Consideration before XenApp6 installation

Unattended Installation and Configuration

Unattended installation can be performed using the following files:

• XENAPPSETUPCONSOLE.EXE
• XENAPPCONFIGCONSOLE.EXE

Hardware Requirements

Hardware requirements include:

• 64-bit CPU
• 512MB RAM (minimum)
• 32GB disk space (minimum)
• 6MB to 120MB for Web Interface plus 3.5MB for each site

Software Requirements

XenApp must be installed on a Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system (64-bit)

XenApp components such as the Delivery Services Console and Web Interface can be installed on additional operating systems

XenApp Configuration Options

During XenApp configuration, administrators select options for XenApp components and features

Which Farm or Zones Will Be Used in the  Environment?

A farm:

• Can be managed as a single entity
• Use a single data store database
• Can balance load among server in the farm Zones:
• Are a logical grouping of servers within a farm
• Are typically based on geographic location

Which License Server Will Be Used for the Server Farm?

A License Server:

• Can be installed before, during or after the XenApp installation
• Can be installed on a dedicated server or a server that provides additional functionality

Which Database Engine Will Be Used for the Data Store Database?

The following database software can be used for the XenApp data store:

• Microsoft SQL Server Express 2005
• Microsoft SQL Server Express 2008
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• Oracle 11g R2

Will Shadowing Be Enabled?

Shadowing allows authorized users to view and interact with user sessions

• The default shadowing sessions are recommended for most farms
• If shadowing is prohibited during the XenApp installation, it cannot be enabled without reinstalling XenApp

On Which Port Will the Citrix XML Service Run?

The Citrix XML Service:

Communicates the least busy server and names of published resources

• Uses port 80, by default
• Can share port 80 with IIS
• Can be set to use a port other than port 80

When Will Users Be Added to the Local Remote Desktop Users Group?

Users can be added before or after XenApp installation.

Options include:

• Add the authenticated users
• Add the list of users from the Users group
• Add anonymous users

Which Pass-through Client Will Be Used in the Environment?

The pass-through client:

• Gives users of older, less feature-rich clients access to the features of the Citrix online plug-in
• Allows users to access their published applications through a XenApp Services site

Will Pass-through Authentication Be Used in the Environment?

Pass-through authentication:

• Authenticates a user to XenApp using the credentials used to log on to Windows
• Can be enabled during installation
• Requires the plug-in to be reinstalled on a server, if passthrough authentication is enabled after the XenApp installation

Will Information in the Data Store and Configuration Logging Databases Be Protected with IMA Encryption?

IMA encryption:

• Can encrypt the credentials of the data store and configuration logging databases
• Must be enabled on all XenApp servers if it will be used
• Can be enabled using the CTXKEYTOOL command 

          Eg:   ctxkeytool [generate | load | newkey | backup] filepath

                  ctxkeytool [enable | disable | query]