Citrix XenApp 6

Citrix XenApp 6, the de facto standard in on-demand application delivery, centralises applications in the datacentre and delivers them as an on-demand service to both physical and virtual desktops.

XenApp 6 introduces exciting new enhancements for advanced management and scalability, a rich multi-media experience over any network and self-service applications with universal device support from PC to Mac to smartphone. With full support for Windows Server 2008 R2 and seamless integration with Microsoft App-V, XenApp 6 provides session and application virtualisation technologies that make it easy for customers to centrally manage applications using any combination of local and hosted delivery to best fit their unique requirements.

How application virtualisation and session virtualisation work

Understanding Application Virtualisation

Citrix's use of application virtualisation technology isolates applications from the underlying operating system and from other applications to increase compatibility and manageability. As a modern application delivery solution, Citrix XenApp virtualises applications via integrated application streaming and isolation technology. This application virtualisation technology enables applications to be streamed from a centralised location into an isolation environment on the target device where they will execute. With XenApp, applications are not installed in the traditional sense. The application files, configuration, and settings are copied to the target device and the application execution at run-time is controlled by the application virtualisation layer. When executed, the application run-time believes that it is interfacing directly with the operating system when, in fact, it is interfacing with a virtualisation environment that proxies all requests to the operating system.

Citrix XenApp is unique in that it is a complete system for application delivery, offering both online and offline application access through a combination of application hosting and application streaming directly to user devices. When users request an application, XenApp determines if their device is compatible and capable of running the application in question. The minimum requirements of a target device are a compatible Windows operating system and appropriate Citrix client software. If the user device meets minimum requirements, then XenApp initiates application virtualisation via application streaming directly into an isolated environment on the user's device. In the event that the user device is not capable of running a particular application, XenApp initiates session virtualisation.

Understanding Session Virtualisation

Session virtualisation uses application streaming to deliver applications to hosting servers in the data centre. XenApp then connects the user to the server to which the application has been delivered. The application then executes entirely on the server. The user interacts with the application remotely by sending mouse-clicks and keystrokes to the server. The server then responds by sending screen updates back to the user's device. Whereas application virtualisation is limited to Windows-based operating systems at this time, session virtualisation via XenApp allows any user on any operating system to access any application delivered by IT. As a result, XenApp enables Windows, Mac, Linux, UNIX, Thin clients, iPhone, Windows Mobile devices, and even Symbian and Java-enabled devices to run any applications using session virtualisation. Furthermore, session virtualisation leverages server-side processing power which liberates IT from the endless cycle of PC hardware refreshes which are typically needed to support application upgrades when using traditional application deployment methods.

Using Application Virtualisation and Session Virtualisation Together

In both application virtualisation and session virtualisation, user interaction with the application is seamless. Printers, drives, peripherals and even the clipboard work in the exact same manner as if the application were installed. As a result, XenApp reduces the cost of application management and related costs by up to 50% and enables a better-than-installed experience for users when compared to traditional application deployment models.

Find out more

For further information contact your Phoenix Software Account Manager on 0845 265 1265 or email info@phoenixs.co.uk