How to Virtualize Citrix XenApp 5.0 on VMware vSphere 4

Many reports have showed that Citrix XenServer 5.5 scales better and optimizing for Citrix XenApp is done in a second. With VMware it has been, and still are more complex to tuning the guest OS. VMware claims 30% improved performance for Citrix XenApp hosted on vSphere 4. Feedback from customers and the new “Virtual Reality Check – VRC VSI and Clocks Reviewed 1.0.3” states the same.

Searching the web for Best Practices for Citrix XenApp hosted on VMware I discovered some resources I would like to share with you :

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Create a Central Store for Group Policy Administrative Templates

In earlier versions of Windows, all the default Administrative Template files are added to the ADM folder of a Group Policy object (GPO) on a domain controller. The GPOs are stored in the SYSVOL folder. You can see this part in your own domain by navigating to \\FQDN\SYSVOL\FQDN\Policies. In that location, you’ll see a number of GUIDs, each that relates to a configured GPO. Drilling further into any particular GUID, you will find a series of files the contents of which instruct clients to process configured GPO settings.

The SYSVOL folder is automatically replicated to other domain controllers in the same domain. A policy file uses approximately 2 megabytes (MB) of hard disk space. Because each domain controller stores a distinct version of a policy, replication traffic is increased.

To overcome this problem a new feature called Group Policy Central Store was introduced with Windows Vista / Windows 2008. Rather than replicating template files into each GPO’s SYSVOL folder, a single folder is created to store them all. Group Policy Central Store are turned of by default, so to take advantage of the benefits of .admx files, you must create a Central Store in the SYSVOL folder on a domain controller. The Central Store is a file location that is checked by the Group Policy tools. The Group Policy tools use any .admx files that are in the Central Store. The files that are in the Central Store are later replicated to all domain controllers in the domain.

1. Log on as Domain Administrator on the Windows 2008 server you use for Group Policy Management
2. Copy the folder C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions to \\FQDN\SYSVOL\FQDN\Policies
3. Open Group Policy Management Console
4. Edit a Group Policy Object and expand the Administrative Templates node
5. Verify that the Administrative Templates are loaded from Group Policy Central Store (see picture)

Resources :

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How To Fix problem with SAP Gui 710 and Citrix Universal Printer

I have been working on many Citrix / SAP implementation, but never printing via Citrix Universal Printer (CUP). If you use SAPLPD because your environment is not at the necessary patch level to use the recommended control printing the printer name has a limitation of 40 characters.

This becomes a problem with CUP because it creates a printer name like Citrix Universal Printer (from WI_YHQGGnzQQOp_7q5Hu) in session 3. It’s possible to modify default.ica to get the client name instead of the Web Interface generated unique name, but it will still be to long Citrix Universal Printer (from PC001) in session 3. So after some research on the web I stumbled upon a blog post from CitrixTools.net.

Create a CTXRename.vbs in your SAPGUI catalog. The default value “Const PrntNameSize = 8” will create a printer name like Citrix_U_%username%. I have change the value to “Const PrntNameSize = 24” to get a printer name like Citrix_Universal_Printer_%username% which is almost identical to what the users normally sees. To let the users run the scripts the easiest way is to add Domain Users to the local Power Users Group.

For further information on Best Practices for SAPGUI 7.10 on CPS check out CTX116576.

Posted in terminal services, xenapp | No Comments »

Fastest way to update PVS Target Device Software With Hyper-V

The Citrix Provisioning Services 5.1 Service Pack 2 has been released and the most important fix would be Hotfix-9112: Client hangs when using XenServer 5.0 / XenServer 5.5 running a network intensive application.

Hyper-V Direct VHD Boot is my favorite when it comes to updating Citrix Provisioning Services Target Device Software. Below you’ll find the update route and a step-by-step picture guide for the update process.

1. Download and extract Citrix Provisioning Services 5.1 SP2
2. Download and install Free ISO Creator
3. Create a ISO image of the extracted PVS51SP2 folder and copy to external hard drive
4. Copy production vDisk to external hard drive
5. Connect external hard drive to your Microsoft Hyper-V Server
6. Create new Hyper-V VM, add Legacy Network Adapter and attach the PVS51SP2 ISO image
7. Start the virtual machine and uninstall Citrix Provisioning Services Target Device software
8. Install new Citrix Provisioning Services Target Device software from the mounted ISO image
9. Bind to your network card and shutdown
10. Copy the updated vDisk back to your PVS Server and follow normal procedures

I would also recommend you taking a look at previous post Citrix Provisioning Services for Citrix XenApp Best Practice and Prepare a Provisioning Services Private vDisk for Shared vDisk

Posted in provisioning services, xenserver | No Comments »

The Best of XenAppBlog 2009

Year 2009 is long gone and I am starting of this new year with a lot of excitement. I started seriously blogging 1 year ago and now the blog have 7000 unique visitors and growing 10% per month. The poll states that you guys like this blog and the content I write about. To further improve I would like some feedback from the audience. Let’s say we met up in a bar for 20 minutes, what would you like to talk about? Please post your comment below.

Based on your enthusiasm via comments, stats, links and retweets here’s the best XenAppBlog content of the year 2009. I thank you all for your continued support.

• Turn old PC into Thin Client for Free – Version 1.1
• How To Install XenServer 5.5 on an external USB drive
• Terminal Server & XenApp Tuning Tips Group Policy v1.1
• Download old Citrix ICA Clients for Free
• Upgrade to Citrix XenApp 5.0 Feature Pack 2 on W2K3

I have not been blogging too much lately, not because I’m lazy, but I’ve been working on a 50+ page eBook on how to setup a complete XenApp 5.0 for Windows 2008 environment. This book will be an exclusive offer to the RSS / Email subscribers, so sign up now to get notified when the book is released.

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Technology Preview of Citrix XenApp for W2K8 R2

The Technology Preview of Citrix XenApp for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 is now available for download.

New features :

• More users, faster logons – Get up to 20% more users per server with XenApp on the R2 platform and faster logons with new Profile management streaming technology that improves user profile load times by up to 80%.
• Seamless management integration – Role-based installation wizards, a new unified application management console, management through Active Directory group policies and support for PowerShell 2.0 help you deploy, configure and automate XenApp faster and easier than ever before.
• More apps in HDX – HDX RealTime now delivers high quality audio using up to 90% less bandwidth and enables video conferencing using Microsoft Office Communicator or teleconferencing using VoIP softphones. New HDX Plug-n-Play support for Windows portable USB devices lets users connect more of the devices they need to the applications they use including point-of-sale, webcams, scanners, digital cameras and more.
• Self-service application delivery – Citrix Dazzle, the first self-service “storefront” for the enterprise, gives corporate employees 24×7 access to the applications they need to work. Citrix Streaming technology with Windows service isolation and Microsoft App-V integration provide new options for delivering more applications to your users.
• Complete mobility – New plug-ins as well as updated Receivers for Windows, iPhone, Android, and Windows Mobile keep business moving by enabling complete mobility and freedom to access enterprise applications from anywhere.

Posted in terminal services, windows, xenapp | No Comments »

Dazzle Plugin available in Citrix Merchandising Server 1.1

The Citrix Dazzle Plugin are now available in Citrix Merchandising Server 1.1. If you don’t have a Merchandising Server you’ll first need to download and configure your Citrix Merchandising Server’s IP adresse and then log in with the default credentials : root – C1trix321. This is the “Configure Active Directory Connectivity” page :

Now it’s time to download your preferred plug-ins

Then create at least one Rule and Delivery

I had some problems in the beginning with accessing the Dazzle store because I did not study the example carefully. CTXLAB;http://xenappwi-01.ctxlab.local/Citrix/PNAgent/config.xml;on;CTXLAB Store

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Turn old PC into Thin Client for Free – Version 1.1

Turning old PC’s into Thin Clients are very much alive and a lot of you are downloading the ThinClientPC ScriptFrameWork. I recently came past 2 very good articles discussing these matters The fundamental flaws of thin clients and Converting PC’s into thin clients – a rundown of a suddenly crowded niche.

Now that the Citrix XenApp 5.0 Feature Pack 2 are released supporting HDX MediaStream for Flash I have created a new version. Please take a look at the Readme.txt for further instructions. My golden image machine are Windows XP SP3.

Downloads :

• Adobe Flash Player
• Citrix Online Plugin Full 11.2
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
• Microsoft Net Framework 2.0
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 11
• Microsoft Security Essentials
• ThinClientPC ScriptFrameWork

Note :

Please note that these scripts are provided “as is” and that using these is at your own risk. Please feel free to leave comments below regarding bugs & suggested improvements in future releases.

Posted in web interface, windows, xenapp, xendesktop | 9 Comments »

Upgrade to Citrix XenApp 5.0 Feature Pack 2 on W2K3

Installation of Citrix XenApp 5.0 Feature Pack 2 have a lot of prerequisites and they all have to be installed in the right order. The easiest way is to download the XenApp 5.0 Feature Pack 2 ISO from Citrix and run the wizard. This will install all the other prerequisites like Sun Java, MS Visual C++ 2005, FP2 enabler e.g. Actually you will have to download the ISO because the HDX MediaStream for Flash and the Group Policy adm templates are not avaiable as seperate downloads.

Upgrade Citrix License Server :

• Citrix License Server 11.6.1 Build 9020 (The old 11.6.1 Build 9019 does work)
• Reallocate licenses from mycitrix.com

Prerequisites prior to upgrade or clean installation of Citrix XenApp 5.0 FP2 :

• Microsoft .NET FrameWork 3.5 SP1
• Microsoft Hotfix KB961118

I have successfully upgraded both bare metal servers and XenApp hosted on XenServer 5.5 streamed with Provisioning Services. Remember to upgrade your XenApp Data Collector first.

Posted in group policy, provisioning services, xenapp, xendesktop | 4 Comments »

How to deploy Windows 7 with MDT 2010

Microsoft has recently release Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 which support deployment of Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2. I have been working with MDT 2010 Beta and RC and have been planning on writing about this excellent free product from Microsoft on my blog.

The last couple of weeks I’ve been working on course ware for an internal workshop and came over three amazing resources on the web :

• Deploying Windows 7 with MDT 2010 Whitepaper by Aidan Finn
• Windows 7 Deployment using MDT 2010 and SCCM 2007 SP2 by Johan Arwidmark
• Deploying Windows 7 Essential Guidance by Microsoft Press – Free eBook

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