Choosing the Best Application Delivery Option(s) for XenApp and/or XenDesktopJo HarderSenior Architect, Technical Readiness

joharder

http://community.citrix.com/blogs/citrite/joh

Does app installation follow standards?

Does app install into c:\Program Files or other

location?

How will app be delivered?Hosted, streamed, locally

installed?

Special requirements?Printers, database connection, etc.?

User data?Can unique data be stored

in home directory?

App data?

If stored in App Data folder, use folder

redirection

If stored in other location, can it be moved, copied,

or rerouted to folder?

What is the best way to

deliver virtual apps to users?

It depends.

Application Delivery Options

Application Delivery Criteria

3D Apps

Resources

Agenda

Application Delivery Options for XenApp and XenDesktop

Type Description Example

StreamedOnline or offline apps delivered into isolated

environmentsStreamed app to physical

desktop

Hosted VMSingle-user app installed into fully

segregated environmentVM Hosted Apps

Hosted Shared Apps delivered via a shared server XenApp published app or

desktop

Local VMVirtual desktops that can be accessed

offlineXenClient

Streamed VHD Local streamed desktopsLocal desktops streamed via

Provisioning services

Demystifying FlexCast Technologies

Many Options for Delivering Apps to Users

XenApp XenDesktop

•Install on XenApp

•Stream to XenApp

•App-V to XenApp

•Stream to Windows client

•App-V to Windows client

•VM Hosted Apps

•Install on virtual desktop

•Stream to virtual desktop

•App-V to virtual desktop

•Access XenApp from virtual desktop:

• Installed on XenApp

• Streamed to XenApp

• App-V to XenApp

• VM Hosted Apps

User Profile AppsUser

EnvironmentOS

OS

• Which apps are installed? Streamed? VM Hosted Apps?

XenApp: User View of Applications

• Which apps are installed? Streamed? VM Hosted Apps?

• From the user’s perspective, how the app is delivered doesn’t matter . . .• So long as it works efficiently!

XenDesktop: User View of Applications

Installed

Streamed

Installed vs. Streamed Apps

• Isolated applications can be enabled on a XenApp server or Windows virtual/physical desktop• What is in the isolated environment?

• Windows, System32, Program Files, Registry and everything needed to run an app normally

I'm a current XenApp customer, and I've

been using hosted apps for years. Why

should I consider application streaming?

• Install on XenApp and present as published apps or published desktops… same way you’ve been doing it for years!

• And now can be administered via XenApp Connector for System Center Configuration Manager

• Embed within virtual desktop

Installed on XenApp or XenDesktop

Best Practices•Ascertain application compatibility/sociability

•Install apps via an automated method, not manually

XenApp or XenDesktop Installed Applications

Pros Cons

•Easy, familiar process for administrators

•Installed into operating system and/or vDisk

•Apps without MSI or EXE can be installed

•Potential app conflicts

•App may not be multi-user aware

•Testing may be required

• Creates an isolated environment within:• XenApp server

• Windows client

• Virtual desktop

• Physical device

Streamed Apps: Citrix or App-V

Best Practices•Pre-cache applications for faster startup (RadeDeploy)

•Enable dual mode streaming so that the app can be delivered

as a hosted app if the Windows client delivery fails

XenApp or Windows Desktop Streamed Applications

Pros Cons

•No app conflicts

•Can segregate base OS and customize with isolated apps

•Additional effort and resources to profile/sequence apps

• Not all apps can be profiled/sequenced

•Fetched and installed into isolated environment on first request unless pre-cached

•Additional bandwidth and/or extra distribution points compared to hosted

Windows desktop is virtual or physical

Default corporate users

• Windows 7

• Apps:

• MicrosoftOffice

• SAP

• Internet Explorer

Customer care call center

• Windows XP

• Apps:

• ERP (based on IE6)

• CRM

Finance

• Windows XP

• Apps:

• Microsoft Office

• SAP

• ERP (based on IE6)

• Internet Explorer

Manufacturing employees

• Windows XP

• Apps:

• ERP (based on IE6)

Example of Base OS + Apps

Stream Apps Don’t Stream Apps

Heavy network impact

App startup or performance is unacceptable

App cannot be profiled/sequenced

Application conflicts

Multiple versions of an app

Base OS; no apps

How to Deliver Apps?

• Create profile or sequence based on same operating system as the target device• Dissimilar operating systems may work

• Consider space on target devices• Minimize application options if space on target devices unknown

• Profiling/sequencing problems may relate to runtime such as .NET Framework version• Pre-load runtime on profiler/sequencer and target machine

Tips for Profiling/Sequencing Apps

VM Hosted Apps

XenApp Hosted VM Hosted

• XenApp adds app

delivery via Windows

client OS

•One application published

•Can be a consolidation of

multiple apps

•Can contact helper apps

VM Hosted Apps

• Application runs in workstation virtual machine (Windows XP/Vista/7)

• Uses XenDesktop infrastructure to host a single app• Sample use case: resource-intensive app only supported on workstation

• Appears as a XenApp application and based upon XenApp Enterprise/Platinum licensing

VM Hosted Apps Architecture

Connection BrokerDesktop Delivery

Controller

XenApp Web or

Services Site

Account AuthorityUser accounts,

Citrix Licensing

(XenApp)

Enterprise DatabaseVDA

Enterprise StorageImages and vDisksXenDesktop Infrastructure

Hosted apps on virtual PC’s

and blades

Application Delivery Criteria

• Is the app based on a standard MSI or EXE?

• Does the app install follow Microsoft standards, including installation location?Packaging• Where is the backend data repository?

• Are communications with the data resource bursty and/or intensive?Backend Data• Are CPU or memory heavily utilized?

• Are resource requirements consistent or bursty?Resources

• Are there limitations or support requirements based on operating system?Operating System

• What is legal within the boundaries of Microsoft, Citrix, and application vendor licensing?Licensing• How many users require this app? Are they task-based, power users, or light users?

• Do users require access to the application when offline?Usage• Where are user settings and data saved, including home directory and user profile?

• Does the app have any unique requirements that impact the user profile?User Data• How does the user expect the app to perform?

• Has the user experience been validated?User Experience

Application Decision Criteria: Questions to Ask

• Most apps . . . • Install into C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86)

• Some apps install into C:\WINNT\System32 or elsewhere

• Can be packaged as MSI or EXE

• Some apps that deviate• Older apps

• Internally-developed apps

• Potential problems for non-standard apps• App compatibility/sociability

• Isolation packaging

Installation Package

• Locate XenApp/XenDesktop apps physically and logically near backend data resources for responsiveness

• Application data fetches across a WAN link may be latent• Consider Branch Repeater

Backend Data

Does not include application licensing

Citrix and Microsoft Licensing

App Delivery Option Citrix Product/Edition Microsoft Licensing*

Host on XenApp XenApp (all) or XenDesktop (E/P) OS, TS/RDS

Stream to XenApp XenApp (all) or XenDesktop (E/P) OS, TS/RDS

App-V to RDS (XenApp) XenApp (all) or XenDesktop (E/P) OS, TS/RDS

Stream to Windows client XenApp (all) OS

App-V to Windows client XenApp (all) OS, MDOP

VM Hosted Apps XenApp (E/P) OS, TS/RDS, (SA or VDA)

Embed in XenDesktop XenDesktop (all) OS, (SA or VDA)

Streamed to XenDesktop XenDesktop (E/P) OS, (SA or VDA)

App-V to XenDesktop XenDesktop (E/P)** OS, MDOP, (SA or VDA)

Hosted on XenApp accessed via virtual desktop XenDesktop (E/P) OS, TS/RDS, (SA or VDA)

Streamed to XenApp accessed via virtual desktop XenDesktop (E/P) OS, TS/RDS, (SA or VDA)

App-V to XenApp accessed via virtual desktop XenDesktop (E/P) OS, TS/RDS, (SA or VDA)

OS = Operating System

TS/RDS = Terminal Services/Remote

Desktop Services Client Access License

MDOP = Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack

SA = Software Assurance (Windows client)

VDA = Virtual Desktop Access (non-Windows)

*Licensing requirements effective July 1, 2010; please contact your Microsoft representative for more details.

• Good candidate for user desktop-based streaming• No testing!

• No requirements to incorporate patches/updates that impact greater user community

• Ensure redundancy• Enable dual-mode streaming and consider isolating

on at least two XenApp servers

That One Last Solitary App That Lives On

User Settings

User Data

User Profile

Impact on User Profiles and Folder Redirection

Settings from

HK Current User such as

left/right mouse setting

Data such as AppData

folder contents

User personalization

settings

Can be redirected to network-

based folders

• User profile is loaded on each XenApp or XenDesktop resource as part of user logon

• Logon is slow?• Redirect folders such as AppData, Documents, etc., so that

folder data is not loaded with profile, resulting in faster user profile load

• App makes frequent calls to AppData folder?• Don’t redirect AppData folder in particular because it will generate

frequent calls to redirected folder repository during user session

• Each data fetch makes the app appear slow

What If . . . ?

• User needs to access only one resource concurrently?• Any profile solution should suffice

• User needs to access multiple resources concurrently?• Roaming profile should not be used because of last writer wins issues

• Mandatory profiles, Citrix Profile management, and/or third-party solutions such as AppSense, LiquidWare, or Tricerat should be considered

What If . . . ?

• Test or use third-party tool to identify issues that impact the user profile• Example: App-DNA

• When testing app, review calls from XenApp or XenDesktop to folder data • Use tool such as Process Monitor from

SysInternals: http://technet.microsoft.com/sysinternals

How to Determine Best Solution

• User is frustrated if:• App launch or performance is slow

• App functionality differs

• Example: Eric’s administrator enables offline

access to Citrix streamed apps

Each app is profiled separately

Inter-isolation communication (IIC) is not used

Apps are not pre-cached

User Experience: Isolated Apps

Special Requirements

• All applications are NOT created equal, and neither are their users

• Some have special printing needs, some have special hardware modules

• Can I have my 3D applications? What about my creative type applications? What about rendering?• Example: AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Inventor, Autodesk 3Ds, ESRI

ArcGIS, CaseMap, Primavera, Adobe Creative Suite

What About My Fussy Applications? Special Needs?

• RichGraphics• Optimize the performance of graphics-intensive 2D and 3D and media-rich apps, including Microsoft

RemoteFX

• MediaStream• Deliver rich local-like Flash and MediaPlayer audio and video content

• Plug ‘n Play• Simple access to peripherals such as scanners, USB devices, special printers, or smart cards

• Broadcast• Optimize ICA protocol via compression, caching/supercache, session reliability

• WAN Optimization• Optimize performance by compressing, caching, and prioritizing traffic

• RealTime• Bi-directional audio, Office Communicator, and VoIP support

HDX Technologies

• Enterprise adopts Office Communicator as a standard

• Administrator offers app through Dazzle

• Users collaborate using instant messaging and voice chat

• XenDesktop 4 adds webcam support via isochronous USB remoting

Example: Microsoft Office Communicator

• Single sign-on (Password Manager)• Does the app follow standards and/or can password fields

be identified?

• CPU/Memory Optimization (XenApp only)• Does the app function with CPU and/or Memory Optimization?

• SmartAuditor (XenApp only)• If application selected as the criteria, is it the only or first app opened?

Impact on Enterprise/Platinum Components

Presenting the Applications

• Published apps or published desktop

• Published desktop or virtual desktop

• XenApp Web or XenApp Services site• Also requires respective Citrix Online plug-in

• Access XenApp-based apps via physical workstation or virtual desktop

• Dazzle

Options for Presenting Apps

• Web Interface can present applications, desktops, and content together• Will users be confused by multiple

resources?

• XenApp resources can be presented through XenDesktop

XenApp + XenDesktop

Published Desktop vs. Virtual DesktopWindows Server 2008 R2 Session Virtualization

- - With Desktop Experience enabledWindows 7 Desktop or Virtual Desktop (VDI)

Operating System

One

Operating System

Two

• Use GPOs to lockdown:• Registry editor

• Command prompt

• TSSHUTDOWN

• Administrative Tools

• Many Control Panel settings

• Internet browser settings

• Access to unnecessary locationssuch as Event Log

• To test: Log on with a user account and act like a malicious user

Published Desktop Suggested Lockdowns

• Probably disallow• Application installation

• Driver installation

• Script execution

• Self-service app storefront• Allows the user to select needed apps

• Requires Citrix Merchandising Server and Citrix Receiver• Merchandising Server: Virtual machine

that houses and manages plug-ins

• Citrix Receiver plug-in for Dazzle: Enables app store

Dazzle

3D Use Case and Apps

• Licensed based on single-user workstation• May or may not even work in a multi-user environment

• XenApp Platinum licensing

• Microsoft SA licensing

• Probable solution: VM Hosted Apps based on:• Blade PCs equipped with dual CPUs, abundant RAM,

and powerful graphics card

• Compliance with app, Citrix, and Microsoft licensing requirements

Scenario: 3D-Based Application

• Consider PC Blades for VM Hosted Apps or XenDesktop

• Provides a single user instance on each blade• Minimize engineering workstation requirements

• Use HDX SmartRendering Bandwidth to check endpoint for resources (CTX124777)

• Use HDX 3D for Professional Graphics for apps that demand the power of a GPU for hardware acceleration

• For 3D cards, use video cards that are nVidiaCUDA enabled is suggested

3D-Based Apps Such as AutoCad, ArcGIS, Pro-E

• For top-end graphics rendering, use multiple nVidiaprocessing cores • Compression based upon bandwidth

• HDX 3D can leverage 96 or more CUDA cores

• Capable of DirectX/Direct3D or OpenGL

ArcGIS, AutoCAD and 3D Apps Considerations

• Components of this application require high color • Higher than 16-bit in Illustrator or Photoshop

• HDX RichGraphics feature within ICA allows for rendering of images and changes

• Creative Suite can be installed on the virtual desktop image or on XenApp

• Although Creative Suite is supported on Windows XP, Vista, or 7, customers have installed on Windows Server 2003/2008

Application Example: Adobe Creative Suite

Resources

Standalone

• OS compatibility

• Data calls

• Resource requirements

• Peripherals

• Multi-user (XenApp)

Sociability

• Compatibility with other apps (hosted or streamed)

• Resource / peripheral sharing

Pre-Production

• Expert users

• Impact on data (profiles, user, backend)

• Scalability

• Network impact

Testing Process—Always in a Test Farm!

• Citrix tools that may be helpful:• EdgeSight and EdgeSight for Load Testing

• Citrix Ready site, including Community Verified

• http://www.citrix.com/TryXenApp

Testing in Your Own Environment

• Automates pre-migration application testing and intelligently remediates compatibility issues• XenApp hosted

• Citrix streaming

• App-V

• 64-bit

• Windows 7

• Best in Show and Process Improvement at Synergy 2010

App-DNA AppTitude

• Package Templates• Part of visionapp Server Manager

• A collection of more than 2,500 certified package templates for applications, hot fixes and service packs

• Include optimizations for multi-user Windows environments

• Automates application installation and configuration

visionapp

• White paper CTX125515: Technical Guide to Application Delivery Options for XenApp and/or XenDesktop

• http//:www.citrix.com/xenappResources and Support White Papers: Citrix XenApp on Microsoft Remote Desktop Services: Feature Analysis

• TechTalk: Solving User Profile Challenges for XenApp and/or XenDesktop on Thursday, June 17th: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/137385697

• TechTalk: Designing a Virtual Desktop Solution for 20,000 Concurrent Users on Friday, June 18th: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/288785985

Resources

• Citrix offers many options for app delivery

• Make an informed decision regarding which option is best for your unique set of apps and environment

• Test to the extent possible/necessary• Especially when evaluating hundreds of apps, consider use of third-party products

• Ensure that the user experience is optimal

Summary

Delivery Network