Win4Lin and NoMachine will jointly develop thin-client server software capable of securely and efficiently serving Windows thin-client sessions from Linux servers, the companies say. The product will be based on Win4Lin's hybrid Linux/Windows terminal server and NoMachine's caching proxy server, and will be positioned as a Linux-hosted alternative to Citrix.

NoMachine's NX product is based on technology that aims to lighten up the X, RDP, and RFB (VNC) protocols by placing caches at both network ends. NoMachine's technology is based in part on open source software and technology, and the company invited community involvement when it first unveiled the technology in Sept. of 2003. The company has also partnered with Linux thin-client vendor SmartFlex.

Win4Lin, meanwhile, describes its Terminal Server as the leading solution for running Windows 2000 and Windows XP applications and operating systems on Linux servers.

Win4Lin's 3-tiered architecture
Win4Lin's VP of business development, Mark Hinkle, said, “NoMachine redisplays hosted Windows clients with the best combination of security, cost, and performance [of] any other commercial redisplay technology.”

NoMachines CEO Gian Filippo Pinzari said, “[Our combined products] will provide a vital bridge for all users who want to get out of the grip of current terminal service solutions. This alliance is an opportunity to offer not only a 100 percent Linux alternative, but one that guarantees state-of-the-art performance.”

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