Introduction
Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) applications are pivotal in various industries. They support the design, simulation, and manufacturing of products with high efficiency and accuracy. Given the data-intensive nature of these applications and their reliance on powerful hardware for visualization, remote access to them is often a necessity rather than a luxury.
Moreover, these applications often deal with sensitive intellectual property, making security a prime concern. Remote access allows these sensitive files to stay secure in the server room, with only the visualization being transmitted to the end-user. This approach significantly reduces the risk of sensitive data being compromised.
With the ascendancy of Linux as a powerful platform in the scientific and engineering fields, the need to implement these applications on Linux environments is increasing. ThinLinc, a Remote Desktop Server solution by Cendio, offers a prime means to access and use these applications on Linux machines remotely. This paper explores the implementation of CAD/CAM/CAE and CFD applications on Linux through ThinLinc and discusses popular software options.
ThinLinc and CAD/CAM/CAE/CFD Applications
ThinLinc, a remote desktop solution, provides the ability to access these CAD/CAM/CAE and CFD applications installed on Linux systems remotely. Whether the applications are open-source, proprietary, or a mix of both, as long as they are installed on Linux, they can be accessed remotely through ThinLinc.
ThinLinc has native clients for Linux, Windows, macOS, and also offers a web browser client. This makes the Linux applications accessible from anywhere and from any device, providing exceptional flexibility and convenience. The onboarding of new employees does not depend on providing hardware, it can be done in a few minutes, making ThinLinc a highly scalable solution.
One of the critical considerations when running CAD/CAM/CAE and CFD applications is graphics performance, especially for 3D applications. Here, VirtualGL comes into play. VirtualGL is used to provide server-side hardware 3D acceleration to applications displayed on a remote client. When used with ThinLinc, it provides accelerated graphics for OpenGL applications running in a Linux environment. This means that the graphics processing is performed on the server side, allowing users to run graphics-intensive applications seamlessly on their remote machines, even when the client machine doesn’t have powerful graphics capabilities.
Advantages of Using ThinLinc for Accessing Applications Remotely on Linux
Choosing ThinLinc to access CAD/CAM/CAE and CFD applications remotely on Linux comes with a host of advantages:
Cost-Effective
Compared to other remote desktop solutions, ThinLinc offers a competitive edge with its superior price-performance ratio. This makes it a compelling choice for businesses that seek to optimize their expenses without compromising on features and performance.
Security
With remote access, sensitive files remain secure in the server room, significantly reducing the risk of data compromise.
Accessibility
ThinLinc provides native clients for Linux, Windows, macOS, and a web browser client. This ensures that Linux applications are accessible from anywhere and from any device, enhancing flexibility and convenience.
Scalability
The solution is highly scalable. Onboarding new employees is not dependent on providing hardware, but can be achieved in a few minutes, enhancing the efficiency of expanding teams.
Performance
Thanks to the integration of VirtualGL, users can enjoy server-side hardware 3D acceleration. This allows seamless operation of graphics-intensive applications, even on client machines with less powerful graphics capabilities.
Conclusion
Running CAD/CAM/CAE and CFD applications on Linux can offer numerous benefits, including the flexibility and security inherent in the Linux operating system. However, to maximize these applications, remote access capabilities are vital. ThinLinc provides a robust solution to this need, allowing users to access these applications from any location, on any machine.
Furthermore, the integration of VirtualGL ensures that users can leverage the high-performance graphics needed for these applications, all while keeping sensitive data secure. Thus, ThinLinc represents an excellent solution for businesses seeking to optimize their use of CAD/CAM/CAE and CFD applications on Linux.