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Introduction
So, you have heard by now the term Cloud. If you have not your head must be up in one. So, Citrix Cloud, what is it all about? There are plenty of articles and videos explaining this.
https://youtu.be/QywoWo9fDgY http://docs.citrix.com/en-us/citrix-cloud/overview/about.html or check out - https://www.citrix.com/products/citrix-cloud/ for more information.
What I will do is list some, not all advantages of Citrix Cloud and then get right into a superb offering (Xenapp and Xendesktop Service) by those women and men at Citrix and show the simplicity of migrating to the cloud. Reduced costs and footprint No SQL server or licensing cost Costs of running servers reduced Power costs reduced More Floor space More Storage space IT Operations simplified Less network and storage infrastructure required Server procurement Always on latest technology Automatic upgrades Select services Easily grow consumption Easily decrease consumption Most up to date technology Familiar administration Smart Tools Ongoing health checks
Now you have considered the advantages and watched the videos and read the links above, I will show you the simplicity of transitioning your local site in to the cloud. This is the first of many articles I will write on the Cloud. Part 1 - Hooking up to the Citrix Cloud Part 2 – Managing the Xenapp and Xendesktop Service Part 3 – Smart Check Part 4 – Smart Scale
Part 1 -Hooking up to the Cloud
Once you have your cloud subscription details - https://onboarding.cloud.com/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=citrix.com&utm_campaign=cwc-citrix.com%20-%20wwwb0515cwc_testdrive_promo and you have logged in you should create a resource Location. https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/citrix-cloud/overview/about/what-are-resource-locations.html
Now download software called a connector. It does what it says on the tin. Connects your environment (Resource location) to the Citrix Cloud.
Connector Installs
You should connect to the Citrix Cloud on a 2012r2 machine minimum that you have designated for this role. The machine should have TCP 443 outbound access and internet connectivity. Within your Resource location navigate to download your Connector software.
Save the file and run.
Once install procedure begins you will be asked to sign in to your Citrix Cloud using credentials.
The connector will continue with the install.
From here you can choose the subscription that you have set up. NOTE (Partners can manage multiple subscriptions).
The connector will continue with the install.
All being well your connectivity tests should prove successful.
Do a refresh and you should now see your site in your resource location within Citrix Cloud.
You can now check within Identity and Access Management if your domain is present.I can now see my domain as a resource within the Citrix Cloud.
If you head back to your resource location (click tab in left corner next to the words “Citrix Cloud” and choose Resource Locations), Citrix kindly reminds you of some best practice.You should proceed with the second connector install on a second machine designated for the role! Once you have done this your environment is connected to the citrix cloud.
What does this mean? Well now you have SQL, Delivery Controllers, Studio, Director, Licensing, Provisioning capability moved off your site to the Citrix Cloud with minimal effort. Yes, there is an immediate reduced footprint in your resource location. Your AD environment is now accessible so the fun stuff of managing, maintaining and provisioning workloads can begin! In part 2 (http://wp.me/p8leEE-6z) I will move on to managing the Xenapp and Xendesktop Service.