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Part 2 – Managing THE XENAPP/XENDESKTOP SERVICE
Introduction
In part 1 (http://wp.me/p8leEE-6d) we showed how easy it is to set up an on-premise environment to the Citrix Cloud. In this part, we will show you how to manage your users and images using the Citrix Cloud Xenapp and Xendesktop Service Management. I think you will find it somewhat familiar. A few of the screenshots already have infrastructure applied so we are adding additional Catalog and Delivery Groups.
Navigate to the Xenapp and Xendesktop Service within the Citrix Cloud subscription.
Click on Manage and Service Creation.
Look familiar?
Now the first thing we should do is create a zone and add your hosting infrastructure to the Cloud environment. Create a zone and add your connector within the zone.
Next we need to add the hosting infrastructure. In my example I have added my local Xenserver Resources.
I am choosing local Xenserver storage.
Next screen you choose the network resources you are connecting to.
Click Finish.
My CitXen environment is now shown in the Studio console.
Machine Catalog
Next we need to create a Machine Catalog.In my example I am choosing a Xenapp O/S deployment.
I have chosen the deployment method as MCS and my resources will be allocated to the CitXen Zone.
I have chosen my MCS snapshot image with my apps installed and selected the minimum functional level.
I am deploying out one machine from this image.
Next I choose the domain and active directory OU location for my computer accounts.
I then choose the naming scheme for the machines I am deploying: CWCXA##
Input your administrative credentials.
Choose Machine Catalog Name and description
Click Finish
I can see my machine being provisioned via MCS on to my local Xenserver host.
My Machine Catalog is now visible in the console.
Next we need to create a Delivery group to assign users to this Catalog.
Delivery Group
I have chosen the Machine Catalog just created.
NOTE: This next screen shot is only an option in Cloud deployments. The option I have chosen here lets Citrix Cloud manage my Workspace's. “Leave user management to Citrix Cloud” Workspace's are now known as Library’s. A library is an offering that you can assign to users. (My delivery group will be offered up as a resource for users to use)
Continue through Delivery Group wizard and finish the Delivery Group and navigate to the Library node.
Library Offerings
You can now see your Offerings in the library (Basically your Delivery Groups with no assigned users…yet!)
Click on the 3 dot dial button and then Manage Subscribers.
Here you can choose the users who will have access to your delivery group resource. Choose your domain and users to add.
Domain users is already added in my example.
Now you can see a number next to the Delivery Group offering indicating AD membership has been added.
Connectivity
Once you have added your resources to the cloud, created your Machine Catalog, created your Delivery Group offerings you can now get your apps and desktops. Click the Xenapp and Xendesktop Service –Navigate to the Manage tab and choose Service Delivery. It is here you can see the URL for connectivity. In my example we have Storefront and Netscaler Gateway services in the cloud. I will explain in a later blog why I prefer the on premise Storefront and Netscaler. Briefly the reason why is because features like two factor authentication and any other ADC feature other than Gateway is not available in the Citrix Cloud. You also need to think about having Storefront within the resource location for connectivity to the environment if your ISP provider decides not to play nice one day. Use the URL to access the environment (internal/External).
Log in and reap the rewards of a wonderful, Simple Cloud solution.
My desktop launches with all my applied GPO policies, UPM profile best practices, mapped drives and custom settings.
GPO User restrictions shown limiting control panel visibility.
My active session can be viewed and managed in the Citrix Cloud Xenapp and Xendesktop Service.
Here you can see the initial logon time and subsequent logon time.
So, the familiar management and ease of installation so far allow you as an administrator to really concentrate on your customer’s needs, apply best practices and effectively proactively maintain and manage the solution. In part 3 (http://wp.me/p8leEE-7B) we will look at one of the Smart Tools called Smart Check.