Linux in Windows

"Ulteo Virtual Desktop an open source application that nicely integrates into your Windows Operating System and allows you to work as a full Linux system.Its main benefit is that you can run Linux and Windows applications simultaneously within the same desktop environment without rebooting the system."

Minimum requirement:

1) x86-based PC with a modern 32-bit CPU

2) 512 MB RAM

3) 4 GB of free HD space is required.

Key Features

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Windows and/or Linux Application delivery

The Ulteo Open Virtual Desktop delivers applications based on Linux servers or Windows Terminal Services remotely from any browser (java enabled), to any desktop (Windows, MacOS, Linux, thinclient), anywhere (WAN-enable).

Available applications available by default include the full OpenOffice office suite, Firefox web browser, Thunderbird email client, kopete and pidgin Instant Messaging clients. Thousands others can be installed and deployed by the system administrator.

End-user Web Interface

Access to applications is delivered via a customizable and user-friendly web interface. Users are delivered either a full desktop or a single application.

Easy and centrally managed Administrator Web console

A comprehensive administrator web console is provided to define all the settings, manage users, applications and servers.
A native wizard enables an easy application publishing process. Applications are installed through packages.

Collaboration for users and IT support

Users can collaborate easily together in real time, each having a view of the same desktop. IT can control the application to help the end-user.

Microsoft Windows integration

The Open Virtual Desktop delivers Linux based applications on a Windows Desktop in a browser. Cut, paste and printing are all enabled.

Microsoft Active Directory and authentication

The authentication process is facilitated through Windows Active Directory and also through any LDAP server.

Microsoft or Linux File Server

User files can be stored either on a Windows or Linux server using SMB/CIFS and WebDAV(*).

Monitoring, logging, reporting, load-balancing

Windows and Linux application servers monitoring, loggin and reporting capabilities are provided to the OVD administrator.

Load-balancing is available on applications servers. It can be customized with various parameters.

Security

The Open Virtual Desktop uses SSH-tunneling to secure the entire communication process.

And many others!

Other features include:

• session recovery/reconnection
• support for many languages and keymaps
• possible installation of an Ulteo application server and Session Manager on a single server is possible by using a dedicated DVD ISO image
• SSO ready through our API

5 minutes installation

The Open Virtual Desktop is easy to install with a fully automated installation process.

System recommendation

• Servers for OVD Application servers: x86 servers w/ dualcore or quad CPU. 1GB or more RAM per 20 concurrent end-users. Supported Host OS: Ubuntu 8.04.1, RHEL 5.2, Centos 5.2, Fedora 10 + generic Linux install.
• Servers for Windows applications: Windows 2003 Server+Terminal Services on any hardware. Note: expected support for Windows Server 2008: June 2009.
• Servers for OVD Session Manager: any Pentium class x86 server w/512MB or more RAM. Host OS: Ubuntu 8.04.1, RHEL 5.2, Centos 5.2, Fedora 10 + generic Linux install.
• Note for OVD ApS and SM servers: it's possible to install everything on only one server for evaluation purpose.
• Client: Sun Java 1.5/1.6 enabled browser: Firefox 2+, Internet Explorer 7+, any platform.
• Network: 100Mbps or more LAN
• User directory servers: Active Directory on Windows Server, or LDAP server are currently supported.
• Fileservers: CIFS, WebDAV(*)
(*) WebDAV support available June 2009

Ready Steady, go!

Its setup file is about 510 MB in size which is available at: http://www.ulteo.com/home/en/ovdi/openvirtualdesktop/download?autolang=en.

After downloading it successfully, double click on the set-up file that is a .exe file. You will be greeted by a welcome screen simply follow the on screen instructions, and if everything goes fine then within five minutes Ulteo Virtual Desktop will be installed on your Windows system. Run the Ulteo Virtual Desktop and you will see a panel at the top of the screen. You can browse through all the Linux applications by using the drop-down menu and even you can configure the panel according to your liking by using the Configure Panel option.

The default user will be created with user name 'me' the password for the user 'me ' is 'me' it self so the username and password both are same. The 'root' user password is also 'root'. It contains many useful commands to work on Linux Command Line Interface (CLI). You can start KDE by using the startkde command.

Now whenever you plan to uninstall the Ulteo VD from your Windows simply go to the Windows control panel and under the Add or Remove Programs section, you will find Ulteo VD. Uninstall it the way you uninstall any other software in Windows.