Thin client vendors are responding with updated models to the growing interest in virtual desktop infrastructure among enterprise customers.

Igel Technology said it has upgraded its Linux firmware to include a client for Leostream’s Connection Broker, software that links the terminal with the correct virtual machine when a user logs in. This makes the process seamless from the end-user’s point of view, according to Igel.

“The Leostream client negotiates the initial connection, and hands back system messages to the user so it looks just like a standard Windows login,” said Igel worldwide marketing director Stephen Yeo.

The company is responding to requests from customers for Leostream, Yeo said, which is one of the most common brokers alongside products from Citrix and Propero, now part of VMware.

Yeo said there is lots of interest in virtual desktops, because firms can take thousands of XP licences off their PCs and instead centralise clients in the datacentre, which saves on management costs and can also cut energy consumption.

The new Linux firmware features in Igel’s £95 Thin Client card.