HOBLink JWT

Overview

The Ultimate Software Solution for Apple Macintosh OS X to Access Centralized Windows Applications

HOBLink JWT is the time saving, cost-efficient and web-based answer for fast, multi-user access to centrally located Windows applications and data on Windows Terminal Servers from Apple Macintosh's OS X. Apple Macintosh users will find that HOBLink JWT is a fast and easy way to access Windows applications and data by using just a browser. HOBLink JWT benefits the system administrator by allowing broad-based control over user settings and modifications, reducing administration workload and increasing user productivity.

• On-demand, multi-user access to centralized Windows applications.

• No local installation required, it is easy and fast to set-up on a web server and requires only a web browser on the Mac.

• Flexible load balancing and easy-to-use application publishing to streamline application delivery.

• HOBLink Secure to prevent unauthorized access to your Terminal Server/Terminal Server farm.

• Easy Print capability with only two printer drivers and universal printer support, HOBLink JWT eliminates print hassles and workflow clogs.

• A software solution that fits your budget!

Technical Perspective:

HOBLink JWT is written in 100 % Pure Java and is optimized for browser-based access from Apple Macintosh OS X to Windows applications running on:

• Microsoft Windows NT 4 Server - Terminal Server Edition and

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Family

  • Windows 2000 Server (Terminal Services)

  • Windows 2000 Advanced Server (Terminal Services)

  • Windows 2000 Data Center Server (Terminal Services)

• Windows XP Server (Terminal Services)

• Windows XP Professional

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 

Positioning 
(Windows Anywhere)

HOBLink JWT enables fast and easy access to centralized Windows applications from Apple Macintosh OS X.

The main advantages are:

Windows Anywhere

HOBLink JWT opens the world of Windows applications to Apple Macintosh users: in the Intranet, on the Internet, and in other LANs and WANs.

Investment Protection

Nearly any hardware device loaded with an Apple Macintosh OS X and supporting Java can work with HOBLink JWT. No additional client soft- or hardware is necessary. Just use your existing environment to get connected and participate from this server-based solution.

Centralized Administration

When you use the Microsoft Windows Terminal Services Architecture, all Windows applications are run and managed centrally, on the server. To complete this centralized architecture, top it off with HOBLink JWT, the server-based solution for Windows Terminal Server connectivity.

Support-Friendly

Because of the central installation, support costs can be greatly reduced. There is absolutely no support necessary on the client side.

Reduction of TCO and TCA

HOBLink JWT's server-based architecture helps to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership and the Total Cost of Application down to the bare minimum.

Technical Requirements
(Web browser – Web server – Windows 2000 Server or Windows XP Professional – Ready to Go)

Java

HOBLink JWT supports any Java-capable platform from JDK v. 1.1 (Java Development Kit) and up. Since all web browsers are now equipped with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), 99.9% of all platforms are already prepared to use HOBLink JWT.

We recommend using the latest versions of

• Apple Safari, the Mac OS X default Web browser or

• Microsoft Internet Explorer (min. v. 4.0 with the latest Java Virtual Machine) or

• Netscape Navigator/Communicator (min. v. 4.75).

We recommend using always the latest Java Virtual Machine. For Mac OS X, we strongly recommend using the Safari browser.

Web Server

HOBLink JWT can be installed either locally on a client or centralized on a web server. HOBLink JWT supports all known web servers on the market. As it works equally well on all of them, we make no special recommendation regarding which one to use.

HOBLink JWT communicates with Microsoft Windows Terminal Servers/Terminal Services supported by:

• Microsoft Windows NT 4 Server – Terminal Server Edition and

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Family

  • Windows 2000 Server

  • Windows 2000 Advanced Server

  • Windows 2000 Data Center Server

• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

• Microsoft Windows XP Server (or .NET, when available)

The Connectivity 
(How does it work?)

HOBLink JWT enables communication between the Apple Macintosh (see also: FAQs) and the Windows 2000 Server based on the Microsoft RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) over TCP/IP. HOBLink JWT can be installed as a local Java application, or as a Java applet that is downloaded from a web server. This solution works in the Intranet and over the Internet, as well as in other LANs and WANs.

HOBLink JWT installed locally on the client

HOBLink JWT installed centrally on a web server

HOBLink JWT can be configured locally with a local installation, or centrally when installed on a web server.

HOB Enhanced Terminal Services (More Power for your Windows Server)

The HOB Enhanced Terminal Services (HOB ETS) are additional software components for the Windows 2000 Server to extend the possibilities of communication between the Apple Macintosh and the Windows 2000 Server. The HOB ETS include:

Load Balancing

Broadcast: If you are planning to have, or already have a Windows 2000 Terminal Server farm, configure "Broadcast" and Load Balancing will distribute the load over the Windows Terminal Server farm. "Broadcast" is based on UDP. When a client connects to a Windows Terminal Server farm, either a connection will be established
a) to the first responding Windows 2000 Server or 
b) to the server with least load, or 
c) a list of all available servers will be displayed to the client, who then chooses one from the list. The administrator decides whether "Broadcast" uses a, b or c. If "Broadcast" is your load-balancing decision, you will have to have all your applications installed on all your Windows 2000 servers.

Use server list: This is your load-balancing configuration when you have different network segments connected by routers or if your Windows 2000 servers in your Terminal Server farm do not all have the same applications installed. "List of Servers" is based on TCP/IP (not UDP) and allows you to group servers for different departments/users in your company. An administrator groups Windows 2000 servers in the windows terminal server farm and saves these groups in a list file. When a client connects to a Windows Terminal Server farm, either a connection will be established
a) to the first responding Windows 2000 Server from a list or
b) to the server with least load from a list, or
c) a list of all available servers will be displayed to the client, who then chooses one from the list.
The administrator decides whether "Use server list" uses a, b or c. If "Use server list" is your load-balancing decision, you will not have to have all your applications installed on all your Windows 2000 Servers.

Connect via WebSecureProxy: This is your configuration if you need to protect your Windows Terminal Server farm from unauthorized web access. The WebSecureProxy is a component of an optional add-on product, HOBLink Secure. HOBLink Secure also supports "Strong Encryption" between your Apple Macintosh and the Windows 2000 Server, as depicted in the following illustration:

HOBLink Secure Solution

Important:
If you want to use load balancing, you will have to install the HOB Load Balancing component (included with HOBLink JWT) on each of your Windows Terminal Servers.

Security Options