The main difference between a thin client and a zero client is that the zero client does not retain the operating system and each device’s specific configuration settings in flash memory. Where thin clients typically use a minimalist operating system like Linux or Windows Embedded, zero clients use an onboard processor designed to handle a protocol such as Microsoft RDPVMware or Citrix HDX. This dedicated hardware also handles the decoding and display, giving zero clients a quicker boot up.

There are two zero client hardware platforms in IGEL’s product line: The IZ2 series is affordable, space-saving and energy-efficient, while the IZ3 models come with quad-core processor and multiple connectivity options for peripherals. 

For all IZ-modells the customer can choose one of the following virtualization solutions:

  • Citrix HDX
  • Microsoft RDS/RemoteFX
  • VMware Horizon

See also: Choose the zero client hardware that fits your needs.

As documentation for our zero clients, the IGEL OS manual is considered to be slimmed down. In the following we show you which sessions are valid for which zero client:


Session Lx5

IGEL Zero HDX

IGEL Zero RFX

IGEL Zero Horizon

Citrix XenDesktop / XenApp

x



Citrix Receiver Selection

x



Citrix Access Gateway

x



RDP Global


x

x

RDP Session


x


Remote Desktop Web Access


x


Horizon Client Global



x

Horizon Client session



x

vWorkspace Client and AppPortal




Appliance Mode

x

x

x

Caradigm

x

x

x

Imprivata

x

x

x

Leostream




AppliDis




Evidian AuthMgr




NoMachine NX




X Session




Parallels Client




PowerTerm




IBM iAccess




ThinLinc




SSH Session

x

x

x

VNC Viewer

x

x

x

VERDE session




Browser

x

x

x

Media Player

x1

x1

x1

Java Web Start Session

x

x

x

VoIP Client


x


1 not as a session