USB Virtual Desktop Kit
(Model U170)
with vSpaceTM
User Guide
This guide applies to all Microsoft® Windows versions of our product. Specific
information about our Linux versions may be found at
ncomputing.com
R6.17.10
USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Contents
Important notices ............................................................................................................2
Contents .........................................................................................................................3
Safety information...........................................................................................................4
Regulatory compliance....................................................................................................5
FCC information..........................................................................................................5
KCC certification information.......................................................................................5
Product overview ............................................................................................................6
Minimum system requirements .......................................................................................7
Host computer.............................................................................................................7
Access devices ...........................................................................................................8
Install the hardware.........................................................................................................8
Connect peripheral devices.........................................................................................8
Connection options .....................................................................................................9
Mounting and security...............................................................................................10
NComputing vSpace software installation .....................................................................11
User setup.................................................................................................................13
Product registration.......................................................................................................14
Online registration.....................................................................................................15
Offline registration.....................................................................................................15
PC upgrade or card migration to another PC.............................................................16
Uninstallation ............................................................................................................16
vSpace software updates..........................................................................................17
Additional features ........................................................................................................17
Auto login..................................................................................................................17
Troubleshooting guide...................................................................................................18
Glossary........................................................................................................................19
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Safety information
Refer to the following to prevent any physical injury or loss of assets caused by damage to the
product.
A user must read this User Guide carefully before use and properly follow the instructions.
•
Make sure that the place of installation is not too hot (above 35˚C), too cold (below 0˚C),
or too wet (above 85% relative humidity).
•
•
•
•
Avoid any severe impacts to the product
Make sure that the product is not exposed to direct sunlight or any hot machinery.
Please keep the product away from any items which have strong magnetic properties.
Do not disassemble, repair or rebuild the product.
Note: Please properly route all cables and power cords to avoid a
tripping hazard. An electric shock, fire, damage to the product or
physical injury may occur as a result of tripping over the cable.
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Regulatory compliance
FCC information
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try and correct the interference by one or the following measures:
•
•
•
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
Connect the equipment to a power outlet on a circuit different from which the receiver is
connected
•
Consult your dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
KCC certification information
NComputing U170
1.
2.
3.
4.
(
): USB-based Expansion kit (U170)
:
: Magic Control Technology Corporation/
:
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Product overview
The NComputing U170 kit enables users to dramatically cut computing costs by sharing the
untapped power of existing computers. The U170 access device and NComputing vSpace
software work together to efficiently harness excess computing capacity and enable multiple
users to share a single computer. And each user gets the full performance and capability of a
PC, including multimedia and video. Best of all, IT staff and end users do not need special
training because the solution is easy to setup and is compatible with standard PC software.
Connect one user per kit or a total of 10 users per host machine
With the NComputing U170, each user still has a standard monitor, keyboard, mouse, and
speakers (sold separately). However, instead of connecting directly to the PC, these peripherals
connect to the U170 access device on their desk. These very small, solid-state devices connect
with USB cables and optional USB 2.0 hubs to the shared PC. The distance between the
access device and the shared computer can be a maximum of 20 meters (66 feet) following
standard USB 2.0 specifications on cables and hubs. The U170 can also be easily attached and
secured to the back of a display with the built-in VESA mount option.
The NComputing vSpace desktop virtualization software (included) divides the PC’s resources
into independent virtual workspaces that give each user their own full PC experience. vSpace
simplifies configuration by automatically assigning the keyboard, mouse, audio and any USB
devices attached to each workstation. There is even an auto-login feature that can be set to
automatically login a user making the U170 a great product for kiosks, schools, kids, and digital
signage applications.
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Minimum system requirements
Host computer
For multiuser applications the host computer operating system can be Windows Server 2003 R2
SP2 (Standard or Enterprise Edition, 32-bit), Windows Server 2008 SP2 (Standard or
Enterprise, 32-bit. For more information Microsoft licensing please see the Important Notices
section at the beginning of this document.
Almost any modern PC may be used to host NComputing vSpace software. The guidelines
below are a good rule of thumb for determining how many users you can expect to have a
native experience running general productivity software applications.
Note: The U170 requires USB 2.0 controller(s) for operation. In addition, some
older PCs may have difficulty booting with U170 devices (or other high-speed
USB audio devices) when attached. In these cases, you may need to boot the
computer first, then attach the USB cable. This problem can sometimes be
resolved by installing a separate USB 2.0 PCI card into the PC.
The table below describes the maximum bandwidth of the USB bus for modern PC
motherboards. Some PCs may contain multiple EHCI controllers that can double or
triple the available bandwidth. These systems will have better video performance when
running more than 4 U170 devices on a PC. To take advantage of multiple controllers,
connect any downstream hubs back to the PC directly rather than connecting all U170s
downstream of one USB connection. Adding an additional USB controller card to a PC
is also an option for large deployments.
Vendor
AMD
Chip Set
SB710
HT1100
ICH8
USB or EHCI controllers
Maximum Bandwidth
120 MB/s
2
3
2
2
2
2
Broadcom
Intel
180 MB/s
120 MB/s
Intel
ICH9
120 MB/s
Intel
ICH10
120 MB/s
nVIDIA
ION Series
120 MB/s
* Note: This is NOT a comprehensive list of chip set that have more than one USB bus.
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Access devices
For each U170 station you will need:
•
•
•
•
USB keyboard and mouse
Monitor (resolution support below)
Optional: speakers, headphones, and/or microphone with mini stereo connector
Optional: USB devices and USB cables (connect directly to host PC and can be
assigned to each station via the vSpace software)
Install the hardware
Connect peripheral devices
The U170 has two USB 2.0 connectors to support USB devices. These ports may be used in
the following ways:
•
•
•
USB Keyboard and Mouse
Wireless Keyboard Adapter and an accessory port
A separate USB Hub to support additional USB accessories
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Note: USB devices (ex. Flash memory stick) connected downstream of a U170
will be assigned to the session logged in to that U170 device.
Note: The U170 device is powered by the USB bus and a single USB port can
provide power for only one U170 device with a mouse and keyboard. Adding
additional USB devices immediately downstream of the U170 that draw too
much power is likely to cause errors. Using a powered USB hub downstream
from a U170 for high power peripherals is recommended.
Connection options
The U170 may be attached to a PC through any USB 2.0 compliant connection method. This
includes the use of USB 2.0 hubs, USB 2.0 extension cables, and USB 2.0 active extenders.
Each segment of a USB connection from device to host, device to hub, or hub to hub, must be
no longer than 5 meters. The USB 2.0 specification states that a total of 4 hubs may be used
downstream of a PC before the U170 device itself. Because the U170 is dependent on USB bus
power, a powered hub should always be used directly upstream of a U170 when not directly
attached to a PC.
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Note: Performance may be impacted by poor quality cables or hubs. We
recommend USB 2.0 certified cables with minimum wires sizes of AWG 24
(power) and 28 AWG (signal). (Note, the higher the number the smaller the wire.)
Mounting and security
Using two screws (provided) you can attach the XD2 to the back of an LCD monitor that has
VESA compliant mounting holes as shown below. To secure the U170 device, a slot has been
provided in between the mounting screw holes to permit a security cable to be attached.
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
NComputing vSpace software installation
Installation of the vSpace software is straightforward and simple.
1. Insert the CD. It will autostart and present a menu of options. Choose “Install vSpace
Software.”
2. Follow the directions in the install wizard to complete the software installation.
3. Reboot the system
4. Connect U170 devices to the PC
5. The windows operating system will discover the new devices and ask “Can Windows
connect to Windows Update to search for software?” Select “No, not this time.” (Note:
USB discovery can take some time and during the FIRST install only and you will be
asked to repeat this discovery for each U170 connected to the PC. If installing multiple
devices, please be patient during the discovery process.)
6. The next screen in the hardware wizard will show that the operating system has
identified the U170 device and will ask “What would you like the wizard to do?” Choose
“Install the software automatically [Recommended]
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
7. The next screen of the hardware installation wizard is a warning. Press, “Continue
Anyway”
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
8. You have now completed the hardware installation wizard, press finish to continue.
9. You will repeat these steps for each U170 device connected to the system.
Note: The Display on the host system will flash on and off during the video
driver installation. It will repeat this for each new U170 being installed.
User setup
There are two options for setting up users on a multiuser system:
1. Local Users: for small installations, you can use the user management tool in Microsoft
to add local users.
2. Workgroup or Domains: If there is already a workgroup or domain in use on the network,
simply join the computer to that workgroup or domain and any users already existing
may use the new system.
Note: Users must be joined to the “Remote Access” group in a multi-user
system. The screens below show where to find the user management and
group management tools to setup new users.
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
To add new users go to StartꢀSettingsꢀControl PanelꢀUser Accounts. You can also search
on “To add a new user to the computer” in the Windows Help and Support Center for more
information.
Windows Server 2008 user account management screen
Windows Server 2003 user account management screen
Product registration
The U170 USB virtual desktop and vSpace software that you install on a computer must be
registered with NComputing. Prior to registration, user sessions will be limited to 60 minutes
before timing out and requiring a reboot of the system.
Registration is fast, easy and can be accomplished two ways:
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
1. Online Registration
2. Offline Registration
The Registration Wizard may be found on both the System Tray and in the start menu under
“NComputing vSpace Software”
Online registration
If the PC where you have installed vSpace software has a connection to the internet for http and
https, simply follow the registration wizard to:
1. Fill out your registration information.
2. Automatically discover the device serial numbers connected.
3. Then connect to the NComputing registration service .
4. If selecting this option, you may choose to enable “Background Registration” so that
any time you install a new U170 to the system, the Registration Wizard will discover
and register the product with your information without any user intervention.
Offline registration
If the PC where you have installed the U170 does not have access to the internet, you can still
register the product. Simply:
1. Use the Registration Wizard and select “Offline Registration.”
2. The system will still automatically discover the connected devices, but will then allow
you to save a registration file.
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
3. Place this file in a location where you can access it with an email client. This may be
on a flash disk if required.
processed and a registration file will be sent back to you in email.
5. Once you have the returned file, restart the Registration Wizard and select
“Complete Offline Registration”.
PC upgrade or card migration to another PC
The registration process assigns your vSpace software license and U170 virtual desktop to the
specific host PC in which they are installed. If you change or upgrade multiple components on
your PC, such as the hard drive and operating system or if you move to another PC, you will
need to re-assign your license to the new host PC configuration. When making such a change,
simply repeat the online or offline registration process. You can reassign your license in this
way a few times after your initial registration. If you exceed this limit you will need to
contact NComputing technical support.
Uninstallation
To uninstall the vSpace software, select “Uninstall vSpace” from the “Start” menu. Follow the
prompts and the vSpace software is removed from the host PC. You will be prompted to restart
the host PC to complete the process.
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
vSpace software updates
Once you have successfully completed the registration process, you can update the software
directly over the Internet by selecting “Update vSpace” from the “Start” menu or from the
System Tray menu. (Provided those updates for which you may be entitled to are available).
Additional features
Auto login
NComputing vSpace software has a convenient Auto-login feature popular in schools, kiosks, or
digital signage applications. If enabled, once a computer boots, each U170 station will
automatically login using the username and password set. Additionally, a launch application or
script may be specified to run at login.
To enable the Autologin feature:
1. Click on Autologin setup
2. Enter the username and password you wish to use; the password will not be displayed in
clear text. (Note a blank password can be used, to do this simply place the cursor into
the password file (make no entries) and then press OK)
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
3. Click the checkbox to “enable”
The “Running Program” fields can be used to designate a single application to be displayed
without the underlying windowing system. This may be used for kiosk or digital signage
applications.
Troubleshooting guide
No graphics are displayed of a U170 station
If there is nothing being displayed on a U170 station check the following:
1. Is the blue light on the U170 on? If not, the device has not yet been enumerated to the
PC. This could take up to 10-20 seconds if this is the first time connecting.
2. If the blue light is not on check to make sure the unit is plugged in to a USB 2.0 port. If
connecting to a hub, make sure the hub is powered.
3. If the display is “gray” it is possible that you have not registered the device and it is timed
out. Run the registration wizard.
PC will not boot after attaching U170 virtual desktop
Some older PCs have difficulty with USB 2.0 composite devices. There are two potential ways
to solve 1) attach the U170 after booting, 2) try a separate USB PCI card 3) disable legacy USB
support in the BIOS.
U170 will not register
Run the registration wizard, when the system scans and lists all of the connected U170 devices
make sure the serial number of each device is displayed. If not, try unplugging and re-plugging
the U170 device, wait for enumeration and press refresh. In some rare cases, it may be
necessary to unplug the display connected to the U170 when registering devices.
Sound does not play
We setting up multiple U170 for the first time there are MANY items for the PC to discover and
the host may not enumerate all devices correctly the first time. Therefore a double reboot is
advised to ensure all devices are enumerate properly (needed only after new devices are
added).
Extended boot time to the OS
When multiple U170’s are connected to the host the normal boot time will be extended some for
each unit added. Remember the OS and PC is supporting that many more users.
For more troubleshooting information visit the NComputing knowledge base in the
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USB virtual desktop (model U170) user guide
Glossary
Administrator: a person who is responsible for managing a multi-user computing environment,
such as a local area network (LAN). Administrator responsibilities typically include: installing and
configuring system hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts;
upgrading software; and backup and recovery tasks.
Download: the network transmission of a file from one computer system to another.
Firewall: a set of related programs that protect the resources of a private network from users on
other networks and control what outside resources local users have access to.
Host PC: a computer in which the vSpace software has been installed
Internet: a worldwide system of computer networks in which users at any one computer can, if
they have permission, get information from other connected computers (and sometimes talk
directly with users at other computers).
Log on: Logon is the procedure by which an entity (person, program, or system) exchanges
credentials with an operating system or application in order to be allowed access to the OS or
application. Almost always, a logon requires that the user have (1) a user ID and (2) a
password. Often, the user ID must conform to a length requirement such as eight characters or
more, and the password must contain at least one digit and not match a natural language word.
User: one who uses a computer system. Users need to identify themselves to be able to access
the computer system. In order to ensure unique identities, the system administrator usually
assigns each user a username associated with a defined set of computer resources.
USB: (Universal Serial Bus) is a standard designed to allow peripherals to connect and identify
themselves a computer via a standardized interface socket. USB allows devices to connect and
disconnect from a computer without the forcing the computer to be restarted.
U170 User’s Guide Rev.D
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