Fedora 17 USB Multiseat Compatible Hardware

Posted on 08. May, 2012 by in UD-160-M

The Plugable $50 thin client KickStarter project is growing.

But we need early adopters so we have people using the solution, finding and fixing problems, and helping to spread the word. What we deliver now might not include some KickStarter extras and will be higher priced than through the KickStarter project, but it will include all the components and will work with Fedora 17 Beta.

Hardware

Interested in getting your hardware now? If you’re in the USA, here’s what will work with Fedora 17 Beta:

Plugable USB 2.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station with DisplayLink DVI/VGA up to 1920×1080, Audio, Ethernet, and 4 Available High-Speed USB 2.0 Ports Product Details $79.00
Plugable DC-125 USB 2.0 Laptop Docking Station and Multiseat Thin Client – VGA up to 1440×900 / 1280×1024, Audio, 2 USB ports Product Details $64.95

Note the $79 version does not mention use as a thin client (it’s marketed for the laptop docking market), but it will work. And in the future and as part of the KickStarter project, we’ll have a UD-160-M model which is the same hardware, but with documentation tailored for the thin client / multiseat case.

International Shipping Options

If you’re outside the USA, we’re still working on expanding our options. Note that the UD-160-A is not sold on amazon.co.uk and the DC-125 sold there is not yet updated with Fedora support (we’ll let you know when it is).

So to reach the rest of the world, we’re offering a new option for international shipping of the DC-125 from the USA via USPS Flat Rate Priority. It’s the same price as in the USA ($64.95), but with an additional $16.95 shipping cost. Just visit the DC-125 page, and choose “more buying choices” in the lower right.

And look for the second option with “INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AVAILABLE”.

Let us know if you have any trouble with payment through Amazon. This version of the DC-125 includes all the components purchased through normal channels, but without the extra color packaging — this is so it can fit in a $16.95 fixed-rate priority international shipping box.

If you’ve never ordered and had an item shipped from the USA before via the US Postal Service, please research the rules in your country. We declare the actual value of all items, so in some countries customs and/or VAT taxes are collected, and all of those are paid by the recipient once the items arrive in country. And also note that while every shipment will have a tracking number, the tracking is generally poor once the item has left the USA.

Software

You can download Fedora 17 Beta here. Must be the default version (GDM) and use the “install media” option at the top — live CDs don’t work yet because of the modifications needed.

Install F17 to the hard drive of an available machine. For 3-4 thin clients, you can use a spare older machine – we’d recommend a machine with 1GB RAM and 2 cores or 2 GHz or more, but anything that F17 will run on at all, will work.

The thin clients will only come up to a green screen at this point. A few pre-release fixes are needed:

  1. Disable SELinux. Here’s how. Things will work now, but with some plug/unplug instability. To fix that …
  2. Get our latest fixes in udlfb.
    • Get all latest fedora updates (so your kernel and kernel-devel headers are at the same version)
    • sudo yum install gcc kernel-devel
    • Get latest udlfb, compile and install. The following commands will do that: 
      git clone http://git.plugable.com/webdav/udlfb/
cd udlfb
make
sudo make install
sudo depmod -a
  3. make sure none of those steps reported errors (missing module dependencies are actually ok). Reboot.

Now, any Plugable UD-160-A/M or DC-125 thin client you plug in should automatically pop up a new login.

Comment here or email support@plugable.com if you have any trouble at all – we’d be happy to help! And thanks in advance to the early users who help find issues and spread the word about how cool this technology can be!

Plugable’s New Tiny, Cutting-Edge USB 3.0 Graphics Adapter

Posted on 30. Apr, 2012 by in Windows

The next generation of USB graphics adapters is here! We’re excited to announce that the Plugable USB 3.0 HDMI / DVI Graphics Adapter is launching today — simultaneously available and shipping to customers the USA, UK, and 26 additional EU countries (USA buyers order on Amazon.com, UK/EU buyers from Amazon.co.uk).

This new adapter is a big step forward in several ways:

  • Among the first product to launch with the latest DisplayLink DL-3500 USB 3.0 / 2.0 chipset.
  • SuperSpeed USB 3.0 lifts the lid on performance. Enables a max theoretical throughput of 5000 Mbps vs. 480 Mbps for USB 2.0.
  • Features a completely re-engineered 6 layer PCB design that is *small*. About half the size of our smallest USB 2.0 generation adapters. The adapter fits nicely inline with the cable,its weight doesn’t create any pull when hanging mid-air, and it doesn’t clutter the desk. You’ll be shocked at what this little adapter can do.
  • The adapter works with older USB 2.0 Windows systems (at USB 2.0 speeds), with no problems mixing and matching USB 2.0 and 3.0 adapters on the same system (using the same common DisplayLink driver).
  • The USB 3.0 generation of products is Windows-only for now. On Windows, you get all the great multi-monitor functionality, without compromise — and now with better performance in higher resolutions and with video.

The Plugable USB 3.0 HDMI / DVI Graphics Adapter product page has a lot more information. But for a start, check out the following videos.

The video below shows unboxing the product and a little intro.

And this 2nd video shows a bit more depth — plugging the adapter in, installing drivers, and tips for using the product.

We’re very excited about the potential of this great new product. Feel free to comment with any questions!

Plugable USB 3.0 to HDMI / DVI Adapter for Multiple Monitors up to 2048×1152 / 1920×1200 Each (DisplayLink DL-3500 Chipset) Product Details $69.99

Plugable USB 2.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station Now $79

Posted on 29. Mar, 2012 by in UD-160-A

Our Plugable USB 2.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station adds an extra monitor, speakers, microphone, 10/100 Ethernet interface, and 4 AC powered USB ports to any brand of PC. All with a simple USB 2.0 cable back to the PC or laptop. All this functionality is delivered in a fully integrated, elegant “sail” case.

The most common use is for single-cable docking of a laptop to all the USB peripherals on your desk (quick and easy to come and go). But it’s also useful as an all-USB KVM solution in combination with a USB switch like this, or as a powered, daisy-chainable USB thin client in combination with Windows Multipoint Server 2011, Userful Linux 2011, or coming versions of open source Linux.

And now, because of increased production volume, we’re able to drop the price. Previously $89.95, the Plugable UD-160-A is now just $79. Just check out the product reviews on Amazon if you’re curious about what other people are using it for, and their experiences. And feel free to comment if you have any questions. We’re here to help!

Plugable USB 2.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station with DisplayLink DVI/VGA up to 1920×1080, Audio, Ethernet, and 4 Available High-Speed USB 2.0 Ports Product Details $79.00
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