| Mandriva moves in on business Linux desktop |
Mar. 09, 2007
 Mandriva on March 8 announced the launch of the beta version of Corporate Desktop 4.0, its enterprise-dedicated Linux desktop. While best known for its home user Linux desktops, Mandriva (formerly Mandrakesoft) has long been angling for the business market with both its server and desktop offerings.
This new desktop is meant to offer corporate users a secure, mobile-friendly, Linux desktop that's easy to use and administer. It's built on the foundation of Mandriva Linux 2007, and comes with a 2.6.17 Linux kernel.
For its desktop environment, Corporate Desktop 4.0 features the X.org 7.1 window manager and the KDE 3.5.4 desktop environment. While GNOME 2.16 is also included, this distribution is optimized for KDE. It also includes a new tool to set KDE user rights from an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) directory, to complement directory-based authentication.
Besides KDE, the Cusiness Desktop beta release integrates 3D desktop technologies Xgl, AIGLX, and Metisse. Other Linux 3D desktop efforts tend to focus more on Compiz and Beryl.
For improved mobility support, the Corporate Desktop offers a simple VPN tool (virtual private network), DrakVPN. It also features a rarity in Linux desktops: a simplified configuration system for cellular 3G data cards. The workstation also comes with data encryption and support for non-password based security authentication systems, such as smart cards and fingerprint readers.
With support for common systems of authentication, access to shared data, and support for collaborative work solutions, the Corporate Desktop 4.0 beta is designed to work in a mixed Linux/Microsoft Windows environment. Mandriva hopes to distribute a future version on a secured USB key: the Linux distribution Mandriva Flash, released earlier this year featured a 2GB USB key.
Vendors and software publishers such as Intel, HP, NVIDIA, Arkeia, BitDefender, and VMWare participated in the development of the Corporate Desktop 4.0. Thanks to them, Mandriva's Desktop offers extensive hardware compatibility and a complete range of integrated ISV software.
Mandriva is seeking volunteers to evaluate the beta version of the product. To learn more, go to the Corporate Desktop 4.0 news site. You can register there to download the beta at the trial site.
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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