Igel adds VMware View 4 support to thin clients

Igel's Universal Desktops now support VMware View 4

Thin client vendor Igel Technology is set to make VMware View 4 compatibility a standard feature across its Linux and Windows Universal Desktop models, improving the end-user experience in virtual desktop environments, according to the company.

Igel said that client support for VMware View 4 will come in a new firmware package available from its download site from the middle of January.

All Igel Universal Desktop devices running Linux or Windows Embedded Standard 2009 will be able to use VMware View 4 with either the Standard or Advanced Universal Desktop firmware packages.

Released in November, VMware's View 4 virtual desktop platform adds a number of improvements, including support for the PC-over-IP remote desktop protocol, which is claimed to offer an experience comparable to running applications locally on a standard Windows PC.

"In our latest firmware packages featuring VMware View 4, we are passing along improved performance directly to our customers," said Igel marketing director Dr. Frank Lampe.

The total cost of ownership of virtual desktop environments using thin clients is significantly less than that of comparable environments based on conventional physical PCs, Lampe said.