Oracle Secure Global Desktop
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Remote desktop software |
| Predecessor | Tarantella, Inc. |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Secure Global Desktop software |
| Owner | Oracle Corporation |
| Parent | Oracle Corporation |
| Website | www |
Oracle Secure Global Desktop (SGD) software provides secure remote access to published applications and desktops hosted on Microsoft Windows, Unix, mainframe, and IBM i platforms. It supports a variety of client devices, ranging from traditional fat clients to thin clients such as Sun Ray terminals.
SCO and Tarantella period
The foundation of Oracle Secure Global Desktop dates back to 1993 when Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) acquired IXI Limited, the developer behind X.desktop. In 1994, SCO expanded by acquiring Visionware based in Leeds, UK, known for their product XVision. These teams merged to form IXI Visionware, eventually becoming SCO’s Client Integration Division. This group developed the Tarantella solution with the vision of delivering "any application, any client, anywhere," enabling access to server-hosted applications via any Java-enabled web browser. The initial Tarantella release occurred in November 1997, followed by version 3.0 in November 2000.
Following the divestiture of its Unix business, SCO rebranded as Tarantella, Inc. in 2001 and continued to release enhanced versions in the 3.x series, improving integration capabilities to compete with products from Citrix Systems.
Sun Microsystems period
In July 2005, Sun Microsystems acquired Tarantella, Inc., extensively redeveloping and rebranding the software as Sun Secure Global Desktop. The November 2007 release of version 4.4 introduced a new web-based management console that replaced the earlier Java-based administrative tools. Version 4.5, launched in 2009, incorporated the SGD Gateway feature, which allowed client connections across multiple physical networks by segmenting traffic.
Oracle period
Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems in 2009 led to the product being renamed Oracle Secure Global Desktop. The April 2013 release of version 5.0 integrated HTML5, enhancing remote application accessibility especially on mobile platforms like the Apple iPad. Subsequent updates included versions 5.1 (January 2015), 5.2 (April 2015), 5.3 (June 2017), 5.4 (March 2018), 5.5 (January 2020), and 5.6 (January 2021).
By April 2021, version 5.6.535 was the latest available; Premier Support concluded in April 2022 with only Sustaining Support remaining thereafter.
Starting in 2023, Oracle introduced Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Secure Desktops—a cloud-based service built upon Secure Global Desktop technology.
Overview
SGD serves as a competitor to Citrix within the remote application delivery market. It accommodates a broad spectrum of client devices including Microsoft Windows PCs, Solaris systems, Apple Macintoshes, Linux machines, thin clients from Sun and Wyse, as well as various mobile devices. Users connect through web browsers equipped with a Java Runtime Environment or utilize downloadable Native Client software.
All connections are secured using SSL encryption and officially support browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari, requiring at least Java version 1.5. The Desktop Client communicates with servers using the Adaptive Internet Protocol (AIP), which dynamically optimizes compression and performance depending on network bandwidth ranging from low-speed modems at 56Kbps up to high-speed LANs at 100Mbps.
Among its notable features are Session Resumability and Mobility, allowing users to seamlessly transfer active desktop sessions between locations via any Java-enabled browser. Centralized data storage enhances security by retaining information on servers rather than on remote endpoints, thereby mitigating theft risks while improving resource allocation and system efficiency.
Application access is managed by administrators through the Object Manager tool, which permits dynamic assignment of applications to individual users or groups without requiring session logouts. User profiles facilitate grouping for application permission control and simplify Desktop SOE migrations by centrally deploying updates.
SGD supports single sign-on capabilities with password caching and authentication tokens, integrating smoothly with directory services such as Active Directory and LDAP. This integration enables users to access multiple back-end applications without repeated authentication prompts.
The platform's architecture allows internal applications to be hosted securely while providing remote access without incurring expenses associated with traditional VPN solutions. Its Firewall Traversal Feature enables deployment of application servers within an organization's DMZ, accessible via port 443 (HTTPS). SGD servers accommodate both HTTP and HTTPS protocols.
Integration with the Sun Java System Portal Server facilitates delivery of desktop applications through a Secure Portal environment featuring portlets for email, calendaring, and additional services. Furthermore, the Sun Java System Identity Manager centralizes user account administration and password management across LDAP directories, Active Directory environments, Oracle database instances, and other repositories.
Features
- Integration of SGD with the GNOME Launch Menu and Windows Start Menu enables users to automatically connect to an SGD server upon login, removing the necessity for a web browser. Applications can be launched smoothly through desktop shortcuts using SGD.
- Authentication supports both LDAP and Active Directory, with the capability to configure multiple LDAP/AD sources.
- Compatible with Windows clients.
- Provides support for Client Drive Mapping and Local Printer Mapping.
- Includes functionality for serial port forwarding.
- Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software is compatible with Solaris 10 (SPARC and x86), Solaris 9 and 8 (SPARC only), Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (32-bit x86), and Oracle Enterprise Linux.