LEAF OS by NComputing is a Linux-based operating system. It enables users to access virtual desktops using their personal computers, including out-of-date x86/x64 PCs and laptops.
Created for vSpace Pro and VERDE VDI, LEAF OS can securely access virtual desktops from either system. It can be used as a self-contained operating system when booted from a USB drive. This methodology leaves the user's existing operating system, files, and hard drive untouched while providing an ideal environment for work-from-home use cases. When users finish their work, a simple reboot to their native OS restores their device to personal use.
Alternatively, LEAF OS can be used to repurpose PCs and laptops by converting any x86/x64 hardware from a stand-alone computer to a dedicated thin client by installing directly onto an internal hard drive, removing the old system and files. This method extends the usefulness of aging computers using end-of-life operating systems like Windows 7 while giving users powerful up-to-date desktops.
Empower Work From Home
Booting to a USB stick with LEAF OS on any PC/laptop. Provide simple, secure, and fully functional anytime, anywhere access to virtual desktop environments..
Repurpose aging PCs & Laptops.
Save your money and get out of the PC-refresh cycle. Put off forced investment in new hardware until is makes sense for you.
Reduce maintenance & simplify
Push configurations and updates to a LEAF USB stick or device via a centralized management platform. All user data is stored on the server, making backups simple.
Securely built on Linux
The fully locked-down Linux platform is secure, protecting users against 3rd party applications and common threats.
Expand USB capabilities
Using drivers on the server opens up extensive peripheral support capabilities for printers, touch screens, and other devices.
Use with vSpace Pro & VERDE VDI
Add your older computers with LEAF OS to the vSpace Pro Enterprise environment and run alongside our thin- and sofware-clients, via WiFi or Ethernet.
Enable BYOD
A bootable USB memory stick can be created containing LEAF OS. Any x86/x64 hardware device can boot to LEAF OS and instantly becoming a locked-down NComputing thin client. LEAF OS does not replace the underlying operating system in this case. When users finish their work, simply reboot from the native OS providing an ideal work-from-home environment.
Revitalize the old computers
LEAF OS can also be flashed directly to the internal hard drive, turning any x86/x64 PC or laptop (with BIOS or UEFI motherboard firmware) into a permanently repurposed, high-performance thin client.
Deliver Windows Desktops with vSpace Pro
Computers running LEAF OS can deliver virtual desktops from any one of 11 popular Windows operating systems via vSpace Pro virtualization software, including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019 (Enterprise edition only).
Personalized Virtual Desktops with VERDE VDI
VERDE VDI provides a persistent, personalized desktop experience for Windows and Linux across popular user devices including devices with LEAF OS. Explore VERDE VDI.
Compatible with VERDE Remote Access
Need access to your computer at the office, or maybe a shared drive attached to it? Using LEAF OS devices to access VERDE Remote Access provides highly secure 24/7 connections without the need of a VPN from anywhere via the internet. It’s built into the VERDE VDI solution, but also available as a stand-alone product for quick and easy remote access..
CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT & EXPRESS DEPLOYMENT
Computers running LEAF OS can be easily set up and configured to automatically receive updates from vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition servers. Define device settings, save as templates, and efficiently push out to connected devices. Manage one or hundreds of computers without physical interaction, keeping users up-to-date with the latest technology.
Alternatively, PMC Device Management Software provides a powerful solution to manage all your devices from a browser including LAN and WAN network deployments, locations behind firewalls and NAT-routers.
PMC Device Management is included with your LEAF OS license.
MULTIMEDIA ENHANCEMENT THROUGH NCOMPUTING VCAST STREAMING
Computers running LEAF OS feature the NComputing vCAST Streaming technology which reduces the overall server-side CPU usage for web videos like YouTube or local media content without the need for expensive GPUs. This allows for higher quality media streaming utilizing the network bandwidth without server CPU bottlenecks, thereby supporting more concurrent users per server.
BROAD USB PERIPHERAL SUPPORT
LEAF OS driven computers utilize device drivers from the server to provide extensive peripheral support including mass storage, printers, scanners, smart card readers, headsets, speakers, webcams, signature pads, and COM ports.
Single-touch and multi-touch screens are also supported with a built-in calibration tool.
Licensing requirements for LEAF OS
LEAF OS is compatible with the latest releases of vSpace Pro Enterprise, VERDE VDI, and VERDE Remote Access. For a 30-day trial of LEAF OS, VERDE VDI, or our other products, fill out the form below.
vSpace Pro Enterprise
A LEAF OS trial is built-in, supporting up to five 10-minute concurrent sessions. After 10 minutes, the sessions will be signed out. You can sign-in again to continue evaluating the product.
To remove the trial limits, LEAF OS Connection Licenses are required based on the number of computers running LEAF OS concurrently. This is separate from AMP compliance requirements for use of vSpace Pro Enterprise, however LEAF OS does NOT require its own AMP license.
VERDE VDI
There are two different license types.
- VERDE Remote Access license: allows Remote Access connections to physical PCs through the VERDE Connection Broker.
- VERDE VDI license: allows full access to the VERDE platform, including VDI sessions from VERDE servers and Remote Access to PCs as described above.
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LEAF OS FAQ
NComputing LEAF OS is a Linux conversion software that enables the repurposing and extension of life of x86/x64 PCs and laptops. LEAF OS turns an older x86/x64 PC/laptop (with BIOS or UEFI motherboard firmware) into a repurposed high-performance thin client based on the familiar RX300 user interface.
LEAF OS is delivered as a complete software image which can be flashed to a USB pen drive (live boot from USB), or directly to the internal HDD. Once the x86/x64 PC/laptop boots from the connected USB pen drive (with LEAF OS) or from the internal HDD, the x86/x64 device will bring up a familiar RX300 thin client user-interface and act as a NComputing thin client to access vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition.
The hardware requirements of LEAF OS are standard x84 or x64-compatible processor, based on either BIOS or UEFI motherboard firmware with USB boot support.
The system should have at least 2GB RAM and 2GB flash or HDD storage.
LEAF OS is designed and optimized to access virtual desktops hosted by NComputing vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition (version 12.3.0 or higher).
X86/64 devices with LEAF OS will bring up a familiar RX300 thin client user-interface to access vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition.
vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition supports 11 popular Windows operating systems to bring same familiar Windows desktop experience to your users:
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2012 R2 U1
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
- MultiPoint Services Role - Windows Server 2016
- Windows MultiPoint Server 2012
- Windows MultiPoint Server 2011
- Windows 10 (64-bit) *
- Windows 8.1 (64-bit) *
- Windows 7 (64-bit) *
* 1:1 VDI SUPPORTED ACCESS CLIENTS
Please refer to the LEAF OS installation instructions here.
The simplest way to install LEAFOS is to start the target PCs/Laptops using a bootable USB stick that runs LEAF OS with the following 2 options:
- Live boot LEAF OS using USB flash memory stick: Your device will boot LEAF OS from the connected USB flash drive. There will be no changes to the PC/laptop’s internal HDD.
- Flash LEAF OS into HDD to boot from: The contents of your device’s HDD will be wiped and flashed with LEAF OS. When you boot the device, LEAF OS will be directly booted from the internal HDD.
For larger installations, a PXE boot server can be set up to boot LEAF OS from a server on a network.
X86/x64 PCs & laptops running LEAF OS can be managed with the following:
- vSpace Console:
- Included in vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition (version 12.3.0 or higher). vSpace Console can manage a subset of the device configurations for LEAF OS including firmware updates, and provided integrated user session management of LEAF OS devices (e.g. Multi-View, remote view, take over, message, stop/pause)
- PMC Device Management:
- For full LEAF OS feature set management, the separate PMC Device Management System must be used. PMC support for LEAF OS devices is scheduled for release in January 2020.
Yes, devices with LEAF OS can be deployed and managed along with other NComputing thin clients using the vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition (version 12.3.0 or newer).
Yes, NComputing will periodically release updates to the LEAF OS software. You can apply the update to your deployed LEAF OS devices using vSpace Console or PMC Device Management System.
By default, vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition provides a LEAF OS trial mode of up to five 10-minute vSpace concurrent sessions. After 10 minutes, the session will be signed out. You can sign-in again to continue evaluating the product.
To remove the five 10-minute vSpace concurrent session limit, LEAF OS Connection Licenses are required based on the number of LEAF OS computers concurrently connected to vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition sessions.
Please note that AMP compliance is required to use vSpace Pro Enterprise.
LEAF OS Connection Licenses are available with the following SKUs:
- LeafOS-SW-1A (1 year)
- LeafOS-SW-3A (3 years)
- LeafOS-SW-5A (5 years)
LEAF OS Connection Licenses can be purchased directly from your NComputing Management Portal account. Alternatively, contact your NComputing authorized partner or reseller.
Once you obtain LEAF OS Connection Licenses you must use the Management Portal to allocate those licenses to your selected vSpace Managers. This is the same process that is required for vSpace Pro Software Client licenses.
LEAF OS software can be downloaded from the software download page.
DOWNLOAD LEAF OS
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