Category: Citrix

Citrix Printing Policy for WAN (The old chestnut- cracked)R

Citrix Printing Policy for WAN (The old chestnut- cracked)

Here is my configuration for Citrix Printing. This is one of the biggest problems in Citrix.. I think this is the most optimal solution..

The complexity of the Printing problem for Citrix can be described as : Number of Printer Vendors * Number of Printer Models * Number Drivers for the Printer * Operating System Version * Year of Manufacture = Too many dame printers to design a solution..

The spool file created when using the Citrix Universal Printer Driver is 10 x bigger when printing via VDI. Explained in this article  :- http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX119690.  #facepalm @citrix!

Citrix_Printing

XenDesktop and XenApp Printing – Planning Guide – http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX134943

Use Native Printer Driver: 

1 – Insure All HP Thin Clients are Printing Directly to the printer via IP.. (I have witnessed a lag when using Printer Servers) Need more testing..
2 – Install the latest PCL Native Printer Driver on the HP Thin Client
3 – Inject the latest PCL Native Printer Driver into the VDI Image..
4 – Change Policy Setting to – Use universal driver only if requested driver is unavailable

Test Results :

File Size Spool Size Device

Local Printer Driver

1.65 MB – 7.68 MB Local Richo Aficio MP C4501 PCL 5c
1.65 MB – 16 MB Local PCL 6 Universal Driver
1.65 MB – 7.69 MB Local Richo PCL 6 Native Driver

Citrix Universal Printer Driver Policy:-

1.65 MB – 90.6 MB VDI Richo Aficio MP C4501 PCL 5c
1.65 MB – 85.1 MB VDI PCL 6 Universal Driver
1.65 MB – 80.3 MB VDI Richo PCL 6 Native Driver

Citrix Native Printer Driver Policy:-

1.65 MB – 7.69 MB VDI Richo Aficio MP C4501 PCL 5c

Citrix Policy

  1. Bandwith / Session Limits / Printer / Enabled / 512
  2. Printing / Client Printers / Auto-creation / Enabled / Auto-create the client’s default printer only
  3. Printing / Client Printers / Legacy client printers / Disabled
  4. Printing / Client Printers / Printer propertiest retention / Retained in user profile only
  5. Printing / Client Printers / Print job routing / Enabled / Always connect indirectly as a client Printer
  6. Printing / Client Printers / / Turn off client printer mapping / Disabled
  7. Printing / Drivers / Native Printer driver auto-install / Enable / Do not automatically install drivers
  8. Printing / Drivers / Universal driver / Use universal driver only if requested driver is unavailable
  9. Printing / Session Printers / Disabled

Force XPS Printing Driver – 

http://support.citrix.com/proddocs/topic/xenapp5fp-w2k8/ps-configuring-universal-printer-all.html

VDI Changes

Edit the following Registry Value:

HKEY_LOCAL_MAHINE\Software\Citrix\UniversalPrintDrivers – DriverList (REG_SZ) = “XPS;EMF;PS”

Create the following Registry Key

HKEY_LOCAL_MAHINE\Software\Citrix\UniversalPrintDrivers = XPS

Create the Following Registry Values:

HKEY_LOCAL_MAHINE\Software\Citrix\UniversalPrintDrivers\XPS – DriverAlias (REG_SZ) = “Citrix XPS Universal Printer”
HKEY_LOCAL_MAHINE\Software\Citrix\UniversalPrintDrivers\XPS – DriverName (REG_SZ) = “Citrix XPS Universal Printer”

Purchase and use only HP Printers for Citrix Printing – http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX110571

Force Universal driver priority and move XPS

http://support.citrix.com/proddocs/topic/xenapp65-admin/ps-configuring-universal-printer-all.html

To change the default Citrix Universal Printer driver:

To force XenApp to use the Citrix XPS Universal Printer driver before the EMF-based Citrix Universal Printer driver, configure the Citrix policy setting Universal driver preference and move XPS to the top of the list.

All Fonts

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\Print
Name: IncludeFonts
Type: REG_SZ
Data: All, None, Required, Legacy*
* All = Include all fonts contained in the document; None = Include no fonts; Required = Include differential of fonts contained in the document but not available on the printer; Legacy = Include client fonts

Use HP e-Printing Printer Solutions and Blue tooth Device/Wireless Printing Applications

Printer mapping – Map any other drivers to standard drivers

Printer Drivers on Citrix Servers – Install Built in Printer OS Drivers on all Citrix Servers

Test Print Processors

  • http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX136332
  • RAW, EMF,etc, x64

All Driver settings and versions must match on all devices

  • Citrix Server OS, Citrix Desktop OS , Local Desktop OS, Printer
  • Citrix Server OS, Citrix Desktop OS, Local Desktop OS, Local Server OS, Printer

Scripted Printer Driver install

Reference

64x XenDesktop Agent configuration via GPO

The following Citrix articles explains how to use GPO to configure the FarmGUID information via GPO for the XenDesktop agent, using a Custom Admin template provided on the XenDesktop Install CD (\x64\en\Support\Configuration) http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX121493…

This FarmGUID.adm template only contains information to configure the FarmGUID information for x32 XenDesktop Agent..

[sourcecode language=”text”]
;
; Group Policy template for Citrix Desktop Delivery Controller farm membership
;
; Copyright 2008 Citrix Systems Inc.
;

CLASS MACHINE
CATEGORY !!Citrix
CATEGORY !!VirtualDesktopSettings
KEYNAME "Software\Policies\Citrix\VirtualDesktopAgent"
POLICY !!FarmGUID
EXPLAIN !!FarmGUID_Explain
PART !!FarmGUID_Tip1 TEXT
END PART
PART !!FarmGUID_Value EDITTEXT
VALUENAME FarmGUID
END PART
END POLICY
END CATEGORY
END CATEGORY

[strings]
Citrix="Citrix"
VirtualDesktopSettings="Virtual Desktop Settings"
FarmGUID="Farm base Organizational Unit"
FarmGUID_Explain="Used to set Citrix Desktop Delivery Controller farm membership for virtual desktop systems. In order to use this policy, you must know the GUID of the target farm’s base OU in active directory. This can be seen within the Citrix Access Management Console in the Read-only Properties for the farm as the ‘Farm Organizational Unit identifier’."
FarmGUID_Tip1="GUID of farm’s base OU; syntax: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"
FarmGUID_Value="Farm GUID"
[/sourcecode]

If you are using Windows 7 64 bit and XenDesktop Agent 64x, you need to create the following custom FarmGUIDx64.adm

[sourcecode language=”text”]
;
; Group Policy template for Citrix Desktop Delivery Controller farm membership
;
; Copyright 2008 Citrix Systems Inc.
;

CLASS MACHINE
CATEGORY !!Citrix
CATEGORY !!VirtualDesktopSettings
KEYNAME "Software\Wow6432Node\Citrix\VirtualDesktopAgent"
POLICY !!FarmGUID
EXPLAIN !!FarmGUID_Explain
PART !!FarmGUID_Tip1 TEXT
END PART
PART !!FarmGUID_Value EDITTEXT
VALUENAME FarmGUID
END PART
END POLICY
END CATEGORY
END CATEGORY

[strings]
Citrix="Citrix"
VirtualDesktopSettings="Virtual Desktop Settings"
FarmGUID="Farm base Organizational Unit"
FarmGUID_Explain="Used to set Citrix Desktop Delivery Controller farm membership for virtual desktop systems. In order to use this policy, you must know the GUID of the target farm’s base OU in active directory. This can be seen within the Citrix Access Management Console in the Read-only Properties for the farm as the ‘Farm Organizational Unit identifier’."
FarmGUID_Tip1="GUID of farm’s base OU; syntax: xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"
FarmGUID_Value="Farm GUID"
[/sourcecode]

CCEE + CCIA + NetScaler Certification

Times are tuff, better upgrade my CCIA to the latest…

A15 Exam Details

Read

http://support.citrix.com/proddocs/topic/infocenter/ic-how-to-use.html

  • XenApp for Windows 2008 Administrators Guide
  • Provisioning Services Administrators Guide
  • XenDesktop Administrators Guide
  • Citrix Web Interface Administrators Guide
  • Citrix XenServer Virtual Machine Installation Guide
  • XenCoonvert Guide
  • http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX119686

Simulations

1. Using Citrix Web Interface to combine XA and XD in WI

2. Configure Health and Monitoring on two of tree servers (timeout 30 sec, 3 threshold).

    • In the Access Management Console, select the server and then select Modify all Properties.
    • Server Properties page, select Health Monitoring & Recovery.
    • On the Health Monitoring & Recovery page, ensure USe Farm settings is cleared
    • To add the test, click New
    • On the New Health Monitoring test page, in the test name text box, tyoe a test name, and specify the other items on the mage
    • Enable Allow running custom Health Monitoring test and browse for your test
    • In the test file text box, click on browse and select ICA_Listener.exe
    • Set the Interval to 30
    • Click ok

3. Stream published application word for offline Users

4. Create policy for helpdesk user “optimize for Dial-up” and configure policy (Drivemapping, Printers, Ports, Clipboard)

    • Select Polices in the left pane and select Actions > New > Policy
    • In the New Policy dialog box, enter the policy name and, optionally, a description. Consider naming the policy according to who or what it affects; for example, Accounting Department or Remote users.
    • If you want to use pre-configured set of rules for the policy, select Optimize initial policy settings for a connection type and select the connection type from the drop-down list. The rules are optimized for : WAN Configure policy rules suitable for most networks.
    • Satellite, Configure policy rules suitable for high latency conditions. Dial-up Configures policy rules suitable for low-bandwidth, high latency conditions

5. Create three policies and prioritize them

    • Default settings need to be created and assigned to three servers (Mapping, Ports, Clipboard need to be disabled)
    • Remote User Settings policy need to be created and assigned to Tokyo Users (Speedscreen Latency Need to be enabled)
    • Amestradam User Settings Policy to be created and assiged to Amserradam Users (Following policy should be set to Highest Priority ( Under Mapping only hard drive need to be enabled)

6. Create three target devices and configure given vdisk (vdisk mode, AD, password management)

    • Create three target device: device name and MAC address is provided in question
    • For XP vDISK set the mode to Differential disk mode
    • Map the XP vDisk to the three target devices which we created earlier

7. Create one target device for XA-Server and configure given vdisk (vdisk mode, AD, password management)

    • Create a Target Device and map vDisk(SAP) to it
    • Under vDisk Properties Edit file properties – Option Select – Active Directory password management.
    • Under Target Device properties – Authentication – Select User and password and also enter a User name
    • Create a Account in Active Directory – Make a right click on Target Device – Active Directory – Create Account Under Organization unit enter “XenAppOU” and create account

8. Use web interface to customize the security options for remote users (similar to Advance XenApp)

9. Advance configuration tool

10. Configure a vDisk for three devices that preserves the data when rebooted

11. Configure a vDisk for a XenApp server (pretty much what type of vDisk to use and how to create devices in PVS)

12. Analyze the network topology below and identify the potential issue in the Design Document.

    • Managed Switch with Spanning Tree Protocol Disabled
Questions
  • Update XenServer Pool without interrupting

1. disable HA
2. Migrate 01 to 02
3. Update 01
4. Migrate from 02 to 01
5. Update 02
6. Reanable HA

  • Process of Change Request

1. Document
2. Pilot
3. Implement in test environment
4. test
5. rollout in prod

Implement xenapp5 farm in xendesktop environment

1. create copy vdisk
2. assign copy to a target device, “privat mode”
3. install plugins
4. build image and shutdown
5. assign the vdisk to all target devices
6. set “standard mode”
7. reboot all vdisk

Gererate a SSL certificate – here a copy from the maual:

openssl genrsa -out [file_name].private 2048
openssl req -new -outform PEM -out [file_name].request -keyform PEM –key

XenConvert command – question is convert from Physical to Xen Virtual Appliance (XVA), from the manual:
XenConvertCli P2Vhd xp C: F: emp /E
XenConvertCli P2Xva Server2003 C: F: emp /E
XenConvertCli P2XenServer Server2000 C: F: emp XenServer1 root password42 /E

CLI command for a vm-import
vm-import filename=export_filename [metadata=true | false ] [preserve=true | false ] [sr-uuid=destination SR UUID ]

Integrate XenApp 5.0 farm into XenDesktop environment

1. create copy vdisk
2. assign copy to a target device, “privat mode”
3. install plugins
4. build image and shutdown
5. set “standard mode”
6. assign the vdisk to all target devices
7. reboot all vdisk


Citrix XenServer Training Videos

Citrix GoToMeeting Recording play back require you to register every time you want to view the media.. Which gets a bit annoying. So here are the Short Codes to access. I am still trying to download the stream using VLC Player..

XenServer 5.6 FP1 Expert Sessions

XenServer Master Class Slide Decks – http://xenbits.xensource.com/export/1/XenServerMasterClass-Archive.htm

XenServer Master Classes Videos

http://www.citrix.com/English/NE/events/event.asp?eventID=1855037

XenServer Storage Architecture – Lee Bushen – SE TL & Steve Benton – Sales EMEA & Simon Crosby – CTO –http://mfile.akamai.com/23543/wmv/citrixvar.download.akamai.com/23543/www/995/614/1564185958984995614/1-1564185958984995614-12b3ad922c2.asx

XenServer Master Class – Overview and Scalability – http://www.citrix.com/tv/#videos/2484

XenServer Storage Troubleshooting – Daniel Lazar – Leade SE – http://www.citrix.com/tv/#videos/2112

XenServer Fall 2010 Beta Program Webinar – https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/687858320

 

XenServer HOSTDEVSCAN

In 5.6, the process has been completely simplified so that all of the hosts are scanned automatically when the new storage wizard comes up. This fixes other issues that may be present as well. Engineering has provided the plugin for previous versions of xs to simplify the process there as well. With 5.5 and below, the process was not as apparent but still doable. Here is what you will want to do on pre-5.6 systems to avoid having to reboot:

a) Install the plugin under /etc/xapi.d/plugins on each node in the pool

b) Make it executable: chmod +x /etc/xapi.d/plugins/hostdevscan

c) Trigger it via the CLI for each host in the pool:

xe host-call-plugin host-uuid=<HOST_UUID> plugin=hostdevscan fn=scan

This will do the following:

Detect all FC, SAS and iSCSI adapters (Hardware and Software) on the host. For each adapter, detect the channels to be reprobed. It will then locate a LUN to issue a SCSI report LUNs command (Note that there must always be at least 1 active LUN for this to succeed). It will then loop through all LUNs known to the host, removing stale LUNs that the report LUNs command did not list, and probing for new ones that are not present. It will also validate that the SCSIid path matches the SCSIid returned by the active LUN, thereby detecting re-mapped LUNs. In the case a LUN has been remapped to the same LUNid it will re-probe it.

Download and Rename the above file as hostdevscan.gz

XenServer Lab

Building a new XenServer Demo Lab..

Download the following:

http://unixfoo.blogspot.com/2009/01/netapp-simulator.html
http://now.netapp.com/NOW/cgi-bin/simulator

http://communities.netapp.com/blogs/fitforpurpose/2009/09/06/data-ontap-simulator-installation-simple-steps-and-frequently-asked-questions

http://communities.netapp.com/docs/DOC-1034

http://www.openxenmanager.com/

http://sourceforge.net/projects/xencenterweb/

How to Clone a XenServer

  1. Use the VirtualBox Tools to Clone a Existing XenServer.vdi -e.g  “F:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\vBoxManage.exe” clonevdi “F:\My Virtual Machines\XenDemo\XenServer1.vdi” “F:\My Virtual Machines\XenDemo\XenServer2.vdi”
  2. Create a New VM in VirtualBox with Linux 2.6 (64 Bit) OS and attach the new XenServer2.vdi HardDisk
  3. Edit the Settings of the VM and take note of the  Network Adapter Mac Address.
  4. Boot the new XenServer2 and access  the Local Command Shell and edit use VI /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0; contains a line HWADDR=<MAC address>. you need to edit in the same format as the Mac address you took from the above step. Use the VI Command Cheat sheet to edit the file
  5. Insure you change the localhost of the new XenServer as well.
  6. Restart your XenServer and make sure the new Mac Address is the same as the one applied by VirtualBox

Visio Stencils for the Citrix Dynamic Delivery Center

http://community.citrix.com/display/ocb/2008/07/03/Visio+Stencils+for+the+Citrix+Dynamic+Delivery+Center;jsessionid=17875769F1C2DA0056DE23ABAA962311http://community.citrix.com/display/ocb/2008/07/03/Visio+Stencils+for+the+Citrix+Dynamic+Delivery+Center;jsessionid=17875769F1C2DA0056DE23ABAA962311

http://www.visiocafe.com/various.htm

http://www.visguy.com/2007/10/29/oblique-connectors-for-your-3d-diagrams/