NoMachine NX provides unlimited virtual desktops for the University of Leicester's XROA's Multi-Platform Environment.

About the Organization

A world leader in X-ray astronomy and astrophysics research, the University of Leicester's X-Ray and Observational Astronomy (XROA) group, part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has approximately 300 students, fellows and researchers. Conducting internationally recognized research, Leicester has the 10th highest number of highly cited researchers among UK universities, according to Thomson Scientific.

The Challenge

With 300 researchers actively engaged in programming and data analysis, and using data-heavy astronomy applications including XMM- SAS and HEAsoft, XROA needed a remote access solution that would provide superior speed and session reliability. They also needed a solution that would allow them to access both Windows and Linux applications.

The Solution

To provide on-demand access to servers from anywhere in the UK, regardless of their desktop platform, XROA chose the NX Enterprise Server. NX Client automatically supports Linux, Solaris, Windows, and Macintosh applications and desktops, making it ideal for XROA's multi-platform environment. In addition, NX Enterprise Server, which is a fully featured Unix terminal server and desktop consolidation tool, allows an unlimited number of virtual desktops to operate on a single server. Despite this unlimited user access, the NX subscription price is only $ 1494.50 per year, which is significantly lower than competing solutions.

However, cost wasn't the top consideration for XROA; session reliability was. Because XROA was doing programming and scientific research, they needed a high speed remote access solution that would not be weighed down by data-heavy applications, and one that also offered high session reliability and a disconnect/resume function that would prevent them from losing hours of research if the network went down or work was interrupted. With its unique display protocol that sends data as one-time instructions rather than just images, and the fact that NX caches only the most relevant data, NX was able to offer XROA a much faster, real-time remote access connection than competing solutions. It also offered more session reliability. In addition, its disconnect/resume feature allowed users to leave their work session, and pick up the same session later in a different location.

NX was also easy to install. A turnkey solution, NX Server automatically connects to XDMCP servers, Windows Terminal Services; supports Linux, Solaris, Windows, and Macintosh applications and desktops; supports PAM based authentication; and provides automatic integration with LDAP authentication infrastructure and MS Active Directory.

Results

NX's centralized application management is saving XROA administrators time and cost in application deployment and management. With its industry standard SSH-encryption, NX is able to offer secure data access to researchers and students who need to maintain their projects from remote locations. XROA Systems Manager Mark Mahabir says, "NX gives our staff the full desktop experience when away from the department. It is fast, extremely functional, easy to install, and it knocks other previously-tried solutions, such as Hummingbird Exceed, into the shade."

About NoMachine NX Enterprise Server

A fully-featured Unix terminal server and desktop consolidation tool allowing users to create, manage and operate an unlimited number of virtual desktop sessions on a single server. Perfect for companies which need to offer a complete set of corporate services to all mobile and on-site employees.

NX security is guaranteed at every layer involved in the communication process. NX uses SSH public-key encryption and 128 bit volatile random cookie generation.