Citrix Xendesktop Cookbook

Over 40 engaging recipes that will help you implement a full-featured XenDesktop® 7.6 architecture and its main satellite components About This Book Implement, configure, and optimize the migration from a physical to a VDI architecture using XenDesktop 7.6 Publish desktops and applications to the end user devices, optimizing their performance and increasing the security for the delivered resources A pragmatic guide that helps you to explore the XenDesktop 7.6 architecture and its related components to implement a service-oriented architecture based on the Citrix FlexCast approach Who This Book Is For If you are a system administrator or an experienced IT professional who wants to refer to a centralized container of procedures and advanced tasks in XenDesktop, this is the book for you. Experience of the virtualized environment and an understanding of the general concepts of desktop virtualization (VDI) are required. What You Will Learn Upgrade from XenDesktop 5.6 / 7.x to XenDesktop 7.6 Configure and deploy virtual machines for XenDesktop 7.6 Perform configuration and optimization operations for desktop and server OS images for future deployments Plan and configure XenDesktop user experience Execute desktop environment administration tasks, including catalog creation, power management, and resource allocation Understand how to publish the hosted applications, Local Access Apps (LAA), and applications using Microsoft App-V Work with XenDesktop PowerShell to reduce the time required to perform the management tasks by the creation of the PowerShell scripts Implement the two-factor hardware and software authentication for XenDesktop Install and configure Citrix Netscaler Gateway 10.5 and Citrix XenMobile 10 to improve the quality, the performance, and the manageability of your Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) architecture In Detail In the era of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and consecration of the mobile devices, Citrix has strengthened its position in this market, powering its desktop and application virtualization platforms, integrating the ability to publish virtual and physical desktops with the capability to assign applications and contents in a secure manner on any device, anywhere, more than previous versions. The XenDesktop 7.6 version is a more integrated platform, which permits the use and interaction with mobility and cloud platforms leaders in the market. This book will help you understand how to implement, configure, and optimize migration from a physical to a VDI architecture, moving from a standard application approach to a centralized and more secure way to assign and release resources to the end users. The book begins with the upgrade and installation procedures for the core infrastructural components, along with an explanation of how to deploy and optimize procedures for desktop virtual machines. Moving on, you will perform desktop and applications deployment through the XenDesktop core plus integrated publishing platforms, such as Microsoft App-V. Finally, the book explains how to install and configure important collateral platforms such as the Citrix Netscaler, Citrix CloudBridge and Citrix XenMobile platforms, along with execution of the most advanced activities and configurations. Style and approach This book is a step-by-step course that includes standard and high-level tasks oriented to deploy a full-functioning Citrix environment. This practical approach is based on both GUI and command-line operations, which gives IT professionals an alternative on the way to operate, where possible.

Over 40 engaging recipes that will help you implement a full-featured XenDesktop® 7.6 architecture and its main satellite componentsAbout This Book• Implement, configure, and optimize the migration from a physical to a VDI architecture using XenDesktop 7.6• Publish desktops and applications to the end user devices, optimizing their performance and increasing the security for the delivered resources• A pragmatic guide that helps you to explore the XenDesktop 7.6 architecture and its related components to implement a service-oriented architecture based on the Citrix FlexCast approachWho This Book Is ForIf you are a system administrator or an experienced IT professional who wants to refer to a centralized container of procedures and advanced tasks in XenDesktop, this is the book for you.Experience of the virtualized environment and an understanding of the general concepts of desktop virtualization (VDI) are required.What You Will Learn• Upgrade from XenDesktop 5.6 / 7.x to XenDesktop 7.6• Configure and deploy virtual machines for XenDesktop 7.6• Perform configuration and optimization operations for desktop and server OS images for future deployments• Plan and configure XenDesktop user experience• Execute desktop environment administration tasks, including catalog creation, power management, and resource allocation• Understand how to publish the hosted applications, Local Access Apps (LAA), and applications using Microsoft App-V• Work with XenDesktop PowerShell to reduce the time required to perform the management tasks by the creation of the PowerShell scripts• Implement the two-factor hardware and software authentication for XenDesktop• Install and configure Citrix Netscaler Gateway 10.5 and Citrix XenMobile 10 to improve the quality, the performance, and the manageability of your Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) architectureIn DetailIn the era of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and consecration of the mobile devices, Citrix has strengthened its position in this market, powering its desktop and application virtualization platforms, integrating the ability to publish virtual and physical desktops with the capability to assign applications and contents in a secure manner on any device, anywhere, more than previous versions. The XenDesktop 7.6 version is a more integrated platform, which permits the use and interaction with mobility and cloud platforms leaders in the market.This book will help you understand how to implement, configure, and optimize migration from a physical to a VDI architecture, moving from a standard application approach to a centralized and more secure way to assign and release resources to the end users.The book begins with the upgrade and installation procedures for the core infrastructural components, along with an explanation of how to deploy and optimize procedures for desktop virtual machines. Moving on, you will perform desktop and applications deployment through the XenDesktop core plus integrated publishing platforms, such as Microsoft App-V.Finally, the book explains how to install and configure important collateral platforms such as the Citrix Netscaler, Citrix CloudBridge and Citrix XenMobile platforms, along with execution of the most advanced activities and configurations.Style and approachThis book is a step-by-step course that includes standard and high-level tasks oriented to deploy a full-functioning Citrix environment. This practical approach is based on both GUI and command-line operations, which gives IT professionals an alternative on the way to operate, where possible.

This Cookbook style offers techniques and skills through recipes, with step-by-step instructions for developers who want to use XenDesktop 5.6 to maximize their control and performance. A Packt Cookbook is written so it can be read and worked through chapter by chapter or you can dive in and out, doing the recipes in the order that suits you best. This book is for experienced IT professionals who want to have a more fluid and accessible control over their resources and who want a centralized container of procedures and advanced tasks to manage it. It is also suitable for IT technicians who want to integrate a more theoretical approach with a step-by-step installation for the first time.

This is an expert level guide that enables you to employ the Citrix XenApp tool to host an effective and secured application virtualization interface. Recipes containing numerous tips and examples are well organized, and cover the advanced concepts of building a robust virtualization infrastructure.If you are a Citrix XenApp expert and wish to enhance your skills by learning theadvanced features and configurations of a XenApp, then this book is for you. This is a follow up to the Getting Started with Citrix XenApp 6.5 Packt Publishing book. Server administrators willing to explore management and monitoring tools who wish to automate Citrix XenApp configurations with PowerShell scripting will certainly be at ease with this book.

Over 55 hands-on recipes covering the key aspects of a successful App-V deploymentAbout This Book• Deploy a resilient App-V infrastructure• Combine App-V with Remote Desktop Services, Citrix XenDesktop, and System Center Configuration Manager• Discover Shared Content Store Mode, Scripting, and Connection Groups to extend your deploymentIn DetailWith an ever-increasing number of applications being deployed in the workplace, Microsoft App-V 5 enables administrators to abstract these applications from clients, in turn reducing the time taken to complete the software deployment lifecycle. Part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, App-V 5 centralizes the management of applications with a variety of deployment methods to suit each environment.With this hands-on Cookbook, you will learn how best to utilize features of App-V that you may already be familiar with, as well as gain insights into features only recently introduced such as the enhanced Connection Groups and Shared Content Store Mode.The book starts with the deployment of a scalable App-V infrastructure and progresses to cover the sequencing of common applications, as well as how you can take advantage of the new Office 2013 and Office 365 deployment methods.In later chapters, you will discover integrations with Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, Citrix XenDesktop, and Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager.Finally, you will learn to leverage the App-V reporting server, Microsoft Excel, and pivot tables to gain insights into which applications are being used, along with how to troubleshoot issues with your deployment.What You Will Learn• Deploy a full App-V infrastructure• Deploy App-V clients and prerequisites• Leverage connection groups to combine App-V packages• Reduce hardware requirements for your Remote Desktop Session Hosts• Extend the use of your investments in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager• Discover which applications your users are running• Resolve issues with your deployment quickly• Customize App-V packages to your needs• Scale out your App-V infrastructure to accommodate increasing requirementsWho This Book Is ForIf you have some experience with App-V but are overwhelmed by the range of features on offer, then this book is for you. A basic understanding of App-V and common Windows Server technologies (Active Directory/Group Policy/PowerShell) is necessary.Style and approachA practical Cookbook full of task-based recipes, complete with screenshots and explanations to supplement.

Over 55 hands-on recipes covering the key aspects of a successful App-V deployment About This Book Deploy a resilient App-V infrastructure Combine App-V with Remote Desktop Services, Citrix XenDesktop, and System Center Configuration Manager Discover Shared Content Store Mode, Scripting, and Connection Groups to extend your deployment Who This Book Is For If you have some experience with App-V but are overwhelmed by the range of features on offer, then this book is for you. A basic understanding of App-V and common Windows Server technologies (Active Directory/Group Policy/PowerShell) is necessary. What You Will Learn Deploy a full App-V infrastructure Deploy App-V clients and prerequisites Leverage connection groups to combine App-V packages Reduce hardware requirements for your Remote Desktop Session Hosts Extend the use of your investments in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager Discover which applications your users are running Resolve issues with your deployment quickly Customize App-V packages to your needs Scale out your App-V infrastructure to accommodate increasing requirements In Detail With an ever-increasing number of applications being deployed in the workplace, Microsoft App-V 5 enables administrators to abstract these applications from clients, in turn reducing the time taken to complete the software deployment lifecycle. Part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, App-V 5 centralizes the management of applications with a variety of deployment methods to suit each environment. With this hands-on Cookbook, you will learn how best to utilize features of App-V that you may already be familiar with, as well as gain insights into features only recently introduced such as the enhanced Connection Groups and Shared Content Store Mode. The book starts with the deployment of a scalable App-V infrastructure and progresses to cover the sequencing of common applications, as well as how you can take advantage of the new Office 2013 and Office 365 deployment methods. In later chapters, you will discover integrations with Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, Citrix XenDesktop, and Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager. Finally, you will learn to leverage the App-V reporting server, Microsoft Excel, and pivot tables to gain insights into which applications are being used, along with how to troubleshoot issues with your deployment. Style and approach A practical Cookbook full of task-based recipes, complete with screenshots and explanations to supplement.