april 9, 2013 project avalon excalibur kimberly ferrie – worldwide support readiness

April 9, 2013

Project AvalonExcalibur

Kimberly Ferrie – Worldwide Support Readiness

© 2013 Citrix | Confidential – Do Not Distribute2

Agenda

• Project Avalon

• Overview

• What’s new?

• Architecture

• Installation and configuration

• Application support

• Migration

• Supportability

Project AvalonXenDesktop 7

© 2013 Citrix | Confidential – Do Not Distribute

Project Avalon

• Announced at Synergy San Francisco 2012ᵒ Windows for the mobile-cloud era

• Windows-as-a-Service• Windows applications or desktops as a cloud

service

• Two releases ᵒ Excalibur

• RTW – June 12, 2013• Simplicity and mobility• Unified architecture for XenApp and XenDesktop

ᵒ Merlin• Automation and cloud• Self service

ExcaliburOverview


What is Project Avalon – Excalibur?

• 1st release of Avalon

• A single delivery infrastructure for delivering applications & desktop

• Unified components


Excalibur Overview: In a word…Simplification

• Windows Server 2012 / Windows 8

• Cross platform• Any device• HDX vGPU• Cloud scale

Extend next-generation platforms

• User experience instrumentation

• Predictive analytics• EdgeSight.next• Tools as a Service• Cloud Ready

Predictive global

monitoring• Automate desktop

creation:-Storefront Svcs.-Profile Mgmt.-Folder Redirection-ShareFile on-demand-Personal vDisk

• Cloud Ready

Personalization layer controls

OS

Preferences

AppsData

• SmartConfig wizards• Dynamic configuration

testing and logging• Cloud Ready

Intelligentconfiguration

• VDI and RDS desktops and apps

• Customizable delegated administration

• Cloud Ready

FlexCast management unification


Excalibur Customer Benefits

• Flexible migration across multiple Server and Desktops OS

• Access new apps and desktops from any device

• Improved server density through new HDX optimizations

Extend next-generation platforms

• Assure SLA performance and availability through predictive data analysis

• Close support tickets with minimal escalations

• Allows Citrix to analyze customer deployments for proactive support

Predictive global

monitoring• Dramatic simplification

of personalized desktop deployment

• Get the immediate benefit of powerful FlexCast layering technology

• Permits cloud-scale automation

Personalization layer controls

OS

Preferences

AppsData

• Speed deployment time• Eliminate mis-

configuration for improved performance, availability and security

• Export configuration logs for compliance and Data Center Automation Tools

• Enables cloud-scale automation

Intelligentconfiguration

• Unified apps and desktops

• Dramatic simplification• Strict regulatory

enforcement• Reduced infrastructure

and administrative costs

FlexCast management unification


Major new features

Configuration Logging

Delegated Administration

PublishingApplications

Local AppAccess

RemotePC v2


Version Upgrade

XenDesktop RoadmapWith an On-ramp for XenApp

XenDesktop 5.6

ExcaliburXenDesktop 7

MerlinXenDesktop 7.x

“Avalon .4”

XenApp 6.5 XenApp 6.5 FP2

+App Orchestration+TaaS“Merging Lane”

2014

Avalon“Avalon .3”

XenApp 6.5 FP3

Theme:“XA feature parity”

End MainstreamMaintenance Feb 2016

(+ 6 months)

XenDesktop 7 on

“Avalon”


Editions

XenDesktop 7

VDIEdition

AppEdition

PlatinumEditionEnterprise

Edition

Single FlexCast type Full FlexCast + CloudFull FlexCast RDS / VMHA Only


Exact details being work

Improvements

EdgeSightBuilt-in, easy to use

SmartAccessOPSWAT (endpoint analysis standard)

CloudBridge VPX – new WAN Op enhancements, “Avalon-ready”

Platinum update: App Expansion

Special offers

XenPlayer promo for Platinum (under consideration for XenPlayer TG3)

Transition Windows PwM &SmartAuditor users

(GTM with Citrix Ready partners)

Exclusive features

HDX LocalApp

AppDNA


XenDesktop 7 Feature MatrixPlatinum Enterprise Apps VDI EVAL (time bomb)

FlexCast Dktps/apps, Remote PC, XC Dktps/apps, Remote PC, XC RDS only dktp/apps, VMHA VDI only VDI/RDS only dktp/apps, Remote PC

Advanced Troubleshooting (Director)

Automated Provisioning (MCS)

Enterprise App Store (StoreFront)

Any Device (Receiver)

Personal App Layering (PvD) N/A to RDS

Profile Management (UPM)

Custom Delegated Admin/Config Log No custom D/A -

Mobile Device Experience (Mobility Pack) -

3D graphics (HDX3D/Pro) - -

VoIP Optimization (Lync/VoIP SDK) -

Advanced Image Management (PVS) (also for XA IMA use) - -

Local App Integration (HDX LocalApp) - - - -

EdgeSight Network Inspector - - - -

EdgeSight Performance Management - - - -

WanOp / QoS Management - - - -

Additional product rights XD/XA Platinum XD/XA Enterprise XA Enterprise XD VDI N/A

Blue = EULA enforced


App Edition

• Citrix Studio replaces Delivery Services Console

• No IMA data storeᵒ SQL Server database stores configuration and session informationᵒ MS Access and Oracle not supportedᵒ Terminal Services (RDS) no longer required on servers running the controllerᵒ No more zone masterᵒ High availability needs to be considered

• Delegated Administration

• No Shadow Taskbar

• Sites replace Farms


XenApp features that are not availableFeature Why was it removed? What can I do?Single global XenApp farm support

Trending away from one big farm Merlin for multi-site/farm mgmt

Local host cache Not an enterprise best practice for HA Use SQL Server HA configuration

SmartAuditor Customer req’ts beyond our capabilities GTM with partner, build a “switch kit”

XenApp-ICA Shadowing Feature missing in XA6.5 Director Use MS Remote Assistance – works well

Application Streaming Low adoption, significant cost to update App-V is the industry leader and we provide excellent integration

Web Interface StoreFront is the strategic direction and has improved dramatically

Transition to StoreFront, now supports multiple versions and has near-parity with WI

Web SSO CloudGateway functionality Transition to CloudGateway

Oracle DB support Customers use multiple DB HA solutions; MS SQL is common

Use MS SQL


Notable changes in XenDesktop

Virtual Desktop Agent

Delivery

Quick deploy

Storefront ControllerWeb Interface


XenDesktop core components

User

Controller

Storefront

Virtual Delivery Agents

Database

Connection to Desktops and Apps

Dynamic and Static Site Details

Enumeration of Resources


Typical deployment


What’s new?The breakdown…

• FlexCast Management Architecture (FMA)ᵒ Must be in a domain to deploy a site

• IE: to install the servers, your account must have local administrator privileges • Be Domain Administrator in the Active Directory.Machine

• Catalog Desktop and Applicationsᵒ Desktopsᵒ Applications

• Graphics and 3D Proᵒ HDX 3D Proᵒ Server-rendered Rich Graphics and Videoᵒ Improved Flash Redirection


What’s new? (cont…)

• HDX enhancementsᵒ Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 supportᵒ Desktop composition redirectionᵒ Windows Media client-side content fetchingᵒ Multicast supportᵒ Real-time multimedia transcodingᵒ UDP audio for Windows Server Machinesᵒ Webcam video compression

• Configuration Logging

• New Installer

• Director


What’s new? (cont…)

• Delegated administration

• StoreFront (replaces Web Interface)

• Delivery Controller auto-update

• IPv6 support

• Personal vDisk

• MCS support for KMS activation

• Support for group policies created with Citrix Mobility Pack

• Remote PC Access

• Support for Fast User Switching using RDP connections


Retired features

• Shadowingᵒ MS Remote Assistance via Director is available

• Smart Auditorᵒ Observe-IT

• Application streamingᵒ App-V

• SCOM 2007 management packs


Missing features

• Provisioning Services

• Trust XML requestsᵒ set-BrokerSite -TrustRequestsSentToTheXmlServicePort $true

• XA connector for SCCM

• Application folders

• Session Pre-Launch

• Session Linger

• SSO

• HMR

• Custom ICA files

http://support.citrix.com/static/kc/CTX127254/help/Set-BrokerSite.html

XenDesktop 7 terminologyXenDesktop 7


Terminology – Installation phase

Current Terms PurposeDelivery controller A server-side component responsible for distributing desktops and applications to

users, managing user access through policies, power managing desktops, and reboot cycles for servers.Deprecated Terms: DDC, XD Broker, XA Controller, Data Collector, XML Broker, Legacy Broker (IMA), Flexcast Broker, XenDesktop Controller

Delivery agent The software agent that is installed on the virtual or physical machine (RemotePC) and provides the virtual desktop or application to the user. It enables the machines to register with delivery controllers and manage the HDX connection between the machines and the user devices.Deprecated terms: Virtual desktop agent


Terminology - Installation phase (cont...)

Current Terms PurposeCitrix Studio Management console that allows administrators to create and manage infrastructure

and resources to deliver desktops and applications.Deprecated terms: Desktop Studio

Citrix Director Monitoring console that provides detailed trend and diagnostic information on applications and desktops, and providing a detailed and intuitive overview of Excalibur environments. Support and helpdesk teams can use it to quickly identify and resolve problems affecting users. Administrators can monitor and troubleshoot at the system level with performance, session usage data and configuration changes.Deprecated terms: Desktop Director


Terminology – Infrastructure configuration phase (cont…)

Current Terms PurposeSite The core Excalibur environment consisting of the Delivery Controller and Database.

The closest equivalent in a XenApp deployment is a Zone. Please note that there are some differences, and these should be called out for XenApp administrators. Deprecated terms: Branch, Grid, Production Farm, Design Validation Farm, Pilot FarmXenApp Web Site, XenApp Services Site, Zone

Connection This term refers to the connection between the Delivery Controller and the provider of the resources, the resources are available through a XS Server pool, Hypervisor Management Server vCenter or SCVMM, or a cloud provider AWS or CloudStack Deprecated terms: Virtualization Settings, Host, Host Connection

Resources Compute (in case of vSphere or SCVMM), Storage and networking resources for hosting and delivering applications and desktops. Deprecated terms: Virtualization Settings


Terminology – Infrastructure configuration phase (cont…)

Current Terms PurposeDatabase*•collective name for the three databases: Monitoring Database, Configuration Logging Database,Site Configuration Database

Stores all the configuration, session, logging, and monitoring information for a Site. Deprecated terms: IMA Datastore (XA), FMA Database (XD), Default DatabaseExisting Database, Logging Database, Data Store, Site Database

Machine Physical or virtual machine that’s used to deliver applications and desktops to the end user. It is the machine to which the user connects.Deprecated terms: Session Host, Worker, Server, Workload Machine, Single-session Machines, Multi-session Machines, VDI Machine , RDS Machine, Does Not Replace: Server, Virtual Machine, Physical Machine


Terminology – Resource configuration phase

Current Terms Purpose

Master Image This is an installed instance of server or desktop operating system, including all the applications installed, and the VDA (optional). The master image can be duplicated using a provisioning technology to create machines that can host applications and desktops to end users.Deprecated Terms: Golden Image, Base Image, Master VM, ImageDoes Not Replace: Operating System, Virtual Machine, Image, Template, Snapshot

Machine catalog It is a collection of machines. These machines could have been created from the same master image; the provisioning technology and process must ensure that each machine has a unique identity (in Active Directory and on the Network.) The machine catalog can be used to create applications and desktop for users. Deprecated terms: Assignment, Application Desktop Group, Assignments (Same as Desktop Groups), Pool, Collection, Desktop Catalog, Workload Catalog, Workload, Workload Group, Bundle, Service Offering, Service, Plan, Service Catalog, Silo, Application Silo, Distribution Group, User Group


Terminology – Resource configuration phase (cont…)Current Terms Purpose

Machine Creation Services

A service that runs on Delivery Controller and uses a master image to create a server or desktop machine(s) with a unique identity on the network and in Active Directory. Acronym: MCS

Provisioning Services A service that allows the administrator to create virtual or physical instances of desktop or server machines.Acronym: PVSDeprecated terms: Citrix Provisioning Service

Desktop The instance of an operating system delivered to the end-user’s device and that the end-user interacts with. Deprecated terms: Server (XA), Worker (XA), Machine (XD), Workload Machine, Session hostDoes Not Replace: Operating System, Virtual Machine, Master Image


Terminology – Resource configuration phase (cont…)Current Terms Purpose

Machine Any physical or virtual machine managed by Excalibur.

Deprecated terms: Session Host, Worker, Server, Workload Machine

Does Not Replace: Operating System, Virtual Machine or VM, Master Image


Terminology – Resource assignment phase

Current Terms Purpose

Delivery group The machine or machines used to deliver applications and/or desktops to a specific group of users.Deprecated terms: Desktop Groups

Application The instance of a software application that runs on the end user’s client device or virtual desktop.*Use these terms only when there’s a special need to define the application’s delivery characteristics. Streamed Application, Hosted Application, Client-hosted Application

Policy A feature for controlling connection, security, and bandwidth settings.Deprecated terms: HDX Policy, Citrix Policy

Licensing 11.11.1XenDesktop 7


Licensing models• Sales sells the CCU definition for both XenApp and XenDesktop

BUT…• XenDesktop licenses concurrency differently than XenApp !!!

A XenApp customer can connect to any

number of apps from one endpoint,

consuming one license (CCU)

A XenDesktop customer can connect

to any number of desktops from one endpoint, but will

consume that number of licenses!

(CCD)


Where are we today?

With two “Concurrent” licensing models:

• Customers don’t know why they are consuming more licenses than they expect

• Customers then have to get more licenses and feel cheated

• Citrix Sales teams unintentionally selling customers something they can’t have

• Possible double charging for licenses when using XD and XA togetherᵒ XA uses endpoint ID for license checkout while XD uses virtual desktop ID

Bottom-line: Complicated and confusing


Proposal

• Move to single definition of “Concurrent” based on the XenApp modelᵒ One XenDesktop 7 “concurrent license” will allow unlimited connections to

Apps and Desktops for that endpoint

• 80%+ of existing installed base understand this model

• Simpler licensing model and easier for customers to understand

• Simpler for Citrix to build, monitor and track with no double charging in product

• User/Device licenses unchanged

• No impact to Sales since we don’t actively sell on the difference in concurrency!

• Make the product work to match how we sell it!Bottom-line: Simple and clear


Licensing 11.11.1

• What’s new?ᵒ Citrix Simple License Service

• Enables allocation and installation of license files on a license server using a web page interface

• Connect with the Start menu shortcut or remotely with URLᵒ Citrix Web Services for Licensing

• Replaces the Citrix Licensing Configuration Serviceᵒ IPv6 and IPv4

• Supports pure IPv4, pure IPv6• Dual-stack deployments that use overlapping IPv4 and IPv6 networks


License server requirements

Operating Systems Windows Server 2008 FamilyWindows Server 2008 R2 FamilyWindows Server 2012 FamilyWindows 7, 32-bit and 64-bit editionsWindows 8, 32-bit and 64-bit editions

Disk Space 50 MB for the licensing components2 GB for User/Device licensing

Microsoft .Net Framework Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 is required.

Browsers Internet Explorer Version 8 and 9 in compatibility modeMozilla Firefox Version 14.0 and 15.0Chrome Version 14.0 and 15.0Safari Version 5.1


Managing

• You can use Studio to manage and track licensingᵒ Configuration nodeᵒ Dashboard may be configured with a password

• You must be a full license administrator to carry out the tasks


Known Issues - Windows

• If Citrix Licensing is installed in a clustered environment and Windows Firewall is enabled (the default configuration for Windows 2008), connections can fail

• At the end of installation, the "License Server Configuration" tool is presented. If you choose to cancel on this page, the license server does not start. You must reopen the License Server Configuration tool and finish the settings before the license server can start

• During installation, localized characters in the installation path can cause the installation to fail

• Accept the default installation path

• When configuring the product-side setting for the license server name, do not use localhost.

• You can use the host name, IP address, or FQDN…Citrix recommends you use the FQDN.


Known Issues – Simple License Service

• When you start the Simple License Service from the Start menu shortcut, the Chrome browser might become unresponsiveᵒ Workaround: Type the Simple License Service URL directly into the Chrome browser

• If the License Administration Console is disabled in your XenDesktop installation, only administrators can use the Simple License Service ᵒ Set-LicLACEnabledState PowerShell cmdlet, and then configure the users

• If you configure the Simple License Service with a port that Firefox or Chrome blocks, you must add an exception to the browser settings ᵒ If you start the Simple License Service from the Start menu shortcut and you have the

exception set, Chrome ignores it

• The firewall rule is not removed if you uninstall the Simple License Service after uninstalling the License Server 11.6.1


Known Issues – License files

• Certain license types are not covered by Subscription Advantage and appear in alerts in the Dashboard of the License Administration Console indicating that the Subscription Advantage date is expired ᵒ You can verify the status of any license for which you receive an alert by clicking the

license on the Dashboard

• License Files with multiple lines referencing HOSTNAME= are ignored by the license serverᵒ Licenses in these files cannot be checked outᵒ Error messages include:

• Event ID: 724 Description: (2196) Invalid license key.• Event ID: 764 (2196) Wrong hostid on SERVER line in license file.• License Administration Console displays: "…Error List Returned…Unknown Host."

• CTX110909

http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX110909

ArchitectureXenDesktop 7


XenDesktop 7 architecture


Components


StoreFront

• Included with install media

• StoreFront server must reside in same AD forest as XD deployment

• Multiple StoreFront servers recommended for high availability


Unified components of XenDesktop 7

• Receiver

• StoreFrontᵒ replaces WI

• Citrix Studioᵒ replaces Desktop Studio/App

Center

• Delivery Controller (Broker)

• Server OS Machines

• Server Desktop Machines

• Virtual Delivery Agent(s)


Components


Desktop components


Backend components


Hosted desktops and Apps

Planning a deploymentXenDesktop 7


System requirementsComponent System details Requirements

Delivery Controller Supported OSes: Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Standard/Enterprise)

Disk space: 100 MB; Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1; Microsoft .NET 4.0; Windows PoSH 2.0 or 3.0 ; ASP.NET 2.0 and Internet Information Services (IIS); Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package

Site database Supported SQL Server: SQL Server 2012; SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 (Express/Standard/Enterprise/Datacenter editions)

Studio Supported OSes: Windows 8; Windows 7; Windows Server 2012; Windows Server 2008 R2

Disk space: 75 MB; Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1; Microsoft Management Console 3.0; Windows PowerShell 2.0 or 3.0

Director Supported OSes: Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Standard/Enterprise)

Disk space: 50 MB;Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0; Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) and ASP.NET 2.0; Browsers: Internet Explorer 8 and 9; Firefox 14 and 15


System requirements (cont…)

Component System details RequirementsDelivery Agent (DA) Supported OSes: Windows Desktops

(Windows 8, Windows 7 Enterprise/Professions Editions);Windows Servers (Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Datacenter/Enterprise and Standard Editions)

Host Supported hosts: XS 6.0.2; Vmware vSphere 5.0 (ESXi 5.0 and vCenter 5.0), VMWare vSphere 4.1 Update1; SCVMM 2012 Rollup 1

*Note: No support is provided for vSphere vCenter Linked Mode operation.


Simple Default Configuration


Distributed components configuration


Security - Best Practices

• Update security patches

• Antivirus software

• Firewalls

• Manage user privileges

• Managed vs Unmanaged User devices

• Data storage

Work better. Live better.


Remote PC Access

• Allows end user to log on remotely to physical Windows PC

• VDA enables office PC to register with Delivery Controller ᵒ Manages HDX connectionᵒ Receiver provides access to all apps and data on office PC

• Active Directory accounts required for users prior to configuration

april 9, 2013 project avalon excalibur kimberly ferrie – worldwide support readiness

Documents

excalibur xendesktop

citrix confidential

cloud service

excalibur overview slide

project avalon xendesktop

cloud self service slide

xenapp xendesktop

xendesktop merlin automation