PC X Server
for Windows Desktops

Overview | Features

Features

ViewNow X makes it easy for Windows PC users to run memory-intensive, graphics-rich X applications such as CAD/CAM, finite element modeling, financial analysis, inventory control, database administration, production planning, and more. Best of all, ViewNow X brings this extraordinary computing power to PC users at a reasonable cost. It harnesses the computing power of UNIX workstations while maximizing existing investments in desktop systems.

NetManage’s powerful X server solution uses ViewNow X on desktop PCs and a high-performance UNIX server to provide centralized access to UNIX applications. This lets your organization use lower-cost PCs instead of more expensive UNIX workstations. By leveraging the multitasking and processing power of the server, powerful X applications that require large amounts of RAM can be viewed, controlled, and manipulated from Windows desktops. From the user’s perspective, the X application appears to be running locally on the PC, whereas processing is actually taking place on the central UNIX system.

Simple Web-Browser Access

NetManage was the first to bring you the latest Web-enabled X technology, X11R6.3 or "Broadway", that lets PC users access and run X applications from their favorite web browser. ViewNow X is fully X11R6.3 compliant.

Using a Web browser plug-in, X applications can be remotely configured, managed, and accessed through a Web browser. Network administrators can create customized Web pages with links to X applications. Users then simply click on a pre-defined link to launch the appropriate X application. Using a Web connection eliminates the tedious task of configuring each user’s desktop for specific X applications – and minimizes training time. Users no longer need to set up their own X applications. This means fewer troubleshooting calls to help desk resources and lower maintenance costs.

Get Leaner, Faster X

Using X applications can create a bandwidth bottleneck. ViewNow X eases data traffic using Low Bandwidth X (LBX) technology, which provides three layers of data compression and caching. The results: X data moves faster over low-bandwidth dial-up lines.

Enhanced Usability

Proven graphical user interfaces provide point-and-click simplicity that makes X application easy for everyone. With ViewNow X, PC users can easily cut and paste information between UNIX and Windows applications. Users simply select a text block or graphic, copy it, and then paste it into a Windows application or into a UNIX application. The ViewNow X client seamlessly integrates easy-to-use X connectivity applications with Windows user interfaces. So once users learn the operating system, they’ve learned how to perform X server connectivity tasks. Context-sensitive help is available on every user interface control so users can learn quickly and be more productive.

User-Selectable Options

With ViewNow X, PC users can select from a range of options when running X client applications. There are a number of display options. In addition to the typical color (this is dependent on the graphics board in the PC) and font selection which covers a number of X applications fonts such as DEC, HP, Windows PC, and Kanji, the user can choose to run the font manager on the UNIX system.

The user can run the X application in a single window mode or multiple window mode. In single window mode, the entire PC screen is dedicated to the X application. While in multi-window mode, the X application runs in a Microsoft window.

In addition, ViewNow allows the user to choose the type of window manager (local window manager, Motif window manager, or the UNIX system window manager) and whether the X window manager is in control or whether the MS Windows manager is in control. These options permit the system manager to tune the setup based on the expertise of the user.

Easy Application Launch

ViewNow X incorporates NetManage’s LaunchNow™ facility that allows users to fast-start X applications and customize user tools. From any ViewNow application, simply choose LaunchNow to see a list of applications that can be activated. LaunchNow can be displayed as an icon on the toolbar to provide LaunchNow features without activating a ViewNow application.

Access Control

ViewNow X provides PC users with three options for handling the logon and password requirements of the UNIX platform. The user can require that the logon name and password be entered for each and every use of the X application. Or, the user can set their X application to only require the input of the password only. And finally, for systems that are physically secure, the user can set the logon to automatically feed the logon name and the password.

Fast Configuration of Session Settings

The Host Access Manager is the central configuration tool for ViewNow desktop products. It provides users and administrators with a convenient interface to configure host settings. It can also be used for Workspace management, allowing the network administrator to import Workspaces into a user environment or export Workspaces for sharing or trouble- shooting. Objects created in Host Access Manager are available from other ViewNow applications or on the user desktop through the use of LaunchNow. Shortcuts can be assigned to session objects, allowing for easy execution from anywhere on the desktop.

Remote Configuration

The Remote Access Manager is a powerful, remote configuration tool for the system administrator. It provides a consistent, integrated approach to managing user accounts, workspaces and access privileges across a diverse spectrum of resources. The administrator can remotely create and configure host access templates for individual users and groups. This single-point, remote configuration significantly reduces the cost of managing multiple distributed desktops.

Wizards and Diagnostics

ViewNow X provides Policy Templates that simplify user access controls. Migration Wizards make it easy to migrate from previous NetManage software or upgrade from competitive products. And extensive diagnostic tools are available to diagnose problems and to monitor, audit, and report on user access and network performance.