ThinLinc 4.14.0 Release Notes

Introduction

Cendio are proud to present ThinLinc 4.14.0, with more than 60 enhancements and fixes. The most prominent changes are:

  • The native client now supports full-screen mode over an arbitrary set of monitors. This can be useful for users that mainly work in ThinLinc, but has some local applications they still need. They can now have ThinLinc on two monitors, and let a third monitor continue showing the local system.

  • Future versions of the ThinLinc client will not support SSH servers that are using the older "ssh-rsa" method for host keys or public key authentication. For most that means OpenSSH 7.2 or later is required on ThinLinc server systems.

  • Support for some older platforms has been removed. The ThinLinc client is no longer available for eLux RP 5. The ThinLinc server now only supports 64-bit x86 systems. ThinLinc Web Access no longer supports Internet Explorer or the previous generation Microsoft Edge browser.

ThinLinc works on most modern Linux distributions and is supported on any platform that fulfills our documented requirements.

Changes in This Release

In the list below, the bug number is given in parentheses. For more information, visit https://www.cendio.com/bugzilla/.

Server

  • Upgrades of xorg-server to 1.20.13 and libX11 to 1.7.2 fixes multiple vulnerabilities where a malicious application could cause the X server to crash or execute arbitrary code. [CVE-2019-17624, CVE-2020-14344, CVE-2020-14345, CVE-2020-14346, CVE-2020-14347, CVE-2020-14360, CVE-2020-14361, CVE-2020-14362, CVE-2020-14363, CVE-2020-25712, CVE-2021-3472] (7773)

  • The ThinLinc server now requires a 64-bit x86 system. 32-bit x86 systems are no longer supported. Note that 32-bit applications on a 64-bit system are still fully supported. (5308)

  • The ThinLinc server can now be used with up to 10 concurrent users per organization for organizations that do not have any user licenses. Previously this was limited to 5 concurrent users. As before, the full product functionality is provided for these users. (7808)

  • Fixed an issue where the session-side DPI would diverge from the intended DPI over a number of session resizes. (7267)

Native Client

  • The ThinLinc client is now able to use an arbitrary set of monitors in full-screen mode. E.g. two out of three connected monitors. (7006)

  • The default behavior is now to start in windowed mode instead of full-screen mode. This does not apply to clients packaged for thin terminals. (7805)

  • The display settings have been changed to be more clear and to avoid confusing and possibly conflicting settings. (7793)

  • The setting tabs have been reorganized to make the most commonly used settings easier to find. As a part of this, the the tab previously called "Screen" has been renamed to "Display", and the tab previously named "Options" has been renamed to "Advanced". (7522, 7793)

  • The options window when connected will now show the same settings as before logging in. (7522)

  • SSH host key fingerprints now use SHA256 and are shown along with their corresponding host key types in a manner similar to OpenSSH. (7639, 7756)

  • OpenSSH has been upgraded to version 8.7p1. This changes the first preference signature algorithm from ECDSA to ED25519. Note that this is the last release with the ssh-rsa signature scheme enabled. (7764)

  • Fixed an issue where the ThinLinc client could not log in to the SSH server with password. This happened when the SSH server was configured with 'ChallengeResponseAuthentication yes' and 'UsePAM no'. (4062)

  • Improved error messages for the user when providing incorrect key file for public key authentication. (7313)

  • The ThinLinc client will now present an error message if the connection is unexpectedly terminated. (7479)

  • Fixed an issue where the ThinLinc client application name was not translated on current versions of macOS. (7269)

  • Fixed an issue where the ThinLinc client interface was not translated on macOS once you were logged in. (7270)

  • Authentication using Aventra MyEID smart cards with 4096 bit keys is now supported. (7600)

  • The native client is no longer available for eLux RP 5. (7774)

  • Fixed an issue on macOS where all monitors but one would become unusable when going from full screen on all monitors to full screen on one monitor. (7795)

  • The ThinLinc client now respects changes to the system's monitor configuration while connected. (7007)

  • The Linux and macOS client no longer fails to start if opened with an empty or badly formatted log file. (7798)

  • Fixed an issue where the '-x' (XDM mode) and '--force fullscreen' command line arguments would not always result in full-screen mode over all monitors. (7803)

ThinLinc Web Access

  • Internet Explorer is no longer a supported browser for Web Access, a more modern web browser is required. (7550)

Documentation

  • The ThinLinc Administrator's Guide's appearance has been improved, has gotten better cross references for configuration variables, and now has an integrated search function. (4951)

Configuration Changes

New

  • New client settings FULL_SCREEN_MONITOR_MODE and FULL_SCREEN_SELECTED_MONITORS to control which monitors that are used when in full-screen mode.

Modified

  • The client setting FULL_SCREEN_MODE now defaults to 0.

Removed

  • The client settings REMOTE_RESIZE has been removed and the corresponding feature is now always enabled.

  • The client settings SCREEN_SIZE_SELECTION, SCREEN_X_SIZE and SCREEN_Y_SIZE have been removed and are now determined by the full-screen configuration.

A complete configuration reference can be found in the ThinLinc Administrators Guide.

Corrected Issues

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

 289, 1560, 3744, 3881, 4051, 4062, 4617, 4734, 4951, 5015, 5095,
5127, 5289, 5308, 5528, 5591, 5846, 6021, 6974, 7006, 7007, 7201,
7267, 7269, 7270, 7313, 7479, 7522, 7549, 7550, 7559, 7585, 7600,
7608, 7639, 7723, 7755, 7756, 7758, 7759, 7762, 7764, 7766, 7771,
7773, 7774, 7775, 7776, 7777, 7778, 7781, 7784, 7785, 7789, 7792,
7793, 7795, 7796, 7798, 7803, 7805, 7808, 7822
eLux is a registered trademark of UniCon Software GmbH.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
macOS and OS X are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
ThinLinc is a registered trademark of Cendio AB.

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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