Introduction Need Solution Benefits...4. Product Overview...5. System Requirements, Scalability, and Licensing...6. Background...

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1 Terminal Server TM Provides a centralized OS X environment that enables you to easily and inexpensively deploy OS X applications in your organization. Aqua Connect, Inc. Version 3

2 Contents Introduction... 3 Need... 3 Solution... 3 Benefits...4 Product Overview...5 System Requirements, Scalability, and Licensing...6 Background... 6 Contact Information...7 Copyright 2008 by Aqua Connect, Inc. Aqua Connect and Aqua Connect Terminal Server are trademarks of Aqua Connect, Inc. Macintosh, Mac, Mac OS, Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, Panther, Leopard, and PowerPC are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. 2

3 Introduction This white paper explores the potential technical and business benefits of Aqua Connect Terminal Server TM deployment. Aqua Connect Terminal Server delivers the Macintosh experience via OS X servers to diverse hardware and software platforms and mobile devices using graphically enhanced terminal emulation. Incorporating various protocols, Aqua Connect Terminal Server can run most Mac OS X -based program and supports existing Mac OS X 64-bit computers. Easy to install after a quick download, the Aqua Connect Terminal Server will empower businesses to stream Mac -desktops and applications non-intrusively and cost-effectively. Enabling OS X servers to support multiple thin-client environments makes Aqua Connect Terminal Server the leading solution for reducing Mac OS X deployments throughout your organization. Need Companies and organizations that prefer the Mac OS X platform often face considerable expenses and deployment challenges. An alternative to a full deployment of Mac Hardware and Software is to virtualize the Mac desktop and applications across a network, creating a challenge if the desktop needs to be accessed from PC s and Thin Clients. Remote access for traveling users via PDA or UMPC presents another challenge. Additionally, many companies may be financially committed to existing infrastructure that does not support the Mac OS X environment. Aqua Connect Terminal Server addresses all of these issues, making it possible to deploy Mac OS X desktop and applications across networks affordably and rapidly. Solution The Aqua Connect Terminal Server (ACTS) can be accessed by Mac workstations or laptops with PowerPC or Intel-based processors or any device that is compatible with Remote Frame Buffer (RFB) protocol, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), and X11 as implemented by Virtual Network Computing (VNC). RFB compatible devices include nearly all PCs, PDAs, smartphones, and thin clients. RDP compatibility is included with most Windows software. ACTS Server software can be quickly downloaded and centrally deployed on the server to facilitate access from local and remote clients throughout your enterprise. 3

4 Only one Mac OS X server license is required to handle as many clients as your server hardware will support. Once installed, ACTS allows multiple clients to run shared copies of applications in the Mac OS X desktop environment simultaneously! As well as ACTS providing the framework for clients to share your OS X server desktop, it also is a powerful administration tool that provides remote session shadowing, user prioritization, and access rules. figure 1 Benefits Aqua Connect Terminal Server s user friendliness combined with the familiarity of the OS X desktop environment will increase user productivity. With ACTS, applications optimized for the PowerPC can be streamed to Intel based Macs and vice versa (see figure 1), postponing the inevitability of upgrading your hardware or and software investment. The only significant hardware expenditure is a Mac OS X server. Companies that already have Mac OS X servers require no significant changes to their network infrastructure in order to deploy Aqua Connect Terminal Server. The cost of user implementation is greatly reduced because older computers and other devices can now function as OS X thin clients. Since all configuration files and applications are stored and maintained in one central OS X server, the Aqua Connect Terminal Server significantly reduces IT overhead in the following areas: Desktop support Upgrades/patches Licensing costs 4

5 Support costs Hardware costs Desktop Security Additional benefits include Aqua Connect's ability to resolve font issues and support of Linux and Open Source software. Product Overview The Aqua Connect Terminal Server consists of these software components: Server Daemon: This background process enables the Mac OS X server to host multiple, simultaneous client sessions. Remote Frame Buffer (RFB): Aqua Connect Terminal Server includes an RFB server component that transfers the display information of the OS X environment to VNC-enabled clients according to the RFB thin-client protocol. By design, RFB protocol makes very few demands on the client environment, so that RFB clients can run on the widest range of hardware with minimal implementation. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): Aqua Connect Terminal Server includes an RDP protocol server component that supports client connections that offer improved user experience by increasing speed and efficiency using the RDP protocol. XDMCP/X11: Aqua Connect Terminal Server includes an X11 protocol server component that supports client connections using the XDMCP protocol. Graphical User Administration Tool: This Graphical User Interface (GUI) enables you to administer the Aqua Connect Terminal Server remotely in an intuitive, simple-to-use environment. Administrative functions include switching terminal services on an off, managing client user accounts, ability to manage administrators (add/delete/change passwords), and shadowing of user sessions for training and support. Directory Services Integration: Integrates with Directory Services such as LDAP, Open Directory, Active Directory, etc. 5

6 System Requirements, Scalability, and Licensing Server requirements: Aqua Connect Terminal Server will run on any Mac OS X Leopard server that meets minimum system requirements. Refer to server documentation available at for details. Client requirements: Any RDP, X11 or RFB-compatible device can function as an Aqua Connect Terminal Server client. You can enable non-rfbcompatible devices to become RFB clients by installing VNC client software, such as TightVNC or Chicken of the VNC. Aqua Connect Terminal Server can be used by organizations ranging in size from fewer than 10 employees to large enterprises. An adequately configured OS X server can effectively sustain 10 simultaneous user sessions, depending on the number of applications open, user activity patterns and server capacity. However, the high-performance CPUs in Mac OS X servers make it possible for the Aqua Connect Terminal Server to support a larger number of simultaneous users per single server. Background Aqua Connect's technical officers, led by CTO Joseph Cohen, bring formidable education and expertise, as well as a passion for technical innovation, to the marketplace. Cohen embraced technology at an early age, earning his Novel CNE certification at age 14 and receiving his Microsoft certification at 16. In 1996, Cohen founded a computing, networking, and telecommunications consulting businesses. His clients included Smith Barney, Healthcare Partners, and Cox Communication. Cohen's company also performed key product testing and development for Microsoft, Inc., and Novell, Inc. While working with Novell, Cohen helped to refine the Netware Directory Services software, which was later renamed Novell Directory Services (NDS). In 2005, Cohen founded Band-UX. One year later, Cohen founded Steelcape, a network security solution provider. He is the past Vice President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Network Professionals Association (NPA). Cohen has published widely published in various professional journals. 6

7 Contact information Aqua Connect, Inc. Corporate offices: 5777 W. Century Blvd. 9 th Floor Los Angeles, CA Toll Free: (866) 543-AQUA Phone: (310) Fax: (310) Domestic Sales [email protected] International Sales [email protected] Technical Support [email protected] Investor Relations [email protected] Partner Program Information [email protected] General Inquiries [email protected] Webmaster [email protected] 7