The leading virtualization resource site, VirtualizationAdmin.com, announced today that the 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services was selected as winner of the Application Server category of the VirtualizationAdmin.com Readers' Choice Awards.

"Our Readers' Choice Awards give visitors to our site the opportunity to vote for the products they view as the very best in their respective category," said Sean Buttigieg, VirtualizationAdmin.com manager. "VirtualizationAdmin.com users are specialists in their field who encounter various solutions for virtualization at the workplace. The award serves as a mark of excellence, providing the ultimate recognition from peers within the industry."

VirtualizationAdmin.com conducts bi-monthly polls to discover which product is preferred by administrators in a particular category of third party solutions for virtualization environments. The awards draw a huge response per category and are based entirely on the visitors' votes. VirtualizationAdmin.com users can submit their votes for the current Readers' Award poll in the site's left-hand bar.

To see the complete Readers' Choice Awards results, please visit: Readers' Choice Awards Results. ( http://www.virtualizationadmin.com/news/general/VirtualizationAdmin-Readers-C hoice-Award-Application-Servers-2X-ApplicationServer-Windows-Terminal-Service s-Jun10.html)

About 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services

The 2X ApplicationServer tunnels any Windows application or desktop onto remote computers, including Mac and Linux desktops, without the need to install the application or desktop onto each user's machine. This provides significant savings on administration and support. Key features include:

    - Application publishing, rather than local installation
    - Tunneling specific applications rather than a complete desktop
    - Publish applications to Web interface
    - Publish Windows applications to Linux and Mac
    - Multiple monitor support
    - Automatic redundancy
    - Application publishing based on username, group membership or IP
    - Seamless integration with local desktop and taskbar
    - SSL-secured connection to applications
    - Universal printing and scanning
    - Application license management
    - Integration with 2X LoadBalancer
    - Windows 2008 Server 32 / 64-bit support

The 2X ApplicationServer Version 8 was recently released, combining virtual computing technology and thin client management within a single application. New features include TWAIN re-direction, improved direct client settings management and the zero-management thin client feature. For more information on Version 8 features, please visit our blog post. (http://www.2x.com/blog/2009/10/virtualization/get-ready-for-2x-virtualdeskto pserver-and-applicationserver-v-8/)

For a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) comparison of the 2X ApplicationServer 8 vs. Citrix XenApp 5, please visit our TCO blog post. (http://www.2x.com/blog/2010/01/2x-product/2x-applicationserver/substantial-i t-cost-reduction-with-2x-applicationserver/)

(Due to the length of these URLs, it may be necessary to copy and paste the hyperlinks into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

Obtaining the Trial Version

2X is offering a 30-day trial version of the 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services. After the 30-day trial period, users can still use the 3-connection free version by registering for the 3-connection license key on the 2X website. Download the trial version ( http://www.2x.com/applicationserver/download.html) today.

Its simplicity makes the 2X CCOS one of the world’s most user-friendly operating systems, allowing users access to applications, virtual desktops and the Internet from PCs, laptops and thin client devices. It converts PCs, notebooks, netbooks, thin clients and other devices into clients that instantly deliver web applications, virtual desktops and published applications directly to where they are needed. The 2X CCOS installs to USB devices, CDs, local hard drives and as a network boot OS via PXE boot.

“With the experience we have gained in the thin client OS market, we are proud to release the first hardware-independent cloud and VDI-focused OS,” explains Paul Gafa, 2X Software’s Chief Technology Officer. Nikolaos Makris, CEO of 2X Software, added that “in the future, we are planning to replace the desktop-like user experience with easily predefined remote connections, much like television channels. This will make the 2X CCOS the fastest, simplest and most compatible way to connect to any VDI or cloud infrastructure.”

How the 2X CloudClient Works:

Go to http://www.2x.com/ccos and instantly install your FREE personal 2X CloudClient operating system on a USB device (no larger than 512 MB). Your portable CloudClient operating system can then be run from any computer that can boot from a USB device, allowing you to instantly connect to hosted virtual desktop applications, such as Google Apps, Microsoft Hyper-V or VMware. It serves as your personal cloud client you can carry in your pocket wherever you might need it.

Alternatively, burn the 2X CloudClient OS to a bootable CD-ROM, or install it on a local hard drive and run it as a Network Boot OS from your local network.

Features:

• Supports Web applications, such as Google Apps, Microsoft Live, Web browsers, and more.
• Includes virtual desktop and application clients, such as Microsoft RDP, VMware View, Citrix XenApp and the 2X VirtualDesktopServer Client.
• Installs and boots from any type of USB device, or from a CDROM and hard drive.
• Converts standard PC’s, laptops, netbooks or thin clients to a cloud device.

To download the FREE 2X CloudClient OS today, please visit: 2X CloudClient OS Download.

About 2X

2X Software Ltd develops enterprise server-based virtual computing software, enabling desktop virtualization and application streaming on personal computers and thin client devices. Its product line, which includes the award-winning 2X VirtualDesktopServer and 2X ApplicationServer, is easily scalable, installable, and manageable with straightforward licensing, resulting in product prices far below those of competitors. For more information, please visit: http://www.2x.com.

Here is what is fixed in this release:

Server:
Fixed Client connection log to show the peer's ip
Fixed PXE booting issue when a network interface has an invalid ip/subnet 0.0.0.0
New feature: Listing policies (Which clients can list published items),
Windows 2008/R2 Printer name renaming
Adding or removing a backup publishing agents will update all gateways even those who are not using the default settings
Fixed SMB gateway port error
Added "2X Appliance" OS Type in remote installation of VDS
Adding gw automatically when backup servers are added from "Find" button
During Server installation we detect which Ports are in use by other applications
Changed licensing model for VDS

Windows Client:
Improved Secondary connections on the Client, now we support up to 16 servers
Added RDP7 "Use All monitors"
Added RDP7 "Audio Recording"
Application listing available from Tray Icon
Added Authorization Tab both in 2X Connection and Terminal Server Connection
Added Direct SSL mode, in this mode the connection to the gateway is done over ssl, while the rdp session is done directly to the server
Added support for new version of RDP control "Control Version: 6.1.7600"
Improved support Windows 7 Taskbar grouping,
Added server side colour depth, width and height for published application
Added auto close error message
Fixed Drag and Drop issue with windows 7, Windows 2008
Changed MSI Client options. Now you need to specify a file with the client settings exported. Installation looks for default file "2XSettings.2xc" in the same folder where the msi resides.
Fixed connect to console to work with latest active x control (80/81)
Fixed SSL trusted file not loaded always
Added Client side Logging

Linux Client:
Added Single Sign-On feature

Mac Client:
Added Sound redirection
Implemented Uninstaller
Added RDP compression option
Added "Show Certificate information" for SSL desktops (works on MAC 10.5 and later)

Java Client:
Added Configuration tool for server configuration
Added support for installation mode
Improved Deepnet integration
Added cleaning of registered 2X applications
Added Basic installation of 2X Client
Added support for Direct SLL Mode
Unregistering extensions after listing if applicable
Added support for credentials passed through HTML param tags

Web Portal:
Provide Client detection as a seperate component
Improved Deepnet integration
Added Global Message in login page
Added support for Default Domain
Site Settings Replication (Still in development)
Added Client detection on Linux using Firefox

Click here to download

Please click diagram to enlarge

Site 1

Site 1 uses a Secure Client Gateway server connecting to the Master Publishing Agent (MPA) and terminal servers. The MPA can be setup in one of two ways.

Site 2

Site 2 uses a Secure Client Gateway server connecting to the Backup Publishing Agent (BPA) and terminal servers.

2X Client

The 2X Client’s Connection Proprieties would then be configured to have Site 1 serve as the Primary Connection, and Site 2 set up as the Secondary Connection.

The terminal servers in Site 1 have 2X TS Agents installed.  If installing 2X TS Agents on the servers in Site 1 with installed applications, the 2X TS Agent must also be installed on Site 2’s terminal servers once the failover has begun, adding time to the failover process.

* Terminal servers at both sites can have 2X TS Agents installed.  With this setup, 2X TS Agents would be already installed, but inactive in the server farm.  With MPA failure, the BPA would be promoted to Master, Site 1 terminal servers would be deactivated from the farm, and the Site 2 terminal servers would be activated.

Source

As mentioned elsewhere, the key features of the 2X ThinClientServer 6.2 include:

Click here to read more about the new 2x ApplicationServer and VirtualDesktopServer

2X Software, developer of virtual and thin client computing software, is pleased to announce the release of the 2X ThinClientServer Version 6.2. Building on the success of the 2X ThinClientServer Version 6, 2X Software's latest release includes new features enhancing the performance, functionality and scalability of its popular thin client management system.

Thin Clients Vital for Future IT Infrastructures

With the increasing popularity of VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure), demand for manageable and affordable thin client solutions continues to rise. Companies are increasingly using virtualization to allow users to utilize thin clients, laptops or USB devices to recreate their computing environment in secure, controlled settings, removing much of the expense of managing hundreds or thousands of fat client desktops.

"This new version of the 2X ThinClientServer will allow our customers to expand their IT client infrastructure, allowing simple integration with VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Hyper-V and other major virtualization platforms," said Nikolaos Makris, CEO, 2X Software.

"We have concentrated on pushing the performance and scalability of the 2X ThinClientServer to a new level, allowing the management of larger networks and more diverse hardware varieties, ranging from legacy hardware to the latest in commodity PC and thin client technology" explained Raphael Borg Ellul Vincenti, 2X Development Manager.

How the 2X ThinClientServer Works

The 2X ThinClientServer deploys a small-footprint Linux-based OS to popular thin client devices (HP, Wyse, VXL, 10ZiG, Samsung and more) or PCs and laptops. Attached devices boot the latest version of the OS, either locally or from the 2X ThinClientServer. Hardware and connection settings (resolution, logging and more) can be retrieved from the server at client logon, allowing easy thin client management.

2X ThinClientServer 6.2 New Features:

• VMware View VDI client support
• VNC client support
• Hardware-accelerated support for Citrix Rave
• Full redundancy and backup
• Advanced master/slave concept
• Detailed auditing of all management modifications
• Real-time TCS monitoring for administrators
• Extended hardware support
• Improved 2X ThinClientOS desktop experience
• Updated login screen with reboot and shutdown options
• Webcam support
• Local and remote volume controls
• Customizable SNMP community string

Pricing & Availability

Pricing starts from as little as $595, for managing up to 25 thin clients, and scales to $1195 for 50 thin clients and $3695 for 250 thin clients. More information, as well as a free trial version of the product, is available here.

About 2X
2X Software Ltd develops enterprise server-based virtual computing software, enabling desktop virtualization and application streaming on personal computers and thin client devices. Its product line, which includes the award-winning 2X VirtualDesktopServer and 2X ApplicationServer, is easily scalable, installable, and manageable with straightforward licensing, resulting in product prices far below those of competitors. For more information, please visit: http://www.2x.com/.

Dallas, TX, February 1, 2010 – 2X Software announced today the release of Version 8 of its 2X ApplicationServer and 2X VirtualDesktopServer products. To meet the growing needs of businesses of all sizes, Version 8 not only includes the ability to publish applications and virtual desktops, but also allows the management of user thin client configurations from within the application console, creating an all-in-one application for remote publishing and device management. The new release will further reduce IT administration hassles, by allowing centralized control of both device groups and published resources.

"Version 8 of the 2X VirtualDesktopServer and 2X ApplicationServer allows administrators, for the first time, to deploy and manage VDI sessions and thin clients using a single management source," explained Nikolaos Makris, CEO of 2X Software. "We’ve also included additional features, such as Universal Scanning, and continue to focus upon building reliable, innovative and cost-effective solutions serving businesses of all sizes."

About the 2X VirtualDesktopServer
2X VirtualDesktopServer v. 8 publishes any Windows application or virtual desktop to remote devices, including thin clients and Windows, Mac and Linux PCs, without the need to install applications or desktops to local machines. The 2X VirtualDesktopServer also serves as a connection broker for the Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware ESX, Parallels Containers and Windows Terminal Server virtualization platforms, offering significant administration and support savings. The 2X VirtualDesktopServer is designed to be highly cost-effective from the beginning of implementation, with a pricing structure based upon the number of agents (servers) installed, rather than the number of concurrent users, creating a favorable combination of pricing and features for businesses of all sizes.

New Features for V. 8:

• Managing Client Settings: Administrators will now have the ability to control user settings directly from the management console.
• Zero-Management Thin Clients: Includes all components necessary to convert any device to a thin client.
• Management of 2X SecureClientGateways: Allows administrators to remotely install and manage multiple 2X SecureClientGateways.
• Windows CE Clients: Ensures that Windows CE clients will have the same functionality as standard XP and Vista clients.
• Scanner (TWAIN) Redirection: TWAIN redirection, similar to the 2X Universal Printing feature, allows all devices using TWAIN technology to use hardware connected to client devices, including scanners and digital cameras.

Easy to Use, Yet Powerful
The 2X development team has ensured our new release hits the right button with users: for administrators, it’s easy to setup and manage, providing simple step-by-step wizards, while for end-users, it’s quick and easy to use, with a clear, easily-navigable Windows-style client.

Pricing & Availability
Pricing starts from as little as $1190 (900 EUR) for the 2X VirtualDesktopServer Small Business Edition, managing a single terminal server without user or connection limitations.

More product information and a free trial version of the product are available here.

About 2X
2X Software Ltd develops enterprise server-based virtual computing software, enabling desktop virtualization and application streaming on personal computers and thin client devices. Its product line, which includes the award-winning 2X VirtualDesktopServer and 2X ApplicationServer, is easily scalable, installable, and manageable with straightforward licensing, resulting in product prices far below those of competitors. For more information, please visit: http://www.2x.com/.

2X Software announces that it has been selected by the 451 Group for exclusive analyst coverage, outlining the company’s position in today’s virtual computing market. The 451 Group is an internationally-known technology analyst group highlighting upcoming industry trends to reveal the true business impact of firms’ technical advances. Their report notes that while 2X faces competition in the virtual computing space, the company is well-positioned to take advantage of future market growth, as server-based computing takes hold across a wide spectrum of industries, for which the 2X product line seeks to offer an affordable price point and an effective vendor-independent option for customers.

"Our recent coverage by the 451 Group is another example of how the reliability and affordability of the 2X product line are being increasingly recognized as the go-to standard of today’s virtual computing market," explained Nikolaos Makris, CEO of 2X Software. "We will continue to focus upon building reliable, cost-effective solutions serving businesses of all sizes, with full confidence that 2X product advantages will continue to be recognized by industry analysts and end-users alike."

The full 2X Software Impact Report is available on the 451 Group website.

About 2X
2X Software Ltd develops enterprise server-based virtual computing software, enabling desktop virtualization and application streaming on personal computers and thin client devices. Its product line, which includes the award-winning 2X VirtualDesktopServer and 2X ApplicationServer, is easily scalable, installable, and manageable with straightforward licensing, resulting in product prices far below those of competitors. For more information, please visit: http://www.2x.com/.

About the 451 Group
The 451 Group is an independent technology-industry analyst company that was founded in 2000, and has offices in the US and Europe. Our research makes sense of swiftly moving trends in the industry creating information technologies (IT) used by large and midsized organizations. For more information, please visit: The 451 Group.

Dallas, TX, January 11, 2010 – 2X Software today announced the release of a recent radio interview between Scott Sims, 2X General Manager for the Americas, and the staff of All Tech Radio, a weekly US radio program based in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. During the interview, Scott covered 2X Software’s company background and explained the benefits each 2X product would offer business owners, as well as new features soon to be released. The program routinely reaches an audience of over 55,000 tech enthusiasts, allowing thousands of listeners to be convinced of the virtual computing advantages of 2X products.

Scott explained that "We welcomed the opportunity to work with All Tech Radio on the interview, as it allowed us an audience with a large group of tech-savvy listeners who we knew would take an interest in our robust product line. We enjoyed working with the All Tech Radio team, and look forward to continuing to work with them and other media outlets in the future."

"We enjoy working with 2X Software and other reputable vendors, such as Microsoft, Google and Samsung to attract thousands of IT managers to our program," explained Robert McMillan, President of All Tech Radio. "2X is a leader in today’s fast-growing virtual computing market, a sector of high interest to our audience. We pride ourselves in covering technology companies like 2X, on the leading edge of their sector, and we welcome the opportunity to work with them in the future."

To listen to the interview, please visit: Scott Sims radio interview

About 2X
2X Software Ltd develops enterprise server-based virtual computing software, enabling desktop virtualization and application streaming on personal computers and thin client devices. Its product line, which includes the award-winning 2X VirtualDesktopServer and 2X ApplicationServer, is easily scalable, installable, and manageable with straightforward licensing, resulting in product prices far below those of competitors. For more information, please visit: http://www.2x.com/.

About All Tech Radio
All Tech Radio is a Portland, Oregon based radio program primarily serving tech enthusiasts in the Portland and Seattle markets. Hosted by network consultants Robert McMillen, Scott Portinga, and Andy Young, the program airs weekly, and seeks to attract a sophisticated audience for companies such as Google, IBM and others. For more information, please visit: All Tech Radio.

Direct Mode

If clients have direct physical server access, clients can use the Direct Mode connect to a 2X SecureClientGateway through port 80 (1). The client and gateway then negotiate data to establish a session, after which the client initiates an RDP session with the Terminal Server or VDI Host. The client will disconnect from the gateway and establish a new session with the server (2). Direct Mode is the most efficient connection mode, since the gateway is temporary with a minimal data load.

Regular Gateway Mode

With the Regular Gateway Mode, clients also connect to the 2X SecureClientGateway on port 80 (1), negotiate with the gateway to establish a session, and start an RDP session with the Terminal Server or VDI Host. However using this mode, the RDP session is tunneled on top of the first connection. The gateway establishes a connection to the server (2) and forwards RDP requests from the client. This connection mode is ideal when the clients lack direct access to physical servers and no special security requirements are needed.

SSL Mode

In this mode, clients connect to a 2X SecureClientGateway on port 443 (1). Once an SSL tunnel is established, the client and gateway negotiate enough information to establish a secure session and the client starts an RDP session with the Terminal Server or VDI Host, the RDP session is tunneled on top on the first connection. This connection mode is optimal when the clients lack direct access to physical servers and high security safeguards are required.

Click here to read the full article

The days of the local desktop OS are numbered, it’s official. By 2014, Gartner predicts that there will be more than 66 million virtualised desktops globally. Hosted virtual desktop (HVD) growth is likely to be rapid during the next three to five years, with the analyst estimating that units will be equal to more than 40 per cent of the worldwide professional PC market – in revenue terms that’s around $65 billion by 2013.

As companies increasingly look for infrastructure efficiencies in the current depressed economic climate, these figures could be on the conservative side. Either way, this is a hugely popular shift in thinking challenging the old fat client, local OS model. So how far can this go and what are the reasons behind it?

When it comes to infrastructure and operations, Gartner also states that virtualization will be the most significant trend through the next four years. Virtualization has been particularly successful in the data centre over a relatively short time, and we are now seeing this approach being increasingly adopted on the client side through application virtualization and desktop virtualization.

The future of computing – the local desktop OS is dead

As virtualization is rolled out, the end-user device becomes less important – users simply want to have access to their hosted desktop / application anywhere. So the desktop or application is virtualised for use on: mobile devices (iPhone, Android); netbooks; and whatever increasingly miniaturized machines the future brings. The delivery of the desktop thus becomes an ASP model – delivering applications and desktops to anyone with an online connection. This model is not just being adopted by corporates, but even smaller/medium sized enterprises and resellers offering this service for customers.

The ‘No OS’ desktop is really the definition of an authentic server-based computing environment. In its simplest terms, the better the technology, the less you need locally. The future becomes less about people physically installing boxes, but more about offering a hosting service delivered to customers. This is then centrally maintained which is a much more flexible, secure and cost efficient model.

This service-led approach then evolves onto the next stage – companies don’t want the aggravation of maintaining a server room and the associated admin people – so we’ll see them move the server capacity to the cloud and migrate to a leased rental model. As such it falls under a SAAS (Software as a Service) system, or even a new acronym as it includes the delivery method, CAAS – ‘Cloud As A Service’.

Different companies will deliver their services to the cloud – and customers will pick and choose the services they require from the cloud. It will become as easy and ubiquitous as receiving e.g. television programs anywhere you choose. Companies that are going to succeed at this will offer flexibility – this is critical in a pay-per-app or desktop service.

We’ve already seen the start of this, with the emergence of e.g. the Amazon, Google and Microsoft cloud model. New ideas for cloud computing will follow in the coming years making access to applications and desktops even easier.

Click here to read the full article

David Walker is Telfair County Schools’ Director of Technology, who monitors the technology requirements of the district’s elementary, middle and high school. Due to the district’s small size, up until this year, David has run his department single-handedly, making the search for a straightforward, easy-to-manage connection broker solution a critical pursuit. David first considered using a Citrix solution, claiming that the product was "feature rich, but came with a cost that far outweighed any potential benefit we would receive from the solution." Wanting to maximize benefits for the district’s students on a fixed IT budget, David began investigating more cost-effective options, eventually settling on a 2X solution. He states that while he "was impressed with the Citrix features list, 2X has a great product as well, and was able to meet every requirement we were looking for, at a much lower cost." As a result, rather than paying additional hardware and licensing costs, he is now saving "well over 50% from our original costs," significantly more than what was possible using a Citrix solution.

In deploying his 2X solution, David purchased both the 2X ApplicationServer and the 2X ThinClientServer, to provide effective remote application access while effectively converting his existing desktops to function as thin clients. He chose to install the 2X ApplicationServer to 12 terminal servers, with a total of 9 Windows 2003, 32-bit and 3 Windows 2008, 64-bit servers. While initially choosing the Virtual Iron virtualization platform, he explains that he is in the process of switching to a VMware platform, specifically considering VSphere 4. Despite changes in virtualization platforms and the number of users serviced, David notes that 2X’s per-server license model and virtualization platform-independent design ensure that he can service as many users as possible from his 2X server with no required licensing changes or virtualization platform integration problems. This flexibility has created a "powerful, yet simple solution" that he can "trust completely."

Apart from providing significant cost savings and improving remote application publishing reliability, David boasts that choosing 2X provided his district with specific advantages when compared to his original solution. Though he admits that other solutions also provided a broad array of features, David claims a defining advantage of his 2X solution is the "simple, straightforward way it performs the functions it’s designed to perform." Speaking to IT professionals in other districts, David became aware of the lengthy process required to complete Citrix installations, noting that to install their solution properly, Telfair would "need a lot more hardware, and the solution would take far more upkeep to maintain."

David notes that though it’s a feature-rich solution, if he had continued with his original Citrix choice, he "didn’t know that it would’ve done everything we were expecting," claiming that the simplicity of 2X solutions "ultimately makes them the better product." Use of his 2X solution thus gives David little day-to-day stress in meeting the needs of Telfair’s students. Based on the success of his 2X experience so far, he explained that this year, he would like to "make applications available to students at home, allowing them to continue to have access to teaching materials after the end of the school day." He explains that as long as his server can handle additional users, his 2X ApplicationServer solution can bear the heavier load with ease, making hardware capabilities the only limit to network expansion.

For more information, please read the case study

About the 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services

The 2X ApplicationServer tunnels any Windows application or desktop onto remote computers, including Mac and Linux desktops, without the need to install the application or desktop onto each user’s machine. This provides significant savings on administration and support.

• Application publishing, rather than local installation
• Tunneling specific applications rather than a complete desktop
• Publish applications to Web interface
• Publish Windows applications to Linux and Mac
• Multiple monitor support
• Automatic redundancy
• Publish applications based on username, group membership or IP
• Seamless integration with local desktop and taskbar
• SSL secure connection to applications
• Universal printing
• Application license management
• Integration with 2X LoadBalancer
• Windows 2008 Server 32 / 64 bit support

Obtaining the Trial Version
2X is offering a 30-day trial version of 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services. After the 30-day trial period, users can still use the 3-connection free version by registering for the 3-connection license key on the 2X website. Download the trial version today.

About 2X
2X Software Ltd - 2X - is a company developing software for the booming server-based computing market. Thin client computing controls skyrocketing PC management costs, centralizes application and desktop management, improves security and performance and allows users to work remotely. The company’s product line includes: 2X ThinClientServer, 2X LoadBalancer for Terminal Services/Citrix, 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services and 2X VirtualDesktopServer. 2X is a privately-held company with offices in the USA, Germany, Australia, the UK, Cyprus and Malta. Its management team is backed by years of experience in developing and selling network infrastructure software. 2X is a Microsoft, IBM, VMware and RedHat partner. For more information, visit: http://www.2x.com/.

Features

• Native RDP Connections - Using the 2X Client you can now connected to a machine running Microsoft Terminal Server using a Remote Desktop Protocol connection. Administrators can easily configure desktop connections and publish applications using one tool.
• Embedded Desktops - With your 2X Client you can now use Embedded Desktops. This allows you to load a number of different Desktops inside one application. Switching between the different desktops is as simple as clicking on a different tab.
• ApplicationServer: Publish applications and Desktops - 2X ApplicationServer allows you to publish particular applications installed on a Terminal Server onto the desktop of a remote user. For example you can tunnel just an accounts package onto a user’s local desktop without giving the user access to a full desktop or publish a full desktop as an application on the Terminal Server.

2X ApplicationServer: 2X is offering a 30-day trial version of the full version of 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services. Users can also use the 3-connection free version by registering for the 3-connection license key on the 2X website. Get it from the 2X ApplicationServer download page today.

Check out PortableApps.com to download

David Poe serves as Chief Technical Officer at Upic Solutions. As an application service provider, Upic depends upon its ability to consistently meet the hosting performance needs of its clients. A critical component of the company’s hosting capabilities concerned the use of its MPLS system, a private hub-and-spoke network used to host Andar, a vertical market software application United Way groups use to fundraise in their respective communities. Links to individual United Way groups were maintained through a proprietary single vendor network utilizing T1 and ADSL connections. Upic was looking for a replacement solution that allowed United Way groups to shop any ISP for the best price while providing a reliable solution capable of remote application publishing, making a terminal services connection broker a natural choice.

Following a market review of terminal services connection brokers, the company chose a 2X solution for its combination of an impressive features list at a price far below other vendor estimates. The company chose to support its United Way clients using 16 terminal servers running a combination of 32 and 64-bit Windows 2003 and 2008 servers, depending upon users’ application requirements. Redundancy and scalability is achieved by using 3 VMWare ESX 3.5 virtual machines, using the 2X ApplicationServer Enterprise Edition, integrated with the 2X LoadBalancer. David explains that the platform-independence of his 2X solution allowed it to “fit well within our existing IT setup,” creating a network infrastructure well-tailored to the company’s needs, providing efficient remote application publishing with little to no downtime for end-users.

Upic’s implementation of their 2X ApplicationServer solution has improved company IT processes in two highly visible ways; first, in providing a straightforward connection broker solution with an extremely reasonable cost base, and also in providing an impressive array of features at consistently high reliability levels. He notes that since initial implementation, the company has had virtually no problems with its 2X solution, and that employees have been able to use the 2X ApplicationServer’s remote application publishing features with 100% reliability. In every instance, he explains that he is convinced his 2X solution can handle his clients’ remote application access at any time, wherever they might need it.

To read the case study in full, please visit: Upic Case Study.

About the 2X ApplicationServer

The 2X ApplicationServer tunnels any Windows application or desktop onto remote computers, including Mac and Linux desktops, without the need to install the application or desktop onto each user's machine. This provides significant savings on administration and support.

• Application publishing, rather than local installation
• Tunneling specific applications rather than a complete desktop
• Publish applications to Web interface
• Publish Windows applications to Linux and Mac
• Multiple monitor support
• Automatic redundancy
• Publish applications based on username, group membership or IP
• Seamless integration with local desktop and taskbar
• SSL secure connection to applications
• Universal printing
• Application license management
• Integration with 2X LoadBalancer
• Windows 2008 Server 32 / 64 bit support

Obtaining the Trial Version
2X is offering a 30-day trial version of 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services. After the 30-day trial period, users can still use the 3-connection free version by registering for the 3-connection license key on the 2X website. Download the trial version today.

About 2X
2X Software Ltd - 2X - is a company developing software for the booming server-based computing market. Thin client computing controls skyrocketing PC management costs, centralizes application and desktop management, improves security and performance and allows users to work remotely. The company’s product line includes: 2X ThinClientServer, 2X LoadBalancer for Terminal Services/Citrix, 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services and 2X VirtualDesktopServer. 2X is a privately-held company with offices in the USA, Germany, Australia, the UK, Cyprus and Malta. Its management team is backed by years of experience in developing and selling network infrastructure software. 2X is a Microsoft, IBM, VMware and RedHat partner. For more information, visit: http://www.2x.com/.

About Upic Solutions
Upic Solutions is a technology collaboration of several United Way organizations and provides a full range of information/technology solutions customized to the United Way vertical market. Upic serves United Way members in 21 states and the District of Columbia with help desk, hosting, electronic giving portals, data processing and reporting services. For more information, visit http://www.upicsolutions.org.