xs - 5.0 - xabettertogether - implementation guide

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XenServer and XenApp - Better TogetherStep-by-step guide for integrating Essentials for XenServer with XenApp

Citrix Consulting

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Contents

Overview ..................................................................................................... 1

Phase I: Reference System Creation .......................................................... 2

Provisioning Services Configuration ................................................................................................ 2

Active Directory Integration ................................................................................................. 2 Device Collection ................................................................................................................ 4

Image Preparation ............................................................................................................................ 5

Setup Provisioning Services vDisk ..................................................................................... 5

Update Server Boot Preferences ........................................................................................ 8

Install Provisioning Services Tools ..................................................................................... 9

Install XenApp Prep .......................................................................................................... 12

Image Build .................................................................................................................................... 14

Virtual Disk Finalization ..................................................................................................... 17

Phase II: System Delivery ......................................................................... 20 Virtual Machine Creation ................................................................................................................ 20

Provisioning Services Target Device Creation .............................................................................. 23

Integrate Active Directory ............................................................................................................... 25

Implement ................................................................................................. 26

Phase III: Maintenance ............................................................................. 27

New Virtual Disk Creation .............................................................................................................. 27

New vDisk Modification .................................................................................................................. 32

vDisk Automatic Update ................................................................................................................. 32

Virtual Disk Changes Integration ................................................................................................... 35

Revision History ........................................................................................ 36



1

OverviewOne of the greatest opportunities of Essentials for XenServer when integrated with XenApp is thepossibility of having a single server image for all XenApp servers. The administrative gains of having anenvironment similar to this are extreme as maintenance and management of a single image is much

easier than managing hundreds of images. Plus, having a single image for all XenApp servers greatlyreduces storage requirements for the XenApp farm.

This Implementation Guide demonstrates how to utilize a XenServer environment and allow for theprovisioning of XenApp servers all within the same XenApp farm. The provisioning of a virtualizedXenApp environment incorporates two distinct build phases with a trailing maintenance phase:

Phase I: Reference System Creation

Phase II: System Delivery

Phase III: Maintenance



2

Phase I: Reference System CreationThe initial goal for the integration of Essentials for XenServer with XenApp is to create a base XenAppimage. With proper configuration, this base XenApp image can host different sets of applications, whenXenApp Application streaming is applied to specific servers. Phase I of the implementation guide focuses

on properly configuring the components to allow for the streaming of a XenApp server to XenServerinfrastructure. This section focuses on:

Provisioning Services Configuration

Virtual Disk Preparation

Virtual Disk Creation

Virtual Disk Finalization

Provisioning Services ConfigurationIn order to effectively utilize Provisioning Services, a few configuration settings must be applied to theenvironment. These changes include:

Active Directory IntegrationDevice Collections

Active Directory IntegrationActive Directory Integration

Screenshot DescriptionWithin the Provisioning Services Console

Navigate to Farm – Site – SiteName – Servers

Right-click the server and select Properties



3

Active Directory IntegrationScreenshot Description

Within the Server Properties screen

Select the Options tab

Select Check for new versions of a vDisk

Select Enable automatic password support

Note: Verify that the corresponding Active Directory policy is set. This policy is located here: ComputerConfiguration > Windows Settings > SecuritySettings > Local Policies > Security Options ,enable Domain member: Disable machineaccount password changes by clicking Enable .

On an Active Directory controller, or in the localserver policy, the machine account passwordchanges must be disabled because ProvisioningServices will manage this responsibility. This policyshould be set only on the OU containingProvisioning Services target devices. The policyDomain member: Disable machine accountpassword changes is located here: ComputerConfiguration > Windows Settings > SecuritySettings > Local Policies > Security Options



4

Device Collection

As a general practice, it is recommended to group all similar Provisioning Services target deviceswithin a Device Collections. This section shows how to create a collection.

Device CollectionScreenshot Description

1 Within the Provisioning Services Console

Navigate to Farm – Site – SiteName – DeviceCollections

Right-click Device Collections and selectCreate Device Collection

Within the Device Collection Properties screen

Enter in a name for the collection: XenApp 5 – Office Servers

Select OK



5

Image Preparation

Setup Provisioning Services vDisk

The XenApp server must be captured within a streaming file (vDisk) that can be distributed to anynumber of physical or virtual hosts. The following process creates a blank vDisk for the incomingimage.

Setup Provisioning Services vDiskScreenshot Description

1 On the Provisioning Services Server, launch theProvisioning Services Console .

Select Sites – SiteName – vDisk Pool

Select Action – Create vDisk

The Create vDisk window will appear.

Enter a Filename: XenApp 5 – Office (Rev 1)

Enter in a Description: XenApp 5 imageconsisting of Windows 2008, XenApp 5 andthe Office application set .

Select the appropriate size of the vDisk. Itmust be large enough to encompass the entirevirtual server disk

Select VHD format: Dynamic

Select Create vDisk



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The virtual disk is being allocated. This process cantake a few minutes.

Once the wizard completes, the new vDisk willappear within the console.

Select the vDisk

Select Action - Properties

Within the vDisk Properties windowSelect Edit file properties



7


Within the vDisk File Properties window

Select the General tab

Set the Class: XenApp 5 – Office

Note: The Class setting will be used as part of the maintenance procedure detailed in a later section.


Select the Mode tab

Set Access Mode to Private Image

Select OK

The Private Image mode allows changes to bemade to the vDisk. As we need to populate thevDisk with the XenApp server image, we need toallow changes.



8

Update Server Boot Preferences

The XenApp server’s boot preferences must be set to do a network boot. This is done within the BIOSsettings of the physical server or defined within the virtual machines startup sequence configuration.The steps that follow show how to do this for XenApp servers virtualized with XenServer. Once theserver has been set for a network boot, the XenApp server should be restarted.

Update Server Boot ProcessScreenshot Description

Within the XenCenter console

Select the XenApp server virtual machine

With the General tab highlighted, selectProperties

In the virtual machine Properties screen

Select the Startup Options tab

Move Network to the top of the list

Select OK



9

Install Provisioning Services Tools

When the XenApp server restarts, the Provisioning Services Target Device software must be installed.The target device software allows the XenApp server to connect to the vDisk, which allows for theimaging of the XenApp server.

Virtual Disk CreationScreenshot DescriptionOn the XenApp server, insert the ProvisioningServices installation media and select InstallTarget Device for 64 bit Platform .

Note: The appropriate bit-level should be selected.

On the Welcome screen

Select Next



10

Virtual Disk CreationScreenshot Description

On the License Agreement screen

Select I accept the terms in the licenseagreement

Select Next

On the Customer Information screen

Enter in valid information

Select Next

On the Destination Folder screen

Leave the default location and select Next



11

Virtual Disk CreationScreenshot Description

On the Ready to Install screen

Select Install

On the Complete screen

Select Finish

On the Reboot screen

Select Yes

When the server restarts, the Provisioning Servicesagent will automatically start and be located in thesystem tray. Verify the icon says Active . Thisshows that the XenApp server has a connection tothe Provisioning Services and the conf igured vDisk.



12

Install XenApp Prep

Because each XenApp server must have a unique identity within the XenApp farm, the base XenAppinstall must be prepared before a Provisioning Services build is started. This section shows thepreparation of a XenApp server with the XenApp Prep utility.


Obtain the XenApp Prep Tool fromhttp://support.citrix.com/article/ctx116063 . With thefile uncompressed, launch the XenAppPrep installer.

On the XenAppPrep Welcome screen, select Next

http://support.citrix.com/article/ctx116063





13


On the License Agreement screen

Select I accept the terms in the LicenseAgreement

Select Next

On the Destination Folder screenChange the path or leave the default

Select Next

On the Install screen

Select Install



14


On the Completion screen

Select Finish

Launch a command prompt and navigate to:C:\Program Files\Citrix\XenAppPrep

Execute the command: XenAppPrep /PVS

Do NOT reboot

The tool will prepare the system for cloning, whichinvolves shutting down certain services andupdating critical registry keys. For a complete list ofchanges, please refer to the guide included with theXenAppPrep installation.

Image BuildWith the XenApp server linked to a blank vDisk and the server prepped for XenApp provisioning withProvisioning Services, it is now time to create an image. The following process takes the XenAppserver and synchronizes the hard disk to the vDisk.

Build ImageScreenshot Description

Launch Disk Management

A new disk should be visible with a red markon it. Select the disk and select Online

If asked to format the drive now, select No

Close the Disk Management utility

With the XenApp server linked to a blank vDisk andthe server prepped for XenApp provisioning withProvisioning Services, it is now time to create animage. The following process will take the XenAppserver and synchronize the hard disk to the vDisk.



15


Open Explorer and select the new disk

Right-click and select Format

Set the format for Quick Format

Select Start

Select OK when the format is complete

Launch the Device Image Builder tool fromthe Start Menu

Verify the Destination Drive is the newlyformatted drive

Select Optimize



16


Verify all options are enable

Select OK

Select Build

After verifying the drives are correct, selectYes

The XenApp server’s system partition will be copiedto the Provisioning Services vDisk.When the server reboots, the vDisk has beenpopulated with the XenApp server.



17

Virtual Disk Finalization

Once a XenApp image captured within the vDisk, the configuration for the vDisk must be changed intoa standard image mode, which allows vDisk streaming to multiple target devices

Virtual Disk FinalizationScreenshot Description

Within the Provisioning Services consoleSelect the appropriate vDisk within he vDiskPool

Select Action – Properties

Within the vDisk Properties window

Select Edit file properties



18



Verify the class is set as: Office 5 – Office

Select the Mode tab


Set Access Mode to Standard Image

Select the Enable automatic updates forthis vDisk



19



Select the Active Directory machineaccount password management



20

Phase II: System DeliveryOnce the base XenApp image is created within the Provisioning Services system, the XenServer andProvisioning Services server must be configured to deliver the vDisk to numerous virtual servers. Thisprocess includes the following steps:

Virtual Machine Creation

Provisioning Services Target Device Creation

Virtual Machine Creation

Virtual Machine CreationScreenshot Description

Within XenCenter, select the Resource Pool

Select Server -> New VM

Go through the entire wizard as before and select:

Operating System: Citrix XenApp

Name: XA5-CoreApps1 Installation Media: Physical DVD drive

Location : Automatically select a homeserver with available resources

Number of vCPUs: 2

Initial Memory: 2048

Virtual Disks: Default

Virtual Network: Default

Start VM Automatically: No



21


When the new VM wizard is complete

Select the newly created VM

Select Properties


Select the Startup Options tab

Move Network to the top of the list

Select OK


Select the Optimizations tab

Verify Optimize for Citrix XenApp is selected

Select OK



22


With the virtual machine still selected

Select the Storage tab

Delete the attached storage

Select the Network tab

Make note of the virtual machine’s MACAddress

To quickly replicate the virtual machine, do thefollowing:

Right-click the virtual machine to copy, andselect Copy VM

On the Copy Virtual Machine windowo Enter a name for the new virtual

machineo Select Fast Clone o Select Copy

Make note of the virtual machine’s MACaddress.



23

Provisioning Services Target Device CreationIn order for the image to be streamed to the physical or virtual XenApp servers, the devices must bedefined within the Provisioning Services Console and added into Active Directory. The following showshow this process is completed.

Provisioning Services Target Device CreationScreenshot Description

Within the Provisioning Services console

Select the XenApp 5 – Office Serverscollection

Select Action – Create Device

Within the Create Device window

Enter in a name: XA5-Office0001

Enter in a description

Enter in a MAC Address: This address shouldbe the same MAC address for the newlycreated XenApp virtual server

Select OK

Select the newly created target device

Select Action – Properties



24


On the Properties tab

Select Boot from: vDisk

Set the Class: XenApp 5 - Office

Selection vDisks tab

On the vDisks tab

Select Add



25


Select the appropriate vDisk: XenAppStore\XenApp5-Base (Rev 1)

Select OK

Select OK

Repeat this process for the remaining XenAppservers.

Integrate Active DirectoryThe Provisioning Services target devices must be members of Active Directory in order for domainaccounts to work correctly. Provisioning Services manages the machine accounts/passwordsautomatically by following these steps.

Integrate Active DirectoryScreenshot Description

Within the Provisioning Services Console

Select the new Target DeviceSelect Action – Active Directory – CreateMachine Account



26

Integrate Active DirectoryScreenshot Description

In the Create Machine Accounts screen

Select the correct domain

Enter in a valid organizational unit in which toplace the new account

Select Create Account When a success is shown, select Close

ImplementAs each target device is created, the physical or virtual server can be activated, which will

Receive a stream from Provisioning Services

Boot the Operating System

XenApp farm integration o If it is the server’s first boot, the XenApp Integration Utility will automatically add the

server into the XenApp farm.

o If it is the server’s second+ boot, the XenApp server will obtain its role within the XenAppfarm from the data store.



27

Phase III: MaintenanceDelivering XenApp servers is one aspect of a complete XenApp solution; however, maintaining theXenApp servers is the second aspect, which is critical. Being able to keep the XenApp servers in syncwith the latest hot fixes and security patches is paramount to the stability and security of the environment.

This section shows how to modify the base XenApp image and to have all XenApp servers start using thenew image upon next reboot without requiring extensive modifications to the environment. This processis broken down into the following:

New vDisk Creation

New vDisk Modification

Automatic vDisk Updates

A few environment settings have already been made, including:

Enable automatic updates on the vDisk and within Provisioning Services

Setting Class identification on the vDisk and on the target devices

New Virtual Disk CreationA new vDisk should be created from the current vDisk. This allows for a phased update approachwhere the old version is used until a new version is ready for release.

New Virtual Disk CreationScreenshot Description

On the Provisioning Services server

Launch Explorer and navigate to the location ofthe base virtual desktop image

Make a copy of the XenApp5-Base (Rev 1) image and rename it to XenApp5-Base (Rev 2)



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Within the Provisioning Services console, selectvDisk Pool

Select Properties – Add Existing vDisks

In the Add Existing vDisks screen

Verify the Store to search is setVerify the server to search on is set

Select Search

Select the appropriate vDisk

Select Add

Select Close



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Select the newly added virtual disk


On the Disk Properties screen

Select Edit File Properties



30


On the vDisk File Properties screen

Select the Mode tab

Change the Access Mode to Private Image

Verify the Enable automatic updates for this

vDisk is selectedSelect Ok


Select the Template target device: XA5-OfficeBase




31


Within the Target Device Properties screen

Remove the current vDisk

Select Add

Add the new vDisk (Rev2)



32

New vDisk ModificationUsing the newly created virtual disk, which is running in private mode, allows changes to be saved intothe virtual disk for propagation to the other target devices. Start the appropriate XenApp server andmake the necessary system changes.

Note : These changes should first be tested in the test environment

vDisk Automatic UpdateWith the vDisk changes complete, the target devices must be set to utilize the latest image. Thefollowing steps outline the process.

Virtual Disk ModificationScreenshot Description


Select Site – SiteName – vDisk Pool

Select the new vDisk (Rev2)




33


Within the vDisk Properties screen:

Select Edit file properties

On the vDisk File Properties screen

Verify the Class is set to XenApp 5 – Office

Select the Mode tab



34


Set the Access Mode: Standard Image

Select: Enable automatic updates for thisvDisk

Select Identification tab

Increment the Build number by 1

Select OK



35

Virtual Disk Changes IntegrationVirtual Disk Changes Integration

Screenshot DescriptionRight-click the Provisioning Services server andselect Check For Updates -> Automatic

A window will appear informing you that anupdate check is occurring. Select OK.

Provisioning Services will look at all target devicesClass field to see if they match the base and updatedvDisks. In situations where they do, ProvisioningServices will change the target device’s assignedvirtual disk to the virtual disk with the greatest buildnumber.Upon each target devices next reboot, they will beutilizing the latest virtual disk image. As new changesare added to the base build, the steps outlined in thissection should be followed.



36

Revision HistoryRevision Change Description Updated By Date0.1 Document created Daniel Feller – Sr. Architect April 8, 20081.0 Document finalized Daniel Feller – Sr. Architect April 25, 20081.1 Documented updated for

Provisioning Services 5.0 SP1,XenServer 5.0 and XenApp 5.0

Daniel Feller – Sr. Architect April 3, 2009



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About Citrix

Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS) is the global leader and the most trusted name in application deliveryinfrastructure. More than 215,000 organizations worldwide rely on Citrix to deliver any application to users anywherewith the best performance, highest security and lowest cost. Citrix customers include 100% of the Fortune 100companies and 99% of the Fortune Global 500, as well as hundreds of thousands of small businesses andprosumers. Citrix has approximately 8,000 channel and alliance partners in more than 100 countries. Annualrevenue in 2008 was 1.6 billion.

©2009 Citrix Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Citrix®, Citrix XenApp™, Citrix XenServer™ are trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. a nd/or one ormore of Its subsidiaries, and may be registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and In other countries. Microsoft® and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. UNIX® is a registered trademark of The Open Groupin the United States and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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