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Updated: November 19, 2019 Home » Freeware and Software Reviews

A multiuser software allows multiple users share a single PC. Each user can run any application, movie or game simultaneously. There are pro and cons using such a system, I disagree on using it in an office environment because if the main system is down, the entire office literally goes into a shut down. Such system is ideal where productivity is not a priority, such as public library. Works great on Microsoft Windows 10.

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The software benefits of using this kind of system are:

May 11, 2018  How To Convert pdf to word without software - Duration. Aster Multiseat. Download-Install-Configure - Duration: 4:11. 1Home 1PC Recommended for you. TOP 100 FUNNIEST GAME FAILS. In 2008, the C3SL group released the Multiseat Display Manager (MDM) to ease the process of installation and configuration of a multiseat box. This group, also in 2008, conceived a live-CD for test purposes. Automatic multiseat with USB docking stations is a feature of Fedora 17. Time line, commercial multiseat software evolution.

• Reducing your initial investment
• Reducing your cost of upgrading
• Offering ease of maintenance and services
• Reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

↓ 01 – ThinSoft BeTwin | Windows 7 | 2 to 9 Users

ThinSoft has developed a powerful range of Thin Client software and hardware solutions for your business needs. BeTwin VS (64-bit) is the software that allows multiple users to simultaneously and independently share a personal computer running Windows Vista or Windows 7 (64-bit). Installation is simple. Install a second VGA card/adapter and connect it to the second monitor. Plug in a USB mouse, USB keyboard and, optionally, USB speakers. Finally, install the BeTwin VS software.

↓ 02 – VMWare Workstation | Windows 10

VMware Workstation Pro and VMware Workstation Player are the industry standard for running multiple operating systems as virtual machines on a single PC. Thousands of IT professionals, developers and businesses use Workstation Pro and Workstation Player to be more agile, more productive and more secure every day.

Built for Microsoft Windows 10 and More. VMware Workstation is one of the best ways to evaluate and test Windows 10 with your existing Windows PC. The simple but highly configurable virtual machine installation assistant makes it easy to install Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016 in a virtual machine from a disk or ISO image. With Workstation you can take advantage of new features like Cortina and Edge’s inking capabilities, or even start building universal apps for Windows 10 devices.

↓ 03 – ibik Aster | Windows 10 | 2 to 6 Users

ASTER is a program (and only a program!) which allows to create a few workplaces on base of a single PC. ASTER is a multiseat software for Windows XP/7/8/10. ASTER does not use any thin clients and terminal stations, i.e. ASTER is analog of such multiseat programs, as MS MultiPoint, SoftXpand, Betwin, Userful, etc. ASTER is being successfully used not only for equipping of computer classes, libraries, offices and Internet cafes, but even for games and video!

Aster Multiseat Software

To create an additional workplace, you just need to connect to system block an additional monitor, keyboard and mouse (and if it is needed – microphone, speaker, joystick or gamepad). Monitors may be connected by VGA/DVI/HDMI/DP cables. After the installation the ASTER will provide a individual desktop for each monitor and you can use all workplaces independently as if each of them had their own PC.

• Workstations in accounts departments, offices, banks, and post offices
• Internet cafes, trade shows, workshops, conferences, and presentations

↓ 04 – Useful Simple Desktop Virtualization | Windows 7/8 | n/a Users

Aster Multiseat Manual Download Pdf Sprint

Streamline the deployment and management of a variety of digital displays with the simplest desktop virtualization software. Replace numerous physical PCs with affordable, low-wattage zero client devices all easily managed from one server. Any organization, from small retail stores to large call centers, can afford the flexible virtualization solution to reduce computing headaches and provide an exceptional desktop experience.

Userful Multiplatform, a virtual desktop software, delivers a choice of customized Microsoft™ Windows, Linux and a free, integrated cloud desktop simultaneously to multiple displays within a local area network. With a dramatic reduction of hardware, software and electricity requirements, Userful Multiplatform enables anyone to save money and still enhance computing power.

↓ 05 – SoftXpand MiniFrame [ Discontinued ] | Windows 7 | 2 to 10 Users

SoftXpand software enables multiple users to share a single computer simply by connecting additional sets of monitors, keyboards and mice. Why SoftXpand?

• High performance – from text processing to Gaming & 3D-CAD
• Simple implementation – video cards, USB & LAN
• Work with any off-the-shelf hardware (no Thin Clients)
• Native user experience (no RDP/Terminal servers)

A multiseat, multi-station or multiterminal configuration is a single computer which supports multiple independent local users at the same time.

A 'seat' consists of all hardware devices assigned to a specific workplace at which one user sits at and interacts with the computer. It consists of at least one graphics device (graphics card or just an output (e.g. HDMI/VGA/DisplayPort port) and the attached monitor/video projector) for the output and a keyboard and a mouse for the input. It can also include video cameras, sound cards and more.

• 2History
• 3Requirements
  • 3.2Software requirements
• 4Case studies

Motivation[edit]

Since the 1960s computers have been shared between users. Especially in the early days of computing when computers were extremely expensive the usual paradigm was a central mainframe computer connected to numerous terminals. With the advent of personal computing this paradigm has been largely replaced by personal computers (or one computer per user).

Multiseat setups are a return to this multiuser paradigm but based around a PC which supports a number of zero-clients usually consisting of a terminal per user (screen, keyboard, mouse).

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Multiseat setups are great for schools, libraries, and family computers.^{[citation needed]}

In some situations such multiseat are also cost-effective because it is not necessary to buy separate motherboards, microprocessors, RAM, hard disks and other components for each user. For example, buying one high speed CPU usually costs less than buying several slower CPUs.

History[edit]

In the 1970s, it was very commonplace to connect multiple computer terminals to a single mainframe computer, even graphical terminals. Early terminals were connected with RS-232 type serial connections, either directly, or through modems. With the advent of Internet Protocol based networking, it became possible for multiple users to log into a host using telnet or – for a graphic environment – an X Window System 'server'. These systems would retain a physically secure 'root console' for system administration and direct access to the host machine.

Support for multiple consoles in a PC running the X interface was implemented in 2001 by Miguel Freitas, using the Linux operating system and the X11 graphical system (at the time maintained by XFree86).^[1] This was done using a patch in the display server to execute several instances of X at the same time such that each one captures specific mouse and keyboard events and the graphical content. This method received the name of multiseat or multiterminal.

In 2002 a Canadian company, Userful Corporation, released Userful Multiplier, a multiseat Linux software solution that enables up to 10 users to simultaneously share one computer.^[2] Earlier they worked on a kernel-based approach to a multi-station platform computer, but abandoned the idea due to a problem with multiple video card support.

Other solutions appeared in 2003, such Svetoslav Slavtchev, Aivils Stoss and James Simmons worked, with the evdev and Faketty^[3][4] approach modifying the kernel Linux and letting more than one user independently use the same machine. In that time, the Linux Console Project^[5] also proposed an idea to use multiple independent consoles and then multiple independent keyboards and mice in a project called 'Backstreet Ruby'.^[6] Backstreet Ruby is a kernel patch for the Linux kernel. It is a back port to Linux-2.4 of the Ruby kernel tree. The aim of the Linux Console developers is to enhance and reorganize the input, the console and the framebuffer subsystems in the Linux kernel, so they can work independent from each other and to allow multi-desktop operation. The Backstreet Ruby idea was never finished.

In 2005, the C3SL team (Center for Scientific Computing and Free Software),^[7] from the Federal University of Parana in Brazil, created a solution based on nested display servers, such as Xnest and Xephyr.^[8] With this solution, each nested display server runs in each screen of a host display server (e.g. Xorg) and a modification to the nested servers let each one exclusively acquire its mouse and keyboard. In 2008, the C3SL group released the Multiseat Display Manager (MDM)^[9] to ease the process of installation and configuration of a multiseat box. This group, also in 2008, conceived a live-CD^[10] for test purposes.

Automatic multiseat with USB docking stations is a feature of Fedora 17.^[11][12]

Time line, commercial multiseat software evolution[edit]

• 1990, Solbourne cg30 running SunOS
• 1996-2005, Silicon GraphicsInfiniteReality running Irix
• 1996, ThinSoft/BeTwin
• 1999, Ibik/Aster
• 2002, Userful Corporation
• 2004, Open-Sense Solutions (Groovix)^[13]
• 2006, NComputing
• 2010, Windows MultiPoint Server
• 2011, Black Box VirtuaCore
• 2013, LISTEQ BoXedVDI^[14]

Requirements[edit]

Hardware requirements[edit]

Each monitor will need to be connected to a graphics output from a video card. For example, to make a four-head (four users), would require four monitors, four keyboards, four mice and two dual or one quad output video card. USB keyboards and mice are typically recommended instead of PS/2 connections, as they can be connected to a USB hub. Additional devices and peripherals such as cameras, flash storage drives, card readers and touch screens could also be assigned to each seat. An alternative to multiple physical video cards and connections is DisplayLink over USB.

Software requirements[edit]

GNU/Linux[edit]

The VT system in the Linux kernel dates back to 1993 and does not understand the concept of multiple 'seats'. kmscon and systemd-consoled do.

There are different solutions to set up a multiseat and others are constantly being developed. The X.Org Foundation maintains a wiki page with the latest news concerning the solutions.^[15] Currently the most pointed solutions by X.Org's wiki are the solutions using either multiple Xephyr servers with deprecated evdev support^[16] over a host Xorg, or run several instances of Xorg using multiple video devices. It is quite easy to configure popular distributions such as Ubuntu to provide multiseat environments as documented on the Ubuntu MultiseatX wiki page.^[17][18][19]

The Multi-seat Display Manager^[20] automseat tool^[21] is an open source tool which helps to automatize the process of installation and configuration. Users that want to try multiseat are encouraged to try such a tool and avoid the old and hard way to set it up through these howtos (evdev, Xephyr), as stated by foundation's wiki page.^[15] On the other hand, MDM suffers from lack of updates and releases beyond the initial announcement.^[22][23] Another open source tool that aims to help simplify the creation of multiseat, mainly for the Ubuntu distribution, is the Bicefalo wizard.^[24]

Userful offers a commercially supported multiseat Linux solution called Userful Multiplier.^[25] It enables up to 10 users to simultaneously share one computer. It works with most graphics cards supported by X.Org/XFree86 as well as USB multiseat devices. It is available in 64-bit and 32-bit packages in both RPM and DEB formats, and has been tested on most major distributions, including Debian, Fedora, Mandriva Linux, SLED, SuSE and Ubuntu.^[26] A free two-user version of Userful Multiplier software for personal or trial use is available from their website.^[27]

Microsoft Windows[edit]

For Windows 2000, XP and Vista operating systems, there are several commercial products to implement multiseat configurations for two or more seats.

An operating system designed specifically for multiseat setups entitled Windows MultiPoint Server was announced on February 24, 2010. It uses Remote Desktop (Terminal Services) technologies in Windows Server 2008 R2 to provide multiseat functionality. This functionality was incorporated into Windows Server proper as of Windows Server 2016 in a new server role entitled MultiPoint Services, but this server role was removed in Windows Server 2019 owing to Microsoft ceasing development of the service in 2018.

Virtualization-based setup[edit]

Instead of relying on operating system support for multiseat configuration, a hypervisor can be configured to run multiple virtual machines, each configured to interface one connected seat by I/O virtualization methods. Input devices can be attached to the virtual machines through USB Redirection, and entire GPUs can be attached through Intel VT-d.

The YouTube channel LinusTechTips has demonstrated virtualization-based 2-seat^[28] and 7-seat^[29] systems with UnRAID as the host operating system. Each seat has exclusive control of one of the Windows guest operating systems running on the host. There is a dedicated high-end graphics card for each guest, which it takes full advantage of via the use of VT-d, making the system capable of hosting demanding video game sessions at full quality simultaneously on all seats.

Case studies[edit]

World's largest multiseat computer deployment[edit]

In February, 2009, The Brazil Ministry of Education committed to deploy 350,000 Linux-based multiseat computing stations in more than 45,000 rural and urban schools across the country. The chosen companies to implement this project were the Canadian multiseat Linux software company Userful Corporation, and its Brazilian IT partner ThinNetworks.^[30]

Paraná Digital project[edit]

One of multiterminal's successful cases is happening at Paraná Digital project. It is creating multiterminal laboratories on 2000 public schools of the state of Paraná (Brazil). More than 1.5 million users will benefit from the 40,000 terminals when the project is finished. The laboratories have four-head multiterminals running Debian. The cost of all the hardware is 50% less than the normal price, and there is absolutely no cost with software. This project developer is C3SL (Center for Scientific Computing and Free Software).

Michigan State University research in Tanzania[edit]

Since 2008, electrical and computer engineering students from Michigan State University have installed multiterminal systems with internet access in three schools in Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania. The purpose of the project is to study the impact of having computer systems with internet access in an education system that cannot afford other educational resources such as books. The computer systems run Ubuntu 8.04 32-bit and utilize the open source Multiseat Display Manager created by C3SL. The research will eventually be used to present to government officials of third world countries in effort to showcase the positive impact of having cost-effective computing systems in schools. The project is sponsored by George and Vickie Rock and the Dow Chemical Company.^[31][32][33]

Notable installations[edit]

• Userful announced a deployment of 356,800 Linux-based virtual desktops in Brazil (February 2009)^[34]
• NComputing provided 180,000 one to one computing seats for K–12 students in the country of Macedonia^[35]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Multiuser PUC-RIO - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
2. ^eChannel Line - Userful Upgrades Multi-Seat Linux Desktop Virtualization Solution
3. ^Faketty LTN - SigmaNet klientu mājas lapasArchived 2009-05-11 at the Wayback Machine(in Latvian)
4. ^XFree Local Multi-User HOWTO
5. ^Linux Console
6. ^LTN - LATNET klientu mâjas lapasArchived 2012-02-20 at the Wayback Machine(in Latvian)
7. ^Universidade Federal do ParanáArchived 2006-11-05 at the Wayback Machine
8. ^Multiterminal com XephyrArchived 2009-02-03 at the Wayback Machine
9. ^MDM Universidade Federal do ParanáArchived 2008-12-02 at the Wayback Machine(in Portuguese)
10. ^Multiterminal live-cd from C3SL/UFPR for testsArchived 2009-02-03 at the Wayback Machine
11. ^ConsoleKit Removal / Automatic Multi-Seat Support
12. ^'The Most Awesome, Least-Advertised Fedora 17 Feature'.
13. ^'Open-sense Solutions'. Retrieved Nov 6, 2010.
14. ^'BoXedVDI'. LISTEQ. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
15. ^ ^ab'Multiseat'. Wiki.x.org. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
16. ^'[PATCH 2/2] Xephyr: Delete Linux evdev support'. Lists.x.org. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
17. ^'Ubuntu help: MultiseatX'. Help.ubuntu.com. 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
18. ^'Ubuntu wiki: multiseat'.
19. ^'Ubuntu multiseat with one graphics card'.
20. ^[1]Archived December 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
21. ^'AUTOMSEAT -Automatic Linux multi seat configuration'. Automseat.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
22. ^[2]Archived April 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
23. ^[3]Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
24. ^[4]
25. ^'Userful Multiplatform™: Bundled Zero Client Desktop Virtualization'. .userful.com. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
26. ^James Bannan (2007-12-29). 'Turn one PC into two for free'. apcmag.com. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
27. ^Compute Scotland - Desktop virtualisation boosted with Linux
28. ^Linus Tech Tips (2015-10-19), 2 Gaming Rigs, 1 Tower - Virtualized Gaming Build Log, retrieved 2019-04-27
29. ^Linus Tech Tips (2016-01-02), 7 Gamers, 1 CPU - Ultimate Virtualized Gaming Build Log, retrieved 2019-04-27
30. ^'Backbone Magazine - Green Teach: Canadian virtualization technology for students in Brazil'. Backbonemag.com. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
31. ^'ECE 480 Team 3 - Project Overview'. msu.edu. Retrieved Jun 16, 2010.
32. ^'ECE 480 Team 4 - Project Overview'. msu.edu. Retrieved Jun 16, 2010.
33. ^'Michigan State University College of Engineering Study Abroad ICT Development in Tanzania'. msu.edu. Retrieved Jul 19, 2010.
34. ^'Userful and ThinNetworks today announce that they have been selected to supply 356,800 virtualized desktops to schools in all of Brazil's 5,560 municipalities'. Userful.com. Retrieved Feb 17, 2008.
35. ^All Macedonian students to use Linux desktops