Teradici has upgraded the firmware for PC-over-IP-based zero clients to provide smoother authentication, improved USB performance and support for Internet Protocol version 6, the company said on Monday.
PCoIP is a remote display protocol used to access virtual desktops hosted on a server from a number different clients and VMware's View platform. All current owners of PCoIP zero clients, which are offered by the likes of Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Wyse, can take advantage of the upgrade. Zero clients lack an operating system and have no general purpose processor, memory or disk, making them easier to manage, according to Teradici.
The goal with the upgrade is to offer increased performance and versatility for the current PCoIP zero-client platform, Nigel Evans, product manager of Desktop Solutions at Teradici, said via email. The company also wants to demonstrate its commitment to the platform, he said.
Improvements in version 3.5 of the firmware include the ability to attach memory sticks and external hard drives with USB 2.0 when using VMware View, and achieve better data-transfer speeds.
To simplify the authentication on sessions that use PCoIP, Teradici has also worked with access vendor Imprivata. The two companies have developed a new authentication product by combining Teradici's PCoIP clients with Imprivata OneSign Virtual Desktop Access for VMware View.
A doctor, for example, can authenticate using proximity cards and get access to their desktop from any client, according to Evans. They can then move to a different spot and have their virtual desktop follow them with a single tap of their card. Re-authentication may be automated for applications and be configured to require the user to re-tap their card for prescription-related transactions, Evans said.
To improve security, the company added support for 802.1x, and to comply to U.S. federal mandates, IP version 6 compatibility has been added.
Other improvements include a new helpdesk mode, the ability for customers to choose between a larger number of DVD drives, and better scalability.
IT staff who want to learn more about version 3.5 can sign up for a Teradici webinar that will be offered twice on Dec. 14.
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