ThinLinc

ThinLinc is a fast and versatile thin client system, similar to Tarantella and Citrix. It is based on open protocols such as TightVNC, SSH, and PulseAudio. The ThinLinc server software can be used to distribute Linux and Windows desktops to thin clients. The system supports Windows Terminal Services as well as CodeWeavers CrossOver. ThinLinc supports redirection of sound, local printers, disk drives, and serial ports, on top of SSH. It also features a unique "one-click" integration tool for Novell eDirectory. Clients are available for a wide variety of thin terminals, such as Fujitsu-Siemens Futro, Neoware, IGEL, VXL Itona, HP t5000, and Wyse.

Version 2.0.0 includes several major new features. Smart Cards are now supported, both for authentication and applications. Integration with web portals is now possible. Basic application publishing features have been added. The new "Printer Access Control" feature makes it possible to restrict access to certain print queues based on the connecting terminal. Multiple concurrent sessions using a single user name are now possible. The session manager has been rewritten, using a new asynchronous framework. This gives radically improved scalability.

Jan Gustavsson
IT Manager Server Infrastructure, SCA Hygiene Products AB

SCA started a project aiming to centralize the production application Plain. The goal of this project was to reduce the costs and the amount of administration for each instance of Plain. Today all Plain installations are scattered over the world; the aim is to centralize as many instances of Plain as possible to a central server in Gothenburg without losing functionality. This will lower the cost for running Plain considerably. In order to achieve this result, they elected to use the terminal server solution ThinLinc.

"Today we can open up a new factory with Plain users in 2 days, instead of 2-3 months as was the case earlier. This brings enormous advantages, the time to market is no problem today! There have been no complaints form the users, only positive response with the introduction of ThinLinc. We haven't had a single production stop since the project started this January", says Jan. "We have had a number of spinoff effects: Factories which didn't have access to Plain before want to join the project when they see what can be achieved with ThinLinc. ThinLinc manages to publish applications on a very low bandwidth, like the case of our factory in Poland", Jan continues.

"The total calculation with ThinLinc means we reach pay-off in the-project after 6 months", Jan concludes.

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