Options at a glance | signotec Knowledge Base

This page compares the available mechanisms for using signotec signature pads on a terminal server and provides orientation for choosing the appropriate variant.

Comparison table

Criterion	Virtual Channel	Virtual Serial Connection	Native USB Redirection	Network Connection
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops	✅	✅	✅ (Generic USB Redirection)	✅
Microsoft RDP	–	✅	✅ (USB redirection / "RemoteFX")	✅
Other remote protocols	–	✅ if COM mapping is supported	✅ if USB redirection is supported	✅
Device requirement	FTDI pads (`FT100`) or USB pads (`U100`)	FTDI pads (`FT100`) or USB pads (`U100`) with VCOM driver	USB pads (`U100`)	USB pads (`U100`) with USB-to-Ethernet adapter or signotec Delta with integrated RJ45
Client driver required	signotec Virtual Channel driver	`FT100`: standard FTDI driver¹. `U100`: signotec VCOM driver	–	–
signotec license required	yes, Virtual Channel driver	only for the VCOM variant	–	–
Performance / latency	very good	good	low	very good
Suitability for pads with color display	very good	good	low	very good
Client-independent	–	–	–	✅
Pad can be shared (multiple workstations)	–	–	–	✅
Configuration effort	Driver rollout + Citrix policy	COM mapping in the session (+ driver rollout for VCOM)	Citrix policy or RDP GPO	Pad and application configuration, network configuration where applicable

¹ The FTDI driver is generally part of the Linux kernel. On Windows it is usually installed automatically via Windows Update as soon as the pad is connected.

Decision guide

Citrix environment

Where distribution of the signotec Virtual Channel driver to the clients is possible (software distribution via SCCM, Intune, IGEL UMS, or similar), the Citrix Virtual Channel is the recommended option. Lowest latency, best stability, dedicated channel over the ICA protocol.

Where driver rollout is not possible or the Virtual Channel is not an option for other reasons, the Network Connection is in most cases the next best choice. This requires suitable devices (USB variant with adapter or Delta with RJ45) and a suitable network infrastructure.

USB Redirection and Virtual Serial Connections are still available as alternative options.

Pure RDP environment

In pure RDP environments the Virtual Channel is currently not available.

Recommendations:

Network Connection, provided that the hardware and network infrastructure fit.
Virtual Serial Connection with FT100 devices (no additional driver required) or U100 devices with the signotec VCOM driver.
USB Redirection as a fallback. In our experience, RDP USB redirection (historically "RemoteFX USB Redirection") is generally not suitable for production use in terms of latency and stability.

Other remote protocols

For VMware Horizon, Parallels RAS, and other solutions, the Network Connection is the most robust option because it works independently of the remote protocol. Virtual Serial Connection and USB Redirection can in principle also be used, provided the respective remote protocol supports COM or USB mapping. Suitability in the specific environment is to be verified by the administrator.

Pad is to be used from multiple workstations

Only the Network Connection supports this use case. The pad is not tied to a specific client and can be accessed consecutively from different workstations.

Restricted endpoints (no driver or software distribution possible)

Possible options are the Virtual Serial Connection with FT100 devices (the FTDI driver is present on Linux clients as a kernel module and is usually installed automatically via Windows Update on Windows), the USB Redirection, and the Network Connection. Where the hardware is predetermined, the Network Connection is the most robust option; otherwise the FT100 variant is usually less complicated than native USB Redirection.

Hardware requirements at a glance

The individual options require different pad variants. The article number of the signotec signature pads indicates the connection type:

FT100 — integrated USB-to-serial converter (FTDI chip). Appears on the client as a COM port. Suitable for the Virtual Serial Connection without any additional signotec driver.
U100 — USB connection (HID or WinUSB). Suitable for Citrix Virtual Channel, USB Redirection, Virtual Serial Connection with the signotec VCOM driver, and Network Connection via the USB-to-Ethernet adapter.
signotec Delta with RJ45 — optional design with integrated network port. Suitable for Network Connection without any additional adapter. Cannot be retrofitted.

Detailed information about the connection type, power supply, and availability of the variants is provided in the respective signature pad manual.