The glass is half full… 50+ reasons why I think it might be time to move to XenApp 7.6!

In this post I’ll list a whole bunch of reasons why I think it might be time to move your current XenApp IMA setup onto the new and enhanced FMA, which, depending on your license, could be either XenApp and/or XenDesktop. I’m sure you’ll find some of my arguments a bit to far-fetched or perhaps plain stupid even, and that’s fine. Feel free to comment. As the title implies I’m trying to take a positive approach here, so I won’t focus on any of the features (still) left out. Eventually we will all migrate, it’s only a question of when. Note that the below comments are in a random order.

• Being able to use Machine creation services (MCS) to provisioning server Operating Systems (server VDA). Of course PVS can still be used just as easy. Perhaps you might want to consider using Provisioning Services 7.6 with cache in RAM and spill over to disk functionality. In fact, you can mix and match if you’d like, MCS and PVS.

• Connection Leasing. Although it isn’t meant to replace the Local Host Cache, it does ensure that recently (during the last two weeks by default) launched applications and or desktops are still accessible when the central Site database is unavailable. Note that all resources, applications and desktops, need to be assigned for Connection Leasing to do its magic.

• Administering a relatively small environment and using Hosted shared desktops exclusively? A few published applications perhaps or some assigned desktops? SQL HA is no longer needed I say. Saves you a couple of licenses, some resources and keeps things simple. All in all, you have options.

• As far as the central site database goes only SQL Server is supported, no choices to be made there. Makes life a lot easier.

• LHC is gone and with it are zones. When dealing with geographically dispersed locations, this forces you to create separate sites in most cases. Automatically creating extra failure domains, which is a good thing. Note that I’m trying to be the ‘glass is half full’ guy here.

• No more LHC corruption / rebuilding issues.

• All servers are by default workers only (lightweight install). No more elections, separate configurations and thus IMA traffic overhead. Site configuration changes won’t need to be replicated to each individual XenApp server (again, no LHC).

• Session recording is back (FP1). Not ideal yet but it’s a good start.

• You can provision and assign different versions of server and/or desktop operating systems within the same Site.

• StoreFront has a whole bunch of enhanced build-in capabilities, for example, Site failover capabilities, load balance between Delivery Controllers, disaster recovery resources, application (icon) aggregation, server group subscription replication and more. Using the Citrix StoreFront Web GUI Assistant makes it all relatively straightforward to configure.

• With StoreFront 2.6 a single URL for external (NetScaler Gateway) as well as internal (StoreFront) access is now officially supported.

• Multiple end of life / support dates are approaching, somewhere mid 2016. And let’s face it, FMA will be the way forward!

• On average FMA scales better then IMA. The new 7.6 architecture is supposed to be up to 10% more efficient when it comes to handling its resources. Meaning more user sessions on the same hardware (density).

• There is a Receiver for (almost) every device out there, mobile included. I believe this has something to do with the phrase, Work is not a place…

• Smart Card Authentication using XenApp Services Site enables the use of Linux and Windows thin clients to leverage smart card authentication via StoreFront’s XenApp Services Site.

• The new X1 Receiver is another huge step forward and integrates beautifully with XenApp, XenDesktop and XenMobile. It also greatly enhances the overall user experience, hence the X1 title. One Receiver to rule them all!

• You are now able to brand your Receiver, StoreFront as well as your NetScaler interface anyway you feel fit, it’s much easier.

• Depending on your license (XenDesktop) you can publish applications, hosted shared desktops, virtual desktop infrastructures, configure remote PC access, server VDI, hosted physical desktops and VM hosted applications, all under one roof. A.k.a. the Flexcast Delivery Technology.

• Linux VDA, virtual apps and desktops.

• There are multiple free (official) Citrix training resources available.

• XenApp / XenDesktop GPU support.

• Director 7.6 FP1 is just awesome. To many features to mention, a great addition.

• Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) compliance and Common Criteria evaluation requirements.

• SSL has been integrated into the core of the VDA. Internal Site encryption. FIPS TLS/AES to/from ICA conversion happens natively inside the VDA without the need for additional components and configuration. No more SSL relay and/or IPSec. Even more secure if needed or desired.

• Director now has a build-in list of installed Hotfixes.

• Citrix HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 1.7 for Microsoft Lync. Build-in support for unified communications such as Lync Server 2013 and generic redirection of the latest USB 3.0 peripherals like webcams, headsets and Lync phones for Windows devices.

• Support for Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8, 8.1 and upwards. 2008 R2 is still supported as well and so is Windows 7. And you can use them all at the same time within the same Site if needed.

• Windows Server 2008 R2 mainstream support has already ended in Jan 2015, with the extended support ending in Jan 2020.

• A Windows 8 or 8.1 look and feel on a Server 2012 R2 hosted shared desktop. The desktop experience feature.

• One Delivery Group (group of users) can be assigned to multiple resources within the same Site.

• No need to install Remote Desktop Services onto your Delivery Controllers, in contrary to your 6.5 Data Collectors.

• Being able to make full use of AppDNA (depending on license).

• Xenapp 6.5 and IMA were great, but don’t hold off on change. XA and XD 7.6 are widely being adopted by the community and as a result there are a ton of awesome blogs and articles on FMA, XenApp and XenDesktop, trust me, you won’t be alone.

• The FMA HCL is almost endless and all major hypervisors are supported.

• And if you’re interested… The latest XenServer 6.5 edition is supposed to integrate beautifully with XenApp and XenDesktop.

• There will come a day that you will have to migrate, why not do it now and make all future upgrades a lot easier.

• Generic USB 3.0 support.

• U can use the latest Citrix Project Accelerator to get you started on sizing and the hardware specs needed.

• Migrating has never been easier. Today there are multiple tools available to assist you with migrating your application and policy settings. In fact you can turn a full blown XenApp 6.5 IMA server into an FMA ready 7.6 server with just a few mouse clicks. Or just go ‘Greenfield’ and start fresh, you know you want to!

• The initial set up process has been greatly simplified, you will be up and running within 30 minutes, again, it is just a matter of a few mouse clicks, literally.

• PowerShell is heavily integrated and utilized within FMA, and thus XenApp and XenDesktop. It will allow you to configure, maintain, automate and troubleshoot your entire Site with a minimum knowledge of scripting languages.

• The aggregation of multiple management consoles rolled up into ‘just’ a few. No, I won’t say one.

• Being able to store / safe monitor (historical) information for at least 7 days, or indefinitely depending on your license.

• Cloud integration! Need I say more? Isn’t Cloud the way forward? XenApp version 7.x comes prepared and let’s you integrate on-premises and off-premises without to much hassle. All major cloud vendors are supported.

• The ‘mobilization’ of Windows applications. An enhanced HDX Mobile SDK. Windows applications will be ‘mobilized’ even faster then before and will also include features like GPS location awareness, picture and video capture and screen rotation re-factoring.

• Auto-discover available resources and publish them on multiple machines, virtual and physical, with just a few mouse clicks, easy peasy.

• App-V integration and no more Citrix Application Streaming. That’s a plus as well right?

• There are several interesting license Trade-Up programs available. Safe yourself some money.

• Build-in troubleshooting tools (on Delivery Controller) like Scout, XDPING, XDDBDiag and CDF Control. And if those are not enough you can also leverage TaaS.Citrix.com or Insight Services, a.k.a. Citrix Auto Support to help resolve any issues you might have. Don’t forget to use it as a health check tool as well. Oh, and it’s free of charge.

• Do you consider yourself an experienced XenDesktop 5.x admin? If yes, then XenApp 7.6 will be a breeze as well.

• Application pre-launch, Session Lingering and Unauthenticated (anonymous) users are all back in business. It is now a.k.a. Instant App Access and is supposed to be 9 times faster.

• Delegated administration with the ability to create custom roles.

• EdgeSight (Insight) monitoring and reporting features.

• HDX is getting better by the day, does Framehawk ring any bells?!

• Connection throttling settings. To improve performance, you can specify the maximum number of simultaneous actions, simultaneous Personal Storage inventory updates, and actions per minute that can occur on a host connection

• The 7.6 Universal Print Server. Print traffic between XenApp / XenDesktop and the print server is highly compressed and optimised for the WAN. The Citrix printing pathways, client and network, and their potential impact, are often misunderstood. Hopefully UPS will help.

• Use Citrix profile management 5.x to simplify user profile management without needing to invest in a third party solution. It works with XenApp as well as XenDesktop, both physical and virtual machines are supported.

• Knowing Citrix they will have a ton of new stuff to share with us during their next Synergy conference, making the FMA platform even more appealing and robust. So jump on board to take immediate advantage of all that is coming shortly.

Bas van Kaam

Field CTO EMEA by day, author by night @ Nerdio

Father of three, EMEA Field CTO @ Nerdio, Author of the book Van de Basis tot aan Meester in de Cloud, Co-author of the book Project Byte-Sized and Yuthor of the book: Inside Citrix – The FlexCast Management Architecture, over 500 blog posts and multiple (ultimate) cheat sheets/e-books. Public speaker, sport enthusiast­­­­­­­­: above-average runner, 3 x burpee-mile finisher and a former semiprofessional snooker player. IT community participant and initiator of the AVD User group Community world wide.