XenApp 5

I have been in training this week for Citrix, so I figured I should spread the word on some of the things I've learned. The training is all on Presentation Server 4.5, but there was some good info on the new release which is called XenApp 5... But you already knew that. I'll summarize some of the highlights.

Web Interface 5.0 for Windows.
The old web interface was how can I say this politely, less than impressive. There is a very nice face lift for the 5.0 version. Let's face it with all the eye candy out there now a nice user interface is not only the norm, but becomes part of function.

• Breadcrumb navigation bar which replaces the old Home, Top, and Up links.
  
• User-selectable views to allow preferred display of published resources, with new features like tree views and group views.
• User-assistance to give helpful hints and help for the end users.
• Simple and Advanced modes for a more customizable look and feel.
• Mobile experience enhancements for the users with hand-held devices and integration with the Access Gateway.
• XenDesktop Support which allows users to access virtual desktops through the web interface.
• Web Interface for Sharepoint which makes it possible to deliver XenApp published apps and resources on to Sharepoint 2007. (Separate install)

XenApp Plugin for Hosted Apps. This plugin is basically new name for the Presentation Client Agent. It's functionality remains very similar, but the look and feel have changed.

• Improved support for Vista and Office 2007.
• Updated menu structure.
• little or no user configuration required.
• Web Interface integration and streamed app integration.
• Password change capability.

XenApp Plugin for Streamed Apps. This plugin provides streamed applications from the target, file, or web server to XenApp servers and client desktops. Some of the new features include:

• Integration with XenApp Web Plugin and XenApp Plugin to stream apps to the desktop.
• No user configuration required, and seamless integration to the end users.
  
• Improved inter-isolation communication between multiple applications that are running in isolated profile environments.
• Differential synchronization to reduce latency and improve performance.

Resource Manager for XenApp. This module received a face lift powered by Citrix EdgeSight technology, which was previously a platinum level feature. It still supports the original reporting as the previous version of Resource Manager with some new features:

• Session-level performance counters.
• Real-time alerting.
• More pre-configurable and customizable and reporting.
• Integration with Health Check Agent.
• Active application monitoring.

Citrix License Server 11.5. This new updated license service is backward compatible, but is now flexlm based. Basic requirements for a license server:

• Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.
• Tomcat 4.1.24.
• JRE 1.6.0_5 or later.
• Apache HTTP Server 2.0.49.
• IIS must be installed prior to install.
• ASP.Net, Windows Authentication Security, and IIS Mangement 6.
• supported on Windows 2000, 2003, and 2008

XenApp 5.0 Platinum Edition components. Here is the overview.

• Application Performance Monitor powered by Citrix Edgesight. This component adds ICA monitoring, service-level management and more to the Resource Manager feature included in the Enterprise Edition.
• Single Sign-on powered by Citrix Password Manager 4.6 SP1. Password Manager provides secure and managed access to applications running in the Citrix environment as well as the local apps on the desktop.
• Citrix Accelerator Plugin formerly WANScaler Client License. Provides WAN optimization and applicaiton accceleration for home-based, mobile or small office users.
• Citrix SmartAuditor. Records and plays user sessions using policies to automatically trigger the recordings.
  
• EasyCall. Embeds VOIP like triggers allowing users to click any telephone number in any app to make a call.