ioctl:s. (2799)
  • The "start command", which specifies which command to execute in the session, can now contain non-ASCII characters. (2699)

Client

  • Serial port redirection is now supported with the Windows client. (1289)
  • Mandatory password changes during login are now supported. The new password will be used for the agent connection as well as for subsequent Single Sign-On connections. (1108)
  • Interactive Yes/No prompts from SSH/PAM are now displayed as a graphical dialog. This allows the user to answer by clicking on the desired button, instead of typing the answer. (2760)
  • The most common SSH/PAM prompts have been localized. This means that password change requests can be displayed in the language usage by the client. (2640)
  • The client has been translated to Spanish. (2794)
  • The Mac OS X client failed to connect on many Leopard (10.5) systems. This has now been corrected. (2729)
  • A server connection that lasts for fewer than 10 seconds often indicates a server problem. The client now detects such cases and displays an information dialog. (1561)
  • Previously, the Windows client required a locally installed PDF reader when printing to local printers. This requirement has been removed. (2150)
  • The client can optionally display the printer selection dialog for each print job, on Windows. This makes it easier to use "thinlocal" with multiple local printers. (2787)
  • The graphical theme of the client has been changed on UNIX and Mac OS X to more closely resemble the native look on these systems. (2802)
  • The client logo now uses the PNG image format instead of GIF. "tlclientlogo.gif" is now called "tlclientlogo.png". (1737)
  • The Windows client should now work on systems with Sophos Antivirus installed. (2792)
  • A stability problem with the Windows client, mostly affecting Windows Vista systems, has been fixed. (2777)
  • Connecting using a username or password with non-ASCII characters is now supported on systems without a UTF-8 locale. This includes the Thinstation. (2644)
  • Usernames containing whitespace are now supported. (2741)
  • During login, the client now displays the server and agent host names. (2169)
  • The Windows client uses a low fidelity resampling algorithm if the CPU capacity is low. (2798)

Desktop Customizer

  • When using Desktop Customizer, an icon for disconnecting the ThinLinc sessions is included in the root menu by default. (1974)
  • Desktop Customizer now supports localized desktop directories (xdg-user-dirs). (2813)

Novell Integration

  • tl-nds-posixuser avoids allocating uid/gid numbers already used by the system. (2564)
  • The functionality for maintaining an alias container, to ease Single Sign-On with Terminal Services in Novell environments, has been removed. Instead, ThinLinc retrieves the full username, including context, from the eDirectory server and transfers it to the Novell Client on the Windows Terminal Server via RDP. (2567)

Windows (R) Integration

  • The ThinLinc sound driver "tlsnd", which supports microphones and other input devices, now supports the mixer interface. (2292)
  • The rdesktop RDP client now supports microphone input with "tlsnd" using the Solaris /dev/audio interface. (2612)
  • Printing from Windows Terminal Servers are now done using the RDP channel rather than IPP. All printers available on the ThinLinc server for the running user will be available on the WTS. This means that the ThinLinc Printer Access Control feature now covers Windows Terminal Servers as well. Additionally, a mechanism to set pre-set default printer settings has been added. (2786)
  • tl-mount-cifs with the --homedir option should now handle home directories located below the exported share. (2779)
  • SeamlessRDP now has improved application compatibility. (2703, 2727)

TLCOS

  • NetworkManager can now optionally be used to manage network connections. This means that it is now far easier to use TLCOS with wireless networks. (2711)

Documentation

  • The chapters regarding the different client platforms have been restructured. (1918)

Corrected Issues

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

1080, 1108, 1289, 1451, 1488, 1519, 1561, 1686, 1709, 1879, 1918,
1974, 1990, 2079, 2137, 2147, 2169, 2203, 2292, 2298, 2336, 2392,
2416, 2418, 2437, 2469, 2473, 2564, 2567, 2573, 2591, 2592, 2605,
2612, 2631, 2632, 2636, 2640, 2644, 2669, 2671, 2675, 2681, 2684,
2685, 2689, 2692, 2693, 2694, 2696, 2699, 2703, 2704, 2707, 2711,
2712, 2715, 2716, 2719, 2720, 2721, 2722, 2723, 2724, 2727, 2729,
2733, 2738, 2740, 2741, 2742, 2746, 2750, 2753, 2759, 2760, 2763,
2766, 2769, 2777, 2778, 2779, 2786, 2787, 2792, 2794, 2798, 2799,
2802, 2808, 2813, 2820, 2826
ThinLinc (R) is a registered trademark of Cendio AB
Linux (R) is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Red Hat (R) is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc.
Fedora (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.
Solaris (R) is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Windows (R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.
Windows Vista is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc.
Mac OS X is a trademark of Apple Inc.
eLux (R) is a registered trademark of UniCon Software GmbH in Germany.
Sophos Anti-Virus is a registered trademarks of Sophos Group.

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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