WindX™ Thin-Client

WindX Connection Manager

 

The WindX Connection Manager utility is designed to assist users that have multiple thin-client connections to multiple hosts. The Connection Manager provides users with the ability to define and save connection information in a control file that can later be recalled to simplify connection.

     

To invoke the Connection Manager, use one of the following methods:

Location

Method

From the PxPlus IDE Main Launcher

Expand the Client Server category and select Launch Workstation.

From the Windows Start menu

Locate WindX Plugin and select Client Launcher.

From the PxPlus Command line or a program

Run the "launcher" program found in the WindX directory.

Note:
The normal install for PxPlus and WindX creates a shortcut in the Start menu:

     "<install dir>\pxplus.exe" launcher
     (starting directory is <install dir>\windx)

To force the Connection Manager to immediately connect to a specific server, specify the connection name in the Command Line as the first ARG to pass to PxPlus as follows (current directory is assumed to be the install directory):

     "<install dir>\pxplus.exe" windx/launcher -arg "Connection"

Connection Settings

Each connection can have the following information:

Connection Name

Name that is entered to identify the connection.

Connection type

Type of host, which can be one of the following: PxPlus Simple Client Server, SSH, Application Server, NThost/NTslave or Telnet.

Server

This is generally the IP address and/or host name.

Port

Connection port, which can vary based on the Connection type. By default, Port 4093 is used by the Simple Client Server, Port 10000 for NThost or the Application Server, or Port 23 for Telnet.

Secure

The Simple Client Server, Application Server and NThost/NTslave support SSL and allow this option to be selected, if needed.

Reset WindX/CS Security

This button (located in the upper right corner of the WindX launcher) is used to reset the WindX/CS security settings. If selected, a prompt asking to confirm the security reset will display.

(The Reset WindX/CS Security button was added in PxPlus 2019.)

Parameter(s)

For additional connection parameters that can be specified, see Parameters.

Default Host

Check box that is used to define the connection as the default.

For information on COM port and Telnet configurations, see WindX Configuration.

Note:
WindX debug mode can be enabled by setting %wdx_dbg to 1.

Saving, Recalling and Removing a Connection

Connections can be named and saved to the <install dir>/windx/connections.dat data file. If desired, a "default" connection can be defined. If a default is present when the Connection Manager is run, the settings for the connection marked as Default will be automatically loaded.

To create a new connection, enter the desired Connection Name, Connection type, Server name and Port. Click the Save button.

To recall a connection, select it from the list on the left side of the panel. Double clicking a connection will immediately load the settings and connect to the server.

To remove a connection, right click on the connection in the list on the left side of the panel. A Remove connection option displays. When selected, a message displays to ask for confirmation to remove the connection.

The Make Link File button creates a link file with the extension .windx, which is used as a shortcut for starting the connection in the directory in which this file is located. See PxPlus Link File Extensions.

(The Make Link File button was added in PxPlus 2017.)

Parameters

The PxPlus Simple Client Server, NThost and the Application Server allow additional connection parameters to be specified:

 

Simple Client Server

Name of program to run

 

NThost

Name of program to run

 

Application Server

Name of 'process' to run

Note:
The Parameter(s) field is not used for Telnet connections.

To run an SSH connection, four additional parameters can be specified, as shown in the example below:

     

The parameters for an SSH connection are:

User
Password

(Required) User name and password.

Term

Enter a terminal type or click the drop-down arrow to select one from the list: winterm, xterm or ansi.

(The Term field was added in PxPlus 2025.)

PxPlus Path

Enter the path to the directory where the PxPlus executable is located.

(The PxPlus Path field was added in PxPlus 2025.)

Browser Launching

A Web shortcut can be provided for users who are connecting via Simple Client Server or SSH:

Example:

 

For Simple Client Server

windx://server:scs/4093/program

 

For SSH

windx://192.168.1.117:ssh/

Windows shortcuts (.url files) can be created, which users can put on the desktop.

See Launching WindX from a Browser.

Note:
The registry entries are created automatically when a user installs WindX; therefore, once WindX has been installed, all that is needed is the URL.

See Also

Link File Extensions