Getting Started Guide

Getting Started Guide

Welcome to the Thinfinity® Workspace 8 Getting Started Guide

Follow the step-by-step instructions in this guide to deploy Thinfinity Workspace 8 in a testing environment.

System Requirements

Info
Web Client (End User):
  1. OS independent.
  2. No need to install any plug-ins on the end-user side.
  3. HTML5-compliant Web Browser required.                       

Gateway Services Machine

Supported Windows Versions:
  • Windows 8 (64-bit)
  • Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
  • Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2012 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2016 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2019 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2022 (64-bit)

Remote Desktop Machine

Supported Windows Versions:
  • Windows 8 (64-bit)
  • Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2012 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2016 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2019 (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2022 (64-bit)

Hardware Requirements

  • CPU: 4 cores
  • RAM: 8 GB
NotesNote
Gateway and Server functions can be efficiently consolidated on a single hardware platform, depending on your specific requirements. 

Architecture

Thinfinity Workspace 8 is a middleware solution that enables the connection between the backend, hosted on the server, and HTML5 users. This powerful software is made up of three essential components:
  1. Reverse Gateway: Serves as the primary connection bridge between an organization's externally-facing services and an external network. Its main function is to enable secure communication between users and applications. It is the only component that requires an inbound port (443) to be open for receiving HTTPS incoming connections. All other components connect to it using outbound ports, further enhancing the security of the system.

  2. Broker: Acts as an identity manager and is responsible for managing user authentication. The broker creates a two-way channel with the gateway in a reverse direction, eliminating the requirement to open any Out-to-In ports. It allows communication solely from In-to-Out, and just to the IP address of the gateway server.
    Additionally, the Broker seamlessly integrates with a variety of identity platforms by utilizing standard protocols such as SAML, OAuth, and RADIUS. This integration facilitates the mapping of users to local or domain accounts, enabling the implementation of role-based permissions for heightened security and streamlined access control.

  3. Virtualization Server: Generates a virtualization process for each new connection and establishes a connection to the gateway. This connection allows for the seamless streaming of content from the host machine to the user's browser, providing a smooth and efficient virtual desktop experience.
By integrating these components, you can effortlessly transition from a straightforward installation to a sophisticated multi-tenant environment.
In this guide, we will concentrate on the most streamlined installation process, which involves deploying all components on a single server. While this simplified installation is not recommended for production environments, it is an ideal approach for testing and evaluation purposes.

Basic Workspace Architecture Terminal Server

This configuration allows you to access applications on your local host if your machine operates as a terminal server. It will allow you to create multiple terminal server sessions that can be, full desktops or remote apps, on the same machine where Thintinify Workspace is installed.



NotesNote
Bear in mind that to use this configuration the machine needs to be a Windows Server X64 Bits 2003/8/12/12R2/16/19/22 with the RDS role enabled. 

Basic Workspace Architecture Jump Server

Alternatively, you can use Thintinify Workspace as a jump server to facilitate access to other machines within your network.



Notes
Note
As the connections are generated to a different machine, you can use this configuration with Thintinify Workspace installed on any Windows machine with the following OS:
  1. Windows x64 Versions: 8, 8.1, 10, 11. 
  2. Windows Server X64 Bits 2003/8/12/12R2/16/19/22.

Installation and License Registration

In this section, we'll walk you through the installation of Thinfinity Workspace 8 on a demo server.
Just follow the simple steps outlined to get started:

Tutorial: Installation and License Registration

Info
Info
Keep in mind that aside from the software requirements discussed in the System Requirements section, the minimum hardware requirements for running Thinfinity are: 2 CPUs and 4GB of RAM.


How to Publish your First RDP Connection or RemoteApp

With your successful installation of Thinfinity Workspace 8, you're now ready to establish your first RDP connection or publish your initial RemoteApp. We have four distinct guides to assist you with this process based on your choice:

 First RDP Connection

        Full Desktop
  1. How to configure your First RDP connection Terminal Server
    Instructions on how to successfully configure your first RDP connection.
  2. How to configure your First RDP connection Jump Server
    Instructions on how to successfully configure your first RDP connection.
        Single Application (RemoteApp)
  1. How to configure your First RemoteApp Terminal Server
    Instructions on how to successfully configure your first RemoteApp through RDP connection.
  2. How to configure your First RemoteApp Jump Server
    Instructions on how to successfully configure your first RemoteApp through RDP connection.

Security

Thinfinity Workspace provides reliable, state-of-the-art security that keeps the exchanged information safe.
  1. Secure Connections: Thinfinity Workspace 8 ensures all connections from the browser are conducted over HTTPS, providing a secure communication channel. It also enables you to install your own 256-bit SSL certificate for enhanced security.

    Guide:     Register SSL Certificate

  2. Authentication Levels: Thinfinity Workspace 8 offers a range of authentication levels to suit your needs. Choose between simple User/Password authentication with custom credentials, or Active Directory authentication, allowing authentication against Windows local or domain users.

  3. Role-based Permissions: By configuring profiles, you can implement role-based permissions that restrict access to specific computers for different Active Directory users. This approach strengthens your organization's overall security framework. 
  1. Integration with Identity Providers: Thinfinity Workspace 8 supports integration with identity providers using standard protocols such as OAuth, SAML, or RADIUS. This functionality allows for seamless authentication and user management in diverse environments.

  2. Native Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): With built-in HOTP/TOTP server capabilities, Thinfinity Workspace 8 natively supports 2FA using Microsoft or Google Authenticator. This additional layer of security ensures that only authorized users gain access to your systems.

Conclusion

In summary, Thinfinity Workspace 8 is a comprehensive and versatile solution that enables organizations to provide secure remote access to their applications, desktops, and data from any HTML5-compliant browser.

This Getting Started Guide has introduced you to the essential aspects of the system, paving the way for a seamless installation and setup process.
We invite you to schedule a demo to explore the advanced features of Thinfinity Workspace 8, including analytics, audit logs, and the Cloud Manager. These features extend the capabilities of this leading virtual desktop solution to provide you with comprehensive insight, control, and convenience.

In addition, Thinfinity Workspace 8 can accommodate more complex architectures. Whether you're looking to implement load balancing for better distribution of network or computing resources, manage multiple tenants for improved business scalability, or use multiple clouds for greater data redundancy and security, our solution is designed to adapt to your unique needs.
Should you wish to explore further, do not hesitate to reach out to us. 


    • Related Articles

    • What's New on Thinfinity Remote Workspace 8

      Introduction Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the Thinfinity® Workspace 8. This article will introduce you to the product's groundbreaking features, new connection protocols, and enhanced user experience. Thinfinity Workspace 8 is the epitome of ...

    • How to Publish Your First RemoteApp Connection to a Jump Server

      Introduction In this guide, you will learn how to configure your first RemoteApp assuming you have read the Getting started guide. This guide has been crafted for administrators like you, responsible for establishing and configuring Thinfinity® ...

    • How to Publish Your First RemoteApp (Local Host)

      Introduction In this guide, you will learn how to configure your first RemoteApp assuming you have read the Getting Started Guide. This guide has been crafted for administrators like you, responsible for establishing and configuring Thinfinity® ...

    • Installation & License Registration

      Introduction This guide is designed to walk you through your first Thinfinity® Workspace installation. We will focus on the most streamlined installation process, which involves deploying all components on a single server. Although this simplified ...

    • How to Install and Configure Thinfinity Workspace in Agent Mode

      Product: Thinfinity Workspace Version: 7 and later Introduction This document will guide you through the process of installing and configuring Thinfinity Workspace in Agent mode. The Workspace Agent provides a convenient solution for establishing ...