The implementation process for ThinLinc is designed to be notably fast and straightforward, especially when compared to complex VDI solutions. Its architecture—typically involving a single master server and scalable agent servers—facilitates a rapid initial deployment.
Rapid Initial Setup: The core ThinLinc server software is designed for an extremely easy initial setup, often taking less than 15 minutes for a basic installation.
Minimal Infrastructure: The deployment requires less hardware overhead and tuning compared to many competing solutions, as it is built specifically for centralized Linux computing.
Configuration Flexibility: Administrators can configure the specific VDI deployment via both a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for simplicity and a Command Line Interface (CLI) for advanced, scripted, or automated rollouts.
Partner-Assisted Deployment: Customers can leverage a network of Value-Added Resellers (VARs) who provide consulting, implementation, and expertise to ensure a successful deployment tailored to complex organizational needs.
Customisation
ThinLinc offers a high degree of flexibility and customization, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into diverse business and educational environments, particularly those with complex authentication or security requirements.
Authentication System Support: The software supports a wide range of enterprise authentication standards for user identity management, including:
LDAP-based systems (e.g., Microsoft Active Directory, FreeIPA).
Client Flexibility: The software supports connecting from various devices and operating systems via its native client or web-based access.
Resource Optimization: The solution provides mechanisms to dynamically distribute CPU, memory, and GPU resources based on user workload, ensuring responsiveness and performance optimization across the user base.
Session Configuration: Administrators can customize user sessions, application access, and desktop environments based on group policies or individual requirements.
Additional Costs
ThinLinc is positioned as a highly cost-effective VDI solution, largely due to its efficient licensing model and reduced hardware requirements, leading to a lower overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Licensing Model: It utilizes a concurrent session licensing model, meaning the organization only pays for the maximum number of users simultaneously connected at any given time, rather than licensing every potential user account.
License Type: Licenses are often offered as perpetual licenses, providing ownership of the software version, which is typically paired with an annual maintenance/support subscription.
Hidden Costs: The licensing model is transparent, and the vendor emphasizes no hidden costs or extra management fees.
Free Tier Available: A free version is available for organizations requiring up to 10 concurrent sessions, making it an accessible option for pilot deployments or very small teams.
Maintenance Cost: Annual maintenance and support fees cover access to new software updates, major version upgrades, and direct technical support.
Training
Support for ThinLinc is comprehensive, offering direct access to the product developers for technical issues, alongside a robust channel partner network for implementation and ongoing optimization.
Direct Developer Support: Customers with an active maintenance subscription can contact the Cendio developers directly for technical support and assistance, ensuring rapid resolution from core product experts.
Channel Partner Network: A global network of Resellers and Value-Added Resellers (VARs) provides localized services, including:
Consulting and strategic goal alignment.
Full-cycle implementation services.
Ongoing optimization and management services.
Documentation and Guides: The vendor provides extensive online guides, documentation, and tutorials for administrators to manage and troubleshoot the installation and configuration.
Security Measures
Security is a core feature of ThinLinc, built on proven open-source technologies to secure the communication channel and enforce strong user authentication, with a primary focus on encrypting the remote session.
Secure Tunneling: Remote sessions are secured using SSH tunnels (Secure Shell), providing enterprise-grade encryption for all transmitted data, including graphics, input, and file transfers.
Authentication Mechanisms: It enforces strong security practices by supporting modern authentication methods:
LDAP/Active Directory integration for centralized user management.
Support for Smart Cards and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) using one-time passwords (OTP).
On-Premises Architecture: Since ThinLinc connects users to their own internal servers, sensitive data remains within the customer's defined network perimeter, rather than being hosted in a third-party cloud.
Access Control: Access to specific desktop environments or applications is governed by server-side policies and user group definitions.
Updates
As an enterprise-grade solution, ThinLinc maintains a regular update schedule to introduce new features, performance improvements, and critical security patches. Updates are typically managed by the system administrator.
Regular Release Cycle: Cendio releases regular updates, typically including major version releases annually and minor/patch releases throughout the year to address vulnerabilities and provide ongoing stability.
Administrator Control: Updates are applied on the customer's server infrastructure, giving system administrators full control over when and how patches and upgrades are deployed, minimizing disruption to end-users.
Compatibility: Updates are designed to maintain backward compatibility where feasible, facilitating smoother transitions between versions.
Maintenance Subscription: Access to all major and minor updates is provided under the active annual support and maintenance subscription.
Data Ownership and Portability
ThinLinc operates as an access layer to the customer's computing environment. Therefore, the customer retains full ownership and control over all data stored and processed within their VDI environment.
Customer Data Ownership: The customer retains 100% ownership of all data, applications, and intellectual property that resides on the host Linux servers accessed via ThinLinc. Cendio does not host or have direct access to this data.
On-Premises Data Storage: Data is stored in the customer's chosen location (on-premises data center or private cloud) and is managed entirely through standard Linux file system protocols, which is transparent to the VDI software.
High Portability: Since the underlying operating system is Linux, data portability is high. Data can be moved, backed up, and replicated using standard, universally compatible Linux tools and systems.
No Vendor Lock-in (Data): Because ThinLinc is an access tool, exiting the contract does not impact the customer's ability to retain and manage their data on their own servers.
Scaling Up / Down
Scaling with ThinLinc is designed to be effortless and non-disruptive, utilizing a cluster architecture and benefiting from the flexibility of its concurrent session licensing model.
Architectural Scaling: ThinLinc scales horizontally by adding agent servers to the core ThinLinc master server. This process is simple and allows scaling to thousands of concurrent users.
Built-in Load Balancing: The solution includes built-in load balancing functionality that automatically distributes user workload across the available agent servers as users log in, preventing bottlenecks.
Scaling Up (Licensing): To accommodate growth, customers simply purchase additional concurrent session licenses as needed, enabling immediate user access without complex infrastructure configuration changes.
Scaling Down (Licensing): Scaling down is intrinsically managed by the concurrent session model. If an organization requires fewer sessions, they renew a smaller license subscription in the following year, optimizing costs instantly.
The terms & conditions for contract renewal and cancellation
The contractual terms typically revolve around the initial perpetual license purchase and the subsequent annual renewal of the maintenance and support subscription, which grants access to updates and technical support.
Perpetual License Use: The initial perpetual license grants the right to use the software version acquired indefinitely.
Renewal: Contract renewal typically relates to the annual Maintenance and Support agreement. Renewal is often automatic or negotiated annually to ensure continuous access to security updates, new features, and technical assistance.
Cancellation (Support/Maintenance): Customers may choose to cancel the annual maintenance contract. In this case, the customer retains the right to use the last licensed version of the software but loses access to future updates, major upgrades, and technical support.
License Policy: Specific terms regarding non-renewal penalties or contract termination are governed by the specific commercial licensing agreement provided by Cendio or its authorized resellers.
Compliance
ThinLinc's security architecture and European origin make it well-suited to support global compliance requirements. While the customer is responsible for overall compliance, the software acts as a key enabler by securing the access layer.
GDPR Alignment: As a company based in Sweden (EU), Cendio and the ThinLinc solution are developed with alignment to the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), particularly concerning data security and confidentiality.
Compliance Enabler: ThinLinc's architecture—which secures access via SSH and keeps data on the customer's own servers—helps customers meet regulatory requirements like HIPAA (healthcare), PCI DSS (payment card data), and other industry standards by providing a tightly controlled, auditable, and encrypted access method.
Security Audits: The robust use of established security standards (SSH, LDAP) means the solution is well-suited to pass regular security audits and penetration tests required by various compliance frameworks.
Data Control: By giving the customer control over the entire computing environment, ThinLinc allows the customer to implement all necessary data residency and jurisdictional controls required for compliance.
