How to upgrade Citrix PS4 to XenApp5?
We recently renewed our Citrix licenses but I have been unable to upgrade our Citrix software because I don’t understand what steps need to be taken. Our server is currently running Presentation Server 4.0 on Windows 2003 Server. I have access to a bunch of downloads from Citrix's website and I think I need XenApp 5.0 installed on the server but would like confirmation. Our clients are XP machines running Program Neighborhood 9.0. I have new Windows 7 computers sitting here for all our client users but cannot deploy them until I solve the Citrix upgrade issue.
Our users currently connect via a Custom Connection from Program Neighborhood, so they get a “second desktop” on their computer when they connect to the server and have access to applications through that. I need to know what Citrix software will enable the same desktop view we are used to since my understanding is that Program Neighborhood no longer exists. I definitely need to have the “shadow” capability as well.
It seems like this would be an easier process if we had upgraded to each version along the way because now everything is so different. I downloaded Citrix Receiver and Receiver Enterprise on a Win 7 machine for testing but have been unable to figure out the software to connect to our server.
I'm a bit lost as to where to start... If I start by upgrading PS4 to XenApp5 will the older clients still be able to connect? Is there a newer client that can connect to PS4 until I upgrade the server to XenApp5? What the heck do I do with these licenses I bought? From what I've read they somehow need to be installed on the server.
Our users currently connect via a Custom Connection from Program Neighborhood, so they get a “second desktop” on their computer when they connect to the server and have access to applications through that. I need to know what Citrix software will enable the same desktop view we are used to since my understanding is that Program Neighborhood no longer exists. I definitely need to have the “shadow” capability as well.
It seems like this would be an easier process if we had upgraded to each version along the way because now everything is so different. I downloaded Citrix Receiver and Receiver Enterprise on a Win 7 machine for testing but have been unable to figure out the software to connect to our server.
I'm a bit lost as to where to start... If I start by upgrading PS4 to XenApp5 will the older clients still be able to connect? Is there a newer client that can connect to PS4 until I upgrade the server to XenApp5? What the heck do I do with these licenses I bought? From what I've read they somehow need to be installed on the server.
If you are in SA - Subscription Advantage then you are eligible to upgrade you environment without buying a new license.
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Thank you for the replies. The more I learn the worse it looks. I definitely need to read up on the farm mechanics and data collectors. I'm embarassingly not well-versed in Citrix speak and had the existing setup thrown at me with only minor software functionality training. Some more thoughts and questions...
I am upgrading to XA5 on 2003, not 2008. I only have one Citrix server, the one that currently has PS4.
I'm worried about the "online plugin" that replaced PN. My understanding from your statements is that the connection will be initiated from within a web browser. Will that somehow execute to a new desktop instance view or will it stay in the browser window?
I have new licenses ready to download from MyCitrix, just didn't know what to do with them. Can I install the License Server software on the same machine where XA5 will be installed?
I am upgrading to XA5 on 2003, not 2008. I only have one Citrix server, the one that currently has PS4.
I'm worried about the "online plugin" that replaced PN. My understanding from your statements is that the connection will be initiated from within a web browser. Will that somehow execute to a new desktop instance view or will it stay in the browser window?
I have new licenses ready to download from MyCitrix, just didn't know what to do with them. Can I install the License Server software on the same machine where XA5 will be installed?
I can tell you that we use our WI as the License server. I seem to recall something about not running License Server on A server with Xen App installed nor should it be on your farm. you simply download the file and place them in the MyFiles folder on the license server.
I know also that there is no Xen App 5 for server 2003. However XA 4.5 HRP5 is essentially the same thing as XA 5. (Citrix's superfun marketing plan).
I know also that there is no Xen App 5 for server 2003. However XA 4.5 HRP5 is essentially the same thing as XA 5. (Citrix's superfun marketing plan).
Thanks, basraj, for plugging my white paper!
If your PS4 is based on Windows 2000 Server, can't get to XA5/2003 from there; must be Windows Server 2003. Being that you only have one server, easiest and best bet is to just create a new farm. You'll want that farm to have some redundancy (it will be a really bad day if your single server goes down for any reason!), so plan to implement two servers. From a licensing perspective, it doesn't matter how many servers you have.
So far as co-locating components, you can technically put the License Server (Citrix and Terminal Services) on the same box as XenApp, as well as Web Interface. From a security perspective, you may not want IIS on a XenApp box, but that's your call.
But, before you do all that, if your user count is small and serviced on a single server, why not just use XenApp Fundamentals? Everything in one quick and easy setup. Licensing is different, so you'll want to get in touch with the Citrix licensing folks if you decide to go down that path.
If your PS4 is based on Windows 2000 Server, can't get to XA5/2003 from there; must be Windows Server 2003. Being that you only have one server, easiest and best bet is to just create a new farm. You'll want that farm to have some redundancy (it will be a really bad day if your single server goes down for any reason!), so plan to implement two servers. From a licensing perspective, it doesn't matter how many servers you have.
So far as co-locating components, you can technically put the License Server (Citrix and Terminal Services) on the same box as XenApp, as well as Web Interface. From a security perspective, you may not want IIS on a XenApp box, but that's your call.
But, before you do all that, if your user count is small and serviced on a single server, why not just use XenApp Fundamentals? Everything in one quick and easy setup. Licensing is different, so you'll want to get in touch with the Citrix licensing folks if you decide to go down that path.
Jo is a serious Citrix expert.. she's a former Citrite, and is now with Claros Systems at last report :-)
But, as to your other questions --
PNAgent requires a webserver, but it is *not* initiated by browsing to the site. It sits in the system tray and at logon (can be passed through or can be prompted) it will connect and gather the list of available apps (based on credentials). The old PN interface just enumerated them all by broadcast and did not directly filter.
In truth, this is not a bad process to do, and Jo is right, you would be best served by building a new farm. If that is not practical, then your next option is to build a new server & join it to the farm, and then upgrading your original server.
XA5 is a very worthwhile upgrade over PS4. Any good Citrix partner can do that upgrade pretty quickly :-)
Coralon
But, as to your other questions --
PNAgent requires a webserver, but it is *not* initiated by browsing to the site. It sits in the system tray and at logon (can be passed through or can be prompted) it will connect and gather the list of available apps (based on credentials). The old PN interface just enumerated them all by broadcast and did not directly filter.
In truth, this is not a bad process to do, and Jo is right, you would be best served by building a new farm. If that is not practical, then your next option is to build a new server & join it to the farm, and then upgrading your original server.
XA5 is a very worthwhile upgrade over PS4. Any good Citrix partner can do that upgrade pretty quickly :-)
Coralon
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I would definitely be interested in XenApp Fundamentals since it sounds like it's a lot easier to setup. However I don't have the budget for a 2008 Server and will have to stick with my current box running Server 2003.
I keep seeing suggestions to create a new farm or uninstall the current farm, but my farm is one single server. Does that mean I just have to uninstall PS4 and then install XA5?
I'm still most confused about how the clients will connect without a Custom Connection from Program Neighborhood. We don't use published applications. They connect to a desktop view (it looks very similar to coming in via Remote Desktop Connection) and can access everything from that. Does that functionality still exist?
I keep seeing suggestions to create a new farm or uninstall the current farm, but my farm is one single server. Does that mean I just have to uninstall PS4 and then install XA5?
I'm still most confused about how the clients will connect without a Custom Connection from Program Neighborhood. We don't use published applications. They connect to a desktop view (it looks very similar to coming in via Remote Desktop Connection) and can access everything from that. Does that functionality still exist?
You can install a Citrix web interface on the server. As you have only one Xenapp server, you can install Citrix WI on the same server. Add the farm name to it, so the published application will become available. User have to type URL and access the application.
However, in your case I believe you do not have a web interface server and user click on the PN on their desktop, which connects to a published desktop ( similar to RDP). With new Citrix PN which is now called as plugins you cannot create custom ica as before. However you can still use some ica creator tools to create custom ica. Users can still use the older clients to connect to new xenapp server.
If you plan to upgrade you can use the same farm but recommend you to take backup of the datastore.
However, in your case I believe you do not have a web interface server and user click on the PN on their desktop, which connects to a published desktop ( similar to RDP). With new Citrix PN which is now called as plugins you cannot create custom ica as before. However you can still use some ica creator tools to create custom ica. Users can still use the older clients to connect to new xenapp server.
If you plan to upgrade you can use the same farm but recommend you to take backup of the datastore.
@Jo: Just noticed... It's yours;-) share us more like that.
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2. This document will help you to plan, migrate or upgrade, steps to be taken before upgrades etc:
http://support.citrix.com/servlet/KbServlet/download/17904-102-19242/Technical%20Guide%20for%20Upgrading%20or%20Migrating%20to%20XenApp%205%2010-23.pdf
Answering your question, it should work but always upgrade the Citrix client to the latest to take full advantage of the new features. Citrix online plugin which is the new name for PN is available with Xenapp 5 software. I'm assuming you are trying for an upgrade to Xenapp 5 2003 and not 2008. If 2008, then migration is required.