William Matthew Limited Linux Thin Client Linux User Manual

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Manual Version 1.1b

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WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Acknowledgements: William Matthew Limited recognises and acknowledges all registered Trade Marks and copyright of all products mentioned within this guide.

E&OE

Software Licence and Copyright The Software is copyright Embedded Software Foundry Limited. It is sold under licence by William Matthew Limited, 22 Haxey Lane, Haxey, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN9 2NE. UK. Email Info@wmltd.co.uk

“The Software” refers to the Client Connection Manager and the Client Setup Manager. The operating system source code is released under various free software licences, and may be obtained from William Matthew Limited on request.

IMPORTANT: Before using the Software installed on the WML Linux Thin Client please read the licence agreement carefully, the right to use this software is granted only if the Customer agrees to the terms of this Licence. If you do not agree to the terms of this Licence, please return the product unused.

Use of the Software is your acceptance of our terms and conditions of the license.

1. The Software has been developed for use with the WML Linux Thin Client Product range, The Licence is to be used without any time limit and maybe subject to change.

2. The Software may not be duplicated, copied, resold, or re-branded without the written consent of William Matthew Limited.

3. It is the responsibility of any user, reseller, Distributor, OEM and other third party to protect William Matthew Limited rights against violation of this Software Licence.

4. William Matthew will consider any attempt to duplicate the functionality of any application provided by the software will constitute a breach of software licence, and may instigate legal proceedings to protect the intellectual property rights of the WML Linux Thin Client and William Matthew Limited.

5. This Licence and the Software product may be transferred to a third party provided the third party agrees to all the terms of this licence and that no copies of the Software are retained by the transferring party.

6. William Matthew reserves the right to terminate this Licence upon breach.

7. In the event of a termination, all copies of the software must be returned to William Matthew Ltd

8. Any disputes In respect of the Software Licence will be considered a breach of copyright and is subject to English Law.

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WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction to WML Linux Thin Client..................................................................................................5

Technical Data...........................................................................................................................................6

Connectivity Ports............................................................................................................................6

Powering on/off...............................................................................................................................6

Monitors...........................................................................................................................................6

Initial Setup Wizard...................................................................................................................................7

Client Connection Manager.....................................................................................................................12

Connections Tab – Overview.............................................................................................................13

Configuration Tab – Overview...........................................................................................................15

Creating a new Connection................................................................................................................16

Editing a Connection..........................................................................................................................18

NoMachine NX.........................................................................................................................18

Citrix ICA..................................................................................................................................18

NoMachine NX...................................................................................................................................19

NoMachine NX: Network Tab.......................................................................................................19

Optional: NX key...........................................................................................................................20

NoMachine NX: Desktop Tab.......................................................................................................21

Launching an NX Connection.......................................................................................................22

Editing an existing NX connection................................................................................................26

Citrix ICA...........................................................................................................................................27

Sound support................................................................................................................................27

Local USB storage device access..................................................................................................27

RDP: Remote Desktop Protocol.........................................................................................................29

GraphOn GoGlobal For Windows......................................................................................................30

X Windows - XDMCP........................................................................................................................32

XDMCP Broadcast........................................................................................................................32

X Font Servers...............................................................................................................................33

VNC – TightVNC...............................................................................................................................34

Secure Shell - SSH..............................................................................................................................35

Telnet...................................................................................................................................................36

Web Browser.......................................................................................................................................37

Firefox settings...............................................................................................................................37

Custom programs................................................................................................................................38

Sun Secure Global Desktop................................................................................................................39

Client Setup Manager..............................................................................................................................40

System.................................................................................................................................................41

Saving and Loading System Settings............................................................................................41

Restoring Factory Default Settings...............................................................................................43

Network-wide configuration..........................................................................................................43

Locale..................................................................................................................................................45

Network...............................................................................................................................................46

Remote access to the WML Linux Thin Client.............................................................................46

Remote SSH access...................................................................................................................46

Remote VNC access..................................................................................................................47

Specifying X Font Server (xfs)......................................................................................................47

Wireless networking......................................................................................................................48

Display................................................................................................................................................51

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WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Mouse..................................................................................................................................................52

Printing................................................................................................................................................53

Firmware.............................................................................................................................................54

Manually Initiating a Firmware Upgrade......................................................................................54

Automatic Firmware Upgrades.....................................................................................................55

Installing a firmware upgrade file on a LAN web server.............................................................56

Password.............................................................................................................................................58

Sound..................................................................................................................................................59

Information.........................................................................................................................................60

Administrator and Power User Tools......................................................................................................61

Startup script..................................................................................................................................61

Smartcard support....................................................................................................................................62

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WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Introduction to WML Linux Thin Client

The WML Linux Thin Client is a revolutionary Linux based thin client that allows easy windows style setup. The WML Linux Thin Client supports NoMachine NX, GraphOn GoGlobal for Windows, Citrix ICA client version 9, RDP5 connections, SSH (openssh), VNC (tightVNC) and X server (unix XDMCP).

The WML Linux Thin Client provides web browsing capabilities with Mozilla Firefox 1.5. Numerous embedded applications are provided for system admins and power users (scp, sftp, nano and vi).

Based on the Sumo Technologies ST166 and ST168 hardware platforms, the WML Linux Thin Client will provide years of trouble free service.

A unique feature of the WML Linux Thin Client is that programs normally associated with Windows based platforms can be embedded. The inclusion of the Mono runtime environment makes this possible. Mono is an implementation of the .NET 1.1 framework. The WML Linux Thin Client provides Mono with Winforms and GTK#. These .NET applications can reside on a local webserver and the latest version of the application will be dynamically loaded on power up to every WML Linux Thin Client box on the network. This feature will allow you to centrally manage the software application and reduce the support required to maintain standard user desktops.

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WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Technical Data

Connectivity Ports

The unit comes with four USB V1.1 ports for this particular model. You can use one or all simultaneously for keyboard and mouse or other peripherals.

Powering on/off

The on/off button is the sole means for powering the unit on or off. When the on/off button is pressed while the unit is powered on, the WML Linux Thin Client will go into shutdown mode and will power off after about 3 seconds. If the unit fails to power off, hold the on/off button down for 10 seconds.

Monitors

The WML Linux Thin Client requires that the connected monitor provides the DDC protocol which allows the graphics software to determine the available resolution and frequency settings for the monitor. Most modern monitors are DDC compliant.

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WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Initial Setup Wizard

Connect a monitor to the unit’s video port and a USB keyboard and mouse to any of the WML Linux Thin Client USB ports. The network connection should be connected to your LAN hub/switch or ADSL router using an RJ45 network cable.

Connect the supplied power adapter to the WML Linux Thin Client and press the on/off button and the blue led should illuminate and the unit should boot.

Note: USE ONLY THE SUPPLIED POWER ADAPTER OR YOU WILL INVALIDATE ANY WARRANTY.

The initial screen gives you the option of switching to your chosen locale. This will set the language and keyboard setting to match your country. If you change the locale, then the Setup Manager will restart with the chosen keyboard and language.

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Illustration 1: Setup Wizard - Language and Keyboard Layout

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

The second screen gives copyright information about the thin client.

The third screen gives you the choice of allowing DHCP to set the network settings for the client (selected by default) or configuring the settings manually.

If “Set the network up manually” is chosen, you are presented with two screens to configure the IP address and the DNS settings.

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Illustration 3: Setup Wizard - Network Settings

Illustration 2: Setup Wizard - Initial Setup Window

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

After the network window(s) have been filled in, the network settings are applied.

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Illustration 4: Setup Wizard - Manual IP Settings

Illustration 5: Setup Wizard - Manual DNS Settings

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

The next screen allows you to choose your preferred display resolution. The autodetected resolution will be shown pre-selected. If you change the resolution, the monitor will switch resolution and a confirmation window will appear. Click OK if the new resolution is functioning, or “Revert” to switch back to the original resolution. If the new resolution fails, and the display disappears, wait for 10 seconds, and the display will automatically revert back to the original autodetected resolution.

Printer setup will be displayed in the next window. If you require a locally connected printer on your WML Linux Thin Client, connect the printer to one of the USB ports. In order to print to the printer you will need to set up the print driver on a server and direct the print to the WML Linux Thin Client. An example of this process is described on this window.

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Illustration 6: Setup Wizard - Display Resolution Settings

Illustration 7: Setup Wizard - Print Setup Information Window

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

The final window is a confirmation window informing you that the setup process is complete. Click “Finished” and the Setup Wizard will close, and the Connection Manager will be launched. You're now ready to configure your connections.

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Illustration 8: Setup Wizard - Setup is Complete

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Client Connection Manager

The client connection manager runs every time the WML Linux Thin Client is powered up. It manages all of your connections and provides an interface for you to configure new connections. You can always return to the Connection Manager using the key combination Ctrl-Alt-End (except when initially running the Setup Wizard).

The connection manager manages the windows of each running connection and allows you to switch between the windows using the key combination Ctrl-Alt-Down.

There are a variety of ways to connect to a local or remote server, WML recommend using No Machine NX. No Machine is a very cost effective and reliable method, it will allow multiple full graphic sessions to any machine that has the inexpensive No Machine server software loaded. With No Machine NX you can also run a low performance session to a remote server using a dial up modem, although this would be slow in terms of response times.

The connection manager also allows you to configure Citrix ICA, RDP, VNC, SSH, telnet, www and XDMCP connections. The setup of each connection is covered in the following sections.

Tooltips are provided throughout the Connection and Setup Managers, giving you context sensitive help.

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Illustration 9: A new, empty Connection Manager

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Connections Tab – Overview

The “Connections” tab of the Connection Manager is available to any user of the thin client. Illustration 10 shows a Connection Manager with two configured connections. One connection is called “Login to master server” and is of type xdmcp – it's an X windows connection. The second connection is a secure shell login called “Admin secure shell login”. In this window, neither connection is currently highlighted.

In Illustration 10, the numbered features of the interface are:

1. The Connect button. Launches the highlighted connection. If the highlighted connection is already connected, then the connection becomes the current connection.

2. The Connections tab is a lighter gray, showing that it is the selected tab.

3. The Configure tab is a darker shade of gray, showing that it is not selected.

4. The “Name” field shows the name of the connection, as given by the administrator.

5. The “Type” field shows the connection protocol.

6. The “Connected?” field will be checked for any connections which are currently active.

7. The “Program output” field shows the first line of any output generated by the connection, after it has finished. This can be useful for diagnosing failed connections due to network problems.

8. The “Details” field will be checked if the connection generates output. Click on the checkbox to view the full output in a separate screen.

9. The “Terminal” button is optional – it can be switched on in the Setup Manager. This is intended for power users and administrators. Note that if the terminal is available, a user of

the WML Linux Thin Client cannot be prevented from manually editing the connection configuration.

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Illustration 10: An overview of the Connections tab of the Connection Manager

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

In the example shown in Illustration 11, the output from ssh is that server.network.com is an unknown name, indicating that the domain name server couldn't resolve server.network.com into an IP address.

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Illustration 11: The Program output window

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Configuration Tab – Overview

The Configuration tab is password protected and is intended for the use of administrators. Illustration 12 shows the Configuration tab with the same connections configured as in Illustration 10

The features of the Configuration tab are:

1. The “Name” field shows the name of the connection, as given by the administrator.

2. The “Type” field shows the connection protocol.

3. If the “At boot?” field is checked, the connection will be launched when the WML Linux Thin Client powers up. You can check and uncheck this field without opening the Connection Details window for the connection.

4. The “New” button is used to create a new connection.

5. The “Edit” button is used to edit an existing connection (highlight the connection then press “Edit”).

6. The “Delete” button is used to delete a connection. Note that a running connection may not be deleted – first shut it down, then highlight its entry in the list and press the “Delete” button.

7. The “Setup” button launches the Setup Manager. This has the same effect as pressing the F2 key.

8. The “ICA Settings” button opens a window to configure certain settings which are used by the Citrix ICA client program for all ICA connections.

9. The “Logout” button ends your use of the Configuration tab. Once you have logged out, to add, edit or delete connections, you'll need to re-enter your password.

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Illustration 12: An overview of the Configuration tab of the Connection Manager

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Creating a new Connection

To set up any new connection, you need to switch to the “Configuration” tab of the Connection manager. You will be asked for the administration password, which is simply “password” for a factory delivered box.

On the configuration tab, click on the “new” button to create a new connection.

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Illustration 13: Connection Manager - Entering the administration password

Illustration 14: Connection Manager – Clicking the “New” button to create a connection

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

A window will appear with a drop-down menu from which you can choose the type of connection you want to create. In Illustration 15, a Nomachine NX connection is highlighted. Press OK, and the configuration window of the selected connection will appear, and you can then enter the details for the connection.

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Illustration 15: Choosing a Nomachine NX connection

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

Editing a Connection

To edit a previously configured connection, select the “Configuration” tab again, entering the password if necessary. Highlight the connection to edit, and press the “Edit” button. The relevant connection details window will appear and the configuration can be changed as normal.

NoMachine NX

If you are editing a Nomachine NX connection: If you previously elected to save the password of the user, the act of editing the connection will delete the stored password and the user will need to reenter the password the next time the connection is run.

Citrix ICA

Once you have created an ICA connection with a given connection name, you can no longer change that name when you edit the details of the connection. All other details of the connection may be changed.

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Illustration 16: Choosing "Edit" for the highlighted connection

WML Linux Thin Client User Guide

NoMachine NX

Create a new connection of type Nomachine NX. The NoMachine NX Connection Details window will appear with the “Network” Tab pre-selected. This window provides an interface to create the NX session . When the session is launched, NoMachine's own NX Client program is used to launch the connection.

NoMachine NX: Network Tab

The NoMachine NX Connection Details window has fields for the connection name and the network details – server address, port, username etc. You can also select a number of options to control how the NX connection behaves.

In Connection Name, enter the name of the connection, as you want it to appear in the Connection Manager. The Connection Name may include spaces, but none of the characters: " ' = , . ; :

/ \.

In the address field, enter either the network name or the IP number of the NX server. The port to connect to is usually the same as the SSH port (22) but this is not always the case. Enter the username for the connection and check the checkbox if the password should be stored on the thin client between reboots. If stored, it will be kept in hashed form in the connection's .nxs file.

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Illustration 17: Entering network details for Nomachine NX connection

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William Matthew Limited Linux Thin Client Linux User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual