VMware’s product manager ben Chong recently published an article on the VMware End User Computing Blogs to let people know that several Thin Client vendors have updated their “firmware” with the newest version of the VMware View Client for Linux (1.6) which has included some bug fixes and enhancements for usability. In Ben’s article HP, 10ZiG and Igel were mentioned. To get a full overview of compatible thin client for VMware View please visit the Thin Client compatibility list at the VMware website.

Link: http://blogs.vmware.com/euc/2012/12/vmware-view-clients-have-you-upgraded-yet.html

A few month ago we’ve published an article on a free repurposing PC solution for VMware View. Tinycore Builder is a website which helps you to generate a minimal size, bootable ISO image with a built-in VMware View client. (Link)

The solution is now available via a new web address. Please visit the following link.

Link: http://repurpose.vmwarecloud.at/

Thanks ro @SimonLong_ for the tip on Twitter! DELL Wyse has a two new zero clients on their website – the P25 and the P45.

Both are Teradici Tera chip driven devices but they’re using different processor units. The P25 has a Teradici TERA2321 inside and the P45 a TERA2140. The other big difference between the two is the ability two connect four DVI displays to the P45 but only one to the P25.

Please feel free to download the fact sheet which includes the detailed information.

It’s fantastic to see that the P25 does use 8 Watt if one mouse, one keyboard and one monitor is connected. That’s really green.

Both clients are perfect for HD multimedia CAD/CAM and of course they’re both compatible with VMware View.

Image source: http://www.wyse.com/

Download the fact sheet:  http://www.wyse.com/sites/default/files/products/spec_sheets_2012-08/Dell-Wyse-P-class-IA-220812.pdf

Link: http://www.wyse.com/products/cloud-clients/zero-clients/P25

Cyndie Zikmund, Technical Marketing Specialist over at VMware in Palo Alto pusblished a new article about a Zero Client strategy. This article gives you a link to a recetly pubslihed technical document which includes real life VMware View scenarios from customers who have successfully implemented a zero client strategy. A great document which help you to understand how to benefit from zero client environments. The cost less and have a smaller footprint, they’re easy to maintain and of course data security is a hot topic.

Link: VMware

Unfortunately I found this artivle only in German language but it may worth to translate with Google or another translation solution. The article is about the new Wyse X-Class Thin Laptop Client which comes with an SSD hard disk now. It supports Linux, Windows Embedded and Windows 7. And guess what! With Windows 7 it supports VMware View Local Mode. Great news! Did anyone already try that?

Link: searchdatacenter

eVGA has released a new zero client model for VMware View. The client comes with the same Tera1100 processor which is used in the Wyse P20 or the eVGA reference model. The difference is the form factor. The PD02 looks like a small cube and reminds me on a Pano Logic client. Please check the following website for more information: http://www.evga.com/articles/00611/

Kudos go to @skneuss for the information on www.viug.de.

I just got an email from Microsoft Connect saying that the Windows Thin PC Release Candidate is now available. Windows Thin PC is a smaller footprint version of Windows 7 that allows customers to repurpose existing PC hardware as thin clients. There is no need for a VDA license when using WinTPC. But be careful here! WinTPC will only be available for Software Assurance customers which is a bit of a customer lock in. As long as you are paying for the SA, you’re allowed to use the software. I think that software like Devon PC’s VDI blaster is better for repurposing old PC hardware.

Link: Microsoft Connect

Teradici released a new firmware for PCoIP zero clients. This release is only a maintenance release, which fixes some issues from version 3.3.0.

Here is an excerpt from the official release notes:

Compatibility Notes:

• VMware View 4.6 or newer is required to use USB enhancements in Firmware 3.3.x.

Resolved Issues:

• Fixed USB audio issue with VMware View guests running Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit host OS
• Fixed an issue where PCoIP Zero Clients could not connect to the VMware View Connection Server through certain load balancers
• Fixed an issue with a Logitech ClearChat wireless headset
• Fixed degraded performance with PCoIP Host cards on networks with packet loss, high latency, and/or low bandwidth
• Fixed password protection default setting
• Fixed CAC PIV endpoint smart card issue
• Fix for invalid OEM VPD (vendor product information) content
• Fixed issue with OSD appearing on the wrong set of monitors in certain quad display PCoIP Zero Clients
• Fixed issue with Power-over-Ethernet failing to power devices if VLAN enabled
• Language translation updates

Known Issues:

• Low Initial Quality for PCoIP Zero Clients connected to PCoIP Host Cards (15134-636)
• CD/DVD drive interoperability
  • Refer to the list of CD/DVD drives that have been tested.  See What CD/DVD drives have been tested with Firmware 3.3.x? (15134-566).
  • Note that a session disconnect may occur occasionally on disc eject/insert

We can expect all vendors to release their proven version of this firmware version soon.

WinTPC (Windows Thin PC) is a small footprint version of Windows 7 which should help customers to repurpose old computer hardware as a thin client. With WinTCP there is no need for a VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) license for accessing VDI desktops as the Microsoft connect website states. (See screenshot below)

At the moment Windows TPC is available for everyone through the beta program but this will stops latest when WinTPC will be released. As of an article at silicon.de the WinTPC software will only be available for Software Assurance customers. But anyway it should be possible to run the VMware View Client for Windows on WinTPC to access your VMware View environment. This might help to lower the investment costs for a VDI project. In the first step customers can repurpose their old PC hardware and then start a step by step soft migration to proper Zero client hardware like the EVGA or Wyse P20.

Stuart Robinson, Manager of Systems Engineering at Teradici shows how well PCoIP performs over a WAN connection from Orlando to Canada. This video is from this years HIMSS2011 event in Florida.