Manuals/UMx/User Guide
From Userful Support
Userful Multiplier™ User Guide
Userful Multiplier™ Multistation Software System
Copyright © 2002-2010 Userful Corporation. All rights reserved.
(Updated 2010.1.12)
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Introduction
Userful Multiplier™ (formerly Desktop Multiplier™) is a set of standard Linux software packages that extend the X Window System to support up to 10 fully independent and concurrent workstations using a single computer box. This is accomplished by adding standard video cards, USB keyboards and mice to a single PC system and installing Userful's software. Userful Multiplier is compatible with all single and dual-headed video cards supported by X.Org/XFree86 and has been tested on most major 2.6 kernel Linux distributions (see "Supported Linux Distributions" below for details).
Userful Multiplier is delivered as a single zip file containing either a .RPM or .DEB package and supports a variety of Linux distributions.
Utilities package
This package includes programs, scripts and config files for system configuration, keyboard/mouse assignment and device hot-plug capabilities. Files are named:
-
1box-utils-k26-<version>.<arch>.rpm(For RPM based systems) -
1box-utils-k26-<version>.<arch>.deb(For DEB based systems)
Multi-station X server package
This package contains the Userful Multi-Station X-Server, which supports multiple simultaneous local users. Files are named:
-
1box-server-xorg-<version>.<arch>.rpm(For RPM based systems) -
mx11r7-<version>.<arch>.rpm(For RPM based system) -
1box-server-xorg-<version>.<arch>.deb(For DEB based systems) -
mx11r7-<version>.<arch>.deb(For DEB based systems)
Dual View Functionality
Userful Multiplier's Dual View functionality enables each computer to support up to five users, with each user having an individual desktop workspace that spans two monitors. You can configure monitors to use Dual View during the Userful Multiplier installation process. Note that the two monitors that display a Dual View desktop must be connected to the same video card.
License Agreement
This product includes commercial software that is licensed not sold and is governed by an End User License Agreement (EULA). By installing, copying or using this software you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. You can review the terms of this EULA either by visiting http://userful.com/download/eula/ or by consulting the Userful-EULA.txt file included with your download.
Trial Version
Userful Multiplier will operate as a trial version until you purchase an appropriate license for your Userful system. You may purchase a multi-station license from your Userful representative or from Userful.com – see the Licensing section below for details.
Limitations of Trial Version: The Userful Multiplier trial software supports up to 10 concurrent stations (depending on your specific hardware) and will typically display a brief registration reminder on all attached screens every 20 minutes or so.
Requirements for Userful Multiplier
Hardware Requirements
NOTE: requirements of the underlying operating system need to be taken into account and may supersede these requirements.
- Hard Disk
- Required free space: 35 MB
- Minimal additional storage required for logging
- Processor
- any x86 or compatible (Pentium 4 or higher recommended)
- Memory
- Minimum: 256 MB and 128 MB for each additional station
- Additional memory may be required depending on performance requirements
- Peripherals
- 1 USB Mouse per station
- 1 USB keyboard per station
- 1 USB audio device per station (optional)
- Video cards
- One video head per station (see below for details)
Supported Linux Distributions
Userful Multiplier supports Linux distributions running kernel version 2.6 or greater. The following Linux distributions are currently supported:
| Supported by Multiplier v. 3.7 | ||
| 32 bit | 64 bit | |
| Ubuntu | 9.04, 9.10 | 9.04, 9.10 |
| Fedora | 11 | 11 |
| Novell SLED | 11 | 11 |
For distributions supported by previous versions of Userful Multiplier, please view our Legacy Distribution Support page.
NOTE: Userful Multiplier may work with other Linux distributions that use the Linux 2.6 kernel, however distributions other than those listed above are not officially supported by Userful at this time. Official support for additional Linux distributions may be available in future versions of this software. Please address specific requests for supporting an additional Linux distribution via email to partner@userful.com.
The Control Panel
This software comes with a graphical interface tool, Userful Control Panel, to control various aspects of Userful Multiplier.
The Control Panel can be launched from the menu item labeled “Userful Multiplier”. This can be found in the System > Administration menu of most distributions.'
- Note: For Multiplier v.325 and earlier, the location of the menu entry varies depending on your distribution.
- Userful Desktop/Fedora/Redhat/Ubuntu: Applications > System Tools > Userful
- Suse: Applications > Utilities > More Programs > Userful
- NLD: Applications > Accessories > More > Userful
- Note: If
Userful Multiplierdoes not appear as a graphical menu entry in the locations listed above, Userful Control Panel can also be launched from the command line, when logged in as root, using:$ /usr/share/umx-utils/userful-control.py
The Python Gtk and glade module is required to use this interface. This module is available on most distributions and is called "python-gtk" and "python-glade" respectively. It is installed by default on Fedora Core, Ubuntu and Mandrake. On some distributions, such as Novell Linux Desktop 9, the module is only installed when the Gnome desktop is chosen as the default desktop during installation.
Additional Hardware
Userful Multiplier supports the following optional hardware components:
- Maximum five dual head video cards
- Up to 10 USB keyboards, mice and optional extension cables
- 10 monitors and optional extension cables and adaptors
- USB hubs to support devices (powered hubs are strongly recommended)
Choosing a Graphics Card
Userful Multiplier is designed to support all single and dual-headed video cards, supported by X.Org/XFree86. Any video card combinations where you can start X in multi-headed mode (i.e. multi-monitor, multi-display) should work with Userful Multiplier. Xinerama extensions are not used, so any standard single-head or multi-head video card should work.
Typically a 10 station system with one monitor per station can be built using five dual head video cards.
Note: The default "mga/nv" display drivers included with X.Org/XFree86 do not provide adequate multi-head support. To use dual head Matrox or NVIDIA video cards, refer to Appendix B and C to install vendor's proprietary driver.
We recommend disabling on-board video in the BIOS if your motherboard includes an on-board video chipset. If the on-board video is not disabled, boot messages will be displayed on that video output. If no monitor is connected to the on-board video output, these boot messages will not be visible. The on-board video may be able to support a workstation depending on the model and revision of your motherboard.
Note: Although heterogeneous (mixed) combinations do often work, to ensure a simple and manageable computing environment, we recommend using a consistent model and revision of graphics cards and monitors for your Userful Multiplier system. We suggest searching the following third-party database for heterogeneous graphics card combinations that should work under Linux:
To facilitate purchase of hardware compatible with Userful Multiplier™, specific video cards are listed below in three color coded categories Recommended, Will Likely Work and Known Incompatible.
Recommended
Cards listed below are known to work under most circumstances. While it is impossible to guarantee that these cards will work in all combinations with all motherboards, we recommend purchasing one of the card models listed below.
Userful supports and recommends the following low cost single chip, dual head chipsets, which are available as AGP, PCI or PCI-E cards from a variety of manufacturers:
- ATI
- Radeon™ 7000
- Radeon™ 7500
- Radeon™ 9000
- Radeon™ 9200
- Radeon™ 9250
- Radeon™ X300
- Radeon™ X550
- Radeon™ X 1000 series (Requires Userful Multiplier 325 or v.3.7 and newer, available for beta download )
- Radeon™ HD 2000 series (Requires Userful Multiplier 325 or v.3.7 and newer, available for beta download )
- Radeon™ HD 3000 series (Requires Userful Multiplier 325 or v.3.7 and newer, available for beta download )
- NVIDIA nVidia Proprietary Drivers Required
- GeForce FX 4400
- GeForce FX 5200
- GeForce 6600GT
- GeForce 7200/7300GS
- GeForce 7600GS
- GeForce 8000 series (Requires Userful Multiplier 325 or v.3.7 and newer, available for download )
- Geforce 9000 series (Requires Userful Multiplier 325 or v.3.7 and newer, available for download )
- Quadro FX 500
- Quadro FX 600
- Quadro NVS 280
- Quadro NVS 285
- Quadro NVS 400
- Quadro NVS 440
- GeForce4 MX 440
- GeForce2 MX/MX400
- Matrox Matrox Proprietary Drivers Required
- G400 Series
- G450 Series
- G550 Series
Guidelines:
- Mixing multiple brands of video cards can produce unexpected problems.
- When installing Ubuntu, please use NVIDIA driver version 173 for older cards such as GE5200. Version 180 will work with Series 7 and higher.
- Installing PCI-E card will disable on-board video output by default.
- Older NVIDIA Cards: NVIDIA has a Unified driver that supports the majority of their popular and modern GPUs. They also have two legacy drivers for their older legacy GPUs. Since only one driver can be used simultaneously per system, combining older NVIDIA GPU chipsets in the same system with recent ones can cause some of the cards to not function. If you are mixing older NVIDIA cards and are uncertain whether this will be a problem here is a list of which models use the Unified and Legacy (96.43.xx and 71.86.xx) Drivers for reference. (This is not a problem with ATI cards)
- DVI Outputs: Userful Multiplier version 320 or less only supports automated configuration of VGA and DVI-convert-to-VGA outputs, cards with DVI ONLY (cards incompatible with DVI to VGA adapters) will most likely not have any output from the DVI slot after the automated configuration is complete. This can be fixed by manually editing the configuration files
- Userful Multiplier version 325 will support direct DVI (not DVI-D) input without the use of VGA-DVI converter.
Will Likely Work
Any video card supported by Linux (unless listed in the "Does Not Work" Section below) will likely work just fine with Userful Multiplier. Hence most cards will fit in this "will likely work" category. Userful Multiplier is designed to support all single, dual, and quad-headed video cards, supported by X.Org/XFree86. Any video card combinations where you can start X in multi-headed mode (i.e. multi-monitor, multi-display) should work with Userful Multiplier. Below is a partial list of untested cards which will likely work.
- Cards with DISPLAYPORT
- ATI
- Rage XL QUAD Display Card
- NVIDIA
- e-GeForce 6200
If you have purchased a card (not listed in our "Known Incompatible" section below) with which you are encountering problems, please email us at multiplier@userful.com and we will work with you to help resolve the problem.
Known Incompatible
- Cards with a HDMI standalone port (does not include DVI-to-HDMI adaptor port)
- ATI
- Radeon HD 4000 series
- NVIDIA
- GeForce 100/200 Series
Please do not purchase or contact Userful support regarding these video cards. We expect support for these video cards will be included in future releases. However, they are currently not supported.
Supported Video Cards for Dual View
The following video cards have been successfully tested with Dual View in our lab. Note that the Dual View is only supported on ATI and NVIDIA cards at this time. If you require Dual View support for specific ATI/NVIDIA cards not in the list, please contact us at: 1-866-USERFUL (873-7385).
- ATI - Radeon 7000, 7500, 9200, 9250, X300, X550
- NVIDIA - GeForce MX440, FX5200, 6600 (PCIE) 7200/7300 and Quadro FX 500/600
DVI Monitors & DVI Video Outputs
DVI ports are automatically detected on Radeon video cards. For all other brands, the default Userful Multiplier configuration will set all outputs of a video card to VGA. A DVI-to-VGA adapter will be required for using DVI ports with the default configuration. DVI connections are also supported if you are using NVIDIA cards by changing the /etc/X11/userful.Mxorg.conf manually.
- To use dual-head and DVI connections on your NVIDIA card, NVIDIA's proprietary driver should be installed first. See the information about installing NVIDIA drivers in Appendix C of this document. Follow the instructions below to enable DVI connection(s):
- Open
/etc/X11/userful.Mxorg.confwith a text editor. - In every "Device" section of the file, change
Option "ConnectedMonitor" "CRT,CRT"
toOption "ConnectedMonitor" "CRT,DFP"
- Save and close the file.
- On the next reboot, both DVI and VGA ports will be enabled.
- Open
Installing Userful Multiplier
Requirements
Prior to installing Userful Multiplier on your existing Linux system, you will need to add enough video cards and USB ports to provide a video head for each station. We recommend using USB keyboards with an integrated USB hub to easily connect each station's mouse (and other USB devices) to minimize the number of devices connected to the central system. If a USB hub is required, be sure to use a powered hub. Non-powered hubs may not provide sufficient power for all connected devices. Similarly, if you need to use extension cables, ensure that the distance between the keyboard or other USB device and the computer/powered USB hub is not greater than 3 m (15 ft).
Getting Userful Multiplier
You can download the latest version of Userful Multiplier from our download site. Once you get to the download page, you can get the latest stable release or go to the Beta Download page for our most recent release candidates.
- Note: Be sure to download the correct package for your Linux distro and version.
Alternatively Userful Multliplier can also be installed from Ubuntu Multiverse repositories, or for non-internet connected computers you can install Userful Multiplier from the Userful Desktop install DVD.
Pre-Installation
- Position one USB keyboard and mouse combination for each workstation.
- (Note: the built-in system PS/2 keyboard and mouse connections can be used to connect one station.)
- Connect all cables to the back of the computer where you have installed the Userful Multiplier software, including Ethernet, monitors, USB keyboards and mice, printers, etc.
- Power on all monitors and then turn on the multiplier computer.
Command Line Installation
Step 1: Start a terminal program.
Step 2: Unzip the Userful Multiplier zip file.
-
$ unzip userful-multiplier-<version>.zip
Step 3: Change to the newly created directory containing the unzipped Userful Multiplier files.
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$ cd userful-multiplier
Step 4: Run `installer.sh' as root.
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$ ./installer.sh
After the Userful Multiplier demo software installation has completed, you will need to reboot the computer to begin the automated configuration process and enable your additional stations.
Uninstalling Userful Multiplier software from your system should fully restore the original system configuration. See Uninstallation Procedure for details.
Graphical Installation
Step 1: Open a file browser and find the Userful Multiplier zip file (userful-multiplier-<version>.zip)
Step 2: Double-Click the zip file, then extract.
Step 3: Go to the newly created directory.
Step 4: Double-Click installer.sh, then choose `Run in Terminal' button.
Installing on Linspire
Userful Multiplier software is currently not compatible with LDM (the default display manager in Linspire Linux). Because Linspire does not provide any display management packages other than LDM, you will need to install the GDM package from the standard Debian repository before installing Userful Multiplier software on your Linspire system.
Installing GDM on Linspire:
Step 1: Uncomment the last two lines in the /etc/apt/sources.list file to install packages from the standard Debian distribution.
Step 2: Update the package index file.
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$ apt-get update
Step 3: Install the GDM package.
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$ apt-get install gdm
Step 4: Continue with the normal installation process as described above under the heading "Installation Process".
Note: Be sure to create a Guest user before installing Userful Multiplier as it disables the root login. You can also refer to your OS guide for enabling root login.
The next time the computer boots after installing the software, the Userful Multiplier system will automatically detect your video cards. After it detects your video cards, you will be prompted to assign monitors for use with Userful Multiplier's Dual View functionality. An on-screen wizard will guide you through the process and generate the required multi-user configuration files, after which the system may reboot in order for the changes to take effect.
Installing on Freespire
Userful Multiplier software is currently not compatible with LDM (the default display manager in Linspire Linux). You will need to install the GDM package before installing Userful Multiplier software on your Freespire system.
Installing GDM on Freespire:
Step 1: Update the package index file.
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$ apt-get update
Step 2: Install the GDM package.
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$ apt-get install gdm
Step 3: Continue with the normal installation process as described above, under the heading "Installation Process".
The next time the computer boots after installing the software, the Userful Multiplier system will automatically detect your video cards. After it detects your video cards, you will be prompted to assign monitors for use with Userful Multiplier's Dual View functionality. An on-screen wizard will guide you through the process and generate the required multi-user configuration files, after which the system may reboot in order for the changes to take effect.
Configuring Your Multiplied System
Recommended BIOS settings
- Enable all USB ports
- Enable Legacy USB support. (Sometimes called "USB keyboard support"), otherwise only the PS/2 keyboard will work during the Linux boot process. Disable unnecessary integrated peripherals --- installing extra video cards increases strain on the PCI bus; disabling any unneeded devices (e.g., serial ports, parallel ports, etc.,) in the BIOS can improve performance and compatibility.
- For systems with an onboard graphics card using PCI cards
- Set the primary display card to the onboard or PEG (PCI-express)
- For systems with an onboard grahpics card using PCI-express cards
- Disable the onboard card
- Set to a 5-second power off (this ensures that an inadvertent press on the power button will not reboot the machine and cause all connected users to lose their work).
- For locked-down desktops, you can prevent users from changing boot options by:
- password-protecting the BIOS
- disabling 'boot from' CD, floppy, network, USB drives, etc.
Setting Screen Resolution
The first time Userful Multiplier starts, a text mode configuration tool enables you to set screen resolutions. You will be offered a choice between accepting the default configuration (screen resolution 1024x768 with no DualView stations) and manually configuring your system. Press Enter to accept the defaults, and A to configure the system.
Multiplier probes your hardware set-up, and offers a range of resolutions appropriate to your unique combination of video cards and monitors. Standard resolutions offered by Userful Multiplier are 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 and 1280x1024, but display modes of up to 2560x1600 are supported.
If you need to change the screen resolutions at a later time, delete the
/etc/X11/userful.Mxorg.conf file and restart X. The text mode configuration tool will once again activate, enabling you to set a new screen resolution, and create a new userful.Mxorg.conf file.
- This is most easily done using the
Reset Display Settings on All Stationsbutton on the Userful Control Panel.
Configuring DualView Stations
Userful Multiplier's Dual View functionality enables each system to support up to five users, with each user having an individual desktop workspace that spans two monitors.
You can configure monitors to use Dual View during the Userful Multiplier installation process. Note that the two monitors that display a Dual View desktop must be connected to the same video card.
Assigning keyboards and mice
Once the system has started, each workstation display will prompt you to press a function key (F-1 through F-10) on the keyboard in front of the monitor in order to link the correct keyboard to the specific monitor. Both a keyboard and a mouse are required in order to create a station. If the mouse is plugged into the USB keyboard (via an integrated hub in the keyboard) the mouse will be automatically assigned along with the keyboard when you press the correct function key. If you have the mouse plugged into a separate USB port, you will be prompted to press a button on the mouse in order to link it with the correct monitor and keyboard combination.
After setting up mice and keyboards, you may login to your desktop normally.
You may reassign keyboards and mice at any point by simply pressing the Ctrl-Alt-Break key combination or re-connecting the device by unplugging and re-connecting it to the USB port while the system is running. The assignment screen will automatically appear on top of your current desktop. No work will be lost, simply press the correct F-key and return to your desktop.
Note: You can identify unassigned keyboards by examining their LEDs. The LEDs on a unassigned keyboard will blink until the keyboard is assigned to a station.
Warning: Logging in concurrently to more than one station as the same user is not advised. It can cause unintended consequences to your system (e.g. corruption of your user settings). Most Linux distributions will warn you if you attempt to login as the same user on more than one station simultaneously. The screen will display a warning message such as "this user is already currently logged-in to the system".
Touch Screen Support and Calibration
Userful Multiplier can be used to run multiple touch screen stations from a single Linux computer. For information on how to set up and run touch screens, please see How To/Multi-Seat Touchscreens.
| Note: Touchscreen support has not yet been added to the latest Userful Multiplier release. At this time, touchscreens are supported by Userful Multiplier v320 or older.
If you require touchscreen support for a more recent version of Userful Multiplier please contact us with a description of your project and your needs, and we will do our best to accomodate. |
Licensing Userful Multiplier
To enable the full version of Userful Multiplier, you need to purchase a valid license for each multi-station computer system. To get a license key, after installing Multiplier software, simply enter an activation code (purchased from Userful) then automatically connect to Userful's online licensing server.
As part of the activation process, your web browser submits basic system information to Userful -- including your system's MAC address, Linux distribution and version, and video cards. The license key file(s) are installed automatically, and take effect without rebooting the system.
Should you ever need to reload a license key (for example, if a system must be reinstalled), your remaining licenses will not be affected because each license is unique to one system.
Getting An Activation Code and License
For detailed information on how to activate/license Userful Multiplier, please see this How-To. Briefly:
1. Get an activation code.
- To get a Free 2-user activation code, use the automated process accessed through the
Install Licensebutton on the Userful Control Panel. - Within the U.S. and Canada, activation codes may be purchased online at the Userful Store.
- For international orders, contact a Userful Partner. To locate a Partner near you, fill out this formor send an e-mail to partner@userful.com.
- To get a Free 2-user activation code, use the automated process accessed through the
2. Use the Activation Code to Obtain and Install the License Key(s).
- With the Userful Control Panel running (see above for instructions), click the
Install Licensebutton to open the activation tool (see right). Specify the number of workstations to be activated, then enter your unique activation code (Note: the code is case-sensitive) and clickDownload and install License. The Userful licensing application will then automatically download, install and activate your license key file.
- With the Userful Control Panel running (see above for instructions), click the
FAQs On License Keys & Activation Codes
Q: What if I want to increase the number of stations in my license key?
- A: The Licensing System keeps a record of the number of stations assigned/allowed for your hardware. Should you need to add more stations simply obtain an updated activation code from your Userful Authorized Partner, then follow the instructions here.
Q: How do I get a new license key?
- A: If Userful Support tells you to re-download the license key, you can do this at any time.
- Once you receive your e-mailed license, you must then manually copy the purchased license file
##:##:##:##:##:##.1box.infoor just1box.infointo the/etc/X11folder on your Linux system and restart the computer.
- Note: This license file is unique to the specific hardware profile of the system it is deployed on and will not work on any other system. For other licensing scenarios and options please contact your Userful Authorized Partner or a Userful representative.
Using Userful Multiplier
Special Key Combinations
Two useful key combinations are available to users:
- Ctrl-Alt-Backspace
- This key combination resets the current station, returning it to the login screen.
- Ctrl-Alt-Break
- Pressing this key combination on a keyboard unlinks the keyboard (and any connected mice) from the station to which it was assigned. Once the link is broken, the station to which it was formerly assigned will prompt for the assignment of a keyboard.
Toggling Between Regular X and Multi-Station X
You can toggle between the regular X and multi-station X. This is useful if you, for example, want to have a single user with multiple monitors during the day, then multiple users, each with their own monitor, at night. You can do this graphically by toggling the checkbox in the Control Panel, or by using the terminal command userful multistation -{enable|disable}, or manually by updating /etc/sysconfig/xtype, Set the “XTYPE” to “MULTI” or “SINGLE” to enable multi-station X or regular X, respectively. The change will take effect after a system reboot.
- For multi-station X:
XTYPE=MULTI
- For regular X:
XTYPE=SINGLE
Blacklist for Input Devices
You can prevent the use of unwanted input devices with Userful Multiplier by adding any such device to the blacklist file input-blacklist. Any input devices listed in this file will be ignored by Userful Multiplier.
- File Path:
/etc/userful/input-blacklist - Entry Format:
Vendor_ID Product_ID Device_type "Description" - Example: You might add a line that looks like this:
05D5 6782 2 "Super Gate Technology, built-in mouse"
- Comments: A line starting with
#is treated as a comment. For example:# This is a comment
Multimedia and Storage Devices Support
With Userful Multiplier, multimedia and storage devices can be assigned to a station and operated independently by a single user. Optionally, storage devices can be shared by all stations.
Please refer to the Multistation Sound ReadMe and the Multistation Storage ReadMe for more details.
Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Multiplier
Userful Multiplier is an easy way to turn one computer into several, but as with any software there are a number of "Dos and Don'ts" for optimum performance. The following are things that you should know to get the most out of Multiplier.
For a list of potential software and hardware conflicts -- well as ways to work around problems -- please refer to Userful Multiplier's Known Limitations.
Understanding reboot and shutdown permissions
In a multi-seat or multi-station computing environment, it is not desirable for individual Users to have shutdown or reboot permissions on the shared computer. Therefore Userful Multiplier automatically removes Shutdown/Reboot/Sleep/Hibernation options from the start menu, login screens, etc. on most (but not all) Linux distros. This feature has not been automated in some distros where the display of "shutdown" and "reboot" options to the user and their functionality are controlled by the specific desktop environment's greeter and logout dialog. For example:
- Greeter: Both KDM and GDM offer shutdown and reboot options. With Userful Multiplier, GDM will ignore the shutdown request, KDM will shut down only after everyone has logged out.
- Logout dialog: Gnome offers only the "logout" option, while KDE presents reboot and shutdown options. However, in KDE, reboot or shutdown only takes effect after all users have logged out.
VT switching
As a feature to prevent users from interfering with users working on other stations, switching between virtual terminals in X (pressing Ctrl-Alt-F1) is disabled by default in Userful's Userful Multiplier multi-station system.
Blank screen saver recommended
Some graphical screen savers can consume 99% of CPU resources. Since Userful Multiplier software is a multi-user system and other users may be working, we highly recommend using only a blank screen or a very simple screen saver.
Third-party X configuration file editing tools are not supported
If you wish to customize the x-config file, you must do so manually, as third-party X-config editors (e.g. Xconfigurator, xorgconfig) will not work.
| Only edit config files if you fully understand what you are doing; Userful does not provide support related to user-edited X config files. |
Userful Multiplier software uses a unique X-config file, (/etc/X11/userful.Mxorg.conf (for both X.Org and XFree86 based systems). Multiplier uses a default screen resolution of 1024x768 pixels at a standard color depth of 16 bits for all stations. Lower resolutions are automatically used for monitors that do not support this level of resolution.
- This config file is automatically re-generated whenever changes are made to the graphics cards, hence if you add or remove graphics cards, you will need to re-apply your customizations.
- Note: Some dual-head video cards do not support using different resolutions on each head. It is recommended to use the same resolution and color depth settings for all stations on your Userful Multiplier system.
Homogeneous graphics chipsets recommended
While it is possible to support a heterogeneous mix of video chipsets within a single computer box, for example by mixing ATI, NVIDIA and Matrox cards, such a configuration is not recommended as it is not possible for us to directly test and support all possible combinations. Using multiple video cards and monitors that do not share all the same characteristics and X drivers creates additional and unnecessary complexity. Therefore, we recommend keeping your evaluation and production environments as simple as possible and using a single graphics chipset for all video cards within the Useful Multiplier computer.
Boot messages only display on the primary video display
BIOS and Linux boot messages will only display on the primary video adaptor. On some dual head cards this is two monitors, but for the most part it will only display on a single monitor. It is important to connect a monitor to this primary head to display these messages. On motherboards with on-board video (video hardware built into the motherboard), typically the BIOS will be set to use the on-board video head by default. We generally recommend that motherboard/main-board/on-board video be disabled in the BIOS for Userful Multiplier systems.
CPU architecture support
This binary distribution only supports the x86 architecture. Contact us if you need support for additional architectures.
Additional keyboard map support
The kernel layout map for individual keyboards is ignored by Userful Multiplier. Hence the X configuration and/or keyboard mappings created by hardware detection and configuration tools such as Kudzu are ignored. At the greeter screen, all keyboards are mapped to the default system language which is usually the language you selected when installing Linux. Most greeters allow login language selection and most desktop sessions (Gnome, KDE, etc) have tools to change keyboard layouts. A greeter may be used to change language and keyboard layout selections.
Monitors should remain connected to dual head NVIDIA or ATI cards
Ensure a monitor is connected to each video head before turning on the computer, and optionally that the monitors are turned on. Some NVIDIA or ATI cards will not display to the second head if there is no monitor connected at boot time. Sometimes, disconnecting the 2nd monitor can even cause X to crash.
Monitors on Dual View stations must be connected to the same video card
Both monitors that form a Dual View station must be connected to ports on the same video card. This is a limitation with some chipsets which may be addressed with workarounds in drivers in a future release.
Apps must have ALSA Sound support in order to have multi-station sound output
Apps requiring sound sub-systems other than ALSA (e.g., OSS, etc.) will not provide sound output. Note ALSA is now the standard sound subsystem, so only older un-maintained apps are affected by this limitation.
Uninstall Procedure
To uninstall the Userful Multiplier software, cd into the folder where the installation package is unzipped, and run the uninstall script as "root".
$ ./uninstaller.sh
You can also uninstall the Userful Multiplier software manually. To manually uninstall Userful Multiplier, run the following commands as "root".
For RPM based systems:
$ rpm -e 1box-utils-k26 $ rpm -e mx11r7
For DEB package based systems:
$ dpkg -r 1box-utils-k26 $ dpkg -r mx11r7
For UMx version >= 320
Instead of removing 1box-utils-k26, you have to remove umx-utils
For UMx version >= 323
Instead of removing mx11r7, you have to remove umx-server
After uninstalling Userful Multiplier, you will need to reboot the computer to return to the previous single-user Linux system configuration.
Known Limitations
For a list of known issues and limitations, please see Userful Multiplier: Known Limitations. The ChangeLog, which tracks enhancements and bug fixes, is also a valuable resource.
Technical Support
For detailed information about obtaining support for Userful Multiplier, please refer to our Support Policies.
Getting Help and Reporting Bugs
There is a Report Bug button at the bottom of the Control Panel. This is the fastest and best way to receive technical assistance from Userful's support team. Clicking this button creates a zip file including relevant information about your setup (e.g., video card models, x-configuration files, Linux distro version, etc.) and sends it to Userful so we can accurately diagnose and assist you with your problem or question. The form also provides fields for your email and a description of your problem. To get help quickly, it is important to be as specific as possible when describing your problem.
$ userful debug -submit
Submitting bugs via email without an internet connection
The diagnostic system information gathered by clicking Report Bug is automatically archived to your system in this location /tmp/submit-debug-info.sh.####/. In the event that the computer has no Internet connection, you can simply copy this diagnostic file to a USB key (flash drive):
# cp –v /tmp/submit-debug-info.sh.####/* /dev/sda#
(The '#' should be replaced with the appropriate numbers.)
Please email the file to support@userful.com when you next have access to the Internet.
Other ways of Getting Help
If you cannot access the above tool to create and submit your request for support, please send a detailed email describing your problem to support@userful.com. Be sure to include the following information:
- Operating system: (ex: Fedora Core 2)
- Your Reseller: where you purchased Userful Multiplier
- Your Installation: Number of seats you have installed or are planning to install
- Version numbers of 1box-utils-k26 and 1box-server-xorg packages installed
- Video cards: The make and model of both onboard and installed video card(s), along with the total number of video ports installed on your system.
- Detailed description of your problem or question
- Computer information: CPU type/speed, motherboard make/model, and installed memory
- Any kernel or X, or X.Org/XFree86 configuration file changes you have made
If you have any questions or problems please contact us:
- http://support.userful.com/
- Voice: (403) 289-2177 ext. 2
- Fax: (403) 206-7010
- e-mail: support@userful.com
Appendices
Appendix A: Key config files updated during UMx installation and first bootup
During the installation and first bootup, Userful Multiplier creates it's own X config file and updates the startup procedure and the config file of Display Manager.
Startup Procedure
Userful Multiplier updates /etc/inittab to start Userful's Multi-X at the end of the startup process. For the Linux distros using Upstart instead of inittab like Ubuntu, Userful Multiplier adds a new task, dm-start, into /etc/event.d directory.
dm.conf
dm.conf is the main configuration of Userful Multiplier located at /etc/userful directory. Please see the file for more information.
X config file for UMx
Userful Multiplier starts Userful's Multi-X instead of normal Xorg for its X server. Multi-X uses /etc/X11/userful.Mxorg.conf as the config file.
gdm.conf for GDM
Userful Multiplier updates gdm.conf to support multiple stations from a single Multi-X server. Instead of handling the real X server, Userful Multiplier updates gdm.conf so that GDM uses Login Server for each station. The Login Server is a dummy X server that Userful developed for Userful Multiplier.
Appendix B: Installing Matrox's proprietary driver
Support for the second head on Matrox cards requires Matrox's proprietary driver. Please follow the instructions below to install the driver with Userful Multiplier:
- Install Userful Multiplier if you have not already done so.
- Download Matrox's proprietary driver for your card from http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/drivers/
- Open a terminal program.
- Extract the downloaded file:
$ tar xvfz <file name>
- Change directory to the newly created directory:
$ cd <directory name>
- Run Userful's install script:
$ userful driver -install matrox
- Reboot the system.
Appendix C: Installing NVIDIA's proprietary driver
To support dual-head properly on NVIDIA cards, NVIDIA's proprietary driver should be used instead of the built-in nv driver. The correct NVIDIA driver for each GPU chipset can be found at http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/100.14.11/README/appendix-a.html .
There are two methods of installing the NVIDIA driver and kernel module:
- Easy Install with package manager (Recommended Approach)-- Major Linux vendors such as openSUSE, Fedora and Ubuntu provide pre-compiled packages and easy methods to install the NVIDIA driver and kernel module on their distros. (Please see the links below.)
- Recompiling the NVIDIA kernel module -- download the NVIDIA INSTALLER and follow the instructions at http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html .
Fedora Core 6
http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php?title=Fedora6#How_to_install_Graphics_Driver_.28NVIDIA.29
Fedora 8
Please run following commands to setup Livna repository and install NVIDIA driver. Refer to http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php?title=Fedora8#Nvidia for more information.
$ rpm -i http://rpm.livna.org/livna-release-8.rpm $ yum update $ yum install kmod-nvidia
openSUSE and SLED
http://www.suse.de/~sndirsch/nvidia-installer-HOWTO.html
Ubuntu 7.04
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Feisty#How_to_setup_nVidia_drivers_in_7.04
Ubuntu 7.10
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Gutsy#NVidia_Driver
Ubuntu 8.04
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Hardy#Installation_of_ATI_and_nVidia_Graphics_drivers
Ubuntu 8.10
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Intrepid#Install_Latest_Nvidia.2FATI_drivers
or
On your Ubuntu Desktop, open System >> Administration >> Hardware Drivers
Select NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver (version 173) and press Activate button.
Appendix D: The Userful Command Line Tool
The Userful Command Line tool combines all terminal or shell commands for Multiplier into a single interface.
- Command Line tool options will be updated and extended as needed
- Documentation will be available as a Linux man page (manual page).
- Note: The man page for this tool is not yet available.
- Please see below for brief documentation of the commands available
NAME
userful - Userful command line tool
SYNOPSIS/SYNTAX
userful command [command_opts] [command_args]
DESCRIPTION
Userful Multiplier is a set of standard Linux software packages that extend the X Window System
to support up to 10 fully independent and concurrent workstations using a single computer box.
The userful program is a command line tool to use the various Userful Multiplier commands from the shell.
It can be used for:
- Creation of X config
- Controlling video cards and input devices
- Handling of debug information
- Getting/displaying license
- General settings
COMMAND LINE TOOL SUMMARY
The userful program provides a variety of commands, each of which has different options and arguments.
xconfig - Handling X config file
SYNOPSIS
userful xconfig [OPTION]
OPTIONS:
-h - Print help message
-gen - Generate an X config file for Userful
Multiplier
-show - Display the X config file
-remove - Remove the X config file
video - Video cards control
SYNOPSIS
userful video [OPTION]
OPTIONS:
-h - Print help message
-show - Probe and display all video cards
-blacklist [opt] [arg] - Maniplate blacklist
-whitelist [opt] [arg] - Maniplate whitelist
input - Input devices control
SYNOPSIS
userful input [OPTION]
OPTIONS:
-h - Print help message
-reset - Unlink the assignment of all input
devices
-static - Enable/disable static config type
debug - Creating/submitting debug info
SYNOPSIS
userful debug [OPTION]
OPTIONS:
-h - Print help message
-submit - Submit debug information to Userful
Support
license - Getting/displaying your software license
SYNOPSIS
Not implemented yet
driver - Handling video drivers (Only one function so far: Installing Matrox driver)
SYNOPSIS
userful driver [OPTION]
OPTIONS:
-h
- Print help message
-install matrox - Install Matrox driver
multistation - Toggling between multistation and singlestation
SYNOPSIS
userful multistation [OPTION]
OPTIONS:
-h - Print help message
-enable - Enable multistation
-disable - Disable multistation (Enable singlestation)
ctrlaltbreak - Enable/disable Ctrl-Alt-Break functionality. (Default: Enabled)
SYNOPSIS
userful ctrlaltbreak [OPTION]
OPTIONS:
-h - Print this help message
-enable - Enable Ctrl-Alt-Break functionality
-disable - Disable Ctrl-Alt-Break functionality
Appendix E: PAM configuration
For to security reasons, Userful Multiplier updates the permission and ownership of X sockets. When a session starts, the ownership of the current X socket needs to be assigned to the current login user. This can be achieved by adding a new required line into the end of the PAM configuration of current Display Manager as follows:
session required pam_xconsole.so
Userful wrote the pam_xconsole PAM module for this purpose. The PAM configuration of current Display Manager can be found in the /etc/pam.d/ directory, like gdm and kdm, for GDM and KDM, respectively.
Copyrights, Licenses and Trademarks
Userful Multiplier is commercial software and contains proprietary, patent-pending intellectual property. See the Userful-EULA.txt file for full terms of the license agreement.
Trademarks
Userful®, Desktop Multiplier®, and DiscoverStation® are a registered trademarks of Userful Corporation in the US and other countries.
Userful Multiplier™, Userful Manager™, Network Personalizer™, Usage Tracker™, DiscoverPrint™, DiscoverAssist™, Pre-Book™, Userful Desktop™, Desktop Server™, Turn 1 PC into Ten™, Manage & Multiply your Desktops™ 1-Box™, are trademarks of Userful Corporation.
Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. NVIDIA® is a trademark of NVIDIA Corporation. Intel® is a trademark of Intel Corporation. AMD® and ATI® are trademarks of AMD Inc. Matrox® is a trademark of Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd. X.Org is a trademark of X.Org Foundation. XFree86® is a trademark of The XFree86 Project, Inc. X Window System, and Xinerama are trademarks of the Open Group. Linspire® is a trademark of Linspire Inc. All other third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Software Copyright and Permissions Notice
Copyright © 2002-2010 Userful Corporation. All rights reserved.
(Updated 2010.1.12)
This software includes X Window System source code licensed under the MIT X Window System License, http://www.x.org/Downloads_terms.html
Disclaimer
Userful trial software comes without warranty or guarantee. By using this software, you acknowledge that Userful Corporation is not responsible for any damage resulting from its use.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR HOLDERS INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, OR ANY SPECIAL INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTY. THE ENTIRE RISK IS ASSUMED BY YOU. WE HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CLAIMS BY A THIRD PARTY. OUR MAXIMUM LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE PRODUCT.
