The signotec Virtual Channel driver establishes a dedicated, compressed channel between the locally connected signotec signature pad and the application on the Citrix server for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. This variant is signotec's recommended option in Citrix environments and offers the lowest latency and best stability of all available connection mechanisms.
All signotec signature pads are Citrix Ready certified.
How It Works
After the signotec Virtual Channel driver is installed on the client, a virtual channel between the client and server is initialized when a Citrix session starts. All communication between the pad and the signotec-compatible application on the server is transported compressed over this channel and decompressed again on the other side. Compared to classic COM port mapping, this significantly reduces both network traffic and noticeable latency — especially for pads with a color display and document preview.
From the server application's perspective, the pad remains addressable as a virtual COM port (COM1 or COM2 in dual-pad operation). The difference from the Virtual Serial Connection lies in the transport: instead of serial emulation via Citrix COM redirection, communication is transmitted over the dedicated Virtual Channel.
Requirements
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Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 or newer
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PC or thin client running Windows, Linux, or eLux
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Citrix Workspace App installed on the client
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signotec Virtual Channel driver installed on the client
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Administrative privileges on the client for driver installation
In production environments, the driver is typically deployed centrally via software distribution tools (e.g., SCCM, Intune, IGEL UMS). On IGEL thin clients, the signotec Virtual Channel driver is already pre-installed.
Driver and Licensing
The signotec Virtual Channel driver is provided in two variants:
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Demo version — free of charge, with functional limitations, for testing the connection in your own environment.
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Full version — licensed for a fee, for production use. Available through signotec Sales.
The driver is shipped for Windows by default. Builds for Linux and eLux are available on request through signotec Support.
Installation
The driver is installed on the client with administrative privileges. In the installer, you can choose between a standard installation (one virtual channel) and a custom installation (one or two virtual channels). If dual-pad operation is required at a workstation, two channels must be installed.
For general guidance on installing and configuring Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, refer to the Citrix documentation.
Citrix Configuration
To use the Virtual Channel, the Virtual channel allow list policy must be enabled in the Citrix policies. This allow list defines, for each virtual channel, which server application is permitted to use it.
Example syntax:
STCPAD1,C:\Program Files\signotec\signoSign2\signoSign2.exe
STCPAD1,C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
STCPAD2,C:\Program Files\signotec\signoSign2\signoSign2.exe
STCPAD2,C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
STCPAD1 refers to the first, STCPAD2 to the second virtual channel installed on the client via the signotec Virtual Channel driver. After the comma follows the full path to the server application allowed to use the channel. In the example, these are signoSign/2 and Adobe Acrobat Reader for use with the signotec Adobe Acrobat plug-in.
If additional signotec-compatible applications (e.g., custom line-of-business applications using the signoPAD API) are used on the server, add them to the allow list accordingly.
Dual-Pad Operation
Two signotec signature pads can be operated simultaneously at a single workstation ("dual-pad mode"). This requires installing two virtual channels on the client (custom installation) and configuring the allow list in the Citrix policies accordingly.
In the server application, the pad on the first channel is reachable as COM1, and the pad on the second channel as COM2.
Verification
After installation and configuration, the connection can be tested with a signotec-compatible application in the Citrix session — for example signoSign/2 or a line-of-business application using the signoPAD API. If the pad is recognized in the application as a COM port (COM1, or additionally COM2) and responds to input, the Virtual Channel is set up correctly.
If you experience issues, check in this order: driver installation on the client, the Citrix policy for the allow list (with correct paths to the application), and the version of Citrix Workspace App and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. For further questions, contact signotec Support.