NComputing

NComputing

NComputing is a desktop virtualization company that manufactures hardware and software to create virtual desktops (sometimes called zero clients or thin clients) which enable multiple users to simultaneously share a single operating system instance.The combination of NComputing hardware (access devices, thin clients, zero clients) and virtualization software (vSpace desktop virtualization software) use the excess computing capacity of one PC or server to create multiple virtual desktops.

The vSpace software allows multiple simultaneous user accounts to run on a single operating system instance. The access devices connect each user’s keyboard, monitor, and mouse to the shared host. Each NComputing access device has ports for a keyboard, monitor, and mouse, but does not contain a CPU nor memory. vSpace can either be deployed alone or in concert with other virtual desktop infrastructure software solutions (including Citrix, VMware and Microsoft).

The company offers three product lines, the X-series, L-series, and U-series, as well as an OEM chip 

 

Products

 

X-series - Direct Connect

X-series access devices connect via CAT 5 cable to a PCI card that is installed in a shared PC. The technology supports up to two PCI cards. The maximum distance between the PC and an access device is 10 m (33 ft). The X-series comes in kits which include one PC card and several access terminals, depending on the specific product.

L-series - Ethernet connect

Unlike the X-series, the NComputing L-series does not use a PCI card. L-series access devices connect each user’s keyboard, mouse,USB foot Padle and monitor back to the shared PC over standard Ethernet cables through a router or switch. An entry-level server supports approximately 30 users. The L-series comes in kits that include NComputing’s vSpace software and one access device.

U-series - USB connections

The U-series are the simplest of all to connect, because they connect into USB ports on the host computer, and thus no network switches or PCI cards are required. USB has an inherent distance limit.

vSpace Server software

NComputing’s vSpace Server virtualization software, included with the hardware, creates the virtual desktops in the shared PC by dividing the computer's resources into independent sessions that give each user their own PC experience. The vSpace software uses the company’s proprietary display and communications protocol ("UXP") to communicate between the shared computer and the user stations. UXP serves a similar purpose as Microsoft’s RDP and Citrix’s ICA.

vSpace Installation Window

System Requirements

For a single X350 kit with 1-4 users, a host PC should have a minimum of a 2.4 GHz  processor or any dual-core processor and 2 GB RAM. For a single X550 kit with up to 6 users, a 3.0 GHz processor or any dual- or quad-core processor with at least 3 GB of RAM is recommended. You should double the amount of RAM for 64-bit systems. For a dual card installation (two X350 or two X550 kits with 7 to 11 users), a host PC should have a minimum of a 3.0 GHz processor or an equivalent dual- or quad-core processor and 4+ GB RAM (for 64-bit hosts, 6+ GB is recommended).

Operating system support

Linux support

Linux is supported through a version of vSpace Server for Linux software. Currently, NComputing offers support for Ubuntu 10.04.3 32-bit and 64-bit for the L300 and Ubuntu 10.04.2 32-bit for the X350. The vSpace Server software and hardware clients require registration after 30 days for product upgrade notification. 

Windows support

Windows is supported through a version of vSpace Server for Windows software.  The supported versions of Windows include: Windows Server 2003 R2 SP2, Windows XP SP3 (32-bit); Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows Vista SP21(32-bit); Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows MultiPoint Server 2011, Windows 7 SP1 (both 32- and 64-bit). The vSpace Server software and hardware clients require registration after 30 days for product upgrade notification.

Ncomputing Connection