1. A thin client should be inexpensive and require minimal maintenance. However,
it should also be secure, compact and save energy. Virtually no other OS
(operating system) makes it easier to achieve this than Linux. A Linux thin
client is therefore regarded as particularly efficient.
The Linux thin client as a standardization tool
The success of the Linux thin client is down to the fact that the operating system
does not need to be licensed and offers software developers great freedom. A
Linux thin client can therefore offer particular benefits for end users. With a
Linux thin client as a standard end device, the desktop environment within
companies can be standardized very cheaply. This is particularly true if the
Linux thin client is installed on existing PCs or notebooks using thin client
software, for example the popular IGEL Universal Desktop Converter 2
(UDC2) client standardization software.
Flexible and secure cloud access
A Linux thin client – whether it be a hardware or software thin client – allows
efficient access to various server and cloud-hosted IT systems. This makes the
Linux thin client suitable for accessing cloud computing and virtual desktops.
The high level of security is another argument in favor of the Linux thin client.
Unlike with Windows operating systems, there is very little malware for Linux.
At the same time, a Linux thin client can easily be remote configured and
managed. With devices from the market leader IGEL for example, this can be
done using the familiar "point and click" technique via the IGEL Universal
Management Suite (UMS) which comes supplied with them.
Tip: choose a Linux thin client carefully
Care should be taken when selecting a Linux thin client. After all, not every
Linux thin client offers a standardized operating system and the same level of
flexibility. A number of highly adapted, proprietary operating systems do not

2. reliably support original drivers or third-party applications. This applies in
particular to zero clients which are designed to work only with one specific VDI
solution. If the zero client's firmware is proprietary and cannot be updated, the
user soon becomes stuck in a technological blind alley. The German market
leader IGEL avoids this lock-in risk through the upgradeable and updatable
IGEL Linux operating system based on the Ubuntu distribution with long-term
support (TLS).
High level of investment protection with the Linux thin client from IGEL
The firmware of every IGEL Linux thin client and IGEL zero client is designed
to allow a wide range of firmware components, in particular software clients,
drivers, tools and protocols, to be integrated and updated. With its "Universal
Desktop" multi-protocol firmware, IGEL currently supports around 15 VDI and
cloud computing solutions and thus offers a level of investment protection
unique within the sector.
Contact
IGEL Technology Ltd
Merlin House, Brunel Road,
Theale, Reading,
Berkshire RG7 4AB
United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 1183403400
Fax: +44 118 340 3411
Website: https://www.igel.com/uk/