ThinLinc 3.1.0 Release Notes

Introduction

A new ThinLinc release is finally here, the first of this decade. It includes more than 150 enhancements. The most prominent features are:

  • Support for new platforms, such as Windows 7 and 64-bit versions of Windows Server
  • Many smart card improvements
  • Major enhancements for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure deployments:
    • Integration with VMware Virtual Infrastructure environments
    • Support for personal and shared pool machines
    • Web-based administration GUI

ThinLinc 3.1.0 has also been tested with VirtualBox 3.1. When used in conjunction with VirtualGL, the system can deliver high performance graphics with OpenGL applications running on Windows.

Changes in This Release

In the list below, 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 5.4 (64-bit)
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (R) (32-bit)
    • Ubuntu (R) 9.10 (32-bit)
    • Sun Solaris (R) 10

Note: The 64-bit version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop is currently not recommended, since it does not provide a full 32-bit environment.

  • The performance of the X server has been increased. For example, the "gtkperf" performance test typically indicates a performance increase of 50%. (3449)
  • ThinLinc can now be installed in a non-global Solaris Zone. (3286)
  • The "homecreatefilter" now works with modern versions of Firefox. (3340)
  • The "lsof" command is no longer required on agent servers. "netstat" is required instead. (2975)
  • The default session DPI has been changed from 100 to 96, which is more common. (3351)
  • When reconnecting using a different session size, the DPI value was incorrectly changed. (3144)
  • A stability problem related to malformed vsmserver requests has been corrected. (3106)
  • A keyboard problem which could cause modifiers such as "shift" to stick has been corrected. (3143)
  • A keyboard problem affecting dead keys and the Windows client has been fixed. (3156)
  • On rare occasions, some portions of the screen were not updated. This has been corrected. (3108)

General

  • The base system requirements for both the server and client have been raised. For Linux, glibc 2.3.4 or newer is required. (2910)
  • This release has not been translated to Brazilian Portugese. (3437)

Client

  • Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2 have been added to the list of supported client platforms. (3063)
  • The visual appearance of the client has been updated, including support for font anti-aliasing. (2405,3027)
  • The Solaris client now requires Solaris 10. (3422)
  • If the previous version of the client was configured to automatically select "encoding" (this is the default), it did not always select the fastest one. This could result in poor graphics performance. This problem has been fixed. (3416)
  • The RPM package now includes correct library dependencies, which makes it easier to install on 64-bit systems. (3024)
  • A problem related to copy/paste from a ThinLinc session to a local Linux system has been fixed. (3120)
  • Client packages for terminals from Neoware, VXL, and HP are no longer provided. If you need to run the 3.1.0 client on such terminals, we recommend a migration to the eLux platform. See http://myelux.com/ for more information. (3133)
  • The previous version of the client did not support smart cards on recent versions of eLux (version 2.6.0 and newer). (3480)
  • The 3.0.0 Windows client was not focused after connect. This has been corrected. (3136)
  • A compatibility problem with ThinLinc 2.1.0 servers running on Solaris has been fixed. (3363)
  • Exporting a "My Documents" directory containing international characters did not work; this has been corrected. (3212)
  • When the client starts, it will now move any existing log file to tlclient.old.log, preserving its content. This makes it easier to diagnose problems on terminals where the client is configured to automatically restart. (3305)

Smart Card Support

  • When the client is configured to automatically connect when a smart card is inserted, the certificate to use can be selected based on the certificate issuer. (3272)
  • The client now supports unlocking PIN codes, provided that the user enters a valid PUK code. (2598)
  • The previous client did not show all certificates on certain smart cards. This has been corrected. (3275)
  • Smart card certificates with very long "subject names" are now correctly handled. (3294)
  • The Windows client can now handle smart cards with multiple private keys. (3405)
  • Smart card redirection now works on Linux systems with SELinux activated. (3414)
  • Many smart card error conditions are handled better. (3296)

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

  • Pools of common machines are now supported, in addition to dedicated personal machines. (3036, 3072)
  • Smart dynamic allocation/deallocation of common machines for authenticated users, including power operations, is now supported. (3232)
  • Support for VMware vSphere (R) has been added. (3173)
  • Support for linked clones has been added (requires vSphere/ESX 4.0). (3174)
  • Support for cloning machines from snapshots has been added (requires vSphere/ESX 4.0). (3396)
  • A new web-based VDI administration module has been added. (3229)

Desktop Customizer

  • Desktop entries (.desktop files) handled by the Desktop Customizer are now marked as executable files, for compatibility with modern Linux desktop environments. (3165)
  • Common menus and application groups are included by default. (3200)

Novell Integration

  • When previous versions of tl-nds-posixuser failed to find a free uid, a uid of -1 was incorrectly used. (3344)

Windows (R) Integration

  • Please note that Windows Server 2008 is a supported server platform, but Windows Server 2008 R2 is not. (3301)
  • The software package for Windows Terminal Servers ("WTS Tools") now supports 64-bit systems. This means that features such as SeamlessRDP now works correctly on Windows x64 editions. It is also possible to mix 32- and 64-bit applications on such systems. (2764, 2986, 3428)
  • The RDP client (rdesktop) automatically resizes the Windows desktop when the size of the ThinLinc session changes. This makes it easier to reconnect to Windows desktop sessions from a terminal with a different screen resolution. (3043)
  • The RDP microphone driver (tlsnd) works on Windows XP now, even when reconnecting to existing sessions. (3219)

TLCOS

  • TLCOS is configured for smart card usage. (3178)

Corrected Issues

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

1116, 1439, 1681, 1847, 2315, 2350, 2405, 2453, 2526, 2598, 2758,
2764, 2793, 2910, 2932, 2975, 2985, 2986, 3009, 3024, 3027, 3036,
3043, 3063, 3072, 3100, 3103, 3106, 3108, 3112, 3120, 3121, 3126,
3127, 3133, 3136, 3142, 3143, 3144, 3151, 3156, 3158, 3160, 3163,
3164, 3165, 3168, 3173, 3174, 3175, 3178, 3180, 3185, 3200, 3203,
3210, 3212, 3215, 3216, 3219, 3220, 3221, 3224, 3229, 3232, 3234,
3236, 3240, 3243, 3244, 3260, 3261, 3262, 3264, 3265, 3266, 3267,
3270, 3272, 3274, 3275, 3277, 3279, 3281, 3284, 3285, 3286, 3288,
3289, 3291, 3292, 3294, 3295, 3296, 3298, 3299, 3301, 3305, 3309,
3310, 3312, 3314, 3320, 3324, 3325, 3327, 3328, 3332, 3340, 3341,
3343, 3344, 3346, 3348, 3350, 3351, 3352, 3355, 3356, 3357, 3359,
3360, 3361, 3362, 3363, 3364, 3391, 3392, 3394, 3395, 3396, 3399,
3400, 3401, 3405, 3411, 3412, 3413, 3414, 3416, 3422, 3428, 3437,
3439, 3449, 3451, 3453, 3458, 3467, 3478, 3480
eLux (R) is a registered trademark of UniCon Software GmbH.
Firefox (R) is a registered trademark of The Mozilla Foundation.
Linux (R) is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Neoware (R) is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Red Hat (R) is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc.
Solaris (R) is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
SUSE (R) is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
ThinLinc (R) is a registered trademark of Cendio AB.
Ubuntu (R) is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd.
VirtualBox (R) is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
VMware (R) is a trademark of VMware, Inc.
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?