IGEL Technology and Parallels: A Perfect Integration

IGEL was well known as a thin client hardware firm, but it is now recognized for its operating system, IGEL OS. Businesses can use IGEL OS to turn x86-64 devices into an IGEL endpoint. An IGEL endpoint or device is made to work with programs and desktops that are hosted elsewhere. This comprises virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), Desktop as a Service (DaaS), and cloud infrastructures, which deliver apps and desktops. IGEL Technology’s product portfolio of IGEL-powered endpoints includes traditional desktop clients and integrated endpoint units equipped with Linux or Microsoft Windows operating systems.

IGEL Technology: Understanding Endpoints

An endpoint is a computer with reduced processing power that depends on a server to fulfill its computational roles. This is different from the traditional fat client, which is a computer designed to take on these roles by itself.

In the extreme case, an endpoint is just a projection of what is happening on the server. The end-user interaction with the endpoint is a way to transfer commands to the server; no data are stored on the client, and no computing operation is performed locally.

These two factors make endpoints a secure and cost-effective way to create a company infrastructure, delivering all the advantages of virtualization at the client level. Endpoints consume less energy because of their lean structure; they do not need a cooling system or rotating hard drives to operate.

Consequently, the risk of hardware failure is reduced, increasing overall IT availability. With efficient remote administration and a flexible virtualization solution, return on investment (ROI) is rapid, allowing businesses of any size to enjoy the benefits of cloud computing without spending a fortune.

Benefits of Endpoints

Any location can be a workplace. Endpoint computing enables increased productivity by allowing workers to work from anywhere in the world, with worldwide access to files and enterprise applications.
Reduced administration and end user support. Endpoints are far simpler to manage since the IGEL OS is deployed centrally. Having a single point of administration reduces overall administration costs and saves on maintenance time. Administrators can perform upgrades and deploy patches, applications, and antivirus updates solely on the server, thereby supporting thousands of users without having to visit the individual workstations. If the endpoint fails, the end-user can be back online in a few seconds by changing the machine.
Increased security. Less risk of viruses and data theft. Administrators can restrict access to USB sticks and online storage to reduce the risk of infections. This, in turn, prevents users from loading foreign applications onto the devices, thus increasing security levels and virtually eliminating viruses. The risk of important company data falling into the wrong hands – as may occur when a fat client or notebook is lost or stolen – is eliminated by storing all data on central servers.
Business continuity and disaster recovery. Data are more secure and easier to back up. If an endpoint fails, essential data are not lost since they are stored on the server. A centralized storage system allows for faster and easier backups, efficient disaster recovery, and better business continuity.
No shelfware and easy management of licensing. Due to centralization, software licensing becomes far easier to monitor and manage, and it is easier to conform to legal requirements. An inventory of the licenses owned can be generated very quickly since all the instances are run on the server farm, and it is easy to understand the usage of any software.

IGEL Technology: Software

The IGEL Technology software suite has three components: IGEL OS, Universal Management Suite (UMS), and an optional IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG).

IGEL OS

The IGEL OS is a lightweight, configurable Linux-based operating system initially conceived for use with thin clients. But today, you can install it as a virtual machine (VM) on Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware Workstation, and Citrix Hypervisor. As such, IT managers can now efficiently deploy and manage end devices anywhere and at any time from a centralized location.

The IGEL OS can run on any standard 64-bit or x86-compatible machine, provided the machine has at least 2GB RAM and 2GB HDD. IGEL OS converts any compatible x86-64 endpoint devices to IGEL OS, allowing the repurposing of any old device into a universally deployable IGEL-powered endpoint.

When used in conjunction with a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution such as Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS), it provides a faster, cheaper, and safer option for accessing VDI environments. What is more, IGEL is now the first company to leverage a validated Linux-based client to access Azure Virtual Desktop.

As a simple, lightweight, and secure Linux-based client, IGEL OS provides users with secure access to WVD-delivered desktops, apps, and cloud workspaces. And since IGEL OS is hardware agnostic, it means users can now use any standard 64-bit or an x86-compatible machine to access VDI services from Azure.

IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS)

The UMS allows IT to automate the deployment and management of endpoints fully. IT managers can easily add, index, manage, and update all the endpoints in an easy-to-use drag and drop environment within the UMS with over 7,000 configurations.

IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG)

The ICG is a feature that allows the IGEL OS to communicate with clients anywhere and anytime seamlessly and securely without having to install a virtual private network (VPN). Although ICG is optional, it adds considerable benefits when accessing remote IGEL OSes.

IGEL Technology: Thin Clients

Endpoint devices are essential in a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment. While less well-known in the domain of more conventional computer endpoints, thin clients are becoming more prevalent in VDI settings. VDI is used to host and manage mostly all data (OS and apps, for instance) on a centralized server. Endpoint devices is really what end users “use” to establish a network connection from a remote desktop to the server. The right endpoint device is essential for speed, dependability, and security. Thin Clients may be the best endpoint devices for VDI if they have the right features.

How Thin Clients Function

Thin clients use Windows Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and other virtualization tools to access hard drives located on servers or data centers. Endpoints, software programs, and supporting hardware infrastructure are all components of a comprehensive virtual desktop computing platform.

Endpoints are a PC replacement technology that gives users access to any virtual application or desktop and is a practical approach for enterprises to set up a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). They are used in a wide range of businesses and sectors throughout the world that have diverse needs but similar objectives.

Hardware for IGEL-Powered endpoints is available in several variations. A few of them are listed below. Additionally, it comes with a bootable USB stick (UD Pocket) that may be used on any device.

IGEL Technology and Parallels RAS

Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) —with its flexibility to work simultaneously with VDI, remote desktops, and virtual applications —is an ideal match for an IGEL-powered endpoint infrastructure. The Parallels RAS Client supports seamless RDP protocol with RemoteFX for Linux and Windows, guaranteeing an excellent end-user experience.

Parallels RAS integrates with major hypervisors—including VMware and Hyper-V—allowing businesses to choose the technology best suited for their environment. IGEL Technology and Parallels RAS guarantee fast return on investment (ROI) through simple implementation. Compared to other solutions, Parallels RAS can be up and running in less than five minutes, thanks to the wizard configuration setup. Publishing an application is just a matter of a few clicks.

IGEL Technology and Parallels have been working together since 2002 to deliver a solution for the fast and economical implementation of server-based computing and desktop virtualization. Combining IZ/UD IGEL technology clients and Parallels RAS creates a particularly economical, secure, and environmentally friendly method of delivering virtual applications and desktops.

With Parallels printing and scanning redirection, an IT manager can avoid the complicated procedures that are normally required to allow an end-user to print from an IGEL-Powered endpoint. Universal Printing and Scanning are ready to use from the outset without any extra configuration.

IGEL Technology Integration Advantages

The IGEL-powered endpoint solutions increase efficiency and improve the user experience (UX). IGEL hardware supports the graphical rendering of the Parallels solution using local graphics capability and computing power, optimizing overall performance.

Compatibility: Parallels RAS integrates seamlessly with IGEL devices. The Parallels Client is pre-installed on IGEL OS.
High-Speed Delivery Protocol: IGEL-powered endpoints deploy Parallels-powered applications and virtual desktops quickly and efficiently, providing the best possible experience for end-users.
Strong Graphics Performance: For IGEL-powered endpoints, the local machine performs a proportion of video computations, improving graphics rendering.
Total Cost of Ownership: The use of IGEL-powered endpoints, unlike traditional hardware, can lead to significant savings by deferring the need for additional hardware purchases.
Green IT: The use of endpoints can reduce carbon emissions compared to typical fat endpoints.
Easy delivery of executable files by drag-and-drop.
Isolated sessions: Applications run in their own separate sessions without affecting other applications.
Seamless integration of applications in taskbars.
Different access rights based on user, group, IP address, and MAC address.
Intelligent, resource-based load balancing for two or more servers.
License management: automatic tracking of all deployed instances of an application.

Conclusion

IGEL-powered endpoints complement Parallels RAS features, with the aim of IGEL’s Universal Desktop Strategy being high customer performance with secure yet flexible, access to the private and public IT cloud.

With IGEL-powered endpoints and Parallels, organizations can easily ensure maximum thin client efficiency and operability—by adding the critical cloud computing functionality administrators need using Parallels RAS.

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