NoMachine says its Linux-friendly X Window System compression technology will by tapped by virtual thin client management software specialist Leostream. The NX technology will reportedly enable Leostream's “Connection Broker” management software to better support Linux desktops, applications, and sessions in VMWare VDI… (virtual desktop infrastructure) environments.

(Click for larger view of remote NX session running on Fedora Linux)

The Leostream Connection Broker software aims to unify heterogeneous data center resources into a single VDI, while hiding the complexities of VM assignment, connection, and re-allocation. A central management application with a web interface lets administrators assign and manage end-user resources, including desktops, applications, and sessions. Meanwhile, “agent” software running on the clients offers single sign-on authentication, across Active Directory, eDirectory, OpenLDAP, external SSL VPNs, and “multi-factor” authentication servers, Leostream says.

Leostream Connection Broker diagram

NoMachine says that NX will help Leostream users experience snappier, “real-time” responsiveness when accessing VDI resources based on Linux (and the X Window System). NoMachine's NX aims to reduce the bandwidth required to run X Window applications over a network. NX places caching proxy servers at either end of the connection, and the aim of limiting network transfers to “differential” data, such as cursor movements and menu expansions. The Linux-ready software is available in open source and commercial versions, and offers compression, session resilience, and resource management features, says NoMachine.

Configuring an NX session (left) and running it (right) on Linux
(Click on either to enlarge)

Stated Kate deBethune, marketing director for Leostream, “NoMachine NX is a perfect solution for users working in Linux environments.”

Stated NoMachine's business development manager, Sarah Dryell, “By adding support for NX, Leostream becomes the first connection broker solution to include NoMachine's 'just like being there' experience for real-time access to Linux resources from anywhere on the network.”

Separately, several vendors of thin clients that run Linux have previously touted Leostream support. These include Igel and Devon IT (which also touts NoMachine's NX support).

In other NoMachine news, the company last November announced a free NX Web Player client to be bundled with NX 4.0, when it's released later this year. The Player is said to enable browsers running on desktops and handsets, including the Apple iPhone, to run and display remote Linux desktops without requiring installation of client software.

Availability

The Leostream Connection Broker now fully supports NoMachine NX, say the companies. NX 3.3.0 is available now for free download, here. More information on the Leostream Connection Broker should be here.

 
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