Navigation

• Change Log
• Director Licensing – Premium Edition
• Install/Upgrade Director 2311 on Standalone Server
• Director Default Webpage
• Director Spinning Circle
• Domain Field on Director Logon Page
• Director Tweaks
  • Director Configuration Script
• Director – Saved Filters
• Director and HDX Insight
• Monitoring Database Grooming
• Director Single Sign On
• Director – Multiple Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Sites/Farms
• Director Process Monitoring
• Director Alerts and Notifications
• Director – StoreFront Probes
• Director – SCOM Integration
• Director – Custom Reports
• Use Director 2311

💡 = Recently Updated

Change Log

• 2023 Dec 22 – Use Director 2311 – new theme; Session Topology; Session Logon
• 2023 Dec 21 – Updated Install section for version 2311
• 2023 Sept 16 – Use Director 2308 – Session Experience metrics and new theme
• 2023 Sept 14 – Probe Agent 2308
• 2023 June 29 – added link to CTX493268 Automating Citrix Probe Agent Installation and Configuration

Director Licensing – Premium Edition

Here’s the list of Director features that require Premium Edition (aka Platinum Edition) licensing.

• Up to a year’s worth of performance data
  • Other editions keep up to 30 days of performance data
• Application Probing
• Alerting, including SNMP integration
• SCOM alerts
• Single session OS (aka Desktop OS) and Multi-session OS (aka Server OS) usage reporting
• Create customized reports
• Reboot warnings
• Citrix ADM integration – HDX Insight

See Citrix Docs Feature compatibility matrix for a list of which Director feature came with each version, and the licensing Edition needed for each feature.

Install/Upgrade Director 2311 on Standalone Server

Current Release vs LTSR – Director version 2311 is a Current Release, which is only supported for 6 months from its release date, and you are expected to upgrade it every 3-6 months. If you prefer a release with a longer support cycle, see Director 2203 LTSR.

Install on Delivery Controller? – The Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) Delivery Controller metainstaller has an option to install Director on the Delivery Controller machine. Or you can install Director on separate, dedicated machines.

• If Director will connect to multiple sites/farms, then install Director on its own servers.
• For small environments, it might be OK to install Director on the Delivery Controller machines. Otherwise, Director is usually installed on separate machines.
• Director is an IIS website. If you install Director, then IIS is also installed.

Director and Delivery Controller versions – Director 2311 supports Delivery Controllers 2203 and newer.

Installation guidance – For Director installation guidance, see the following:

• Citrix CTX222476 Install or Upgrade to Citrix Director 7.x Using Director .msi file
• Citrix CTX142260 Installing or Upgrading to Citrix Director 7.6.200.

Scripted install – To install and configure Director using a script, see Dennis Span Citrix Director unattended installation with PowerShell.

Manual installation – To install Director manually:

1. Run AutoSelect.exe from the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2311 ISO.
   
2. In the Extend Deployment section, on the bottom left, click Citrix Director.
   
3. In the Licensing Agreement page, select I have read, understand, and accept the terms, and click Next.
   
4. In the Core Components page, click Next.
   
5. In the Delivery Controller page, it will ask you for the location of one Delivery Controller in each farm. Only enter one Delivery Controller per farm. If you have multiple Director servers, each Director server can point to a different Delivery Controller in each farm.
   • From Citrix Docs: Director automatically discovers all other Delivery Controllers in the same Site and falls back to those other Delivery Controllers if the Controller you specified fails. Click Test Connection, and then click Add.
6. You can optionally force SSL/TLS for the Monitoring service by following the instructions at Data Access Security at Citrix Developer Documentation. Also see CTX224433 Error: “Cannot Retrieve Data” on Citrix Director Dashboard After Securing OData Interface Through TLS.
   
7. In the Features page, click Next.
   
8. In the Firewall page, click Next.
   
9. In the Summary page, click Install.
   
10. The machine will probably restart.
    
11. After the machine reboots twice, login and installation should continue.
    1. If you see a Locate ‘Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7’ installation media window, don’t click anything.
       
    2. Go to the Citrix_Virtual_Apps_and_Desktops_7_2311.iso file and mount it.
       
    3. Go back to the Locate ‘Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7’ installation media window.
    4. On the left, expand This PC, and click the DVD Drive.
    5. Click Select Folder.
       
    6. Repeat these instructions every time you’re prompted to restart.
12. In the Finish page, click Finish.
    
13. In IIS Manager, go to Default Web Site > Director > Application Settings, find Service.AutoDiscoveryAddresses, and make sure it points to one Delivery Controller in the farm, and not to localhost. From Citrix Docs: Director automatically discovers all other Delivery Controllers in the same Site and falls back to those other Delivery Controllers if the Delivery Controller you specified fails.
    • You can optionally force SSL/TLS for the Monitoring service by following the instructions at Data Access Security at Citrix Developer Documentation. Also see CTX224433 Error: “Cannot Retrieve Data” on Citrix Director Dashboard After Securing OData Interface Through TLS.
      
      
14. If you built multiple Director servers, use Citrix ADC to load balance them.
15. If you are upgrading Director, run C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Director\tools\DirectorConfig.exe /upgrade to complete the upgrade process.
    
16. Reconfigure the default domain in LogOn.aspx since upgrading overwrote your domain name configuration.
    
17. For info on the new monitoring features in Director, see Use Director below.

Director Default Web Page

From CTX223907 How to Make Director the Default Page within IIS: If Director is installed on a standalone server, do the following to set /Director as the default path. If Director and StoreFront are on the same server, then you’ll probably want StoreFront Receiver for Web as the default web page instead of Director.

1. Open Notepad elevated (as administrator) and paste the following text:

   <script type="text/javascript">
   <!--
   window.location="https://director.corp.com/Director";
   // -->
   </script>

2. Adjust the window.location line to match your FQDN.
3. Select File > Save As and browse to the IIS folder, by default C:\inetpub\wwwroot is the IIS folder.
4. Select the Save as type to All types.
5. Type a file name with an html extension, and select Save.
   
6. Open IIS Manager.
7. Select the SERVERNAME node (top-level), and double-click Default Document, as shown in the following screen shot:
   
8. On the right, click Add…,
   
9. Enter the file name of the .html file provided in Step 5.
   
10. Ensure the .html file is located at the top of the list, as shown in the following screen shot:
    

Director Spinning Circle

If after login to Director the spinning circle doesn’t go away…

…then do the following to fix it:

1. Edit the file C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Director\web.config using an elevated text editor.
2. Search for <serviceHostingEnvironment (line 279).
3. Add the following attribute:

   multipleSiteBindingsEnabled="true"

   

Also see CTX202564 Citrix Director Becomes Unresponsive after Submitting the Credentials when IIS X-Frame-Options is enabled

Director Domain Field

On the Director servers, locate and edit the ‘LogOn.aspx’ file. By default you can find it at C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Director\Logon.aspx

In line 472 you will have the following. To find the line, search for ID=”Domain”.

<asp:TextBox ID="Domain" runat="server" CssClass="text-box" onfocus="showIndicator(this);" onblur="hideIndicator(this);"></asp:TextBox>

In the ID=”Domain” element, insert a Text attribute and set it to your domain name. Don’t change or add any other attributes. Save the file.

<asp:TextBox ID="Domain" runat="server" Text="Corp.local" CssClass="text-box" onfocus="showIndicator(this);" onblur="hideIndicator(this);"></asp:TextBox>

This configuration prepopulates the domain field text box with your domain name and still allow the user to change it, if that should be required. Note: this only seems to work if Single Sign-on is disabled.

Citrix CTX227936 How to hide the domain from Director Logon Page:

1. Edit the file C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Director\LogOn.aspx using an elevated text editor.
2. Locate the tag which starts with: <asp:Label ID="DomainLabel"
3. Immediately prior to that label, locate the tag: <div class='label eight'>
4. Add the following before <div class=’label eight’>: <div style='display:none'>
   
5. In between “</asp:Textbox> <br />” add the following: </div>
   
   

Director Tweaks

Session timeout

By default the idle time session limit of the Director is 245 min. If you wish to change the timeout, here is how to do it:

1. Log on to the Director Server as an administrator
2. Open the ‘IIS Manager’
3. Browse to ‘Sites > Default Web Site > Director’ in the left hand pane.
4. Open ‘Session State’ in the right hand pane.
   
5. Change the ‘Time-out (in minutes)’ value under ‘Cookie Settings’
   
6. Click ‘Apply’ in the Actions list

SSL Check

If you are not securing Director with an SSL certificate you will get this error at the logon screen.

To stop this:

1. Log on to the Director Server as an administrator
2. Open the ‘IIS Manager’
3. Browse to ‘Sites > Default Web Site > Director’ in the left hand pane.
4. Open ‘Application Settings’ in the right hand pane.
   
5. Set UI.EnableSslCheck to false.
   

Disable Activity Manager

From Disable the visibility of running applications in the Activity Manager in Advanced Configuration at Citrix Docs: By default, the Activity Manager in Director displays a list of all the running applications and the Windows description in the title bars of any open applications for the user’s session. This information can be viewed by all administrators that have access to the Activity Manager feature in Director. For Delegated Administrator roles, this includes Full administrator, Delivery Group administrator, and Help Desk Administrator.

To protect the privacy of users and the applications they are running, you can disable the Applications tab from listing running applications.

• On the VDA, modify the registry key located at HKLM\Software\Citrix\Director\TaskManagerDataDisplayed. By default, the key is set to 1. Change the value to 0, which means the information will not be displayed in the Activity Manager.
• On the server with Director installed, modify the setting that controls the visibility of running applications. By default, the value is true, which allows visibility of running applications in the Applications tab. Change the value to false, which disables visibility. This option affects only the Activity Manager in Director, not the VDA. Modify the value of the following setting:
  UI.TaskManager.EnableApplications = false

  

Large Active Directory / Multiple Forests

From CTX133013 Desktop Director User Account Search Process is Slow or Fails: By default, all the Global Catalogs for the Active Directory Forest are searched using Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). In a large Active Directory environment, this query can take some time or even time out.

If multiple forests, see Citrix Blog Post Using Citrix Director in a MultiForest Environment.

1. In Information Server (IIS) Management, under the Desktop Director site, select Application Settings and add a new value called Connector.ActiveDirectory.ForestSearch. Set it to False. This disables searching any domain except the user’s domain and the server’s domain.
2. To search more domains, add the searchable domain or domains in the Connector.ActiveDirectory.Domains field.
   

Site Groups

From Citrix Blog Post Citrix Director 7.6 Deep-Dive Part 4: Troubleshooting Machines:

If there are a large number of machines, the Director administrator can now configure site groups to perform machine search so that they can narrow down searching for the machine inside a site group. The site groups can be created on the Director server by running the configuration tool via command line by running the command:

C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Director\tools\DirectorConfig.exe /createsitegroups

Then provide a site group name and IP address of the delivery controller of the site to create the site group.

Director Configuration Script

Johan Greefkes at Script for configuring Director at Citrix Discussions was kind enough to provide a script that does the following:

• Sets the Delivery Controllers that Director communicates with
• Disables SSL Check
• Sets Logon.aspx file to default to a domain name
• Adds a footer that displays the name of the Director server

The same DirectorReconfigureWithLogonMod.ps1 script seems to be available at Citrix’s Github\Powershell-Scripts repository.

Director – Saved Filters

In Director, you can create a filter and save it.

The saved filter is then accessible from the Filters menu structure.

The saved filters are stored on each Director server at C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\Director\UserData. Each user has their own saved filters. The saved filters are not replicated across Director servers.

You can instead configure multiple Director servers to store the filters on a shared UNC path:

1. Create and share a folder (e.g. DirectorData).
   
2. The Director server computer accounts need Modify permission to the share.
   
3. On each Director server, run IIS Manager.
4. Go to Sites > Default Web Site > Director. In the middle, double-click Application Settings.
   
5. Change the Service.UserSettingsPath setting to the UNC path of the new share.
   
6. Repeat this on other load balanced Director servers.

Director and HDX Insight

You can connect Director to Citrix Application Delivery Management (ADM) to add Network tabs to Director’s Trends and Machine Details views. Citrix Blog Post Configure Director with NetScaler Management & Analytics System (MAS).

Director Grooming

If Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) is not Premium Edition, then all historical Director data is groomed at 30 days.

For Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) Premium Edition, by default, most of the historical Director data is groomed at 90 days. This can be adjusted up to 367 days by running a PowerShell cmdlet.

1. On a Delivery Controller, run PowerShell and run asnp Citrix.*
   
   
2. Run Get-MonitorConfiguration to see the current grooming settings.
   
3. Run Set-MonitorConfiguration to change the grooming settings.
   

More details on Monitor Service data aggregation and retention can be found at Data granularity and retention at Citrix Docs.

Director Single Sign-on

You can configure Director to support Integrated Windows Authentication (Single Sign-on). Note: there seem to be issues when not connecting from the local machine or when connecting through a load balancer.

1. Run IIS Manager. You can launch it from Server Manager (Tools menu), or from the Start Menu, or by running inetmgr.
   
2. On the left, expand Sites, expand Default Web Site, and click Director.
   
3. In the middle, double-click Authentication in the IIS section.
   
4. Right-click Windows Authentication, and Enable it.
   
5. Right-click Anonymous Authentication, and Disable it.
   
6. Pass-through auth won’t work from another computer until you set the http SPN for the Director server. See Director 7.7 Windows Authentication not working with NS LB at Citrix Discussions.
   
7. If Director is not installed on a Controller, then you’ll need to configure Kerberos delegation.
   
8. If you are load balancing Director then additional config is required. See Director 7.7 Windows Authentication not working with NS LB at Citrix Discussions for more info.
   1. The FQDN for Director load balancing should be different than the FQDN for StoreFront load balancing.
   2. Create an AD service account that will be used as the Director’s ApplicationPoolIdentity.
   3. Create SPN and link it to the service account.

      setspn -S http/loadbalanced_URL domain\user

   4. Trust the user account for delegation to any service (Kerberos only) (trust the Director servers for delegation is not necessary in this case). You have to create the SPN before you can do this step.
      
   5. In IIS manager, on the Application Pools (Director), specify the Identity as user we have created earlier.
      
   6. In IIS manager, expand Default Web Site, select Director, and open the Configuration Editor (bottom of the middle pane).
      
   7. Use the drop-down to navigate to the following section: system.webServer/security/authentication/windowsAuthentication
      
   8. Set useAppPoolCredentials = True, and useKernelMode = False. Click Apply on the top right.
      
      
9. When you connect to Director you will be automatically logged in. You can change the login account by first logging off.
   
10. Then change the drop-down to User credentials.
    

Director – Multiple Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) Sites/Farms

1. Run IIS Manager. You can launch it from Server Manager (Tools menu) or from the Start Menu, or by running inetmgr.
   
2. On the left, expand Sites, expand Default Web Site, and click Director.
   
3. In the middle pane, double-click Application Settings.
   
4. Find the entry for Service.AutoDiscoveryAddresses, and double-click it.
   
5. If Director is installed on a Controller, localhost should already be entered.
6. Add a comma, and the NetBIOS name of one of the controllers in the 2nd Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Site (farm). Only enter one Delivery Controller name. If you have multiple Director servers, you can point each Director server to a different Delivery in the 2^nd Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Site (farm).
   1. From Citrix Docs: Director automatically discovers all other Delivery Controllers in the same Site and falls back to those other Delivery Controllers if the Delivery Controller you specified fails.
   2. You can optionally force SSL/TLS for the Monitoring service by following the instructions at Data Access Security at Citrix Developer Documentation. Also see CTX224433 Error: “Cannot Retrieve Data” on Citrix Director Dashboard After Securing OData Interface Through TLS.

Director Process Monitoring

Director has Process Monitoring, which is detailed in Citrix Blog Post Citrix Director: CPU, Memory Usage and Process Information.

Process Monitoring is disabled by default. To enable it, configure the Enable process monitoring setting in a Citrix Policy. For Citrix Policies in a GPO, find this setting in the computer half of the GPO. Note: this setting could significantly increase the size of the Monitoring database.

Director Alerts and Notifications

Director supports alert conditions and email notifications. This feature requires Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) to be licensed with Premium Edition. See Citrix Blog Post Configuring & Managing Alerts and Notifications Using Director for more information.

For CPU, Memory, and ICT RTT alerts, see Citrix Blog Post 7 New Categories in Director for Proactive Notifications & Alerts

Director supports Hypervisor Alerts from vSphere and Citrix Hypervisor. The alerts are configured in the hypervisor (e.g. vCenter). When triggered, the hypervisor alerts can be viewed in Director. Director can send email notifications when hypervisor alerts are triggered.

• Hypervisor can generate many alerts nut Director does not have a bulk method of clearing those alerts. Citrix wrote a PowerShell script named DismissAlerts.ps1 that runs a SQL query to clear the Hypervisor alerts. 💡

To configure alerts in Director:

1. While logged into Director, at the top of the page, click the Alerts button.
   
2. Switch to the Email Server Configuration tab.
   
3. Enter your SMTP information, and click Send Test Message. Then click Save.
   
   
   
4. Switch to the Citrix Alerts Policy tab.
   
5. There are four high-level categories of alerts: Site Policy, Delivery Group Policy, Multi-session OS Policy (aka Server OS Policy), and User Policy. Click whichever one you want to configure.
   
   
6. Director has built-in alert policies. All you need to do is add notification email addresses to the built-in policies.
7. In Director 1811 and newer, in the Site Policy tab, click Edit for the built-in Hypervisor Health policy.
   
   1. On the bottom right in the Notification preferences section, click Add.
      
   2. Enter an email address and then click Add.
   3. Click Done when done.
      
   4. On the bottom, click the Save button.
      
8. On the Delivery Group Policy tab, find the built-in Smart Alert, and then click Edit. Note: this Smart Alert might not appear until you create a Delivery Group in Citrix Studio.
   
   1. Notice the Conditions that are already enabled. You can change them or add more.
   2. On the bottom right, in the Notification preferences section, click Add.
      
   3. Enter an email address, and click Done.
      
   4. On the bottom, click Save.
      
9. You can create custom Alert Policies by clicking the Create button on any of these tabs.
   
10. For Multi-session OS Policy (aka Server OS Policy) and User Policy, there are ICA RTT alerts.
    
11. You can configure alerts to generate an SNMP trap. This is configured in PowerShell as described at Configure alerts policies with SNMP traps at Citrix Docs.

    Set-MonitorNotificationSnmpServerConfiguration        #see Docs for parameter details
    Set-MonitorNotificationPolicy -IsSnmpEnabled $true -Uid <Policy ID>

12. Citrix has an experimental Desktop Notification Tool. See Citrix Blog Post Desktop Notification Tool For Citrix XenDesktop.
    
    

Director – StoreFront Probes

If you are licensed for Premium Edition, then you can install probe agents on remote machines, and the probe agents can periodically check if an application can be launched through StoreFront.

Custom Studio Role for Probe Administrator

1. Create a new user account just for probe administration (e.g CORP\ProbeAdmin).
2. In Citrix Studio, at Configuration > Administrators, on the Roles tab, create a new Role with the permissions shown below.
   
   • Delivery Groups > Read-only
     
   • Director > Create\Edit\Remove Alert Email Server Configuration
   • Director > Create\Edit\Remove Probe Configurations
   • Director > View Applications page
   • Director > View Configurations page
   • Director > View Trends page
3. On the Administrators tab, add an administrator, select your ProbeAdmin account, and assign it the custom Probe Administrator role that you just created.
   

StoreFront HTTP Basic Authentication

1. In StoreFront Console, right-click your Store, and click Manage Authentication Methods.
   
2. Check the box next to HTTP Basic, and click OK.
   

Install Probe Agent

To automate the installation and configuration of the Probe Agent, see CTX493268 Automating Citrix Probe Agent Installation and Configuration, or see CTA Dennis Span Citrix Application Probe Agent unattended installation.

On one or more remote machines, download and install the Probe Agent.

1. Download the Citrix Application Probe Agent 2311.
   
2. On a physical machine in a remote office, install Workspace app 1903 or newer if it isn’t installed already.
   
3. Run the downloaded CitrixAppProbeAgent_2311.msi.
   
4. In the Welcome to the Citrix Probe Agent Setup Wizard page, click Next.
   
5. In the End-User License Agreement page, check the box next to I accept the terms, and click Next.
   
6. In the Destination Folder page, click Next.
   
7. In the Ready to install Citrix Probe Agent page, click Install.
   
8. In the Completed the Citrix Probe Agent Setup Wizard page, click Finish.
   

Configure Probe Agent

1. Every Probe Agent machine should have unique StoreFront test user credentials. Create unique accounts for each machine.
2. From the Start Menu of the remote machine, launch Citrix Probe Agent.
   
3. Click Start.
   
4. In the Configure Workspace Credentials page, enter the StoreFront Receiver for Web URL, or enter a Citrix Gateway URL.
   • For Gateway, the Gateway Virtual Server must be configured with RfWebUI theme. Other themes, like X1 theme, does not work.
5. Enter the username and password for the probe user for this machine.
6. Click Next.
   
   • Probe Agent 2308 and newer support Gateway authentication with Native OTP.
     
7. In the Configure to Display Probe Result page, enter the URL to Director. Make sure you include /Director at the end of the URL.
8. Enter the Probe Admin credentials and click Validate.
9. Select a Site (farm) if there’s more than one.
10. Click Next.
    
11. In the View Summary page, you may close the window.
    
12. Login to Director as the Probe Admin account.
13. On the top middle, click the Configuration button.
    
14. At the top of the page, select either Application Probe, or Desktop Probe.
15. Click Create Probe.
    
16. In the Create Probe page:
    1. Give the probe configuration a name.
    2. Select one or more Applications or Desktops to test.
    3. Select the registered Probe Agent machine(s) to run the probe from.
    4. Enter an email address for probe result notifications.
    5. Select one time per day to run the probe. You can create multiple probe configurations to run the probe multiple times per day.
17. Click Save.
    
18. If you go back to the Configuration page, to edit a probe configuration, select one, and then click the Edit link.
    
19. The probe configurations are stored in the Monitoring database so there shouldn’t be any concerns with load balancing of Director.
    
20. To view the probe results, on the top, click Trends. Then switch to the Probe Results tab. This page seems to not tell you anything more than if the probe was successful or not.
    

Director – SCOM Integration

Director can display alerts from System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2012 or newer. This feature requires Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) Premium Edition.

1. See Configure SCOM integration at Citrix Docs for detailed configuration instructions. Also see Marius Sandbu Integrating Citrix XenDesktop 7.7 and System Center Operations Manager.
2. On Director server, run C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Director\tools\DirectorConfig.exe /configscom
   
3. FYI, the DirectorConfig.exe /configscom command enables the following features on the Director server: /FeatureName:IIS-NetFxExtensibility45 /FeatureName:IIS-ASPNET45 /FeatureName:WCF-HTTP-Activation45
4. FYI, the System Center Operations Manager server is listed in IIS Manager at Default Web Site > Director > Application Settings (middle pane) > Connector.SCOM.ManagementServer.
   
5. On the System Center Operations Manager server, edit Remote Management Users local group, and add Citrix Admins, and other Director users.
6. In System Center Operations Manager Console, go to Administration > User Roles, and edit Operations Manager Operators. Add the Citrix Admins, and other Director users.
7. See Citrix Blog Post SCOM Alerts in Citrix Director for information on how to view System Center Operations Manager alerts in Director.

Director – Custom Reports

In Director, in the Trends view, there’s a Custom Reports tab that guides you through creating a custom OData Query. This tab only appears if you have Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) Premium Edition.

The Monitoring database contains more data than is exposed in Director. To view this data, the Monitoring service has an OData Data Feed that can be queried.

• You can use Excel to pull data from the OData Data feed. See Citrix Blog Post – Citrix Director – Analyzing the Monitoring Data by Means of Custom Reports. This particular blog post shows how to use an Excel PivotChart to display the connected Receiver versions.
  • Also see Alexander Ollischer Citrix XenDesktop 7.x – Query Citrix Receiver Versions connecting to your environment – XLS Report
• Citrix CTX211428 Using Excel to Report on Desktop Director Data uses Power Pivot.
• Or for Linqpad, see Citrix Blog Post – Creating Director Custom reports for Monitoring XenDesktop using Linqpad
• CTA David Ott XenDesktop Usage Report shows that querying OData can be slow and it’s sometimes faster to query the actual Monitoring database. Updated Report.

Use Director

The newer Director features usually require Delivery Controllers and VDAs to be at the same version or newer than Director. Director depends on the Monitoring Service that is built into the Delivery Controller. The Monitoring Service gathers data from the VDAs.

See Site Analytics at Citrix Docs.

See the various Troubleshoot topics at Citrix Docs.

Director 2311 new features:

Director 2311 has a new theme. Tabs are now shown on the left.

When you Search for a user and select a session you see the Activity Manager page. It has a new theme.

The User Details page also has a new theme.

The Session Performance tab shows you trends of some network metrics. Director 2311 ads a Session Topology view. See Diagnose Session Performance issues.

Session Details shows if Teams is optimized or not.

Session Details has an option to enable Session Recording for the session. Dynamic Session Recording requires the Session Recording cloud service. Policy based Session Recording requires running C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Director\tools\DirectorConfig.exe /configsessionrecording on the Director server.

The Session Selector button lets you play recordings.

Session Logon tab in the User Details page has an enhanced visualization of the logon duration phases. The new representation shows the overlapping of the individual logon phases.

New features in Director since 7.15:

Server OS is renamed to Multi-session OS. Desktop OS is renamed to Single session OS.

Analytics button lets you upload Director data to Citrix Cloud Performance Analytics. See Configuring on-premises Sites with Citrix Analytics for Performance at Citrix Docs.

The Trends views got a face lift.

Session Auto Reconnects

• At Trends > Sessions, on the bottom is Session Details. Director also shows you the number of Session Auto Reconnects.
  
• If you click the number, you’ll see more info on the reconnect. Note: it might take a few minutes for the reconnect status to appear in Director.
  

Workspace App Session Startup breakdown

• After searching for a user and selecting a session, click Details on the top right.
  
• Scroll down and you’ll see the Session Startup section with a new Workspace App Session Startup sub-section.
  

Profile Load Drilldown

• In a Session Details screen, scroll down to the Logon Duration panel. Hover your mouse over the Profile Load bar and then click Detailed Drilldown. You see the size of profile, and the size of the Folders inside the profile.
  
  
• By default, all folder names are visible. To hide the folder names, add a registry value on the VDA machines:
  • Key = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Citrix\Director\
    • DWORD Value ProfileFoldersNameHidden  = 1
      

RDS Licensing status

• The Machine Details panel shows the status of RDS Licensing for Multi-session OS (aka Server OS, aka RDSH) VDAs.
  

GPO Duration Drilldown

• In a Session Details screen, scroll down to the Logon Duration panel. Hover your mouse over the GPOs bars, and then click Detailed Drilldown. More info at CTX237427 Citrix Director: Group Policy breakdown of Logon Duration. And Dennis Span Enabling logon duration drill-down in Citrix Director.
  
  

Interactive Session drilldown

• In the Logon Duration panel, hover your mouse over the Interactive Session bars to see this phase broken down. More info at Diagnose user logon issues at Citrix Docs.
  

Export of Filter Views to CSV file

• Open one of the Filter Views. Then click the Export button in the top right.
  
  

Health Assistant link

• In Director, you can view the details of a VDA machine (instead of a user session). If the machine is unregistered, then there’s a link to Health Assistant, which opens Troubleshoot machines  at Citrix Docs.
  

Application Analytics

• Displays application-based analytics in a single, consolidated view – application usage, faults, and errors. Also see Citrix Blog Post Application Analytics in Citrix Director.
  

Citrix Blog Post – Citrix Director 7.16 Can Now Shadow Linux App & Desktop

Citrix Blog Post Citrix Director Supports Domain local groups in XenApp & XenDesktop 7.16!

Citrix Monitor Service API 7.16

• The Monitor Service API uses the Open Data (OData) protocol, which is a Web protocol for querying and updating data, built upon Web technologies such as HTTP. You can use the API to:
  • Analyze historical trends for future planning
  • Perform detailed troubleshooting of connection and machine failures
  • Extract information for feeding into other tools and processes; for example, using Microsoft Excel’s PowerPivot tables to display the data in different ways
  • Build a custom user interface on top of the data that the API provides
  • Run aggregation queries with the OData Version 4 endpoints to get basic grouping and aggregation functionality.

Citrix Hypervisor Console access:

• Troubleshoot machines at Citrix Docs details the new Console access to VDAs running on XenServer (Citrix Hypervisor) 7.3 and newer.
  

Director Features available in 7.15 and older:

CTX223927 How to use Director to troubleshoot application launch errors. This feature is configured in Citrix Policy Settings located in the Computer half at Virtual Delivery Agent Settings > Monitoring. Also see Citrix Blog Post Application Related Session Failure Reporting in Citrix Director 7.15.

CTX223928 How to use Director to monitor storage performance.

Citrix Blog Post Citrix Director Now Provides Disk Usage Information!:

• IOPS and disk latency data is enabled by default.
• IOPS and disk latency is pushed to the database from each VDA at 1 hour interval.
• Approximately 276 KB of disk space is required to store the CPU, memory, IOPS and disk latency data for one VDA over a period of one year.

CTX223925 How to use Director to monitor NVIDIA GPU usage.

Citrix Director has an Application Instances tab on the Filters page that lets you filter published application sessions based on Session Idle Time (RDS sessions only), Application Name, and all other existing fields, like machine name, and so on. Requires Premium Edition licensing. See Citrix Blog Post Monitoring Idle Applications and Sessions in Citrix Director. See Troubleshoot applications at Citrix Docs.

If idle time column shows n/a, then you need to wait 10-15 minutes.

In Director, the Session Details panel can show if Enlightened Data Transport (EDT, aka HDX on UDP) is enabled in the user’s session. See Citrix Blog Post HDX Adaptive Transport Protocol Monitoring via Director.

CTP George Spiers has a comprehensive guide of all Director 7.16 features at http://www.jgspiers.com/citrix-director/.

Connection Failure Details, which is detailed in Citrix Blog Post Director 7.12: Easier Troubleshooting of Machine & Connection Failures. Also see CTX223812 Citrix Director Failure Codes.

Process Monitoring, which is detailed in Citrix Blog Post Citrix Director: CPU, Memory Usage and Process Information.

Logon Duration improvements.

Citrix Blog Post Interactive Session of Logon Duration in Citrix Director – Explained: Interactive Session Duration = Desktop Ready Event Timestamp (EventId 1000 on VDA) – User Profile Loaded Event Timestamp (EventId 2 on VDA). More details in the Blog Post.

Citrix Blog Post Director 7.6 Failure Reasons Demystified lists possible failure reasons behind an Unregistered alert, and the true meaning of failure reasons such as Connection Refused and Communication Error. It details each failure reason, defines the meanings of these failures, and lists action items that serve as a starting point for troubleshooting the specific scenario.

Navigation

• Change Log
• VDA Virtual Machine Hardware
• Windows Configuration
• Install – Virtual Delivery Agent 2311
  • Install – Microsoft FSLogix – Outlook OST, OneDrive, etc.
  • Citrix Desktop Service
  • Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)
  • Connection Quality Indicator
  • Adaptive Transport
  • Slow Logons
  • Verify VDA Registration with Controller
•  Workspace app:
  • Workspace App 2311
  • Citrix File Access 2.0.4 for Workspace app for Chrome
• Remote Desktop Licensing Configuration
• Reduce C: Drive Permissions
• Configure Pagefile for Citrix Provisioning
• Direct Access Users Group – allow non-administrators to RDP to the VDA
• Registry Settings – ShellBridge, EDT MTU, black screen, faster login, published Explorer, Screen Saver, Smart Card, HTML5 Clipboard, HTML5 Upload Folder, 4K Monitors, COM Ports
• Restore Legacy Client Drive Mapping
• Print Driver for Mac and Linux Clients
• HTML5 Workspace app – SSL for VDA
• Anonymous Accounts
• Antivirus
• Optimize Performance
• Apps
• Seal and Shut Down
• Uninstall VDA

💡 = Recently Updated

Change Log

• 2023 Dec 26 – updated Workspace App to version 2311
• 2023 Dec 21 – Updated VDA Install for VDA 2311
• 2023 June 9 – added Profile Management 2305 Hotfix
• 2023 May 16 – added Citrix CTX547782 Hotfix for CVAD 2303 Users stuck on welcome screen when reconnecting to a disconnected session
• 2023 Apr 13 – added link to Updated VDA Install / Upgrade / RDS Install / Desktop / Server / App Install Script by Kris Davis
• 2022 Oct 12 – added link to VMware Tech Zone Windows 11 Support on vSphere.
• 2022 Sep 12 – added ShellBridge to fix published apps

Hardware

Hypervisor Host Hardware

• G0-EUC Moore’s law of Windows 10 1903 – Newer versions of Windows 10 have lower density than older versions
  
• Citrix Blog Post Citrix Scalability — The Rule of 5 and 10: Simply take the number of physical cores in a hypervisor host, multiply it by 5 or 10, and the result will be your Single Server Scalability. Use 5 if you’re looking for the number of Virtual Desktop VMs you can host on a box, and use 10 if you’re looking for the number of Virtual Apps user sessions you can host on a box.

Virtual Machine Hardware

1. Operating system version support: VDA version 2311 supports Windows 11, Windows 10 64-bit (1607 and newer), Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016.
   • Windows 11 is supported with VDA version 2109 and newer.
   • Windows Server 2012 R2 is no longer supported. For Windows Server 2012 R2, install VDA 1912 with the latest Cumulative Update. VDA 1912 will work with newer Delivery Controllers (e.g., Delivery Controller 2311).
   • For older operating systems (e.g., Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2), install VDA 7.15 with the latest Cumulative Update. VDA 7.15 will work with newer Delivery Controllers (e.g., Delivery Controller 2311).
2. Cloud VDAs licensing – Cloud VDAs are supported if you are licensed for Citrix Cloud with Hybrid Usage rights. See CTX270373 Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops: Public cloud support with Current Releases and Long Term Service Releases.
3. Windows 11 and vSphere – Citrix supports Windows 11 on vSphere 7 or newer. Windows 11 requires TPM. vSphere requires VM encryption of the VM files before it will let you add a TPM to the virtual machine. VM encryption requires a Key Provider. vSphere 7 has a Native Key Provider that does not need any additional servers or licenses. See VMware Tech Zone Windows 11 Support on vSphere.
   1. In vSphere Client, in Inventory, click the vCenter object. On the right, on the Configure tab, scroll down to Key Providers and add a Native Key Provider.
      
   2. After it’s added, select it and then click Back-up to activate it.
      
      
4. Microsoft TechNet Blog – Say No to Windows 10 Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)
   • No Edge
   • From January 2020, Microsoft Office 365 will not be supported on LTSC.
   • Non-security operating system fixes and enhancements may not get back-ported to LTSC.
5. CTX224843 Windows 10 compatibility with Citrix Virtual Desktops
   
   • CTX464127 Windows 11 22H2 Update – Citrix Known Issues
   • CTX255870 Windows 10 v2004, 20H2, 21H1 & 21H2 – Citrix Known Issues
6. Hypervisor Support – CTX131239 Supported Hypervisors for Virtual Desktops (XenDesktop) and Provisioning Services
   • vSphere 7 is supported with CVAD 2106 and newer.
   • SCVMM 2022 is supported with CVAD 2203 and newer.
7. Firewall – the UDP-based EDT protocol is enabled by default. Make sure the UDP ports are open for ICA/HDX:
   1. UDP 1494
   2. UDP 2598
   3. UDP 443 – from Internet to Citrix Gateway.
   4. UDP 443 can also be used by internal ICA connections if VDA SSL is configured.
   5. For EDT through Citrix Gateway, make sure your Citrix ADC firmware is up to date, preferably 12.1 or newer. Then enable DTLS on the Gateway Virtual Server.
   6. TCP 443 and UDP 443 for HDX Direct.
8. VDA virtual machine sizing:
   1. For Windows 11 or Windows 10 virtual desktops, give the virtual machine: 2+ vCPU and 4+ GB of RAM – higher RAM for browsers running on the VDA
   2. For Windows Server 2022, 2019, or 2016 RDSH, give the virtual machine 8 vCPU, and 24-48 GB of RAM
   3. See Daniel Feller Sizing Windows 2016, Windows 2012 And Windows 10 Virtual Machines
      
9. If using RAM caching (MCSIO or PvS), add more RAM for the cache.
10. Remove the floppy drive.
11. Remove any serial or LPT ports.
12. If Windows 11 on vSphere:
    1. When creating the Windows 11 virtual machine, enable Encrypt this virtual machine.
       
    2. In the Select a guest OS screen, if you don’t see Windows 11, then select Windows 10.
       
    3. On the Customize hardware page, make sure VM configuration files are encrypted. Hard disk encryption is not required, and you can deselect it. Only the VM configuration files must be encrypted.
       
    4. Then you can use the Add New Device drop-down to add a Trusted Platform Module.
       
13. If vSphere:
    1. To reduce disk space, reserve memory. Memory reservations reduce or eliminate the virtual machine .vswp file.
       
    2. The NIC should be VMXNET3.
       
    3. For vGPU, set vgpu.hotmigrate.enabled Advanced vCenter Server Setting to true. (source = William Lam How to enable vGPU vMotion in vSphere 6.7 Update 1)
       
14. App Layering and UEFI – In Citrix App Layering 2003 and newer, import UEFI images by running a script instead of using a connector.
15. If this VDA will boot from Citrix Provisioning:
    1. For vSphere, the NIC Adapter Type must be VMXNET3.
       
    2. For vSphere, configure the CD/DVD Drive to boot from IDE instead of SATA. SATA won’t work with PVS.
       
    3. Make sure you remove the SATA Controller after you change the CD/DVD Drive to be IDE.
       
16. Install the latest version of hypervisor drivers (e.g., VMware Tools).
17. The vSphere Activity Monitoring Feature with NSX Guest Introspection feature uses a TDI driver (vnetflt.sys), which might cause a “Connection Interrupted” message when users log off of Citrix. See CTX221206 “Connection Interrupted” error message displayed while logging off ICA session.

If vSphere, disable NIC Hotplug

1. Users could use the systray icon to Eject the Ethernet Controller. Obviously this is bad.
   
2. To disable this functionality, power off the virtual machine.
   
3. Once powered off, right-click the virtual machine, and click Edit Settings.
   
4. Switch to the tab named VM Options.
   
5. Expand Advanced and then click Edit Configuration.
   
6. Click the button labelled Add Configuration Params.
   
7. For the Name, enter devices.hotplug.
8. For the Value, enter false. Then click OK.
   
9. The VM can then be powered on.
   

Windows Preparation

1. Computer Group Policy – Make sure the Master VM is in the same OU as the Linked Clones so the Master VM will get the computer-level GPO settings in its registry. Run gpupdate on the master after moving the VM to the correct OU. When Clones are created from the Master, the computer-level GPO settings will already be applied, thus eliminating timing issues.
   
2. If Server OS, disable IE Enhanced Security Configuration in Server Manager > Local Server.
   
3. Run Windows Update. Do not skip this step. Many VDA installation problems are fixed by simply updating Windows.
   
   
   • Defer Feature Updates – For Windows 10, since Citrix VDA does not immediately support new Windows 10 versions, configure Windows Update to defer feature updates. In Windows 11, or in newer versions of Windows 10, defer updates can only be configured using group policy.
     
4. Add your Citrix Administrators group to the local Administrators group on the VDA. Computer Management.
   
5. The Remote Desktop Services “Prompt for Password” policy prevents Single Sign-on to the Virtual Delivery Agent. Check registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services. If fPromptForPassword = 1 then you need to fix group policy. The following GPO setting will prevent Single Sign-on from working.
   Computer Configuration | Policies | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Remote Desktop Services | Remote Desktop Session Host | Security | Always prompt for password upon connection
   Or set the registry value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\Portica\AutoLogon (DWORD) = 0x1. This registry value only applies to Single-session OS (aka Desktop OS), not Multi-session OS (aka Server OS). (source = comments)
6. For Remote Assistance in Citrix Director, configure the GPO setting Computer Configuration | Policies | Administrative Templates | System | Remote Assistance | Offer Remote Assistance. See Jason Samuel – How to setup Citrix Director Shadowing with Remote Assistance using Group Policy for more details.
   

Install Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) 2311

Mixed versions – You can upgrade the VDAs before you upgrade the Delivery Controllers resulting in VDAs being newer than the Delivery Controllers. You can upgrade the Delivery Controllers before you upgrade the VDAs. In other words, you can mix and match VDA versions and Delivery Controller versions.

CLI Install:

Command Line Install Options are detailed at Install using the command line at Citrix Docs.

Scripted Upgrade:

To automate the upgrade of VDA software on persistent machines, see David Ott Quickly Updating Persistent MCS VDAs at CUGC for a sample script. Also see Updated VDA Install / Upgrade / RDS Install / Desktop / Server / App Install Script by Kris Davis.

GUI Install:

1. Mount the downloaded Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2311 ISO and run AutoSelect.exe.
   
   • Alternatively, you can download the standalone VDA package and run that instead. Go the main Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2311 download page. Expand the section labelled Components that are on the product ISO but also packaged separately. There is also a VDA installer called Single-session OS Core Services that is designed for Remote PC deployments.
     
2. Click Start next to either Virtual Apps or Virtual Apps and Desktops. The only difference is the product name displayed in the installation wizard.
   
3. On the top right, click Virtual Delivery Agent for Windows Multi-session OS (aka RDSH, aka Server OS), or Windows Single-session OS (aka virtual desktop, aka Desktop OS), depending on which type of VDA you are building.
   
   
4. In the Environment page, select Create a master MCS Image or Create master image to be used for Citrix Provisioning (PVS) streaming, and click Next.
   
   
5. In the Core Components page, if you don’t need Citrix Workspace App installed on your VDA, then uncheck the box. Workspace app is usually only needed for double-hop ICA connections (connect to first VDA, and then from there, connect to second VDA). Click Next.
   
6. In the Additional Components page:
   1. Workspace Environment Management agent is no longer an option on this screen and is instead a separate box on the main splash screen.
   2. Single-session OS (not Multi-session OS) has a new option for Citrix User Personalization Layer (UPL). This component comes from Citrix App Layering but does not need any of the App Layering infrastructure.
      
      • Do not enable User Personalization Layer if you are also using Citrix App Layering.
      • Warning: A Citrix Policy setting activates Citrix User Personalization Layer by setting the UNC path to where the User Personalization Layers should be stored. The Citrix Policy setting should only be deployed to non-persistent machines. If you deploy the Citrix Policy Setting to your Master Image, then your Master Image will be hosed and you must rebuild it from scratch.
        
   3. There’s an option for Machine Creation Services (MCS) storage optimization. This is also known as MCS I/O. In VDA 1912 and newer, the MCS IO driver is now the exact same driver as the driver used in Citrix Provisioning. MCS I/O in older VDAs has performance problems.
      
   4. VDA 2109 and newer have an option for VDA Upgrade Agent for Citrix Cloud deployments.
      
   5. There’s an option for Citrix Backup and Restore Service that takes a backup before installation or upgrade.
      
7. Click Next.
8. In the Delivery Controller page, select Do it manually. Enter the FQDN of each Delivery Controller (at least two). Click Test connection. And then make sure you click Add. Click Next when done.
   
9. In the Features page, if you want to use the features, then check the boxes. Remote Assistance is for Director. The Cloud checkbox is only for telemetry and does not affect installation. Then click Next.
   
10. In the Firewall page, VDA 2112 and newer have ports 52525 – 52625 for Screen Sharing. Port TCP/UDP 443 is for HDX Direct. Click Next.
    
11. In the Summary page, click Install.
    
    
12. Click Close if you are prompted to restart.
    
13. After the machine reboots twice, login and installation should continue.
    1. If you see a Locate ‘Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7’ installation media window, don’t click anything.
       
    2. Go to the Citrix_Virtual_Apps_and_Desktops_7_2311.iso file and mount it.
       
    3. Go back to the Locate ‘Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7’ installation media window.
    4. On the left, expand This PC, and click the DVD Drive.
    5. Click Select Folder.
       
    6. Repeat these instructions every time you’re prompted to restart.
14. Installation will continue automatically.
15. Note: NT SERVICE\CitrixTelemetryService needs permission to login as a service.
16. In the Diagnostics page, you can optionally check the box next to Collect diagnostic information, click Connect, enter your Citrix account credentials, and then click Next.
    
17. In the Finish page, click Finish to restart the machine again.
    
    
18. From CTX225819 When Launching an Application Published from Windows Server 2016, a Black Screen Appears for Several Seconds Before Application is Visible
    • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Citrix\Citrix Virtual Desktop Agent\DisableLogonUISuppression (DWORD) should be set to 0.

Microsoft FSLogix

If you need to roam the user’s Outlook .OST file (Outlook Cached Mode), Outlook Search Index, OneDrive cache, OneNote data, SharePoint data, Skype data, and/or Teams data, then download, install, and configure Microsoft FSLogix. FSLogix has more Office roaming features than Citrix Profile Management. A common architecture is to enable FSLogix Office Container for the Office cache files and use Citrix Profile Management for all other roaming profile files and registry keys.

Microsoft FSLogix is free for all Microsoft RDS CALs, Microsoft Virtual Desktop Access per-user CALs, and all Microsoft Enterprise E3/E5 per-user licenses. Notice that per-device licenses are excluded. See Licensing Requirements at Microsoft Docs.

Microsoft Teams 2.1 requires FSLogix 2210 Hotfix 3, which is currently in Preview. If you are not yet deploying the new Teams, then stay with 2210 Hotfix 2.

Do the following to install Microsoft FSLogix on the VDA machine:

1. Go to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/fslogix/install-ht and click the download link.
   
2. Extract the downloaded .zip file.
3. In the FSLogix \x64\Release folder, run FSLogixAppsSetup.exe.
   
4. Check the box next to I agree to the license terms and conditions and click Install.
   
5. In the Setup Successful page, click Restart.
   
6. Make sure the Windows Search service is set to Automatic and Running.
   
7. If Office is already installed, then repair the Office installation after installing and starting the Windows Search Service.
   

FSLogix is configured through Group Policy or by editing registry values on each FSLogix Agent machine.

Citrix Desktop Service

To prevent Citrix Desktop Service (BrokerAgent) from starting and registering with the Delivery Controllers before the boot process is complete, see Jeremy Saunders Controlling the Starting of the Citrix Desktop Service (BrokerAgent).

Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)

Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) is enabled by default. To disable it, create the registry value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\Telemetry\CEIP\Enabled (DWORD), and set it to 0 (zero). Also see CEIP at Citrix Insight Services at Citrix Docs.

See https://www.carlstalhood.com/delivery-controller-cr-and-licensing/#ceip for additional places where CEIP is enabled.

Connection Quality Indicator

The Connection Quality Indicator tells the user the quality of the connection. Position of the indicator is configurable by the user. Thresholds are configurable through group policy.

Download it from CTX220774 Connection Quality Indicator and install it. The article is very detailed.

Group Policy templates are located at C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\Connection Quality Indicator\Configuration. Copy the files and folder to <Sysvol>\Policies\PolicyDefinitions, or C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions.

Find the Group Policy settings under Computer Config | Policies | Administrative Templates | Citrix Components | Virtual Desktop Agent | CQI

Version 1.2 adds the GPO settings to the user half of a GPO, which lets you disable CQI for some users and enable it for others.

Notification display settings lets you customize the user notifications, or disable them.

Connection Threshold Settings lets you set the notification thresholds.

Adaptive Transport

Adaptive Transport is a HDX/ICA protocol feature that tries to use UDP ports (EDT protocol) if they are open, and falls back to TCP ICA if UDP connection is not successful. On higher latency connections, EDT (UDP) tends to perform better than traditional TCP ICA.

The Citrix Policy setting HDX Adaptive Transport defaults to Preferred, which means Adaptive Transport is enabled by default.

The newer Citrix EDT protocol use UDP Ports 1494/2598 for HDX connections to the VDA. The UDP ports should already be open in the VDA’s Windows Firewall. In other words, HDX/ICA uses both TCP and UDP ports.

For EDT (and Adaptive Transport) through Citrix Gateway, make sure your Citrix ADC firmware is up to date, preferably 12.1 or newer. Then make sure DTLS is enabled on the Gateway Virtual Server. DTLS is the UDP version of SSL/TLS.

Slow Logons

Citrix Discussions Xenapp 7.9: Wait for local session manager: “I have a Xenapp 7.9 environment on Windows 2012 R2. When logging in through Citrix I got message “Wait for local session manager” for 20-30 seconds. When logging in to the server with RDS, I do not have to wait for this.”

“Add the following 2 registry keys to your VDA server – then try connecting to it using ICA to see if the issue still occurs:

Add reg keys in “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Citrix\GroupPolicy”
Dword: “CacheGpoExpireInHours” – Value = 5-24 (# of Hours) ***start with value of 5***
Dword: “GpoCacheEnabled” – Value = 1

Restart the machine after adding these registry keys and attempt an ICA connection (at least twice) to see if that helps the Login delay.”

 

Marvin Neys at XenApp slow logon times, user get black screen for 20 seconds at Citrix Discussions says that deleting HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UFH\SHC at logoff reduces logon times from 40 seconds to 6 seconds.

Remove-Item HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UFH\SHC

 

For additional logon delay troubleshooting, see Alexander Ollischer XenApp/XenDesktop – “Please Wait For Local Session Manager” message when logging into RDS. He found some Windows Updates that caused a logon delay.

 

VDA recalculates WMI filters on every reconnect. CTX212610 Session Reconnect 30 sec Delay – DisableGPCalculation – WMI Filters indicates that recalculation can be disabled by setting HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\Reconnect\DisableGPCalculation (DWORD) to 1. Note: this registry value might stop Citrix Policies from being re-evaluated when users reconnect (source = Citrix Discussions).

Verify that VDA registered with a Controller

1. If you restart the Virtual Delivery Agent machine, or restart the Citrix Desktop Service…
   
2. In Windows Logs > Application log, you should see an event 1012 from Citrix Desktop Service saying that it successfully registered with a controller.
   
3. If you don’t see successful registration, then you’ll need to fix the ListOfDDCs registry key.
   1. See VDA registration with Controllers at Citrix Docs.
   2. See The Most Common VDA Registration Issues & Troubleshooting Steps at Citrix Blogs.
4. You can also run Citrix’s Health Assistant on the VDA.
   
   
5. See CTX220772 Technical Primer: VDA Registration for a very detailed explanation of the VDA Registration process.

Citrix Workspace app 2311

If you want to run Workspace app on the VDA machine, then upgrade it to Workspace app 2311 (Current Release).

Download and install Workspace app:

1. Download Citrix Workspace app 2311 (Current Release).
   
2. On the VDA, as administrator, run the downloaded CitrixWorkspaceApp.exe.
   
3. In the Welcome to Citrix Workspace page, click Start.
   
4. In the License Agreement page, check the box next to I accept the license agreement, and click Next.
   
5. In the Enable Single Sign-on page, check the box next to Enable single sign-on, and click Install.
   
6. In the Installation successful page, click Finish.
   
7. Click Yes when asked to restart now.
   

Citrix File Access 2.0.4 for Workspace app for Chrome OS

1. If you support Workspace app for Chrome OS (Chromebook) and want published applications to open files on Google Drive, install Citrix File Access on the VDAs. Get it from the Citrix File Access for Chrome.
   
2. Go to the extracted Citrix_File_Access_2.0.4 and run FileAccess.msi.
   
3. In the Please read the File Access License Agreement page, check the box next to I accept the terms, and click Install.
   
4. In the Completed the File Access Setup Wizard page, click Finish.
   
5. File Access is listed in Apps & Features or Programs and Features as version 2.0.4.34.
   
   
6. File Access has a default list of supported file extensions. The list can be expanded by editing the registry on the VDA. See CTX219983 Receiver for Chrome Error: Invalid command line arguments: Unable to open the file as it has an unsupported extension.
   
7. To open a file from Google Drive, right-click the file and open the file using Citrix Workspace app.

Remote Desktop Licensing Configuration

On 2016 and newer RDSH, the only way to configure Remote Desktop Licensing is using group policy (local or domain). This procedure is not needed on virtual desktops.

1. For local group policy, run gpedit.msc. Alternatively, you can configure this in a domain GPO.
   
2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing.
   
3. Double-click Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers. Change it to Enabled, and enter the names of the RDS Licensing Servers (typically installed on Delivery Controllers). Click OK.
   
4. Double-click Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode. Change it to Enabled and select Per User. Click OK.
   
5. Optionally, you can install the Remote Desktop Licensing Diagnoser Tool. In the Server Manager > Add Roles and Features Wizard, on the Features page, expand Remote Server Administration Tools, expand Role Administration Tools, expand Remote Desktop Services Tools, and select Remote Desktop Licensing Diagnoser Tool. Then Finish the wizard.
   
6. If it won’t install from Server Manager, you can install it from PowerShell by running Install-WindowsFeature rsat-rds-licensing-diagnosis-ui.
   
7. In Server Manager, open the Tools menu, expand Remote Desktop Services (or Terminal Services), and click Remote Desktop Licensing Diagnoser.
   
   
8. The Diagnoser should find the license server, and indicate the licensing mode. If you’re configured for Per User licenses, then it’s OK if there are no licenses installed on the Remote Desktop License Server.
   

Several people in Citrix Discussions reported the following issue: If you see a message about RD Licensing Grace Period has expired even though RD Licensing is properly configured, see Eric Verdumen No remote Desktop Licence Server availible on RD Session Host server 2012. The solution was to delete the REG_BINARY in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM\GracePeriod only leaving the default. You must take ownership and give admin users full control to be able to delete this value.

C: Drive Permissions

This section is more important for shared VDAs like RDSH (Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022).

The default permissions allow users to store files on the C: drive in places other than their profile.

1. Open the Properties dialog box for C:.
   
2. On the Security tab, click Advanced.
   
3. If UAC is enabled, click Change permissions.
   
4. Highlight the line containing Users and Create Folders, and click Remove.
   
5. Highlight the line containing Users and Create files (or Special), and click Remove. Click OK.
   
6. Click Yes to confirm the permissions change.
   
7. If you see any of these Error Applying Security windows, click Continue. This window should appear multiple times.
   
8. Click OK to close the C: drive properties.

Pagefile

If this image will be converted to a Citrix Provisioning vDisk, then you must ensure the pagefile is smaller than the cache disk. For example, if you allocate 20 GB of RAM to your Remote Desktop Session Host, and if the cache disk is only 15 GB, then Windows will have a default pagefile size of 20 GB, and Citrix Provisioning will be unable to move it to the cache disk. This causes Citrix Provisioning to cache to server instead of caching to your local cache disk (or RAM).

1. Open System.
   1. The quickest method of opening advanced system parameters is to run sysdm.cpl.
      
   2. In Windows Server 2016 and newer, you can right-click the Start button, and click System.
      
   3. In Windows 10 1703 or newer (or Windows Server 2019 or newer), search the Start Menu for advanced system settings.
      
   4. Another option is to open File Explorer, right-click This PC, and click Properties. This works in Windows 10 1703 and newer.
      
2. Click Advanced system settings.
   
   
3. On the Advanced tab, click the top Settings button.
   
4. On the Advanced tab, click Change.
   
5. Uncheck the box next to Automatically manage paging file size for all drives. Then either turn off the pagefile, or set the pagefile to be smaller than the cache disk. Don’t leave it set to System managed size. Click OK several times.
   

Direct Access Users

When Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) is installed on a machine, non-administrators can no longer RDP to the machine. A new local group called Direct Access Users is created on each Virtual Delivery Agent. Add your non-administrator RDP users to this local group so they can RDP directly to the machine.

From CTX228128 What is the HKLM\Software\Citrix\PortICA\DirectAccessUsers registry function: The HKLM\Software\Citrix\PortICA\DirectAccessUsers registry key determines which Local group the VDA references to determine if a user should be allowed Unbrokered RDP access. Members of the Local Administrators group will always be granted access. If the Registry Key does not exist, or gets deleted, VDA will always allow the Unbrokered RDP Connection. The Registry key and local group are created as part of the VDA installation process.

Registry

ShellBridge

ShellBridge is a new Windows feature that fixes the following published app issues:

• Missing password field in Office apps
• Outlook Toast notifications
• File Explorer not refreshing

VDA 2206 and newer support the ShellBridge feature. Windows must be Windows Server 2019 or newer (or Windows 10/11) running Windows patches from June 2022 or later.

VDA 2212 and newer enable ShellBridge automatically. Otherwise, to enable it:

• Key = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\Citrix Virtual Desktop Agent
  • Value (DWORD) = ShellBridge = 1

EDT MTU Discovery

EDT MTU Discovery prevents EDT packet fragmentation that might result in performance degradation or failure to establish a session. This feature requires the following:

• Citrix Workspace app 1911 for Windows or newer
• Citrix ADC 13.0.52.24 or newer
• Citrix ADC 12.1.56.22 or newer

Set the following registry value on the VDA:

• Key = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\Wds\icawd
  • Value (DWORD) = MtuDiscovery = 1

Black Screen when launch Published Apps on Windows Server 2016

From CTX225819 When Launching an Application Published from Windows Server 2016, a Black Screen Appears for Several Seconds Before Application is Visible: Citrix and Microsoft have worked together together to deliver code fixes for both Windows Server 2016 and Citrix Virtual Apps. Microsoft is targeting their KB4034661 patch for the third week of August 2017. This fix requires a registry edit to enable.

• Key = HKLM\SOFTWARE\Citrix\Citrix Virtual Desktop Agent
  • Value (DWORD) = DisableLogonUISuppression = 0

Faster Login

From CTP James Rankin The ultimate guide to Windows logon time optimizations, part #6: DelayedDesktopSwitchTimeout tells the logon process to wait for a shorter time before switching from session 0 to the actual session in use.

• Key = HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
  • Value (DWORD) = DelayedDesktopSwitchTimeout  = 1

Published Explorer

From Citrix CTX128009 Explorer.exe Fails to Launch: When publishing the seamless explorer.exe application, the session initially begins to connect as expected. After the loading, the dialog box disappears, and the Explorer application fails to appear. On the VDA, use the following registry change to set the length of time a client session waits before disconnecting the session:

• Key = HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\wfshell\TWI
  • Value (DWORD) = LogoffCheckerStartupDelayInSeconds = 10 (Hexadecimal)

Screen Saver

From Citrix CTX205214 Screensaver Not Working in XenDesktop: By default, Screen Saver doesn’t work on Desktop OS. To enable it, on the VDA, configure the following registry value:

• Key = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\Graphics
  • Value (DWORD) = SetDisplayRequiredMode = 0

Smart Cards

From CTX231942 Windows 10 April 2018 Update (v1803) – Citrix Known Issues – Smart Card Service (SCardSvr) will run only if a Smart Card reader is connected. As ICA sessions redirect the Smart Card, it finds the service not to be running and fails.

• Key = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Cryptography\Calais
  • Value (DWORD) = AllowServiceAccessWithNoReaders = 1

Logon Disclaimer Window Size

From XenApp 7.8 – Session Launch Security/Warning Login Banner at Citrix Discussions: If your logon disclaimer window has scroll bars, set the following registry values:

• Key = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432node\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_DLLS\Multiple Monitor Hook
  • Value (DWORD) = LogonUIWidth = 300
  • Value (DWORD) = LogonUIHeight = 200

Login Timeout

From Citrix CTX203760 VDI Session Launches Then Disappears: VDA, by default, only allows 180 seconds to complete a logon operation. The timeout can be increased by setting the following:

• Key = HKLM\SOFTWARE\Citrix\PortICA
  • Value (DWORD) = AutoLogonTimeout = decimal 240 or higher (up to 3599).

Also see Citrix Discussions Machines in “Registered” State, but VM closes after “Welcome” screen.

From Citrix CTX138404 Application Connection Starts but Disappears after Timeout: after loading the application, the dialog box disappears and the application fails to appear.

•  Key = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\wfshell\TWI
  • Value (DWORD) =ApplicationLaunchWaitTimeoutMS = decimal 60000

Workspace app for HTML5/Chrome Enhanced Clipboard

From About Citrix Receiver for Chrome 1.9 at Citrix Docs: To enable enhanced clipboard support, create a REG_SZ registry value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\wfshell\Virtual Clipboard\Additional Formats\HTML Format\Name=”HTML Format”. Create any missing registry keys. This applies to both virtual desktops and Remote Desktop Session Hosts.

Workspace app for HTML5/Chrome Upload Folder

The Workspace app for HTML5 (or Chrome) lets upload files.

By default, the user is prompted to select a upload location. If you use the Upload feature multiple times, the last selected folder is not remembered.

Citrix CTX217351 How to Customize File Upload and Download Using Receiver for HTML5 and Receiver for Chrome. You can specify a default uploads location by editing HKLM\Software\Citrix\FileTransfer\UploadFolderLocation on the VDA. Environment variables are supported. When this value is configured, users are no longer prompted to select an upload location. The change takes effect at next logon.

Note: HTML5/Chrome Workspace app also adds a Save to My Device location to facilitate downloads.

4K Monitors

From Citrix Knowledgebase article CTX218217 Unable to span across multiple monitors after upgrade to 7.11 VDA, Black/Blank screen appears on the monitors while connecting to ICA session:

1. Calculate the video memory that is required for monitors using the following formula:
   SumOfAllMons (Width * Height) * 4 / 0.3, where width and height are resolution of the monitor. Note: There is no hard and fast rule that will work for all cases.
   Example: Consider the resolution of monitor 1 is 1920*1200 and monitor 2 is 1366*768. Then SumOfAllMons will be (1920*1200 + 1366*768)
2. CTX115637 Citrix Session Graphics Memory Reference describes how multi-monitor resolution is determined.
3. Open the registry (regedit) and navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\vbdenum
4. Increase the value of “MaxVideoMemoryBytes” REG_DWORD value to the above calculated memory.
5. Reboot the VDA.

Citrix Policies also control graphics performance.

COM Port Threads

CTX212090 COM Port Intermittently Inaccessible During ICA Sessions: increase the default value of “MaxThreads” under the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\picaser\Parameters from 20 to a value greater than the number of COM port connections you want to support. For example, if a VDA server supports 100 sessions and each session opens two COM ports, the value of “MaxThreads” should be greater than 200.

NVIDIA vGPU GRID License

Allow NVIDIA vGPU GRID License to apply after the session is started. (Source = Jan Hendrik Meier NVIDIA GRID license not applied before the user connects – License Restriction will not be removed until the user reconnects)

• Key = HKLM\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\GridLicensing
  • Value (DWORD) = IgnoreSP = 1

Legacy Client Drive Mapping

Citrix CTX127968 How to Enable Legacy Client Drive Mapping Format on XenApp: Citrix Client Drive Mapping no longer uses drive letters and instead they appear as local disks. This is similar to RDP drive mapping.

The old drive letter method can be enabled by setting the registry value:

• Key = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\UncLinks (create the key)
  • Value (DWORD) = UNCEnabled = 0
    

When you reconnect, the client drives will be mapped as drive letters (starts with V: and goes backwards).

Print Driver for Mac/Linux Clients

Workspace app for Mac version 2203 and newer along with VDA 2112 and newer support PDF printing instead of Postscript printing. With PDF, it’s no longer necessary to install the HP Color LaserJet 2800 Series PS driver on the VDA. Citrix Policy setting Universal driver preference must be adjusted to enable PDF printing as higher priority than PS (postscript) printing. See Citrix Docs for more details.

For Linux clients or older Mac clients, from CTX140208 Client printing from Mac and Linux clients on Windows 10, Server 2012 R2, and Server 2016. By default, non-Windows clients cannot map printers due to a missing print driver on the VDA machine.

1. Download the HP Color LaserJet 2800 Series PS driver directly from Microsoft Catalog as detailed at CTX283355 Client Printing from Linux/MAC is not working on Windows Server 2016 and 2019. The Catalog is at https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/. Then search for hp color laserjet 2800. Pick the 6.1.7600.16385 driver version 💡
   
2. Extract the .cab file using 7-zip or similar.
   
3. In Windows 10 1803+, open Printers & scanners. On the right (or scroll down) is a link to Print Server Properties.
   
   
4. In older versions of Windows, you can get to Print server properties from Devices and Printers.
   1. In Windows prior to Windows 10 1703, click Start, and run Devices and Printers.
      
   2. In Windows 10 1703, open Printers & scanners, then scroll down, and click Devices and printers.
      
      
5. In the Printers section, highlight a local printer (e.g. Microsoft XPS Document Writer). Then in the toolbar, click Print server properties.
   
6. Switch to the Drivers tab and click Change Driver Settings.
   
7. Then click Add.
   
8. In the Welcome to the Add Printer Driver Wizard page, click Next.
   
9. In the Processor Selection page, click Next.
   
10. In the Printer Driver Selection page, click Have Disk and browse to the .inf that you extracted from the .cab file.
    
    
11. Select HP Color LaserJet 2800 Series PS and click Next.
    
12. In the Completing the Add Printer Driver Wizard page, click Finish.
    

SSL for VDA

If you intend to use HTML5 Workspace app internally, install certificates on the VDAs so the WebSockets (and ICA) connection will be encrypted. Internal HTML5 Workspace app will not accept clear text WebSockets. External users don’t have this problem since they are SSL-proxied through Citrix Gateway.

Notes:

• Each Virtual Delivery Agent needs a machine certificate that matches the machine name. This is feasible for a small number of persistent VDAs. For non-persistent VDAs, you’ll need some automatic means for creating machine certificates every time they reboot.
• As detailed in the following procedure, use PowerShell on the Delivery Controller to enable SSL for the Delivery Group. This forces SSL for every VDA in the Delivery Group, which means every VDA in the Delivery Group must have SSL certificates installed.

The following instructions for manually enabling SSL on VDA can be found at Configure TLS on a VDA using the PowerShell script at Citrix Docs.

1. On the VDA machine, run certlm.msc.
2. Right-click Personal, expand All Tasks, and click Request New Certificate to request a certificate from your internal Certificate Authority. You can use either the Computer template or the Web Server template.
   
   • You can also use group policy to enable Certificate Auto-Enrollment for the VDA computers.
     
3. Browse to the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops ISO. In the Support\Tools\SslSupport folder, shift+right-click the Enable-VdaSSL.ps1 script, and click Copy as path.
   
4. Run PowerShell as administrator (elevated).
   
5. Run the command Set-ExecutionPolicy unrestricted. Enter Y to approve.
   
6. In the PowerShell prompt, type in an ampersand (&), and a space.
7. Right-click the PowerShell prompt to paste in the path copied earlier.
8. At the end of the path, type in -Enable
9. If there’s only one certificate on this machine, press Enter.
   
10. If there are multiple certificates, then you’ll need to specify the thumbprint of the certificate you want to use. Open the Certificates snap-in, open the properties of the machine certificate you want to use, and copy the Thumbprint from the Details tab.
    
    In the PowerShell prompt, at the end of the command, enter ‑CertificateThumbPrint, add a space, and type quotes (").
    Right-click the PowerShell prompt to paste the thumbprint.
    Type quotes (") at the end of the thumbprint. Then remove all spaces from the thumbprint. The thumbprint needs to be wrapped in quotes.
    
11. There are additional switches to specify minimum SSL Version and Cipher Suites. Also see Citrix CTX226049 Disabling Triple DES on the VDA breaks the VDA SSL connection.
    
12. Press <Enter> to run the Enable-VdaSSL.ps1 script.
13. Press <Y> twice to configure the ACLs and Firewall.
14. You might have to reboot before the settings take effect.
    
15. Login to a Controller, and run PowerShell as Administrator (elevated).
16. Run the command asnp Citrix.*
    
17. Enter the command:

    Get-BrokerAccessPolicyRule -DesktopGroupName '<delivery-group-name>' | Set-BrokerAccessPolicyRule ‑HdxSslEnabled $true

    where <delivery-group-name> is the name of the Delivery Group containing the VDAs.
    

18. You can run Get-BrokerAccessPolicyRule -DesktopGroupName '<delivery-group-name>' to verify that HDX SSL is enabled.
    
19. Also run the following command to enable DNS resolution.

    Set-BrokerSite –DnsResolutionEnabled $true

    

20. Since the UDP-based EDT protocol is enabled by default, open port UDP 443 to the VDAs.

You should now be able to connect to the VDA using the HTML5 Workspace app from internal machines.

The Citrix blog post How To Secure ICA Connections in XenApp and XenDesktop 7.6 using SSL has a method for automatically provisioning certificates for pooled virtual desktops by enabling certificate auto-enrollment and setting up a task that runs after the certificate has been enrolled.

• From Russ Hargrove at A note on VDA certificates in 7.14 at Citrix Discussions: Citrix installs a new “Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop HDX Service” certificate in the Personal store which breaks the automation of the Enable-VdaSSL.ps1 script. To fix the problem, modify the task scheduler powershell script to:

  Enable-VdaSSL.ps1 -Enable -CertificateThumbPrint (Get-ChildItem -path cert:\LocalMachine\My | Where-Object -FilterScript {$_.Subject -eq ""} | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Thumbprint) -Confirm:$False

• For certificate auto-enrollment on non-persistent Remote Desktop Session Hosts (aka Multi-session OS, aka Server OS VDAs), see Non-Persistent Server SSL to VDA by Alfredo Magallon Arbizu at CUGC.

Anonymous Accounts

If you intend to publish apps anonymously then follow this section.

1. Anonymous accounts are created locally on the VDAs. When VDA creates Anon accounts, it gives them an idle time as specified at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\AnonymousUserIdleTime. The default is 10 minutes. Adjust as desired.
   
2. Pre-create the Anon accounts on the VDA by running "C:\Program Files\Citrix\ICAConfigTool\CreateAnonymousUsersApp.exe". If you don’t run this tool, then anonymous users can’t login.
   
3. You can see the local Anon accounts by opening Computer Management, expanding System Tools, expanding Local Users and Groups and clicking Users.
   
4. If you want profiles for anonymous users to delete at logoff, then you’ll need to add the local Anon users to the local Guests group.
   
5. If you open one of the accounts, on the Sessions tab, notice that idle timeout defaults to 10 minutes. Feel free to change it.
   

Group Policy for Anonymous Users

Since Anonymous users are local accounts on each Virtual Delivery Agent, domain-based GPOs will not apply. To work around this limitation, you’ll need to edit the local group policy on each Virtual Delivery Agent.

1. On the Virtual Delivery Agent, run mmc.exe.
2. Open the File menu, and click Add/Remove Snap-in.
   
3. Highlight Group Policy Object Editor, and click Add to move it to the right.
   
4. In the Welcome to the Group Policy Wizard page, click Browse.
   
5. On the Users tab, select Non-Administrators.
   
6. Click Finish.
   
7. Now you can configure group policy to lock down sessions for anonymous users. Since this is a local group policy, you’ll need to repeat the group policy configuration on every Virtual Delivery Agent image. Also, Group Policy Preferences is not available in local group policy.

Antivirus

Install antivirus using your normal procedure. Instructions vary for each Antivirus product.

Microsoft’s virus scanning recommendations (e.g., exclude group policy files) – http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822158.

Citrix’s Recommended Antivirus Exclusions

Citrix Tech Zone Endpoint Security and Antivirus Best Practices: provides guidelines for configuring antivirus software in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops environments.

Citrix Blog Post Citrix Recommended Antivirus Exclusions: the goal here is to provide you with a consolidated list of recommended antivirus exclusions for your Citrix virtualization environment focused on the key processes, folders, and files that we have seen cause issues in the field:

• Set real-time scanning to scan local drives only and not network drives
• Disable scan on boot
• Remove any unnecessary antivirus related entries from the Run key
• Exclude the pagefile(s) from being scanned
• Exclude Windows event logs from being scanned
• Exclude IIS log files from being scanned

See the Blog Post for exclusions for each Citrix component/product including: StoreFront, VDA, Controller, and Citrix Provisioning. The Blog Post also has links to additional KB articles on antivirus.

Symantec

Symantec links:

• Symantec TECH91070 Citrix and terminal server best practices for Endpoint Protection.
• Symantec TECH197344 Virtualization best practices for Endpoint Protection 12.1.x and SEP 14.x
• Symantec TECH180229 Endpoint Protection – Non-persistent Virtualization Best Practices
• Symantec TECH123419 How to prepare Symantec Endpoint Protection clients on virtual disks for use with Citrix Provisioning Server has a script that automates changing the MAC address registered with Symantec.
• Citrix Blog Post How to prepare a Citrix Provisioning Services Target Device for Symantec Endpoint Protection
• If profiles are deleted on logoff, set Symantec registry value CloseUserLogFile to 1. Symantec TECH210170 Citrix user sessions are held open by ccSvcHst.exe during log off

Trend Micro

Trend Micro Slow login on Citrix environment after installing OfficeScan (OSCE): The following registries can be used to troubleshoot the issue. These registries will allow a delay on the startup procedure of OSCE until the system has launched successfully. This avoids deadlock situations during login.

Citrix CTX136680 – Slow Server Performance After Trend Micro Installation. Citrix session hosts experience slow response and performance more noticeable while users try to log in to the servers. At some point the performance of the servers is affected, resulting in issues with users logging on and requiring the server to be restarted. This issue is more noticeable on mid to large session host infrastructures.

Trend Micro has provided a registry fix for this type of issue. Create the following registry on all the affected servers. Add new DWORD Value as:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TmFilterParameters] “DisableCtProcCheck”=dword:00000001

Trend Micro Links:

• Trend Micro Docs – Trend Micro Virtual Desktop Support
• Trend Micro Docs – VDI Pre-Scan Template Generation Tool
• Trend Micro 1056314 – Configuring the OfficeScan (OSCE) Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) client/agent
• Trend Micro 1055260 – Best practice for setting up Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in OfficeScan
• Trend Micro 1056376 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Virtual Desktop Infrastructure/Support In OfficeScan

Sophos

CTX238012 Logon process to VDAs is extremely slow when Citrix UPM is enabled. Set the following registry:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Sophos\SavService\Application
  • DisableAsyncScans (DWORD) = 1

Sophos Endpoint Security and Control: Best Practice for running Sophos on virtual systems: we’ve amassed the following practical information about how you can optimize our software to work with this technology.

Sophos Endpoint Security and Control: Installation and configuration considerations for Sophos Anti-Virus on a Remote Desktop Services server: It maybe desirable to disable the Sophos AutoUpdate shield icon

Sophos Endpoint Security and Control: How to include current version of Sophos in a disk image for cloned virtual machines: This procedure will make sure that the produced target/cloned computers:

• Get their distinct identity with Enterprise Console, under which they can be subsequently managed.
• Have the desired version of Sophos Anti-Virus already installed and configured on the created image.

Palo Alto Traps

• Install Traps Agent for Windows:
  • Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) installation—Intended for non-persistent endpoints that replicate (also referred to as spawn) from a golden image which has Traps installed.
  • Temporary session—Intended for either physical or virtual endpoints (such as a Remote Desktop Server) that repeatedly revert to a snapshot (or image) on which Traps is not installed.

Windows Defender Antivirus

Configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus on a remote desktop or virtual desktop infrastructure environment – Microsoft Docs

Configuring Microsoft Defender Antivirus for non-persistent VDI machines – Microsoft Blog

Disable Network protection and configure Citrix’s antivirus exclusions (source = Citrix CTX319676 Users sessions are getting disconnected – Connection Interrupted)

Onboarding and servicing non-persistent VDI machines with Microsoft Defender ATP

Cylance

CTX232722 Unable to launch application with Cylance Memory Protection Enabled. Cylance must be run in compatibility mode in order to the VDA and Cylance to run on the same machine. See the article for detailed instructions.

Optimize Performance

VDA Optimizer

Installation of the VDA might have already done this, but there’s no harm in doing it again. This tool is only available if you installed VDA in Master Image mode.

1. On the master VDA, go to C:\Program Files\Citrix\PvsVm\TargetOSOptimizer, and run TargetOSOptimizer.exe.
   
2. Then click OK. Notice that it disables Windows Update.
   
3. See CTX125874 How to Optimize XenDesktop Machines for the list of registry values changed by the TargetOSOptimizer tool. You can use Group Policy Preferences to set these values.

Windows 10 / Windows 2016 / Windows 2019 and newer

Download Citrix Optimizer and run it.

• Citrix Blog Post Citrix Optimizer 2.6 – What’s new.
• Citrix Optimizer Community Template Marketplace – for more templates, add the Community Template Marketplace.
  
  
• Select a template (or download one from the Marketplace). Then click Optimize.
  
  
• To roll back Citrix Optimizer, see Citrix Blog Post Citrix Optimizer: How to Roll Back Changes.

Citrix Daniel Feller links:

• Windows Server 2016 Optimizations For Citrix XenApp
• Optimize Vdi: Windows 10 Scheduled Tasks (Original, Anniversary And Creator Updates) contains a list of Scheduled Tasks that can be disabled.
  
  
• Optimize VDI: Windows 10 Default Apps (Original, Anniversary And Creator Updates) lists the built-in UWP apps that should be removed.
  
• Optimize Vdi: Windows 10 User Interface And Runtime (Original, Anniversary And Creator Updates) contains registry keys to improve Windows 10 performance.
  

James Rankin Improving Windows 10 logon time:

• Removing UWP apps on Windows 10 1803 – the easy way! – YouTube video
  Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -online | Out-GridView -passthru | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -online
• Use Remove-AppXProvisionedPackage to remove Modern apps. See the article for a list of apps to remove. Also see James Rankin Everything you wanted to know about virtualizing, optimizing and managing Windows 10…but were afraid to ask – part #3: MODERN APPS
• Import a Standard Start Tiles layout (Export-StartLayout)
• Create a template user profile

David Wilkinson links:

•  Citrix XenDesktop and Windows 10 Optimisation Script – “Optimise Windows 10 in XenDesktop based environment as per citrix optimisation recommendations/Various blogs and my own experience in running citrix environments.”
  
• Citrix XenApp and Windows Server 2016 – Optimisation Script – “Optimise Windows Server 2016 in XenApp/RDS based environment as per citrix optimisation Guide in 2008 R2/Various blogs and my own experience in running citrix environments.”
  

Citrix Links:

• Citrix’s Windows 10 Optimization Guide – remove built-in apps, delete Scheduled Tasks, disable services, etc.
• CTX232313 Citrix Provisioning Services: Slow Login Performance with Windows 10 VDA Machines says that if you removed all Store apps, then the Network Location Awareness Service can be disabled.
  • Or enable the local group policy setting Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates | Network | Network Isolation | Subnet definitions are authoritative.
    

Microsoft links:

• Microsoft Docs Optimizing Windows 10, version 1803, for a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) role
  
• Microsoft Docs Recommended settings for VDI desktops contains a list of settings with their Default Value and Recommended value for VDI use.
• Microsoft TechNet Blog Guidance on Disabling System Services on Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience contains a spreadsheet with a list of services categorized as follows:
  
• Carl Luberti (Microsoft) Windows 10 VDI Optimization Script

Optimization Notes:

• If this machine is provisioned using Citrix Provisioning, do not disable the Shadow Copy services.
• Citrix CTX213540 Citrix UPS Printers are not visible via Control Panel, Devices And Printers – don’t disable the Device Setup Manager Service
• Citrix CTX131995 User Cannot Launch Application in Seamless Mode in a Provisioning Services Server when XenApp Optimization Best Practices are Applied. Do not enable NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation.

Applications

Choose installers that install to C:\Program Files instead of to %appdata%. Search for VDI or Enterprise versions of the following applications. These VDI versions do not auto-update so you’ll have to update them manually.

• Google Chrome – Chrome Enterprise
• Microsoft Edge – Edge for Business
• Microsoft Teams – Teams for VDI
• Microsoft OneDrive – Install the sync app per machine
• Zoom – Zoom VDI
• WebEx – WebEx VDI
• Cisco Jabber – Jabber VDI
• Etc.

Seal and Shut Down

If this VDA will be a master image in a Machine Creation Services or Citrix Provisioning catalog, after the master is fully prepared (including applications), do the following:

1. Go to the properties of the C: drive, and run Disk Cleanup.
   
2. If Disk Cleanup is missing, you can run cleanmgr.exe instead.
   
3. Windows 10 1703 and newer has a new method for cleaning up temporary files.
   1. Right-click the Start button, and click System.
   2. Click Storage on the left, and click This PC (C:) on the right.
      
   3. Click Temporary Files.
      
   4. Check boxes, and click Remove files.
      
4. On the Tools tab of the local C: drive Properties, click Optimize to defrag the drive.
   `
5. Run slmgr.vbs /dlv and make sure it is licensed with KMS and has at least one rearm remaining. It is not necessary to manually rearm licensing since MCS will do it automatically.
   
6. Run Delprof2 to clean up local profiles. Get it from http://helgeklein.com/download/.
   
7. Machine Creation Services and Citrix Provisioning require DHCP.
   
8. Session hosts (RDSH) commonly have DHCP reservations.
   
9. Base Image Script Framework (BIS-F) automates many sealing tasks. The script is configurable using Group Policy.
   
10. Shut down the master image. You can now use Studio (Machine Creation Services) or Citrix Provisioning to create a catalog of linked clones.
    

Troubleshooting – Graphics

For Citrix Policies that control graphics codecs, see https://www.carlstalhood.com/citrix-policy-settings/#graphics

Citrix Blog post – Optimising the performance of HDX 3D Pro – Lessons from the field

From Citrix Discussions: To exclude applications from Citrix 3D rendering, create a REG_DWORD registry value “app.exe” with value 0 or a registry value “*” with value 0.

• Both x86 and x64:
  • reg add hklm\software\citrix\vd3d\compatibility /v * /t REG_DWORD /f /d 0

Wildcards are not supported. The asterisk * here has a special meaning “all apps” but is not a traditional wildcard. To blacklist multiple apps e.g. both appa.exe and appb.exe must be done by creating a registry value for each app individually.

This is most problematic in Remote PC since most physical PCs have GPUs. I recently had to blacklist Internet Explorer to prevent lockup issues when switching back to physical.

Uninstall VDA

Uninstall the VDA from Apps & Features or Programs and Features.

Then see CTX209255 VDA Cleanup Utility.

To run the VDA Cleanup Tool silently:

1. Execute VDACleanupUtility.exe /silent /noreboot to suppress reboot.
2. Once the VDACleanupUtility has finished executing, setup Auto logon for the current user.
3. Reboot.
4. After reboot, tool will launch automatically to continue Cleanup.

Another option is to delete CitrixVdaCleanup value under HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce. Then after reboot, run VDACleanupUtility.exe /silent /reboot to indicate that it’s running after the reboot.

Related Pages

• Citrix Provisioning Master Device Preparation
• Catalogs / Delivery Groups
• Citrix Policy Settings

Navigation

• Change Log
• Upgrade to version 2311
• New Install Preparation
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  • Create Site / Databases
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• Local Host Cache
• Database Maintenance – read-committed snapshot, Director grooming, Logging Database operations, etc.
  • Change Database Connection Strings
• Export/Import Configuration
• Studio Administrators
• Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)
• Web Studio Settings
• vCenter Connection – vCenter certificate, Hosting Resources
• Citrix License Server
  • Upgrade Citrix License Server to 11.17.2.0 build 46000
  • Citrix Licensing Manager
  • Activate Citrix License
  • License Server CEIP
  • Citrix License Management Service
  • Citrix License Server Monitoring
• Remote Desktop Licensing Server
  • Install Remote Desktop Licensing Server
  • Active Remote Desktop Licensing Server
• Citrix Scout
• Health Check

💡 = Recently Updated

Change Log

• 2024 Feb 19 – Citrix License Server 11.17.2.0 build 46000
• 2023 Dec 22 – Web Studio: PowerShell/API logging; Multi-site management; Vertical load balancing at Delivery Group
• 2023 Dec 21 – updated Install and Upgrade sections for version 2311
• 2023 Sept 16 – Web Studio Settings

Upgrade

If you are performing a new install of Delivery Controller, then skip to the next section.

Starting in August 2018, XenApp and XenDesktop is renamed to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) and Versioning changed to YYMM (year month) format.

You can in-place upgrade directly from any Delivery Controller version 7.0 or newer. The operating system must be Windows Server 2016 or newer. And SQL must be SQL 2016 or newer.

During the upgrade of Delivery Controller, be aware that a database upgrade is required. Either get a DBA to grant you temporary sysadmin permission, or use Citrix Studio to generate SQL scripts that a DBA must then run in SQL Studio.

1. CVAD Versions you can upgrade from – XenApp/XenDesktop 7.15 with CU5 or newer, CVAD 1912 with any Cumulative Update, any supported Current Release version.
2. Virtual Channel Allow List – the Citrix Policy setting named Virtual Channel Allow List is enabled by default in VDA 2203 and newer. Whitelist your non-Citrix (e.g., Zoom) virtual channels before upgrading your VDAs, or else your non-Citrix virtual channels will stop working.
3. NVIDIA – ensure your NVIDIA Virtual GPU software supports the version of CVAD that you are upgrading to.
4. Consider Utilizing Local Host Cache for Nondisruptive Database Upgrades at Citrix Docs.
5. License Server Upgrade – Before upgrading to Delivery Controller 2311, upgrade your Citrix License Server to 11.17.2.0 Build 46000. Citrix now requires Licensing telemetry as described in CTX477614 Citrix License Telemetry FAQ
   
   • Citrix now requires Licensing telemetry as described in CTX477614 Citrix License Telemetry FAQ. The build must be 40000 or newer and you must upgrade within 6 months of release.
   • You can run LicServVerify.exe from the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) ISO to verify that the License Server is compatible. Example syntax is: "E:\x64\XenDesktop Setup\LicServVerify.exe" -h myLicenseServer -p 27000 -v
     
     
6. Current Release– Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) 2311 is a Current Release, which means it is supported for only 6 months. For longer term support, deploy LTSR 2203. See Lifecycle Milestones for Citrix Virtual Apps & Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. See CTX205549 FAQ: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and Citrix Hypervisor Long Term Service Release (LTSR).
7. Delivery Controller OS Compatibility – Delivery Controller 2311 is supported on Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2016.
   • Windows Server 2012 R2 and older are no longer supported.
   • See https://www.carlstalhood.com/cvad-upgrades/#deliverycontrollers for how to upgrade the operating system.
8. SQL Compatibility – Delivery Controller 2311 does not support several older database engines, including the previously included SQL 2014 LocalDB database engine for the Local Host Cache.
   • SQL Server 2022 is supported with Delivery Controller 2308 and newer.
   • SQL Server 2014, SQL Server 2012, and SQL Server 2008 R2, are no longer supported for the site database.
   • SQL Server Express LocalDB version 2014 is no longer supported for the local host cache database. The Delivery Controller installer does not upgrade this component, so you’ll have to do it manually. See Replace SQL Server Express LocalDB at Citrix Docs.
     
9. VDA OS Compatibility – Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) 2212 is only supported on a limited number of Windows operating system versions, specifically, Windows 10 (1607+), Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022.
   • For VDAs running Windows Server 2012 R2, leave their VDA at version 1912 LTSR (with latest Cumulative Update). VDA 1912 LTSR can communicate with Delivery Controllers 2311.
   • For VDA machines running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, leave their VDA software at version 7.15 LTSR (with latest Cumulative Update). VDA 7.15 LTSR can communicate with Delivery Controllers 2311. Note that 7.15 is no longer supported by Citrix.
10. Cloud VDAs support – Delivery Controller 2203 and newer support public cloud (native Azure, native AWS, native Google Cloud) hosting connections, but only if your Citrix licenses are Citrix Cloud licenses with Hybrid rights or Citrix Universal Licenses. Normal on-prem licenses won’t work. If you used cloud hosting connections in CVAD 1912, then you must upgrade your licenses before you upgrade to Delivery Controller 2311. See CTX270373 Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops: Public cloud support with Current Releases and Long Term Service Releases.
11. Snapshot. Take a snapshot of the Delivery Controller machine before attempting the upgrade. The Citrix installer requires a reboot before upgrading, so it’s probably best to shut down the machine before you snapshot it.
    
12. Download the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2311 ISO.
    
13. On an existing Delivery Controller, run AutoSelect.exe from the 2311 ISO.
    
14. On the top left, in the Upgrade box, click Studio and Server Components.
    
15. In the Licensing Agreement page, select I have read, understand, and accept the terms, and click Next.
    
16. In the Ensure Successful Upgrade page, read the steps, check the box next to I’m ready to continue, and click Next.
    
17. If you see the Unsupported Features and Platforms page, read the list, check the box next to I understand the risk of upgrading a deployment that has unsupported features or platforms, then click Next.
    
18. If you see a Licensing Errors page, then you need to upgrade your License Server or install updated license file.
    
    
19. If you see a SQL Server version error, then you might need to upgrade your SQL Server, or move the Citrix databases to a supported SQL server.
20. If you see a SQL Server Express LocalDB version error, then click the Learn More link to see instructions to upgrade it.
    
21. If you see a window saying “We cannot determine which SQL version is currently installed”, click OK.
    
22. In the Preliminary Site Tests page, click Start Preliminary Tests.
    
23. The tests will take a few minutes. Click Next when done.
    
24. In the Firewall page, click Next.
    
25. In the Summary page, click Upgrade. Notice that StoreFront is not in this list. StoreFront is upgraded separately.
    
26. Click OK when asked to start the upgrade.
    
27. The machine will probably restart a couple times.
    
    1. After the reboot, and after logging in again, you might see a Locate ‘Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7’ installation media window. Don’t click anything yet.
       
    2. Go to the Citrix_Virtual_Apps_and_Desktops_7_2311.iso file and mount it.
       
    3. Go back to the Locate ‘Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7’ installation media window.
    4. On the left, expand This PC, and click the DVD Drive.
    5. Click Select Folder.
       
28. If the upgrade fails:
    1. Look for MetaInstaller log files under %localappdata%\Temp\Citrix\XenDesktop Installer\MSI Log Files.
       
    2. Look for StoreFront log files under C:\Program Files\Citrix\Receiver StoreFront\Admin\logs.
       
    3. Citrix has a MSI Log Analyzer.
       
29. If you see a License Server Data page, click Next.
    
30. In the Finish page, check the box next to Launch Citrix Site Manager, and click Finish.
    
31. Web Studio and StoreFront – If you installed Web Studio and StoreFront on the same server, then see Citrix Docs to fix Web Studio.

Studio – Upgrade Database, Catalogs, and Delivery Groups

1. After Site Manager or Citrix Studio launches, if you have sysadmin permissions on SQL, then click Start the automatic Site upgrade. If you don’t have full SQL permission, then get a DBA to help you, click Manually upgrade this site, and follow the instructions.
   
   
   
   • If you choose to Manually upgrade this site, then note that there might not be an upgrade for the Logging Database schema, depending on what version you are upgrading from.
     
     
   • Run the DisableServices.ps1 script before upgrading the database.
     
   • The .sql scripts must be run in SQLCMD mode. Re-enable SQLCMD mode for each script.
     
2. After all Controllers and VDAs are upgraded to 2112, in Citrix Studio, view your Machine Catalog for the current functional level (Set to VDA version). Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) 2112 lets you upgrade your Catalogs and Delivery Groups to functional level 2003 assuming all of the VDAs are running 2003 and newer.
   
   1. Don’t upgrade the Catalog or Delivery Group until all VDAs within the Catalog and Delivery Group are VDA version 2003 or newer.
   2. Right-click the Catalog and click Upgrade Catalog.
      
   3. Review the message regarding suitability of the upgrade and then click Upgrade.
      
   4. Then upgrade the Delivery Groups by right-clicking on a Delivery Group and clicking Upgrade Delivery Group.
      
   5. Review the suitability message and then click Upgrade.
      

CVAD 2212 and newer include Web Studio at https://ControllerFQDN/citrix/webstudio or from the Start Menu.

• Citrix Site Manager is a reduced functionality version of Citrix Studio that is only for database connections or adding Delivery Controllers to the site/farm.
  

Other Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops components can also be in-place upgraded:

• StoreFront
• Director
  • Upgrading Director overrides modifications to LogOn.aspx (e.g. default domain name), so you’ll have to reapply them.
• VDAs
• Citrix Policy Management Plug-in
• Citrix Profile Management (UPM) Group Policy Templates
• Workspace app Group Policy Templates
• Workspace Environment Management (WEM)
• Citrix Provisioning
• Session Recording
• Federated Authentication Service (FAS)

New Install Preparation

Current Release

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) 2311 is a Current Release, which means it is supported for only 6 months. For longer term support, deploy LTSR 2203. See Lifecycle Milestones for Citrix Virtual Apps & Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. See CTX205549 FAQ: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and Citrix Hypervisor Long Term Service Release (LTSR).

OS Compatibility

Delivery Controller 2311 is supported on Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2016. Windows Server 2012 R2 and older are no longer supported.

Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) 2311 is only supported on a limited number of Windows operating system versions, specifically, Windows 11, Windows 10 (1607+), Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022.

• If you have older VDA machines running Windows Server 2012 R2, you can install VDA software version 1912 LTSR. Citrix supports VDA 1912 LTSR communicating with Delivery Controller 2311.
• If you have older VDA machines running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you can install VDA software version 7.15 LTSR. Citrix supports VDA 7.15 LTSR communicating with Delivery Controller 2311.

Citrix Licensing

Upgrade your Citrix License Server to 11.17.2.0 build 46000.

• Citrix now requires Licensing telemetry as described in CTX477614 Citrix License Telemetry FAQ. The build must be 40000 or newer and you must upgrade within 6 months of release.
• You can run LicServVerify.exe from the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) ISO to verify that the License Server is compatible. Example syntax is: "E:\x64\XenDesktop Setup\LicServVerify.exe" -h myLicenseServer -p 27000 -v
  
  

Multiple License Types – Multiple license types (but not multiple editions) are supported in a single farm. See CTX223926 How to Configure Multiple License Types within a Single XenApp and XenDesktop Site.

Cloud VDAs support – Delivery Controller 2203 and newer support public cloud (native Azure, native AWS, native Google Cloud) hosting connections, but only if your Citrix licenses are Citrix Cloud licenses with Hybrid rights. Normal on-prem licenses won’t work. See CTX270373 Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops: Public cloud support with Current Releases and Long Term Service Releases.

SQL Databases for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops

• Citrix article CTX114501 – Supported Databases for Virtual Apps and Desktops (XenApp and XenDesktop) AND Provisioning (Provisioning Services)
  • SQL Server 2022 is supported with Delivery Controller 2308 and newer.
  • Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) 2203 and newer no longer support SQL 2014 and older.
• Citrix CTX209080 XenDesktop 7.x: Database Sizing Tool
• Three databases – There are typically three databases: one for the Site (aka farm), one for Logging (audit log) and one for Monitoring (Director).
  • The name of the monitoring database must not have any spaces in it. See CTX200325 Database Naming Limitation when Citrix Director Accesses Monitoring Data Using OData APIs
  • If you want Citrix Studio to create the SQL databases automatically, then the person running Studio must be a sysadmin on the SQL instances. No lesser SQL role will work. sysadmin permissions can be granted temporarily and revoked after installation.
  • Alternatively, you can use Citrix Studio to create SQL scripts and then ask a DBA to run those scripts on the SQL server. In that case, the person running the scripts only needs the dbcreator and securityadmin roles.
    • You can use PowerShell to generate separate SQL scripts for sysadmin vs db_owner. See Preferred database rights scripts at Citrix Docs.
  • It is possible to create the three databases in advance. However, you must use the non-default collation named Latin1_General_100_CI_AS_KS
• SQL High Availability Options:
  • Basic Availability Groups – Build two SQL 2016 (or newer) Standard Edition servers, and create three Basic Availability Groups, one for each database. Each Basic Availability Group has its own Listener.
    • SQL Standard Edition is much cheaper than SQL Enterprise Edition.
    • See Patrick van den Born How to: Configure Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop to use Microsoft SQL multi-subnet (Basic) Availability Groups.
  • AlwaysOn Availability Group – Build two SQL Enterprise Edition servers, and create one AlwaysOn Availability Group with one Listener.
  • Failover Clustering – Build two SQL Enterprise Edition servers, and configure SQL Database Failover Clustering.
• Cloud – Azure SQL is not supported. AWS RDS is supported by AWS, but not by Citrix. You’ll need to build your own SQL Servers on IaaS VMs.

Windows Feature

Installing Group Policy Management (GPMC) on the Delivery Controllers lets you edit Citrix-targeted Group Policy Objects (GPOs) directly from the Delivery Controllers.

Citrix has a Citrix Group Policy Management Plug-in that adds the Citrix Policies node to the Group Policy Editor. The Citrix Group Policy Management Plug-in is included with the installation of Citrix Studio, meaning that running GPMC on the Delivery Controller automatically grants you access to the Citrix Policies node in the GPOs. If you edit GPOs on a machine that doesn’t have Citrix Studio installed, then you won’t see the Citrix Policies node in GPOs until you manually install the Citrix Group Policy Management Plug-in.

vCenter Service Account

Create a role in vSphere Client. Assign a service account to the role at the vCenter Datacenter or higher level. Delivery Controller will use this service account to login to vCenter.

Delivery Controller New Install

1. A typical size for the Controller VMs is 2-4 vCPU and 8+ GB of RAM. If all components (Delivery Controller, StoreFront, Licensing, Director, SQL Express) are installed on one server, then you might want to bump up memory to 10 GB or 12 GB. 5 GB is the minimum memory.
2. From Local Host Cache sizing and scaling at Citrix Docs:
   1. Add two cores for LHC.
   2. For LHC SQL LocalDB, assign the Controller VMs a single CPU socket with multiple cores. SQL LocalDB uses a maximum of one CPU socket. Configure the Delivery Controller VM with four cores per socket.
      
   3. Add at least three more Gigs of RAM and watch the memory consumption.
   4. Since there’s no control over LHC election, ensure all Controllers in the site/farm have the same specs.
3. Operating System: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) 2311 is supported on Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2016. Windows Server 2012 R2 and older are no longer supported.
4. Make sure the User Right Log on as a service includes NT SERVICE\ALL SERVICES or add NT SERVICE\CitrixTelemetryService to the User Right.
   
5. Download the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2311 ISO.
   
6. On two Delivery Controllers, to install the Delivery Controller software, run AutoSelect.exe from the mounted 2311 ISO.
   
7. Click Start next to either Virtual Apps or Virtual Apps and Desktops. The only difference is the product name displayed in the installation wizard.
   
8. On the top left, click Delivery Controller.
   
9. In the Licensing Agreement page, select I have read, understand, and accept the terms, and click Next.
   
10. In the Core Components page, you can install all components on one server, or on separate servers. Splitting out the components is only necessary in large environments, or if you have multiple farms and want to share the Licensing, and Director components across those farms. Notice that StoreFront is no longer an option and must be installed separately.
11. CVAD 2212 and newer include Web Studio as an option. Studio is no longer selected by default. Citrix says that Web Studio and StoreFront should be installed on separate servers. Click Next.
    
12. CVAD 2212 and newer let you add a Delivery Controller that Web Studio will manage.
    
13. In the Features page, uncheck the box next to Install Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Express CU9, and click Next.
    
14. In the Firewall page, click Next.
    
15. In the Summary page, click Install.
    
16. The machine will probably restart a couple times.
    
    1. After the reboot, and after logging in again, you might see a Locate ‘Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7’ installation media window. Don’t click anything yet.
       
    2. Go to the Citrix_Virtual_Apps_and_Desktops_7_2311.iso file and mount it.
       
    3. Go back to the Locate ‘Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7’ installation media window.
    4. On the left, expand This PC, and click the DVD Drive.
    5. Click Select Folder.
       
    6. Installation will resume. Repeat these instructions after each reboot.
17. If you see a Diagnostics page, you can optionally Collect diagnostic information by clicking Connect and entering your Citrix Cloud or MyCitrix.com credentials. Click Next.
    
18. In the Finish page, click Finish. Either Citrix Site Manager (CVAD 2212 or newer with Web Studio) or Citrix Studio will automatically launch.
    
19. Web Studio and StoreFront – If you installed Web Studio and StoreFront on the same server, then see Citrix Docs to fix Web Studio.
20. Anti-affinity – Ensure the two Delivery Controller VMs do not run on the same hypervisor host. Create an anti-affinity rule at vSphere Cluster > Manage > VM/Host Rules > Add. Set the Type to Separate Virtual Machines.
    
21. Citrix Tech Zone Endpoint Security and Antivirus Best Practices: provides guidelines for configuring antivirus software in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops environments

Create Site – Create Database

There are several methods of creating the databases for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD):

• If you have sysadmin permissions to SQL, let Citrix Studio create the databases automatically.
• If you don’t have sysadmin permissions to SQL, then use Citrix Studio to generate SQL scripts, and send the scripts to a DBA.

Use Citrix Site Manager or Citrix Studio to Create the Databases Automatically

1. Launch Citrix Studio. After it loads, click Deliver applications and desktops to your users.
   
   
2. In the Introduction page, select An empty, unconfigured site. This reduces the number of pages in this Setup wizard. The removed pages will be configured later.
3. Enter a Site Name (aka farm name) and click Next. Only administrators see the farm name.
   
4. In the Databases page, if you are building two Delivery Controllers, click Select near the bottom of the same page.
   
   1. Click Add.
   2. Enter the FQDN of the second Delivery Controller, and click OK. Note: the Delivery Controller software must already be installed on that second machine.
   3. Then click Save.
      
5. If the person running Citrix Studio has sysadmin permissions to the SQL Server, then enter the SQL server name/instance in the three Location fields, and click Next.
6. If you don’t have sysadmin permission, then jump to the SQL Scripts section below.
   
7. On the Licensing page, enter the name of the Citrix License Server, and click Connect. If you installed Citrix Licensing with your Delivery Controller, then simply enter localhost.
8. If the Certificate Authentication appears, select Connect me, and click Confirm.
   
9. Select your license type, and click Next. If you see both User/Device and Concurrent, then you usually must select User/Device licenses. Also see Multi-type licensing at Citrix Docs.
   
10. In the Summary page, if your databases are mirrored or in an Availability Group, each database will show high availability servers, and the name of the Mirror server. Click Finish.
    
    
11. It will take some time for the site to be created.
12. Once done, skip to the Second Delivery Controller section.

Use Citrix Studio to create SQL scripts

1. If you don’t have SQL sysadmin permissions, then change the selection to Generate scripts to manually set up databases on the database server. Change the database names if desired, and click Next.
   
2. In the Summary page, click Generate scripts.
   
3. A folder will open with many scripts.
   • There’s a Principal script for each of the three databases.
   • The Mixed scripts and SysAdmin scripts create SQL Server logins whereas the DbOwner scripts do not. Either run the Mixed scripts that contain all tasks or run the SysAdmin and DbOwner scripts separately. The idea is that the separate scripts are run by different SQL admins that have different permissions.
   • The Replicas scripts add logons to secondary SQL servers.
     
4. Before running the scripts, create the three databases.
   
   1. At the top of each script is the Database Name that was entered in Citrix Studio. The database name needs to match the script.
      
   2. On the Options tab, change the Collation to Latin1_General_100_CI_AS_KS.
   3. In the bottom part, find Is Read Committed Snapshot On and set it to True.
      
   4. Repeat this for all three databases.
   5. You can then add these three databases to an AlwasyOn Availability Group.
5. Now do the following to run either the Mixed scripts or run the SysAdmin and DbOwner scripts separately. The scripts must be run in SQLCMD mode.
   1. On the Principal SQL Server, open the file Site_Mixed_Principal.sql.
      
      
   2. Open the Query menu, and click SQLCMD Mode to enable it.
      
   3. Then execute the script.
      
   4. If SQLCMD mode was enabled properly, then the output should look something like this:
      
   5. If you have a mirrored database, then run the Replicas script on the mirror SQL instance. Make sure SQLCMD mode is enabled.
      
   6. Repeat for the Logging_Mixed_Principal.sql script.
      
   7. You’ll have to enable SQLCMD Mode for each script you open.
      
      
      
   8. Repeat for the Monitoring_Mixed_Principal.sql script.
      
   9. Once again enable SQLCMD Mode.
      
      
      
   10. The person running Citrix Studio must be added to the SQL Server as a SQL Login and granted the public server role so that account can enumerate the databases.
       
       
6. Back in Citrix Studio, click the Continue database configuration and Site setup button.
   
7. In the Databases page, enter the SQL server name and instance name, and then click Next.
   
   
8. On the Licensing page, enter the name of the Citrix License Server, and click Connect. If you installed Citrix Licensing with your Delivery Controller, then simply enter localhost.
9. If the Certificate Authentication window appears, select Connect me, and click Confirm.
   
10. Then select your license, and click Next. See CTX223926 How to Configure Multiple License Types within a Single XenApp and XenDesktop Site.
    
11. In the Summary page, if your databases are mirrored, each database will show high availability servers and the name of the Mirror server. Click Finish.
    
    
12. It will take some time for the site to be created.
    

Second Controller

During Site creation on the first Delivery Controller, in the Site Setup wizard, you might have selected more than one Delivery Controller.  In that case, on the second Delivery Controller, simply run Citrix Studio and it should already be configured.

Otherwise, additional Delivery Controllers need to be added to the SQL databases.

• If you have sysadmin permissions to SQL, let Citrix Studio modify the databases automatically.
• If you don’t have sysadmin permissions to SQL then use Citrix Studio to generate SQL scripts and send them to a DBA.

To use Citrix Studio to create the SQL Scripts:

1. On the first Delivery Controller, if StoreFront is installed on the Controller, then delete the default StoreFront store (/Citrix/Store) and recreate it with your desired Store name (e.g. /Citrix/Company).
   
2. On the second Delivery Controller machine, install Delivery Controller as detailed earlier.
3. After installation, launch Citrix Studio on the second controller, and click Connect this Delivery Controller to an existing Site.
   
4. Enter the name of the first Delivery Controller, and click OK.
   
5. If you don’t have full SQL permissions (sysadmin), click No when asked if you want to update the database automatically.
   
6. Click Generate scripts.
   
7. A folder will open with multiple SQL scripts. These SQL script files follow the same pattern as the first Delivery Controller where the Mixed scripts do everything, but the DbOwner and SysAdmin scripts are intended to be run by different SQL administration roles. Always run each of these scripts in SQLCMD mode. There are separate scripts for mirrored databases.
   
   1. On the SQL Server, open one of the .sql files.
      
      
   2. Open the Query menu, and click SQLCMD Mode.
      
   3. Then execute the SQL script.
      
   4. If SQLCMD mode was enabled properly, then the output should look something like this:
      
8. Repeat for the remaining script files. Enable SQLCMD mode for each script.
9. Back in Citrix Studio, click OK.
   
10. In Citrix Studio, under Configuration > Controllers, you should see both controllers.
    

SSL for Delivery Controller

SSL certificates should be installed on each Delivery Controller to encrypt the traffic between StoreFront and Delivery Controller. The traffic between StoreFront and Delivery Controller contains user credentials.

The SSL certificate on each Delivery Controller needs to match the FQDN of the Delivery Controller.

• If StoreFront is installed on the Delivery Controller, then you have two FQDNs to consider: the Delivery Controller FQDN, and the StoreFront FQDN. Make sure the certificate matches the Delivery Controller FQDN, but it’s usually not necessary for the same certificate to also match the StoreFront FQDN.
  • The StoreFront certificate is usually hosted on a Citrix ADC SSL Load Balancing Virtual Server. Users connect to Citrix ADC instead of directly to the StoreFront servers. The StoreFront certificate only needs to be valid between the user and the ADC.
  • For the connection between ADC and StoreFront server, ADC does not validate the certificate, so the certificate on the StoreFront server can be anything. That means you can install a certificate that matches the Delivery Controller FQDN and there’s no need for the certificate to match the StoreFront FQDN.

To enable SSL for a Delivery Controller:

1. Run certlm.msc, go to Personal > Certificates and create or install a server certificate that matches the Delivery Controller’s FQDN. This can be an internally-signed certificate if the StoreFront server trusts internally-signed certificates.
   
2. If IIS is installed on the Delivery Controller, then simply run IIS Manager, go to Default Web Site, click Edit Bindings, and add an https binding using the chosen certificate.
   
   

If IIS is not installed on the Delivery Controller, then we need to build a command line to bind the certificate to Citrix Broker Service. Binding Your SSL Server Certificate to the Citrix Broker Service by Ray Kareer at CUGC has a script to automate this process.

1. Open a command prompt as administrator.
2. Enter the following text but don’t press Enter yet.

   netsh http add sslcert ipport=0.0.0.0:443 certhash=

3. Right after certhash= paste the certificate thumbprint using the following procedure:
   1. Go to certlm.msc > Personal > Certificates.
   2. Double-click the certificate you want to bind.
   3. On the Details tab, scroll down to Thumbprint and copy the thumbprint.
      
   4. Paste the thumbprint into the command line we’re building.
   5. Remove the special character at the beginning of the thumbprint.
   6. Remove the spaces.
      
4. Add the following to the command line:

    appid=

5. Michael Shuster at HowTo: Enable SSL on Citrix Delivery Controllers – Easy Method says you can run the following PowerShell to get the Broker Service GUID.

   Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Select-String -Pattern "broker service"

6. Paste the GUID for Citrix Broker Service that you got from the Get-WmiObject. Make sure the GUID has curly braces on both sides with no space between appid and the left curly brace.
   
7. Press <Enter> to run the command.
8. If you entered everything correctly, then it should say SSL Certificate successfully added.
   
9. To confirm the certificate binding, run the following:

   netsh http show sslcert ipport=0.0.0.0:443

   

Studio – Slow Launch

If your Delivery Controller or Citrix Studio machine doesn’t have Internet access, then the following adjustment can be made if Citrix Studio starts slowly:

• Within Internet Explorer, go to Tools – Internet Options – Tab Advanced – Section Security, and uncheck the option Check for publisher’s certificate revocation

Registry setting (can be deployed using Group Policy Preferences):

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinTrust\Trust Providers\Software Publishing
  • “State“=dword:00023e00

Concurrent Logon Hard Limit

From Samuel Legrand XenApp 7.14 – (Really) Manage a DR! – Citrix Policies has a setting called Concurrent Logon Tolerance. However, it is not a hard limit, meaning once the limits are reached, it continues to let users connect. You can configure the Controllers to make it a hard limit by setting the following registry value on the Delivery Controllers:

• HKLM\Software\Policies\Citrix\DesktopServer
  • LogonToleranceIsHardLimit (DWORD) = 1

Local Host Cache

Local Host Cache (LHC) allows new sessions to be started even if SQL database is unavailable.

From Local Host Cache sizing and scaling at Citrix Docs:

1. For LHC LocalDB, assign the Controller VMs a single CPU socket with multiple CPU cores.
2. Add two CPU cores for LHC.
3. Add at least three more Gigs of RAM and watch the memory consumption.
4. Since there’s no control over LHC election, ensure all Controllers have the same specs.
5. The Docs article has scripts for monitoring LHC performance.

From XenApp 7.12, LHC and a reboot at Citrix Discussions:

• If the rebooted Delivery Controller is the elected one, a different DDC will take over (causing registration storm) and when the Delivery Controller gets back, it will take over brokering causing second registration storm. Site will sort itself out and all will work.
• If the rebooted Delivery Controller is not the elected one, it will not impact any functionality.
• If you turn the Delivery Controller down when site is working, and start it during outage, LHC will not trigger on that machine. This Delivery Controller will not impact the LHC unless it would become the elected one. In that scenario it will take control, however, not start LHC and resources would not be available.

Trentent Tye at Citrix XenDesktop/XenApp 7.15 – The local host cache in action has a video showing LHC in action.

As mentioned by Citrix Docs, make sure PowerShell Execution Policy is set to RemoteSigned, Unrestricted, or Bypass.

If you did a fresh install of 2311, then Local Host Cache should be enabled by default. In PowerShell, you can run Get-BrokerSite to confirm.

If not enabled, you can run some PowerShell commands to enable Local Host Cache:

Set-BrokerSite -ConnectionLeasingEnabled $false
Set-BrokerSite -LocalHostCacheEnabled $true

George Spiers Local Host Cache XenApp & XenDesktop shows the Event Log entries when LHC is enabled.

Database Maintenance

Enable Read-Committed Snapshot

The Delivery Controller Database can become heavily utilized under load in a large environment. Therefore, Citrix recommends enabling the Read_Committed_Snapshot option on the Delivery Controller databases to remove contention on the database from read queries. This can improve the interactivity of Studio and Director. It should be noted that this option may increase the load on the tempdb files. See Citrix article CTX137161 How to Enable Read-Committed Snapshot in XenDesktop for configuration instructions.

Change Database Connection Strings

Sometimes the database connection strings need to be modified:

• When moving the SQL databases to a different SQL server
• For AlwaysOn Availability Groups, to add MultiSubnetFailover to the SQL connection strings
• For SQL mirroring, to add Failover Partner to the SQL connection strings

Here are general instructions for moving the database and assigning the correct permissions:

1. Backup the three Citrix databases on the original SQL server and restore them on the new SQL server. See Microsoft’s documentation for details.
2. In SQL Management Studio > Security > Logins, add the Delivery Controller computer accounts (e.g., CORP\DDC01$)
3. When adding the SQL Login, on the User Mapping page, select the three Citrix databases (Site database, Monitoring database, and Logging database)
4. For each of the three Citrix databases, add the Delivery Controller computer account to the various database roles as listed below. The Site database has many more roles than the Logging and Monitoring databases.
   • Site database – ADIdentitySchema_ROLE
   • Site database – Analytics_ROLE (7.8 and newer)
   • Site database – AppLibrarySchema_ROLE (7.8 and newer)
   • Site database – chr_Broker
   • Site database – chr_Controller
   • Site database – ConfigLoggingSchema_ROLE
   • Site database – ConfigLoggingSiteSchema_ROLE
   • Site database – ConfigurationSchema_ROLE
   • Site database – DAS_ROLE
   • Site database – DesktopUpdateManagerSchema_ROLE
   • Site database – EnvTestServiceSchema_ROLE
   • Site database – HostingUnitServiceSchema_ROLE
   • Site database – Monitor_ROLE
   • Site database – MonitorData_ROLE
   • Site database – OrchestrationSchema_ROLE (7.11 and newer)
   • Site database – public
   • Site database – StorefrontSchema_ROLE (7.8 and newer)
   • Site database – TrustSchema_ROLE (7.11 and newer)
   • Monitoring database – Monitor_ROLE
   • Monitoring database – public
   • Logging database – ConfigLoggingSchema_ROLE
   • Logging database – public

From Citrix Docs Update database connection strings when using SQL Server high availability solutions: Citrix offers several PowerShell scripts that update Delivery Controller database connection strings when you are using SQL Server high availability database solutions such as AlwaysOn and mirroring. The scripts, which use the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops PowerShell API, are:

• DBConnectionStringFuncs.ps1: The core script that does the actual work. This script contains common functions that the other scripts use.
• Change_XD_Failover_Partner_v1.ps1: Updates (adds, changes, or removes) the failover partner. This script prompts for the failover partner location (FQDN) for each database. (Providing a blank failover partner removes the failover partner. You can also use the ClearPartner option to remove a partner.) Do not set the failover partner to the same location as the principal database server.
• Change_XD_To_ConnectionString.ps1: Uses the provided connection strings to update the connection strings to the databases. This script ensures that certain Citrix services are up and running, and then updates those services in the correct order on all Controllers in the site. Enclose connection string information for each database in quotes.
• Change_XD_To_MultiSubnetFailover.ps1: Toggles the addition and removal of MultiSubnetFailover=true. If you use AlwaysOn Availability Groups, Microsoft recommends that the connection string include MultiSubnetFailover=true. This option speeds up recovery when a high availability event occurs, and is recommended for both single and multi-subnet environments. Run this script once to add the option. Run the script again to remove it.
• Change_XD_To_Null.ps1: Resets all the connection strings on the localhost because something has gone wrong. By resetting the connection strings to null, this script places the Controller into an “initial” state. If you run Studio after running this script, you’ll be asked if you want to create a site or join an existing site. This is useful if something has gone wrong and a reset is needed. After the reset, you can try again to set the connection strings.

Here are the DB Connections that must be changed. Make sure you include all of the DB Connections shown below. You can get the full list of database commands by running Get-Command Set-*DBConnection. When changing the DB connections, AdminDBConnection must be the last to be set to NULL, and the first to be configured with the new connection string. Repeat these instructions on all Delivery Controllers in the farm.

Remove the existing Database connections

At the Delivery Controller, open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following commands to clear the existing database connections.

## Disable configuration logging for the XD site:
Set-LogSite -State Disabled

## ## Clear the current Delivery Controller database connections
## Note: AdminDBConnection must be the last command
Set-ConfigDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-AppLibDBConnection -DBConnection $null    #7.8 and newer
Set-OrchDBConnection -DBConnection $null      #7.11 and newer
Set-TrustDBConnection -DBConnection $null     #7.11 and newer
Set-AcctDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-AnalyticsDBConnection -DBConnection $null # 7.6 and newer
Set-HypDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-ProvDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-BrokerDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-EnvTestDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-SfDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DataStore Monitor -DBConnection $null   #Monitoring Database
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $null                      #Site Database
Set-LogDBConnection -DataStore Logging -DBConnection $null       #Logging Database
Set-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $null                          #Site Database
Set-AdminDBConnection -DBConnection $null -force

Specify the new Database connection strings

Run the following commands to set the new SQL connection strings. Adjust the variables to match your desired connection string. For example, if you wish to add “;MultiSubnetFailover=True” to the connection strings, then set the $csSite variable to "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$SiteDBName;Integrated Security=True;MultiSubnetFailover=True". Repeat this for the $csLogging and $csMonitoring variables.

## Replace <dbserver> with the SQL server name, and instance if present, e.g "ServerName\SQLInstanceName". If no SQL Instance name is mentioned, this commandlet will try to connect to the default SQL instance.
## Replace <dbname> with the name of your restored Database
## Note: AdminDBConnection should be first

$ServerName = "<dbserver>"
$SiteDBName = "<SiteDbName>"
$LogDBName = "<LoggingDbName>"
$MonitorDBName = "<MonitorDbName>"
$csSite = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$SiteDBName;Integrated Security=True;MultiSubnetFailover=True"
$csLogging = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$LogDBName;Integrated Security=True;MultiSubnetFailover=True"
$csMonitoring = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$MonitorDBName;Integrated Security=True;MultiSubnetFailover=True"

Set-AdminDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-ConfigDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-AcctDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-AnalyticsDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite # 7.6 and newer
Set-HypDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite 
Set-ProvDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-AppLibDBConnection –DBConnection $csSite # 7.8 and newer
Set-OrchDBConnection –DBConnection $csSite # 7.11 and newer
Set-TrustDBConnection –DBConnection $csSite # 7.11 and newer
Set-BrokerDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-EnvTestDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-SfDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-LogDBConnection -DataStore Logging -DBConnection $null
Set-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-LogDBConnection -DataStore Logging -DBConnection $csLogging
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DataStore Monitor -DBConnection $null
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DataStore Monitor -DBConnection $csMonitoring
Set-LogSite -State Enabled

Test the new Database connection strings

Run the following commands to verify connectivity to the database:

## Copy these variables from the previous step
## If you haven’t closed your PowerShell window, then the variables might still be defined. In that case, just run the Test commands
$ServerName = "<dbserver>"
$SiteDBName = "<SiteDbName>"
$LogDBName = "<LoggingDbName>"
$MonitorDBName = "<MonitorDbName>"
$csSite = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$SiteDBName;Integrated Security=True"
$csLogging = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$LogDBName;Integrated Security=True"
$csMonitoring = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$MonitorDBName;Integrated Security=True"

Test-AcctDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-AdminDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-AnalyticsDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite # 7.6 and newer
Test-AppLibDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite # 7.8 and newer
Test-BrokerDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-ConfigDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-EnvTestDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-HypDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-LogDBConnection -DataStore Logging -DBConnection $csLogging
Test-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-MonitorDBConnection -Datastore Monitor -DBConnection $csMonitoring
Test-OrchDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite # 7.11 and newer
Test-ProvDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-SfDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Test-TrustDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite # 7.11 and newer

Director Grooming

If your Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops is not Premium Edition, then all historical Director data is groomed at 30 days.

For Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Premium Edition, by default, most of the historical Director data is groomed at 90 days. This can be adjusted up to 367 days by running a PowerShell cmdlet.

1. On a Delivery Controller, run PowerShell elevated (as administrator).
2. Run Get-MonitorConfiguration to see the current grooming settings.
   
3. Run Set-MonitorConfiguration to change the grooming settings.
   

View Logging Database

To view the contents of the Logging Database, in Studio, click the Logging node. On the right is Create Custom Report. See Citrix article CTX138132 Viewing Configuration Logging Data Not Shown for more info.

The Logging Database can be queried using Get-LogLowLevelOperation. See Stefan Beckmann Get user who set maintenance mode for a server or client for an example script that uses this PowerShell cmdlet.

Logging Database Grooming

By default, the Logging Database does not groom old entries. You can enable grooming in Citrix PowerShell by running the Set-LogSite cmdlet with the -LoggingDBPurgeDurationDays parameter. More info at Schedule periodic data deletion at Citrix Docs.

Export/Import Configuration

Ryan Butler has a PowerShell script that can export configuration from one Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops farm and import it to another.

Kaspars Vilde at XenDesktop/XenApp 7.X Applications – Exporting / Importing at Citrix Discussions has scripts to export published apps from one farm and import to another farm.

Studio Administrators

Full Administrators

1. In the Studio, under Configuration, click the Administrators node. The first time you access the node you’ll see a Welcome page. Feel free to check the box to Don’t show this again, and then click Close.
2. On the Administrators tab, right-click, and click Create Administrator.
   
3. In the Administrator and Scope page, Browse to a group (e.g. Citrix Admins) that will have permissions to Citrix Studio and Director. These groups typically have access to all objects, so select the All scope. Alternatively, you can create a Scope to limit the objects. Click Next.
   
4. On the Role page, select a role, and then click Next. For example:
   • Full Administrator for the Citrix Admins group
   • Help Desk Administrator for the Help Desk group
   • Machine Catalog Administrator for the desktop team
     
5. In the Summary page, click Finish.

Help Desk

1. In Citrix Studio, under Configuration, click the Administrators node. On the Administrators tab, right-click, and click Create Administrator.
   
2. In the Administrator and Scope page, Browse to a Help Desk group that will have permissions to Citrix Studio and Director. Select the All scope. And click Next.
   
3. On the Role page, select the Help Desk Administrator role, and then click Next.
   
4. In the Summary page, click Finish.
5. When administrators in the Help Desk role log into Director, all they see is this.
   
   To jazz it up a little, add the Help Desk group to the read-only role.
6. Right-click the Help Desk Administrator, and click Edit Administrator.
   
7. Click Add.
   
8. In the Scope page, select a scope, and click Next.
   
9. In the Role page, select Read Only Administrator, and click Next.
   
10. In the Summary page, click Finish.
11. Then click OK. Now Director will display the dashboard.
    

Customer Experience Improvement Program

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops enables CEIP by default.

If desired, you can disable it in Citrix Web Studio (CVAD 2212 and newer):

1. Go to https://ControllerFQDN/Citrix/WebStudio. 
2. On the left, click Settings.
   
3. On the top right, move the slider for Citrix Customer Experience Improvement Program.
   
4. Click Apply at the bottom.
   

If desired, you can disable it in Citrix Studio:

1. On the left, go to the Configuration node.
2. On the right, switch to the Product Support tab.
   
3. Click End.
   
4. Click Yes.
   

Citrix Studio collects data for Google Analytics. You can disable this in the registry at HKLM\Software\Citrix\DesktopStudio\GAEnabled = 0.

Each Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops component has a separate configuration for disabling Customer Experience Improvement Program:

• Citrix License Server CEIP
• Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) CEIP
• Citrix Profile Management (UPM) CEIP
• StoreFront CEIP
• Citrix Provisioning (PVS) CEIP
• Workspace app CEIP
• Workspace app for HTML5 CEIP
• Session Recording CEIP
• Citrix ADC CEIP

Web Studio Settings

Web Studio 2311 and newer under Logging can show you PowerShell and APIs that Web Studio is using.

Web Studio has a Settings page:

1. Web Studio 2308 and newer support Integrated Windows authentication.
   
2. Web Studio 2308 and newer let you configure an Inactivity timeout.
   
3. Web Studio 2311 and newer have multiple site management in the Settings node.
   
   
   • Use the Site selector at the top right of the page.
     
4. Web Studio 2308 and newer support Vertical load balancing.
   
   • CVAD 2311 and newer let you set Vertical load balancing at the Delivery Group instead of only at the Site.
     
5. Web Studio 2308+ lets you create folders of Machine Catalogs.
   
6. Web Studio 2308+ lets you create folders of Delivery Groups.
   

Hosting Connection – VMware vCenter

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops uses an Active Directory service account to log into VMware vCenter. This service account needs specific permissions in vCenter. To facilitate assigning these permissions, create a new vCenter role and assign it to the service account. The permissions should be applied at the vCenter datacenter object or higher level.

Import vCenter Root Certificate

If the vCenter certificate is valid and trusted, then you can skip to the Hosting Resource section.

For newer versions of vCenter, you can import the root certificate that signed the vCenter Server/Appliance certificate.

1. Point your browser to the root path of the vCenter Server URL.
2. On the bottom right, click Download trusted root CA certificates.
   
3. Extract the downloaded files.
4. Go to \certs\win.
5. Sort the files by date, and double-click the newest .crt file.
   
6. On the General tab, click Install Certificate.
   
7. In the Welcome to the Certificate Import Wizard page, change the Store Location selection to Local Machine, and click Next.
   
8. In the Certificate Store page, click Browse.
   
9. Select Trust Root Certification Authorities, and click OK.
   
10. In the Completing the Certificate Import Wizard page, click Finish.
    
11. If you close your browser and reopen it, and then go to the vCenter URL, there should no longer be any certificate errors.
12. Skip to the Hosting Resource section.

Import vCenter Certificate

If the vCenter certificate is valid and trusted, then you can skip to the Hosting Resource section.

Alternatively, you can import the actual vCenter Server certificate (instead of the root). This is the only option for older self-signed vCenter certificates.

Newer versions of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) have the ability to import the vCenter certificate thumbprint into the database so every Delivery Controller trusts it. However, it is difficult to update the thumbprint whenever the vCenter certificate changes. It might instead be more reliable to use the older method of configuring the Trusted People store on the Delivery Controllers. Whenever the vCenter certificate is changed, you’ll need to repeat these steps.

1. Get the vCenter certificate.
   1. Open a browser and point it to the vCenter URL. Note: this procedure to get the certificate won’t work in Internet Explorer.
      
   2. If Google Chrome, click the Secure box in the address bar, and then click Certificate.
      
   3. On the Details tab, click Copy to File.
      
   4. In the Welcome to the Certificate Export Wizard page, click Next.
      
   5. In the Export File Format page, either format will work. Click Next.
      
   6. In the File to Export page, browse to a new file, and click Next.
      
   7. In the Completing the Certificate Export Wizard page, click Finish.
      
2. On the Delivery Controller, run certlm.msc. This opens the MMC console with the Certificates snap-in already added and pointing to Local computer.
3. On the left, right-click the Trusted People node, expand All Tasks, and click Import.
   
4. In the Welcome to the Certificate Import Wizard page, click Next.
   
5. In the File to Import page, browse to the certificate you saved earlier, and click Next.
   
6. In the Certificate Store page, click Next.
   
7. In the Completing the Certificate Import Wizard page, click Finish.
   
8. Click OK to acknowledge that the import was successful.
9. Repeat these steps on the second Delivery Controller. It is important that you import the certificate on all Delivery Controllers before you add the Hosting Resource in Citrix Studio.
10. If you open a browser and point to the vCenter Server, there should be no certificate errors.
    

Hosting Resources

Hosting Resources are used by both Machine Creation Services (MCS) and by Citrix Provisioning’s CVAD Setup Wizard.

A Hosting Resource = vCenter + Cluster (Resource Pool) + Storage + Network. When you create a machine catalog, you select a previously created Hosting Resource and the new virtual machines are created on the Cluster, Storage, and Network defined in the Hosting Resource object. If you need some VDA machines on a different Cluster+Storage+Network, then you’ll need to define more Hosting Resources in Studio.

Hosting Connections and Hosting Resources are two different objects. The Hosting Connection defines the type of hypervisor and the credentials that Delivery Controller uses to log into the hypervisor. A single Hosting Connection can have multiple Hosting Resources for multiple clusters, multiple datastores, etc. The first time you run the wizard both objects are created. Later you add Hosting Resources to a pre-existing Hosting Connection.

Citrix CTX131239 Supported Hypervisors for Virtual Desktops and Provisioning (Provisioning Services). vSphere 7 is supported in CVAD 2203 and newer. vSphere 8 is supported in CVAD 2212 and newer. SCVMM 2022 is supported in CVAD 2203 and newer.

1. In Citrix Studio, expand Configuration and click Hosting. Right-click Hosting, and click Add Connection and Resources.
   
2. In the Connection page, for Connection type, select VMware vSphere.
3. Notice there’s a Learn about user permissions blue link to an article that describes the necessary permissions.
4. In the Connection address field, enter a vCenter URL similar to https://vcenter01.corp.local/sdk. The URL must contain the FQDN of the vCenter server.
5. Enter credentials of a service account that can log into vCenter.
6. In the Connection name field, give the connection a name. Typically, this matches the name of the vCenter server.
7. If you are not using Machine Creation Services (MCS) or Citirx Provisioning (PVS) and instead only need the vCenter connection for machine power management, change the Create virtual machines using selection to Other Tools.
8. If you intend to use MCS or PVS, leave Create virtual machines using set to Studio Tools.
9. Click Next.
   
   • If you see a message about the vCenter certificate, check the box next to Trust certificate, and click OK.
     
   • Note: this vCenter certificate thumbprint is stored in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops database and is not updated when the vCenter certificate changes. See CTX217415 Cannot connect to the VCenter server due to a certificate error for instructions on manually updating the database with the new certificate thumbprint.
     
   • Also see CTX224551 Delivery Controller cannot contact vCenter server after certificate update on vCenter.
   • Alternatively, you can import the vCenter certificate to Trusted People on every Delivery Controller.
10. In the Storage Management page, click Browse and select a vSphere cluster.
    • Note: as detailed at CTX223662, make sure there’s no comma in the datacenter name.
11. Select Use storage shared by hypervisors.
12. Beware of Optimize temporary data on available local storage. From Mark Syms at Citrix Discussions: “If you use just MCS caching to local storage then the VM is not agile at all and cannot be moved even when powered off as it has a virtual disk permanently associated with a single host.”
13. Click Next.
    
14. In the Storage Selection page, OS and Temporary must be selected on at least one datastore.
    
    • For maximum virtual machine placement flexibility, only select one datastore per Hosting Resource. To select additional datastores, run this wizard again to create a separate Hosting Resource for each datastore.
    • When creating a Machine Catalog you select a Hosting Resource. If the Hosting Resource only has one datastore selected, then you know which datastore the new VMs will be placed on. However, if the Hosting Resource has multiple datastores, then the datastores are selected round robin and you don’t have any control over which datastore is selected for each new machine.
15. If you selected the temporary data on local storage option, on the bottom, click Select, and choose the datastores you want to use for disk caching. By default, all local datastores are selected. Click Next when done.
    
16. In the Network page, enter a name for the Hosting Resource. Since each Hosting Resource is a combination of vCenter, Cluster, Network, and Datastores include those names in this field (e.g. vCenter01-Cluster01-Network01-Datastore01).
17. Select a network and click Next.
    
18. In the Summary page, click Finish.
    
19. If you need to rename Storage, Network, or Datacenters in vCenter, see Citrix CTX225019 XA/XD 7.13: Renaming Storage, Network or Datacenters When Used With MCS or PVS. Either run Update-HypHypervisorConnection -LiteralPath "XDHyp:\Connections\MyConnection", or right-click the Hosting Resource and click Edit Storage. You can cancel the wizard.
    

If you have multiple datastores for your VDAs, then create multiple Hosting Resources (one for each datastore):

1. Run the Add Connection and Resources wizard again.
   
2. You can use the existing vCenter connection.
   
3. This time, select a different datastore. Remember, don’t select more than one datastore per Hosting Resource.
   
4. Give the Hosting Resource a name that indicates the chosen datastore.
   

When you later create a MCS Machine Catalog:

1. Select the Hosting Resource for the datastore where you want the VDAs to be placed.
2. You can create multiple Machine Catalogs, with each of them on different datastores. You can then combine the Catalogs into a single Delivery Group.
   
3. Later in the Machine Catalog wizard, you’re given an option to enable MCS memory caching and select a cache size. This is similar to the Citrix Provisioning (PVS) option “Cache in RAM with overflow to disk”. Only enable MCS memory caching if your storage is not “all flash” and thus needs IOPS reduction. This MCS memory caching requires the MCSIO driver to be selected when installing Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent software on the VDA machines.
   

Citrix License Server

Upgrade Citrix License Server to version 11.17.2.0 build 46000, which might be newer than what’s on the CVAD ISO.

New License Server

If you’re building a new standalone Citrix License Server:

1. Citrix now requires Licensing telemetry as described in CTX477614 Citrix License Telemetry FAQ. The build must be 40000 or newer and you must upgrade within 6 months of release.
2. Extract the downloaded Citrix License 11.17.2.0 build 46000.
   
3. Run CitrixLicensing.exe
   
4. In the Software License Agreement page, check the box next to I have read, understand, and accept the terms, and click Next.
   
5. In the Install Location page, click Next.
   
6. In the Configure Ports page, click Next.
   
7. In the Configure Customer Success Services Renewal page, click Install.
   
8. In the Summary page, click Finish.
   

Upgrade License Server

Upgrade your Citrix License Server to 11.17.2.0 build 46000 if it isn’t already.

1. Citrix now requires Licensing telemetry as described in CTX477614 Citrix License Telemetry FAQ. The build must be 40000 or newer and you must upgrade within 6 months of release.
2. Go to the downloaded Citrix License 11.17.2.0 build 46000 and run CitrixLicensing.exe.
   
   
3. If you see the Subscription Advantage Renewal page, make a selection, and click Next.
   
4. In the Upgrade page, click Upgrade.
   
5. Click Finish.
   
6. If you login to the Citrix Licensing Manager (:8083), the top of the page shows the version number.
   
   
7. After upgrading Citrix License Server, in Citrix Studio, go to Configuration > Licensing.
8. On the right, click Authenticate Certificate.
   
9. Change the selection to Connect me, and click Confirm.
   

Citrix Licensing Manager

Newer versions of License Server come with a new management web site.

1. From the Start Menu, run Citrix Licensing Manager. Or go to https://<My_Licensing_Server>:8083
   
2. You might be prompted to login.
   
   • To eliminate this login, add the License Server URL to the Local Intranet zone.
     
3. Licensing Manager might prompt you to register with Citrix Cloud.
   
   
   1. On the Settings > Usage and Statistics page, in the Share usage statistics with Citrix section, click Register.
      
   2. You’ll see a screen with a registration code. Click the Copy button and then click Register to be take to Citrix Cloud.
      
   3. The Register button in the Citrix License Server takes you to Identity and Access Management > API Access > Product Registrations. Click Register.
      
   4. Paste in the copied code and then click Continue.
      
   5. Click Register.
      
   6. Back in the on-premises Licensing Manager, it will eventually show as Registered.
      
   7. On the same Usage & Statistics page, scroll down, and then click Upload now. This should cause data to upload to Citrix Cloud and show up in Citrix Cloud Licensing.
      
4. Licensing Manager 11.17.2.0 build 43000 and newer has a Product Information tab showing you component versions.
   
5. Licensing Manager has a new Dashboard page to replace the one in the License Administration Console.
   
   • Click the arrow next to a license to see when it expires and the number of licenses in use.
     
6. If you click the gear icon on the top right…
   
7. On the Account tab, you can add License Server Administrators.
   
8. The Update Licenses tab lets you check for license renewals and download them.
   

Activate Citrix License

The easy way to install and activate a Citrix license is through Citrix Studio:

1. In Citrix Studio, expand Configuration, right-click Licensing, and click Allocate Licenses.
   
2. Enter the license access code and click Show.
   • You can find your license access code at https://citrix.com/account and then click Manage Licenses.
     
3. Then click the Allocate licenses button.
   
   • Another method of allocating licenses is in the Citrix Licensing Manager at https://MyLicenseServer:8083 > Install Licenses tab.
     
4. After licenses are installed, right-click the Licensing node, and click Edit Product Edition
   
5. Change the edition to match your licenses. If you see both Virtual Apps and Virtual Desktops licenses, you must select Virtual Desktops. If you see both Concurrent and User/Device, then you must select User/Device. Click OK when done.
   
6. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops supports mixed licensing in a single site/farm. See the following:
   • Citrix Blog Post Introducing Multi-Type Licensing in XenApp & XenDesktop 7.14.
   • Multi-type licensing at Citrix Docs.

License Server CEIP

Citrix License Server enables CEIP by default. This can be disabled:

1. In the Citrix Licensing Manager (https://MyLicenseServer:8083) by clicking the gear icon.
   
2. Switch to the Usage and Statistics tab and make a selection in the Share usage statistics with Citrix section.
   

Citrix License Management Service

Citrix License Server includes the Citrix License Management Service. This service helps you avoid prohibited practices:

• Duplication of licenses outside a Disaster Recovery (DR) environment
• Use of legacy licenses for new product versions
• Use of rescinded licenses

Citrix License Server Monitoring

Citrix Licensing Manager has historical usage reporting:

1. Run Citrix Licensing Manager from the Start Menu. Or use a browser to connect to https://MyLicenseServer:8083
   
2. On the Historical Use tab, use the drop-down menus to select a license type, select dates, and export to a .csv file.
3. At the bottom of this page is a link to change the retention period.
   

Jonathan Medd Monitor Citrix License Usage With PowerShell.

Lal Mohan – Citrix License Usage Monitoring Using Powershell

Remote Desktop Licensing Server

Install Remote Desktop Licensing Server

Do the following on your Delivery Controllers:

1. In Server Manager, open the Manage menu, and click Add Roles and Features.
   
2. In the Installation Type page, select Role-based or feature-based installation.
   
3. Click Next until you get to the Server Roles page. Check the box next to Remote Desktop Services, and click Next.
   
4. Click Next until you get to the Role Services page. Check the box next to Remote Desktop Licensing, and click Next.
   
5. Click Add Features if prompted.
   
6. Then finish the wizard to install the role service.
   

Activate Remote Desktop Licensing

1. After RD Licensing is installed, in Server Manager, open the Tool menu, expand Terminal Services (or Remote Desktop Services), and click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
   
2. The tool should find the local server. If it does not, right-click All servers, click Connect, and type in the name of the local server.
3. Once the local server can be seen in the list, right-click the server and click Activate Server.
   
4. In the Welcome to the Activate Server Wizard page, click Next.
   
5. In the Connection Method page, click Next.
   
6. In the Company Information page, enter the required information, and click Next.
   
7. All of the fields on the Company Information page are optional, so you do not have to enter anything. Click Next.
   
8. In the Completing the Activate Server Wizard page, uncheck the box next to Start Install Licenses Wizard now, and click Finish. Since the session hosts will be configured to pull Per User licenses, there is no need to install licenses on the RD Licensing Server.
   
9. In RD Licensing Manager, right-click the server, and click Review Configuration.
   
10. Ensure you have green check marks. If the person installing Remote Desktop Licensing does not have permissions to add the server to the Terminal Server License Servers group in Active Directory, ask a domain admin to do it manually. If you have the proper permissions, click Add to Group.
    
11. Click Continue when prompted that you must have Domain Admins privileges.
    
12. Click OK when prompted that the computer account has been added.
    
13. Click OK to close the window.
    

Citrix Scout

Delivery Controller includes Citrix Scout that can be launched from the Start Menu.

The tool can run a manual collection, run a trace, schedule periodic collection, or run a Health Check.

Health Check:

1. When adding machines, you can select StoreFront or Windows VDA.
   
2. When you select machines, it might tell you to enable PSRemoting.
   
3. Winrm is usually not enabled on desktop machines. Login to the machine, open command prompt as administrator, and run winrm quickconfig. It’s also possible to use Group Policy to enable winrm.
   
4. Go back to Citrix Scout and click Continue.
   
5. Click Start Checking.
   
6. You can click View Details to view the issues it found.
   

Collect:

1. The wizard is identical to the Health Check wizard, except there’s another screen to upload the data.
   
   
2. If Citrix Cloud credentials, then you need to Generate a token.
   
3. After logging into Citrix Cloud, copy the token.
   
4. Go back to Citrix Scout and paste the token. Click Continue.
   
5. Click Start Upload.
   
6. Click View Analysis.
   

Links with more information:

• Bas van Kaam With XenDesktop & XenApp 7.14 comes Scout 3.0 – some big changes, read what’s new – compares old Scout with new Scout
• Citrix Docs Citrix Scout

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Health Check

Sacha Thomet Finally 1.0 – but never finalized!: XenApp & XenDesktop 7.x Health Check script has now Version 1.0.

Pavan900 posted a PowerShell-based Health Check script at Citrix Studi – Colors for Maintenance Mode at Citrix Discussions.

Andrew Morgan – New Free Tool: Citrix Director Notification Service: The Citrix Director Notification service sits on an edge server as a service (or local to the delivery controller) and periodically checks the health of:

• Citrix Licensing.
• Database Connections.
• Broker Service.
• Core Services.
• Hypervisor Connections.

And if any of these items fall out of bounds, an SMTP alert is sent to the mailbox of your choice for action. The tool will also send “All Clear” emails when these items are resolved, ensuring you are aware when the service has resumed a healthy state.

Related Pages

• Configure RDSH VDAs to use Remote Desktop Licensing Server
• Back to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2311