Installation#

Learn more about installing the ICE RemoteWare™ server and client.

Server Installation#

The ICE RemoteWare server can be installed on the following operating systems:

  • Rocky Linux 8 and 9

  • Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server 2019

  • Windows Server 2022 (server-side only)

  • MacOS Monterey 12 to MacOS Sonoma 14

  • Ubuntu 20, 22 and 24

Required Files#

Installation packages and documentation can be downloaded from: https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/. Rocky, CentOS and RHEL users should add the repository as a YUM repo using the OS-specific instructions that follow.

Installation of the ICE RemoteWare server requires the following files:

  • The ICE RemoteWare server installation package for your operating system:

    • Rocky Linux 8: ice-remoteware-15.0.0-0.el8.x86_64.rpm

    • Rocky Linux 9: ice-remoteware-15.0.0-0.el9.x86_64.rpm

    • Ubuntu 20: ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.20_amd64.deb

    • Ubuntu 22: ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.22_amd64.deb

    • Ubuntu 24: ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.24_amd64.deb

    • Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server 2019, 2022: ICE RemoteWare-15.0.0.0.msi

    • MacOS Monterey 12 to MacOS Sonoma 14: ice-remoteware-15.0.0.0.pkg

  • One of the following:

    • A trial license file (ice-remoteware.lic)

    • A floating license file (ice-flexlm.lic) and the license server (ICE FlexLM).

Installing the Server on Rocky Linux#

Follow the steps below to install the ICE RemoteWare server, replace the default SSL key and certificate files, install the license file, and change your X server from XWayland to Xorg. After a service restart, you should be able to sign in with standard OS credentials.

  1. Use the wget command to install the ICE RemoteWare YUM repository for your version of Rocky Linux:

    % ## Rocky Linux 8 only
% sudo wget https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/irw-el8.repo -P /etc/yum.repos.d

% ## Rocky Linux 9 only
% sudo wget https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/irw-el9.repo -P /etc/yum.repos.d

  2. Use the yum install command to install ice-remoteware.

    % sudo yum install -y ice-remoteware

    The installer does the following:

    • Installs ICE RemoteWare files to /opt/ice-remoteware

    • Installs ice-remoteware.service to /lib/systemd/system/

    • Reloads the systemd manager configuration using systemctl daemon-reload

    • Enables the unit file with systemctl enable ice-remoteware.service

  3. If you have a trusted SSL certificate for your server’s domain, open the configuration file (/opt/ice-remoteware/ice-remoteware.xml) and set the value of openssl.server.privateKeyFile and openssl.server.certificateFile to its path. Using a trusted SSL certificate is recommended for maximum security.

  4. Install the license.

    • If you have a trial license (ice-remoteware.lic), copy it into /opt/ice-remoteware/bin.

    • If you have a floating license (ice-flexlm.lic), proceed to Flexera License Management for instructions on installing ICE FlexLM.

  5. Verify that your firewall rules allow traffic over HTTPS (port 443).

  6. ONLY IF you are using XWayland as your X server (enabled by default in Rocky Linux), enable Xorg by following these steps:

    1. Open editor to open: /etc/gdm/custom.conf

    2. Look for the lines below:

      [daemon]
# Uncoment the line below to force the login screen to use Xorg
#WaylandEnable=false

    3. Uncomment (remove the ‘#’) preceeding the ‘WaylandEnable’ variable.

    4. Save the file and reboot the system. The service will start after the reboot.

  7. Use the systemctl restart command to restart the service:

    % sudo systemctl restart ice-remoteware.service

  8. OPTIONAL: To enable USB Forwarding features, see Installing Server-USB Module on Rocky Linux.

The ICE RemoteWare product should now be reachable over HTTPS at your server’s hostname or IP address. For advanced configuration options, please see Setup.

Installing Server-USB Module on Rocky Linux#

USB devices can be forwarded between native clients and remote servers that meet the following requirements:

  1. The server’s license file must have a valid ‘irw-usb’ entitlement. If you do not see this entitlement in your license file, please contact Penguin Solutions sales for more information.

  2. The Server-USB module must be installed on the remote server.

  3. The Client-USB module must be installed on the client side. See Installing Client-USB Module on the Client for more information on this step.

To install the Server-USB modules:

  1. Use the yum command to install ice-remoteware-server-usb-module.

    % sudo yum install -y ice-remoteware-server-usb-module

  2. Use the systemctl restart command to restart the service:

    % sudo systemctl restart ice-remoteware.service

Installing the Server on Windows#

Note

For virt-manager users: virt-manager’s graphical console will no longer work after installing the NVIDIA GRID driver and restarting Windows.

To get the virt-manager graphical console to work again, start the Windows VM in ‘Safe Mode’ by restarting the VM, commanding it to “Force Off”, and restarting the VM again. Select “Safe Mode with Networking” from the menu that appears.

  1. Download ICE RemoteWare-15.0.0.0.msi from https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/

  2. Double-click on the ICE RemoteWare-15.0.0.0.msi installer.

  3. Follow the instructions in the GUI.

  4. If your server’s domain has a trusted SSL certificate, open the configuration file (C:\Program Files\Penguin Solutions\ICE RemoteWare\ice-remoteware.xml) and set the value of openssl.server.privateKeyFile and openssl.server.certificateFile to its path. Using a trusted SSL certificate is recommended for maximum security.

  5. Install the license.

    • If you have a trial license (ice-remoteware.lic), copy it into C:\Program Files\Penguin Solutions\ICE RemoteWare.

    • If you have a floating license (ice-flexlm.lic), proceed to Flexera License Management for instructions on installing ICE FlexLM.

  6. OPTIONAL: To enable USB Forwarding features, see Installing Server-USB Module on Windows.

The ICE RemoteWare product should now be reachable over HTTPS at your server’s hostname or IP address. For advanced configuration options, please see Setup.

Installing Server-USB Module on Windows#

USB devices can be forwarded between native clients and remote servers that meet the following requirements:

  1. The server’s license file must have a valid ‘irw-usb’ entitlement. If you do not see this entitlement in your license file, please contact Penguin Solutions sales for more information.

  2. The Server-USB module must be installed on the remote server.

  3. The Client-USB module must be installed on the client side. See Installing Client-USB Module on the Client for more information on this step.

To install the Server-USB modules on the remote server:

  1. Download ICE RemoteWare Server USB Module-15.0.0.0.msi from https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/

  2. Double-click on the ICE RemoteWare Server USB Module-15.0.0.0.msi installer.

  3. Follow the instructions in the GUI.

Installing the Server on Ubuntu#

Follow the steps below to install the ICE RemoteWare server, replace the default SSL key and certificate files, and install the license file. After a service restart, you should be able to sign in with standard OS credentials.

  1. Download the debian installer for your Ubuntu version from https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/

    • Ubuntu 20: ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.20_amd64.deb

    • Ubuntu 22: ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.22_amd64.deb

    • Ubuntu 24: ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.24_amd64.deb

  2. Use the apt install command to install the DEB file (adjust the file path if necessary):

    % ## Ubuntu 20 only
% sudo apt install ./ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.20_amd64.deb

% ## Ubuntu 22 only
% sudo apt install ./ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.22_amd64.deb

% ## Ubuntu 24 only
% sudo apt install ./ice-remoteware_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.24_amd64.deb

    The installer does the following:

    • Installs ICE RemoteWare files to /opt/ice-remoteware

    • Installs ice-remoteware.service to /lib/systemd/system/

    • Reloads the systemd manager configuration using systemctl daemon-reload

    • Enables the unit file with systemctl enable ice-remoteware.service

  3. If your server’s domain has a trusted SSL certificate, open the configuration file (/opt/ice-remoteware/ice-remoteware.xml) and set the value of openssl.server.privateKeyFile and openssl.server.certificateFile to its path. Using a trusted SSL certificate is recommended for maximum security.

  4. Install the license.

    • If you have a trial license (ice-remoteware.lic), copy it into /opt/ice-remoteware/bin.

    • If you have a floating license (ice-flexlm.lic), proceed to Flexera License Management for instructions on installing ICE FlexLM.

  5. Verify that your firewall rules allow traffic over HTTPS (port 443).

  6. Use the systemctl restart command to restart the service:

    % sudo systemctl restart ice-remoteware.service

  7. OPTIONAL: To enable USB Forwarding features, see Installing Server-USB Module on Ubuntu.

The ICE RemoteWare product should now be reachable over HTTPS at your server’s hostname or IP address. For advanced configuration options, please see Setup.

Installing Server-USB Module on Ubuntu#

USB devices can be forwarded between native clients and remote servers that meet the following requirements:

  1. The server’s license file must have a valid ‘irw-usb’ entitlement. If you do not see this entitlement in your license file, please contact Penguin Solutions sales for more information.

  2. The Server-USB module must be installed on the remote server.

  3. The Client-USB module must be installed on the client side. See Installing Client-USB Module on the Client for more information on this step.

To install the Server-USB modules on the remote server:

  1. Download the debian installer for your Ubuntu version from https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/

    • Ubuntu 20: ice-remoteware-server-usb-module_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.20_amd64.deb

    • Ubuntu 22: ice-remoteware-server-usb-module_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.22_amd64.deb

    • Ubuntu 24: ice-remoteware-server-usb-module_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.24_amd64.deb

  2. Use the apt install command to update the DEB file (adjust the file path if necessary):

    % ## Ubuntu 20
% sudo apt install ./ice-remoteware-server-usb-module_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.20_amd64.deb

% ## Ubuntu 22
% sudo apt install ./ice-remoteware-server-usb-module_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.22_amd64.deb

% ## Ubuntu 24
% sudo apt install ./ice-remoteware-server-usb-module_15.0.0.0-0ubuntu1.24_amd64.deb

  3. Use the systemctl restart command to restart the service:

    % sudo systemctl restart ice-remoteware.service

Installing the Server on MacOS#

  1. Download the ice-remoteware-15.0.0.0.pkg from https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/

  2. Double-click on ice-remoteware-15.0.0.0.pkg to launch the installer and follow the GUI instructions.

  3. Click OK when the prompt for microphone access appears.

  4. MacOS Monterey 12 and earlier: Click Open System Preferences when the Screen Recording prompt appears.

    MacOS Ventura 13 and later: Click Open System Settings when the Screen Recording prompt appears.

  5. MacOS Monterey 12 and earlier: Click on the Lock icon in the Security & Privacy dialog and enter your password.

  6. In the menu on the right locate the checkbox labelled ice-remoteware and make sure this box is checked.

  7. If you do not see a box for ice-remoteware, click on the + symbol, manually add ice-remoteware to the list, and then make sure the box is checked.

  8. Repeat steps 4-7 when the prompt for Accessibility Access appears.

  9. If your server’s domain has a trusted SSL certificate, open the configuration file (/Applications/ICE RemoteWare.app/Contents/Resources/ice-remoteware.xml) and set the value of openssl.server.privateKeyFile and openssl.server.certificateFile to its path. Using a trusted SSL certificate is recommended for maximum security.

  10. Install the license.

    • If you have a trial license (ice-remoteware.lic), copy it into /Applications/ICE RemoteWare.app/Contents/Resources.

    • If you have a floating license (ice-flexlm.lic), proceed to Flexera License Management for instructions on installing ICE FlexLM.

    Once the license file has been installed, the server will start automatically and be accessible with a web browser or our native client.

  11. OPTIONAL: Proceed to Install BlackHole for MacOS Audio for information on adding audio support.

  12. OPTIONAL: To enable USB Forwarding features, see Installing Server-USB Module on MacOS.

Important

Putting your remote MacOS server to sleep (for example: by closing the lid of the laptop, selecting “Sleep” from the Apple menu) will make the ICE RemoteWare software inaccessible.

Important

The ICE RemoteWare product prevents Display Sleep from happening in MacOS using an application called caffeinate. This is to prevent the server from going to sleep.

The ICE RemoteWare product should now be reachable over HTTPS at your server’s hostname or IP address. For advanced configuration options, please see Setup.

Install BlackHole for MacOS Audio#

To add remote audio capture, perform the following steps on your ICE RemoteWare MacOS server:

  1. Download and install BlackHole 0.2.9 from

    https://existential.audio/blackhole/.

  2. Select BlackHole 16ch as the Sound Output device.

    • MacOS Monterey 12 and earlier: Open System Preferences > Sound > Output

      and select BlackHole 16ch.

    • MacOS Ventura 13 and later: Open System Settings > Sound > Output

      and select BlackHole 16ch.

    Note

    Selecting BlackHole 16ch will disable audio playback on Internal Speakers, but this can be changed using the steps above. To change devices more easily, check the Show volume in menu bar box. You can now click on the volume control and select one from the Output Device list.

  3. Add the ICE RemoteWare software to the Login Items list for each MacOS user.

    • MacOS Monterey 12 and earlier: Open System Preferences > Users & Groups. Select your username and then the Login Items tab. Click on the Lock icon and enter your password. Now click on the + button and use the Finder window to add the ICE RemoteWare software to the list.

    • MacOS Ventura 13 and later: Open System Settings > General > Login Items. Click on the + button and use the Finder window to add the ICE RemoteWare software to the list.

  4. Logout of MacOS and log back in.

The steps above will make audio accessible to clients that connect to your ICE RemoteWare MacOS server and click on the audio icon.

Note

More information about BlackHole can be found at: ExistentialAudio/BlackHole

Installing Server-USB Module on MacOS#

USB devices can be forwarded between native clients and remote servers that meet the following requirements:

  1. The server’s license file must have a valid ‘irw-usb’ entitlement. If you do not see this entitlement in your license file, please contact Penguin Solutions sales for more information.

  2. The Server-USB module must be installed on the remote server.

  3. The Client-USB module must be installed on the client side. See Installing Client-USB Module on the Client for more information on this step.

To install the Server-USB modules on the remote server:

  1. Download ice-remoteware-server-usb-module-15.0.0.0.pkg from https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/

  2. Double-click on the ice-remoteware-server-usb-module-15.0.0.0.pkg installer.

  3. Follow the instructions in the GUI.

Client Installation#

Users can connect to the ICE RemoteWare server using commonly available web browsers or the native client, ICE RemoteWare Client. The native client is similar to the web browser in many ways, but it is also capable of faster video frame rates and additional features, such as:

  • USB Forwarding

  • Lossless and Visually Lossless Video

ICE RemoteWare Client can be installed on the following operating systems:

  • Rocky Linux 8 and 9

  • Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server 2019

  • MacOS Big Sur 11 to MacOS Sonoma 14

  • Ubuntu 20, 22 and 24

Web Browser Support#

The following commonly available web browsers can be used to get fast access to ICE RemoteWare servers:

  • Chrome 59+

  • FireFox 56+

  • Microsoft Edge Legacy 44.17763.1.0+

  • Microsoft Edge 79+

  • Safari 7+

Note

Chrome provides the best performance of all the web browsers.

Installing the Client#

The native client is capable of additional features and faster video frame rates.

  • Rocky Linux 8 users:

    1. Use the wget command to install the ICE RemoteWare YUM repository for Rocky Linux 8.

      % sudo wget https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/irw-el8.repo -P /etc/yum.repos.d

    2. Use the yum install command to install ice-remoteware-client.

      % sudo yum install -y ice-remoteware-client

  • Rocky Linux 9 users:

    1. Use the wget command to install the ICE RemoteWare YUM repository for Rocky Linux 9.

      % sudo wget https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/irw-el9.repo -P /etc/yum.repos.d

    2. Use the yum install command to install ice-remoteware-client.

      % sudo yum install -y ice-remoteware-client

  • Windows, MacOS, and Ubuntu users: Download and install the Client installer for your OS from

    https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/

Installing Client-USB Module on the Client#

USB devices can be forwarded between native clients and remote servers that meet the following requirements:

  1. The server’s license file must have a valid ‘irw-usb’ entitlement. If you do not see this entitlement in your license file, please contact Penguin Solutions sales for more information.

  2. The Server-USB module must be installed on the remote server.

  3. The Client-USB module must be installed on the client side.

  • Rocky Linux 8 users:

    1. Use the wget command to install the ICE RemoteWare YUM repository for Rocky Linux 8.

      % sudo wget https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/irw-el8.repo -P /etc/yum.repos.d

    2. Use the yum install command to install ice-remoteware-client-usb-module.

      % sudo yum install -y ice-remoteware-client-usb-module

  • Rocky Linux 9 users:

    1. Use the wget command to install the ICE RemoteWare YUM repository for Rocky Linux 9.

      % sudo wget https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/irw-el9.repo -P /etc/yum.repos.d

    2. Use the yum install command to install ice-remoteware-client-usb-module.

      % sudo yum install -y ice-remoteware-client-usb-module

  • Windows, MacOS, and Ubuntu users: Download and install the Client-USB module installer for your OS from

    https://updates.penguincomputing.com/irw/download/