IGEL OS

What is IGEL OS?

IGEL OS is a Linux-based operating system that is specifically designed for use in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and remote-working environments. It provides a secure and high-performance endpoint for virtual desktops and applications, and it can be easily managed and customized to meet the specific needs of an organization.

Some key features and benefits of IGEL OS include:

  • Security: IGEL OS provides built-in security features such as encryption, authentication, and access controls, which can help to protect against unauthorised access and data breaches.

  • Performance: IGEL OS is designed to provide a fast and responsive user experience, even in virtualised environments. It also provides support for high-definition audio and video, which can improve the overall user experience.

  • Management: IGEL OS provides a centralized management console that allows administrators to easily provision, update, and manage the endpoint devices. This can help to streamline the management of virtualised environments.

  • Flexibility: IGEL OS allows for a high degree of customization, enabling organisations to tailor the operating system to their specific needs. This can help organisations to support a wide range of devices and users, including older devices that may not be compatible with newer versions of Windows.

  • Compatibility: IGEL OS is compatible with a wide range of virtualisation technologies, such as Citrix DaaS, VMware Horizon, and Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, as well as other virtualisation technologies. 

  • Cost-effective: IGEL OS is a lightweight, Linux-based operating system, which can be more cost-effective compared to other endpoint solutions. Its lower resource usage also makes it ideal for use in virtualised environments, which can help to reduce costs associated with hardware and energy usage.

  • Remote working: IGEL OS is designed to work with remote working solutions, it provides a secure and reliable endpoint for virtual desktops and applications.

What about the IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG)?

The IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG) feature extends the management and control reach of the IGEL Universal
Management Suite (UMS) via a standard internet connection to endpoints running in remote branch offices,
at home offices, or anywhere else.

The IGEL Cloud Gateway is required to manage and control endpoint devices sitting outside the corporate
LAN, where the UMS and those devices are not in the same network. The ICG is not a VPN solution, but
a highly secure way to set up, manage, and control remote IGEL OS-powered devices per organizational
standards. It is therefore essential in organizations where end-users may be working from home or some
other remote location, and a separate VPN connection is not required.

Some key features and benefits of ICG include:

  • Replaces expensive VPN connections or leased lines with a dedicated, secure connection for IGEL
    endpoint device management and control, even over unreliable networks.
  • Secure shadowing enables the central administration of remote “off network” endpoints, especially for
    on-device remote helpdesk and troubleshooting.
  • Transparent endpoint management of remote endpoints as if they are situated on the corporate network, using all of the same powerful functions and capabilities of the Universal Management Suite as for local clients.
  • Secure HTTPS based protocol encrypts all communication. Certificates authorize and authenticate all
    connections.
  • Flexible architecture to install IGEL Cloud Gateway on premises or deployed as a cloud-based service.

See it in Action

Below you can watch a short demonstration of how easy it is to use a device running IGEL OS to access multiple remote working technologies such as, Citrix DaaS, Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), VMWare Horizon and others.

IGEL OS with VDI

Here is a breakdown of how IGEL OS can work with each of these products:

Citrix DaaS: IGEL OS can be used as the endpoint device for Citrix DaaS environments, providing a secure and high-performance connection to the virtual desktops and applications. IGEL OS can be configured to work with Citrix DaaS using the Citrix HDX protocol. 

VMware Horizon: IGEL OS can be used as the endpoint device for VMware Horizon environments, providing a secure and high-performance connection to the virtual desktops and applications. IGEL OS can be configured to work with Horizon using the PCoIP or Blast Extreme protocols.

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop: IGEL OS can be used as the endpoint device for Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop environments, providing a secure and high-performance connection to the virtual desktops and applications. IGEL OS can be configured to work with Azure Virtual Desktop using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS): IGEL OS can be used as the endpoint device for RDS environments, providing a secure and high-performance connection to the virtual desktops and applications. IGEL OS can be configured to work with RDS using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

In summary, IGEL OS can be used as the endpoint device for various VDI technologies, including Citrix DaaS, VMware Horizon, Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS). It provides a secure and high-performance connection to the virtual desktops and applications, and allows for easy management, provisioning, and updates of the endpoint devices. Additionally, IGEL OS can be easily integrated with different VDI solutions, providing a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing virtualized environments.