Parallels Remote Application Server Parallels RAS

Parallels Remote Application Server represents the software solution for delivery of applications and desktops. The product is focused first of all on the companies of small and medium business and allows quickly and without big costs to organize to the employees remote access to a full-function working environment of Windows and the selected applications based on Windows from any computer or the mobile device. Parallels RAS differs in reasonableness, convenience of deployment, setup and management, supports both services of remote desktops Microsoft RDS, and the main hypervisors of other producers. At the same time process of administration of applications is optimized and balancing of load of network ^[1]

Important feature of Parallels RAS is also support of cloud computing: a system supports local, hybrid or 100 percent cloud deployments in Microsoft Azure or in own cloud of the customer.

2018

Parallels Remote Application Server 16.5.1

On November 1, 2018 the Parallels company announced release of the version of Parallels Remote Application Server 16.5.1 — the economic solution for delivery of applications and the VDI organization.

Now heads of IT departments can significantly save the time, having provided to administrators tools for safe and positive control of sessions, shutdown of users, the termination of sessions and sending messages.

The former users of Citrix XenApp announced Parallels that it are pleasant to them security, profitability, scalability and convenience of Parallels RAS and also the flexibility of this solution allowing to place it in a cloud, locally and/or to use hybrid model. The possibility of fast migration for users of Citrix is also provided in Parallels RAS.

The updated possibilities of Parallels RAS 16.5.1:

• Automatic providing and scaling of hosts of RDSH: the RDSH templates allow IT administrators to unroll Parallels RAS with automatic scaling depending on loading level.
• The master of migration with Citrix XenApp 6.x: the tool made transition of users of Citrix XenApp to Parallels RAS fast, simple and convenient
• Improvement of the user interface of the Parallels RAS console: allows to browse performance measures in real time using a dashboard in representation of the website.
• Improvement client politician: allows to perform more flexible configuration of client devices through RAS policy (20 categories instead of 4).
• Installation of a limit for the SPLA license: now it is possible to limit the maximum allowed number of at the same time working users.
• Display of requirements to complexity of the password: the feature to display requirements to complexity of the password at its change in Parallels Client (Windows) is added.
• Publication of Microsoft applications App-V: in Parallels RAS containers of Microsoft application App-V are implemented and support of private repositories of Turbo.net is stopped.
• Multiple-factor (MFA) and two-factor (2FA) authentication of Azure: advanced process of setup of a configuration for suppliers of Azure MFA, Duo and FortiAuthenticator MFA.
• Improvements of VDI: the updated approach to the VDI organization allows to manage several hosts of VDI using one agent of VDI.

Parallels offers for tests the 30-day full-function version of RAS 16.5.1 on 50 connections. Parallels Remote Application Server is offered on a subscription and is licensed by the number of simultaneous connections. The price of one connection for new users - 6122.5 rubles a year, at migration from similar solutions we offer the price of 3061.6 rubles a year. Thus, you from the very beginning receive a full range of the functions required to you, including balancing of loading and technical support, and considerably save on acquisition value, support and training.

Parallels Remote Application Server version 16.5

On July 19, 2018 the Parallels company submitted the version of a system of virtualization of applications and desktops of Parallels Remote Application Server 16.5 (RAS).

Parallels Remote Application Server 16.5

As it was reported, the platform received RDSH Auto-Provisioning updating providing the automated creation, maintenance and the subsequent removal of accounts of users, passwords and access rights, additional instruments of no-touch deployment of a system, monitoring and management of network infrastructure and also enhanced capabilities of API PowerShell and the publication of the containers Microsoft App-V. Besides, together with RAS 16.5 Parallels represents free instruments of automatic migration with Citrix XenApp.

Expanded API PowerShell supports automation for different difficult configurations and the repeating tasks (and also automation for expanded client the politician) that allows IT administrators to configure client devices easily.

Suppliers of managed services (MSPs) and independent software providers (ISV) had thanks to Parallels RAS updating 16.5 opportunities of setup of a system, including rebranding of the client Windows and a possibility of loading of the corporate client of Windows via the gateway HTML5. Besides, it is possible to manage more flexibly licenses for clients or farms, setting limits on the used licenses. It allows to control costs for use of service.

According to the company, thanks to updating, in representation of the website in the Parallels RAS console additional performance measures in real time are displayed. The built-in instruments of monitoring easily define the components requiring attention of the administrator. Besides, Parallels RAS simplifies setup of the Azure MFA Server, Duo and FortiAuthenticator servers now.

Functions and updates of Parallels RAS 16.5:

• RDSH Auto-Provisioning and Auto-Scaling: allows to scale deployment of the Parallels RAS platform automatically;
• PowerShell API improvement: support of functions with different difficult configurations, the repeating tasks and automatic scenarios;
• Granular Client Policy Design: the politician from four categories to more than 20 provides big flexibility in setup of client devices, with separation. Parameters include, for example, a possibility of filtering of users according to the operating system and devices;
• Restriction of SPLA licenses: administrators can create sublicenses for the licenses SPLA (Services Provider License Agreement) now and set the maximum number of simultaneous users;
• VisiblePassword Complexity Requirements: the feature for display of requirements to complexity of the password when changing the password AD through Parallels Client (Windows) is added;
• Parallels RAS Citrix Migration Tool: offers users opportunities of automatic migration with Citrix XenApp;
• Microsoft App-V Publishing: provides the publication of the containers Microsoft App-V;
• Parallels RAS management console is updated: administrators had opportunities for viewing and monitoring of performance measures of an infrastuktura in real time and in an expanded format;
• Improvement of VDI: the design of VDI allows one VDI agent to manage several VDI nodes, against the background of the best stability of a system.

2017

Parallels Remote Application Server version 16

The Parallels company at the beginning of July, 2017 provided Remote Application Server of version 16.0. According to developers, innovation meets modern standards of security and guarantees to users full access to the deleted corporate applications and programs from any place in the world.

Key technical innovations

In upgraded version of a system are implemented: integration into Turbo.net — appeared a possibility of the publication of applications in a sandbox in the container Turbo.net; a number of improvements of VDI — as VDI hosts are supported Nutanix Acropolis hypervisors (there is a free version) and KVM (free) now; RAS PowerShell API v2.0 — are supported VDI, HALB and cmdlets relating to licenses; White-labeling v1.0 — can be branded (to create custom subjects) the client application Parallels HTML5 Client; the safe 64-bit client gateway — a theoretical limit of simultaneous connections is increased up to 6,000+; an opportunity to select preferable Publishing Agent (PA) and also some other improvements.

Separate installation of the console: now it is possible to install the console on any machine running Windows; also there was a possibility of remote connection to PA; for application launch of the console any more local or domain rights of the administrator are not necessary.

The appearance of the Site and RDSH interfaces (Remote Desktop Server Hosts) was processed for the purpose of increase in productivity of administrators and also obtaining information on servers in real time.

Management of sessions: now it is possible to see what is published for the user or group, and so for a RDS host or RDSH group.

Device manager: it is possible to turn off assembling of USB devices and also far off to block the managed devices.

AD groups in the list of administrators: instead of adding users on one, now it is possible to add the user AD groups.

Work with the gateway: now it is possible to redirect web requests directly on the gateway server and also to disconnect HTTP форвардинг.

Besides, the mechanism of storage of the statuses of agents is optimized (now during start when check of the statuses of agents is executed, the console does not block itself); it became possible to prohibit access to specific users to a server desktop; there was a possibility of appointment for TS, the gateway deleted with the PC and VDI of specific Publishing Agent.

Clients

Windows client: if the client it is impossible to set entirely (there are no administrator's rights), then the installer switches to the basic version of the client; if the user accepts the invitation to set the client, but is not the administrator, then installation of the basic version is by default started; also there was a tool for control of network in which information on stability of network connection is displayed.

Linux client: a redirect of USB devices — now it is possible to make the local microphone and cameras available to the application run on the server; support of a redirect of PnP-devices (MTP, PTP) is added.

Mac-client: journalizing is implemented, the log is written to the address ~/Library/Containers/com.2X.Client.Mac/Data/ParallelsClient.log.

Among other innovations in RAS 16.0: support of file transfer in HTML5- and Chrome-clients (the feature for file transfer between client devices and the server is added); support of Network Level Authentication (NLA) in HTML5 client (more flexible configuring of HTML5 client); imposing of a custom icon over an icon of the published annex (allows the user to distinguish local applications from published); setup of management of a redirect of a clipboard (clipboard redirection) in policy of RAS connections (allows to disconnect a clipboard redirect by means of setup of policy); automatic detection of UX settings (depending on specific parameters of client connection a system itself selects optimal UX settings; the feature is added in policy); the RAS connection timeout (listing of the application) — after a certain period of inactivity is made a forced exit from the application (function works in clients: Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, HTML5, Chrome).

iOS - and Android clients

In RAS 16.0 are implemented: support of control mode a mouse of Dumbo (IOS/Android) — earlier this control mode was supported in the legacy-client, and now is ported also in new; integration with a mouse of SwiftPoint (IOS) — it is possible to use a hardware mouse of Swiftpoint with IOS-DEVICES; possibility of import/export of RAS-and RDP connections; new settings of display resolution with DPI scaling support; support the politician of RAS connection — the administrator can change settings of the existing client connection through policy parameters.

Fast keypada: now the toolbar buttons can set key shortcuts in the mobile device (it is configured by the RAS administrator).

Unblocking of the client application using PIN'a or a fingerprint (iOS): a number of improvements is entered to the procedure of application launch. If the application already works, then a system switches to it, but does not create a new window.

Determination of input pane of the text is optimized, operation of the pop-up keyboard and also function of selection of the text (in iOS 9 for this purpose now it is possible to use 3D - gestures) is improved. In applications Office 2013 / 2016 "touch control mode" automatically joins.

Other features

Native printing of the PDF files using DynaPDF library: now less requirements are imposed to a client environment, there were less dependences (it is not necessary to set Acrobat). At the same time stability of printing of the PDF files is provided — the redirect of all properties of the driver according to settings of the printer is executed.

Besides, there was R-UDP support. According to developers, it allowed to accelerate updates of the screen when using the Not-Windows-clients by means of WAN connections.

Existence and prices

It is possible download the free 30-day trial version of Parallels from a remote server of applications, the RAS v16 programs including 50 simultaneous user licenses on the website of developer company (www.parallels.com/ras).

To the Russian customers from Microsoft Azure cloud

Parallels selected a cloud platform of Microsoft Azure for exclusive placement of own system of virtualization of applications and desktops of Parallels Remote Application Server.

This solution will allow the Russian enterprises of small and medium business to get access to Parallels Remote Application Server to Microsoft Azure and to reduce costs for the organization of remote access of personnel to a server framework, Windows applications and desktops from any device to 60%.

2016: Parallels Remote Application Server version 15

In February, 2016 the Parallels company released the 15th version of Parallels Remote Application Server, the solution which allows the companies to organize for the employees remote access to Windows applications and desktops from any device. Advantages of Parallels Remote Application Server - rapid implementation and training of employees, easy migration from similar platforms, functions of balancing of loading and the lowest cost of licenses in the market.

"Now the companies began to look for much more often simpler and less expensive methods to organize to the users access to virtual applications and data from any device. Their main requirements are an opportunity for work from that place in the world where there is an employee, and from the device necessary to it and also additional security settings, - Robert Young, the head of researches of the market of IT services and software of virtualization in IDC notes. – Such useful and economic solution as Parallels Remote Application Server, has a potential to change alignment of forces in this market. First of all, because it gives the chance to any companies to use wider number of devices and at the same time to reduce current costs - due to professional and convenient IT support, longer term of operation of the equipment and the increased performance".

This version of Parallels Remote Application Server is focused on efficiency of IT administrators and convenience of work of the end user. Therefore the main improvements were made in the field of the user interface: now the administrator needs less time for the main current objectives. Process of registration of new users is also simplified and convenient masters of settings are developed for problems of type of access control to applications or connections of the new server.

In Parallels Remote Application Server there are flexible options for access for employees to Windows and Windows applications from any device including if in the company concepts of BYOD or "devices for choice" work. The solution integrates in itself all functions of solutions for remote access and access to virtual desktops, including a possibility of report generation, high availability, two-factor authentication and management of the client under Windows (often this functionality in other products in the market is on sale separately). Parallels Remote Application Server completely solves all problems of access to applications for employees from the very beginning and does not require installation of add-on modules.

Key Parallels Remote Application Server v15 functions:

• The updated portal for access to applications via any browser with support of HTML5. Now end users can copy and insert data from one application into another and also change the passwords.
• Three simple setup wizards in work will help IT administrators to unroll applications and servers quickly.

Management:

• The automated settings for adding of terminal servers of Windows, the publication of applications and desktops, distribution and settings of clients.
• Live session management of users on terminal servers: administrators can help users through a shadow session now and also reset the hung-up sessions or send messages to users.
• Access control to applications and terminal servers on time: administrators can plan the necessary time for reset of servers now and control an input of users in a system using the scheduler.
• At installation of applications and servers are switched automatically on their default settings: administrators can set a preferable configuration by default and also change settings on a set of servers at the same time.

Flexibility of access:

• Wider number of virtual resources, including convenient access to the URL addresses and services of the Intranet, the centralized hard drives, deleted to desktops and to applications is available.
• Updating of the client under Chrome OS – support of Microsoft RemoteFX and redirection on peripheral devices is included now that will allow to improve remote work even with high performance graphic applications.
• An opportunity to cipher connection using SSL.

Security:

• Security policies on setup of clients for Windows, Mac and Linux with enhanced capabilities for administrators: a possibility of use of settings to clients and protection against changes of settings of the client from users.
• Built-in support of additional security technologies, such as SafeNet, DeepNet and RADIUS authentication.

The integrated support: Parallels Client (earlier - Parallels 2X RDP) and the solution are available in 11 languages, including English, Russian, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Korean, the traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese now. Parallels Client works with Parallels Remote Application Server for ensuring universal access for employees both to RDS server desktops, and to virtual desktops of VDI, and gives them the chance to work from any place in the world. 24/7 round-the-clock technical support, possibility of support in English, problem solving of end users and clients both by phone, and by e-mail. Universal knowledge base of Parallels Remote Application Server and system of tracking of accomplishment of tasks of technical support.

Notes