• Build and update Thin and Fat client images
• Install local applications
• Limit one session per user
• Create profiles to apply different configuration to the clients
• Enable/Disable network compression, local apps, local devices, autologin, guest login and sound
• Select keyboard layout
• Enter any other custom LTSP options
• Configure Per-client Autologin and Guest Login

Zentyal Thin Clients module will help to deploy and manage a thin client installation, where user applications are transparently run on the server while they are being used on the workstations. The main advantages of this type of installations are that low-cost or outdated hardware can be used for the workstations, while latest applications are run on the server and workstation management is simplified as all clients run the same image from the server. This module is based on the LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project), the most popular open source implementation of the thin client technology.

To test this new module, install a fresh Zentyal 2.3 making sure that you have Internet connection so you get the latest packages. If you already have an installed Zentyal 2.3, upgrade to the latest version and select the new ‘Thin Clients’ module. There are few Additional notes you should also read.

Please remember that Zentyal 2.3 is a beta version and it is not intended for production environments. However, all testing help is greatly appreciated as well as bug reports, feedback and ideas that can be given through the Zentyal Forum or Zentyal Trac.

The new installer for 32- and 64-bit architectures can be downloaded from the Beta Downloads page. If you already have an existing Ubuntu Server 12.04 installation, you can also install the 2.3 packages simply by following the instructions of the Installation Guide.

The most relevante change since the release of the first Zentyal 2.3 packages, is the Samba4 integration. This is the first alpha version and some features are still missing, but when completed, Samba4 module will offer a full replacement for Microsoft Active Directory for users and resource management.

Please remember that Zentyal 2.3 is a beta version and it is not intended for production environments. However, all testing help is greatly appreciated as well as bug reports, feedback and ideas that can be given through the Zentyal Forum or Zentyal Trac.

To join the testing effort, Ubuntu Server 12.04 installation is necessary. If you already have one, simply check out the instructions on how to test the packages. And if not, download and install the latest Ubuntu Server 12.04 first. Zentyal installer will be available later on.

Remember to spread the word! And as always, feedback, issues and suggestions through the Trac and Forum are much appreciated.

The VM images together with instructions and additional information are available in the trac. It is important to note that the images come with a reduced set of Zentyal modules. In reality Zentyal offers many more features that can be easily enabled in the “Software Management” section once the Virtual Machine is up and running.

Remember to spread the word! And as always, feedback and suggestions through the Forum are much appreciated!

Information on how to use the tool, known issues, etc. is available at the Trac. As migrating a production server is a complex task that may lead to problems, it is recommended to do the migration out of office hours, making sure that it is possible to restore a backup if anything goes wrong during the process.

If you come up with any issues, please report through the Forum. On the other hand, if you have a critical production environment and you want to count on Zentyal Development Team’s help for the migration, you can always opt for commercial support.

Enjoy the new Zentyal 2.2 server!

At the moment the Zentyal Migration Tool includes Active Directory synchronization and exportation of basic DHCP and DNS settings from Windows servers to Zentyal. The tool is made available together with extensive documentation, as well as detailed information on how to migrate from Microsoft Exchange to Linux with Zentyal and Zarafa Groupware.

Please let us know through the Forum if you come up with any issues or have any suggestions for improvements. Our aim is to progressively improve this tool, allowing to extract more data to make the replacement of Windows servers with Zentyal as easy as possible.

Zentyal 2.2 introduces major performance improvements, reducing the installation time and improving the user interface responsiveness by 30%. Besides, a number of usability improvements have taken place, making the server installation, configuration and management easier and more accessible for SMB users with no earlier experience on Linux.

This version features fully new Captive Portal module, that offers the possibility to limit user access to the Internet through a login page. Captive portals are typically used at WiFi hotspots, but also in wired networks at hotels, schools or airports where users need to authenticate prior gaining Internet access.

In addition, Zentyal 2.2 introduces a bunch of new features, such as IPsec and, PPTP support, Administrator audit logging, Virtual machine management, Zarafa 7 integration, Ad-blocker or the ability to run Zentyal from a USB stick. Moreover, to celebrate the new release, improved free Basic Subscription was recently launched to give users access to basic alerts, reports, remote monitoring and management options directly from the Zentyal Cloud at no cost.

Zentyal users are invited to participate in Zentyal Summit 2011, to be held on November 11-12, to learn more about this version and discuss the roadmap of the next stable Zentyal version.

For additional information, please check out the Detailed Announcement or the full changelog.

The new installer can be downloaded from the Beta Downloads Page. Users who already have installed Zentyal 2.2-rc1, can also upgrade their packages to the latest available versions via Zentyal server UI. Please note that this version is not intended for production environments.

The release of the next stable Zentyal version (Zentyal 2.2) is estimated for the 3rd week of September. As the release date is approaching fast, your help in finding bugs now is crucial to make this a great release, so remember to report any bugs you come up with via Zentyal UI, bug tracker or Forum! To liven up the bug hunt, we will reward the most active bug-reporters as well as the persons who report the trickiest bugs with Zentyal t-shirts (check out the FAQ)!

Happy testing!

Besides having done plenty of bugfixing, the following improvements can be highlighted in this release:

The new installer can be downloaded from the Beta Downloads Page. Users who already have Zentyal 2.1 installed can also try upgrading to the latest available packages via Zentyal server UI, although the upgrade is not guaranteed to be problem-free. However, the Development Team will be pleased to help users who want to try the upgrade and report any issues via the Beta Testing board in the Forum.

Please read the release notes (details about Zarafa and the new Administrator audit logging feature) and give your feedback through the Forum! Happy testing!

This installer contains all the improvements and bugfixes done since the release of the previous beta installer (2.1-1 ). Moreover, it also comes with the first previews of three fully new modules: PPTP, Captive Portal and VM Management. It is important to notice that these modules are still under development and they may be in alpha status – They are not intended for production environments.

The new installer (available for 32 and 64 bit architectures) is available at the Beta Downloads page. The 2.1 packages can also be installed on an existing Ubuntu Server 10.04, following the Installation Guide instructions. Users who already have a 2.1 installation only need to upgrade to the latest versions of all the available packages.

As to the VM Management module, it is worth to notice that two different backends are developed to manage VirtualBox and KVM. KVM will be the default option, but the development of the VirtualBox backend is currently more advanced. Those users interested in testing it, simply need to remove the libvirt package and install the virtualbox package (sudo apt-get remove libvirt-bin && sudo apt-get install virtualbox-ose).

Please note that 2.1-2 is a beta version and it is not intended for production environments. If you have a spare testing server or a VM, your help in testing, reporting any problem or simply giving feedback would be greatly appreciated. With everybody’s collaboration and help, we have no doubt that 2.2 will be the best Zentyal release ever!