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FAQ's

General -- Technical -- Licensing -- Competition -- Security

General

Why should I be interested in HOBLink JWT?

Are you planning to use or already using the Microsoft Windows Terminal Services?
Do you need remote administration of your Windows Server from your PC?
Are you using CITRIX MetaFrame, CITRIX MetaFrame XP or NFuse and looking for a less expensive, easier to set-up and yet powerful alternative?
Are you an ASP and would like to give your customers using PCs access to Windows applications?
Are you using Tarantella and want to replace the middle-tier server with a more powerful, faster and easier to set-up solution?
Are you using a non-Windows client operating system and are interested in getting access to Windows applications?
Are you using a Windows 32-bit operating system but want to centralize your Windows applications?
Are you working remotely with Windows applications over PCanywhere?
Do you need to “distribute” your Windows applications within the Intranet or over the Internet?
Would you like to remotely boot your Windows XP Pro or Windows Vista machine and have secure remote access from anywhere at anytime?

If you answer “YES” to any of these questions, then a HOBLink JWT solution will definitely interest you!

Why should I be interested in HOBLink JWT as an Apple Mac user?

Do you have a Mac OS X and would like to have access to Windows applications?
Are you a Mac business user and planning to use or already using tools like Dave, VNC, Timbuck2, Virtual PC or CITRIX MetaFrame?
Are you a Mac home user and would like to use Windows applications?
Do you need remote administration of your Windows Terminal Server from your Apple Mac?
Are you an ASP and would like to give your customers using Mac OS X or PCs access to Windows applications?
Do you have home offices with an Apple Mac that should also use Windows applications?
Are you using an iBook/PowerBook and want to use Windows applications "on the road" while you are traveling?
Do you have a cross-platform environment including Apple Mac and other platforms, and want everybody to work with the same Windows applications for a better compatibility?
Are you using Microsoft Project on Windows as well as on your Mac and would like to give your users access to the same project?
Do you want to have "Strong Encryption" for your Mac-to-Windows communication?
Are you thinking about a server-based computing environment for your Apple Macintosh users?
Do you want to have a fast and easy-to-setup solution to access Windows applications?
Do money and time really count?

If you answer “YES” to any of these questions, then HOBLink JWT will definitely interest you!

What is HOBLink JWT?

HOBLink JWT is a Java Client for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server – Terminal Server Edition, Windows 2000 Server (Terminal Services), Windows Terminal Server 2003 and Windows Terminal Server 2008 that allows platform-independent access to central Windows applications.

Can I reduce my TCO with HOBLink JWT?

Yes, with HOBLink JWT you are able to reduce your Total Cost of Ownership and also Total Cost of Application due to its server-based architecture.

On which platforms can it be used?

It can be used on all Java-enabled platforms like Mac OS X, Linux, UNIX, OS/2, Windows, Windows CE and EPOC, as well on network computers.

Why should a Macintosh user be interested in HOBLink JWT?
HOBLink JWT enables access to Windows applications without a local installation of any software or hardware on the Macintosh. With its server-based architecture, HOBLink JWT enables you to reduce your Total Cost of Ownership and Total Cost of Application.
See also: HOBLink JWT For Apple Mac Users

On which Apple operating systems can it be used?
It can be used on Mac OS 8.5 and higher.

I am a Macintosh home user (not for business), should I be interested in HOBLink JWT?
Yes, of course. All you need is Windows XP Professional, then you can connect to Windows applications from your Mac.

What applications will run with HOBLink JWT?

Any Windows 32-bit applications which run under Windows Terminal Server or Windows 2000 Server.

Does HOBLink JWT provide Application Publishing?

Yes! HOBLink JWT supports Application Publishing to "distribute" the Terminal Server application to the clients. (Note: MS does not provide this feature!)

Technical

How does the communication work?
The communication between the client and the Windows server is based on TCP/IP with the Microsoft RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol).

Which browser is recommended for use with HOBLink JWT?

Basically, any browser with a JVM (Java Virtual Machine) which supports the JDK 1.1 (Java Development Kit) or higher can be used with HOBLink JWT. For the most popular browsers, this means:
- MS Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher (MS IE 5.0 has better support)
- Netscape Navigator / Communicator 4.5 or higher
- Macintosh Safari (all versions)

What TCP/IP ports are used?
HOBLink JWT uses port 3389 for Terminal Services

If you are also using HOBLink Secure for data encryption:
port 443 for SSL with HTTP
port 563 for SSL with NNTP
port 995 for SSL with POP3

Can I install HOBLink JWT centrally on a web server as well as locally?

Yes, you can install it centrally on any web server to be downloaded as an applet, or locally on the client to run as a local application.

What is the difference between the “Try Out” and the “Full” version?

The functionality is the same for both the try out (evaluation) and the full version. The try out version, however, has a time limitation of 30 days, after which it must be bought or uninstalled.

Is an additional server component required when using HOBLink JWT?

No. Since HOBLink JWT communicates over RDP, the native protocol for the WTS, no extra server component is needed for the basic functionality. If you want to make use of HOB Load Balancing, then a small server component must be installed on each WTS. Installation is uncomplicated and the load balancing component is included free of charge.

In order to use HOBLink JWT, what is recommended on the client device?

Java Virtual Machine
HOBLink JWT supports any Java-enabled platform (the latest Java version is recommended). If you’re using HOBLink JWT on Unix platforms, we recommend JDK v. 1.2. A Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is found in almost all web browsers, so HOBLink JWT is compatible with 99.9 % of all platforms. We recommend using the latest versions of:

Microsoft Internet Explorer (min. v. 4.0 with the latest Java Virtual Machine) or -
Netscape Navigator/Communicator (min. v. 4.75).

Macs
Apple Macintosh Mac OS X or higher with at least a 300 MHz processor and a minimum of 128 MB RAM. Using the Safari browser on Macs is strongly recommended.
If you would like to install HOBLink JWT on Mac OS X, please download installation instructions here.
If you want to download the latest MRJ (Macintosh Runtime for Java, the Java Virtual Machine for Apple Mac), please follow this link: http://developer.apple.com/java/download.html

What is recommended on the server side when using HOBLink JWT?

Web servers
HOBLink JWT can be installed either locally on the client (Mac or PC) or centrally on a web server. HOBLink JWT supports all known web servers in the market. There is no special recommendation on this.

Terminal Server/Terminal Services
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 Vista
Microsoft Windows 2003 Server
Microsoft Windows 2008 Server

What kind of printing options does HOBLink JWT provide?

HOBLink JWT has intelligent printing possibilities and supports the following printing:

LPR/LPD Printing
Local and Network print
IP Print
Easy Print

Easy Print is the most intelligent printing feature in HOBLink JWT. The biggest advantage is that only two standard printer drivers (coming with Windows 2000 Server) are required on the Terminal Server side, and printing is possible to all local and network printers. 100 % no server crashes!

Licensing

What are the licensing models for HOBLink JWT?

HOB offers a "User License" model on the one hand, in which each user who works with HOBLink JWT is licensed. On the other hand, you can buy a "Server License" based on the number and power of the processors for each server.

When the number of users for an existing license is increased, do I have to re-install HOBLink JWT?

No. You simply have to enter a new product key which covers the license extension.

Is there a Concurrent User Licensing Model for HOBLink JWT?

HOB offers no Concurrent User Licensing Model, as such. However, with our Server License model, we charge according to the processors on your Terminal Servers - the number of users is not a factor.

HOB Software Licensing Program - General Information - PDF, 40 KB

Competition

Why should I use HOBLink JWT instead of CITRIX MetaFrame?

Advantages of HOBLink JWT vs. CITRIX MetaFrame:

No special server component necessary for the communication, only the native Windows Terminal Server is required.
HOBLink JWT can be installed and configured very quickly and easily.
Only a web browser (Java Virtual Machine) on the client side is required.
Universal Printer support (Easy Print) Only two printer drivers are necessary on the Windows Terminal Server, and printing is possible to all printers in the company; this includes network printers as well as local printers.
Central installation of HOBLink JWT on a web server.
No master browser required for Load Balancing.
Maximum data security; requires HOBLink Secure (optional), and provides: Windows Terminal Server Protection over the Internet; Data Encryption based on SSL 3, supporting RC2, RC4, DES, 3DES and AES algorithms; the ability to build up a PKI (public key infrastructure) for strong client authentication.
Less expensive than CITRIX at purchase price and maintenance costs.
Special educational offers (campus licenses, etc.)
Integrated load balancing at no extra cost.

I already have CITRIX MetaFrame and I want to extend additional licenses with HOBLink JWT. Can HOBLink JWT co-exist with CITRIX MetaFrame using the same Terminal Servers?
Yes, neither product affects the other.

Is the ICA protocol from CITRIX fundamentally faster than the RDP protocol?

No. Performance is affected by a variety of factors: The applications involved, how the client is equipped, the network load and how the WTS is configured and equipped, to name a few.

Does the load balancing component of HOBLink JWT also have a “master browser” like CITRIX?

No. HOBLink JWT does not have a master browser. In our opinion, having a master browser could be an unstable factor, because if the server with the master browser crashes, there will be connecting problems for the clients until a new master browser is chosen automatically.

Interested in learning more? Not only do our product features compare favorably with the competition, our pricing is also competitive! Click the link below for a tabular comparison:

HOBLink JWT v. 3.1 vs. CITRIX MetaFrame - Features, Performance & Price (PDF File)

Virtual PC for Mac from Connectix
Why should I use HOBLink JWT instead of Virtual PC?
The major advantage HOBLink JWT has over Virtual PC for Mac is, that you do not need to install the Windows operating system on your Macintosh OS X, nor do you need additional software to connect to the Windows file servers. Compared to Virtual PC for Mac, HOBLink JWT provides you with twice the functionality for less than half the price.

Advantages HOBLink JWT vs. Virtual PC for Mac:

No local installation of a Windows operating system on your Macintosh machine.
No additional software component is necessary to access Windows file servers.
HOBLink JWT is a 100% web-based solution with a server-based architecture; only a web browser is necessary on the Macintosh machine.
Possibility to create server farms with load balancing.
Can be set up quickly and easily.
Additional security option (HOBLink Secure) for data encryption and Windows Terminal Server protection.
HOBLink JWT is a solution for business users as well as for home users.
It allows you to centralize your Windows applications on any Windows Terminal Server and gives you on-demand access to Windows applications.
Uses the power and the features of a Windows Terminal Server together with a full-featured Java client on the Macintosh machine.

Advantages of HOBLink JWT vs. Tarantella:

Tarantella requires installation on a Unix server, thus requiring significant additional hardware expense, whereas HOBLink JWT runs on any web server platform (there are no extra costs for server hardware).
Tarantella is a 3-tier solution; HOBLink JWT is a 2-tier solution
Tarantella server converts RDP and/or X11 to the proprietary AIP protocol, which requires a lot more bandwidth. HOBLink JWT supports RDP directly.
Tarantella supports up to 800 users in the middle-tier server. HOBLink JWT has no restrictions regarding the number of users because it has no special server component in the middle-tier.
Tarantella recommends one processor for up to 20 users – thus, to support 800 Tarantella users, you would need a single server with 40 (!) processors. HOBLink JWT has no specific server requirements, because the applet is downloaded from the web server and there is no special server component necessary.
Tarantella supports Load Balancing, but the Tarantella users are manually assigned to a “preferred server." In the event that the “preferred server” is unavailable, the user is randomly routed to another application server. Tarantella does not take into account resource criteria when routing users to application servers. HOBLink JWT also supports load balancing and routes users automatically to the “least busy” Terminal Server, thus maximizing server resources and application performance. HOBLink JWT Load Balancing is fully configurable by the administrator.
Tarantella has to be licensed with a base pack including 20 users; with HOBLink JWT, customers can start with 1 user. The minimum costs for Tarantella are $5,120; the minimum costs for HOBLink JWT are $149.
HOBLink JWT is much easier and faster to install and to configure.
HOBLink JWT is less expensive as regards the licensing and maintenance costs.

Security

What kind of communications security does HOBLink JWT offer?

HOBLink JWT supports the standard security mechanisms of the WTS (low, middle, high) and the Win 2000 Server. This means that bi-directional data encryption based on RC4 (up to 128-bit) between client and server is possible.

Is there a stronger type of security available for HOBLink JWT?

Yes. An optional HOB product, HOBLink Secure, offers encryption based on SSL 3.0 and supports the following encryption algorithms: RC2, RC4, DES, 3DES and AES up to 256 bits. It supports PKI and allows you to generate personal certificates to ensure maximum security.

How does HOBLink Secure compare to the standard Microsoft security solution?

Regarding the exchange of session keys, HOBLink Secure has an important advantage: The MS Encryption has a PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) which uses fixed keys defined by Microsoft. You, the customer, or an independent CA (certification authority) have no control over these keys. In contrast, HOBLink Secure lets you build your own PKI and create your own keys.

Is there a special Windows Terminal Protection available?

Yes, there is. Normally, the Windows Terminal Server is directly accessible over the Internet. We offer a solution that protects the Windows Terminal Server application and data. Please see the following illustration:

webmaster@hobsoft.com, Last Updated: 26-Oct-07

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