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  With the increasing popularity of Google Chrome browser and the capabilities it can bring with the usage of its Extensions I thought why not stream Chrome to the end-user devices using the Citrix Profiler 6.0  and XenApp 6.5. How to Profile the Google Chrome setup? The most important thing to note here is the normal Chrome setup is available in the online mode. Now the challenge is using the online mode you cannot create the profile for Chrome. The purpose of writing this blog is the older process in which flipping the registries and lengthy process was involved can all be avoided now. Google Chrome recently introduced a special enterprise MSI  package in which there are no hassles of tweaking the registry. Simply double click on the installer and you can profile the application. Download Link: http://www.google.com/chrome/eula.html?msi=true . Using Citrix Profiler how to create the profile? I am going to attach a step by step guide at the end of this bl...

Chrome Remote Desktop Extension from Google Chrome Browser is a fantastic solution with which one can access their remote desktop/laptops/servers and also perform user-2-user screen sharing all over the Internet. The best part is the complete package comes for free and the only requirement is Chrome Browser and the extension installed on the PC/MAC/Tablets/Mobile etc. How to install the Chrome Remote Desktop? Go the Chrome Web Store located under your browser and search for “ Chrome Remote Desktop ”. It’s a 21 MB file simply click on “ Add to Chrome ” to install the extension. What are the most important features of Chrome Remote Desktop? There are two important features of this extension as follows. Make sure you have the Google Chrome Browser and Chrome Remote Desktop extension as a pre-requisite. Remote Assistance: This feature provides the ability to perform user-2-user screen sharing just like other screen sharing software available in the market. Click on the “ Sh...

I managed to install and test the Windows Remote Desktop Services (RDS) 2012 and I would like to share my experiences with the community. If you are looking for step by step installation please check RDS TechNet Lab Guides in this blog. I’m only covering new features, functionality and things I learnt. RDS Installation With the new Server Manager, installation of Roles & Features has over simplified. Sitting on one server, we could install all the RDS roles such as Connection Broker (CB), Licensing Server, Web Access (WA) and Session Host from one console to all the servers\VM in the environment. All the pre-requisites (IIS, .Net) are installed by the Role & Features wizard automatically. There are two explicit options under the new RDS Wizard - “Session Virtualization” and “Virtual Desktop Infrastructure”. See more details as below. Session Virtualization After you have installed all the roles such as RDS Licensing, RDS Session Host, RDS Web Access and ...

Imagine yourself in a situation where you have to capture the entire XenApp 6.5 Farm information to understand what the customers have in their environment. The traditional way to understand the environment is  to sit down multiple times with the CTX Architects/Admins to understand the details of infrastructure and even then missing on important details. This script will document whatever you see under the Citrix AppCenter Console and the output can be copied to a txt or word document. My Testing results I ran the script in my environment and generated the output as per the figures mentioned below. I am listing down certain requirements and things I learnt during the execution: Step 1: Download the Citrix XenApp 6.5 PowerShell SDK and simply go through the typical installation Downloaded the Citrix XenApp Group Policies and place the files under two folders C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules, in a new folder named Citrix.GroupPolicy.Commands C:\Windows\S...

With the recent launch of XenDesktop 5.6 Feature Pack (FP) 1 Citrix released a great feature known as the Remote PC . The Remote PC feature allows end-users to access their laptops/desktops on any device (Tablets, Mobile Phones or even other remote laptop and desktop) and anywhere (in the office, home and road). Citrix launched this feature for enterprises that are yet not ready to move into VDI mode and this solution allows end-users to continue using their desktop/laptop devices. The device that will be accessing the office desktop/laptop will require Citrix Receive to be installed beforehand. Architecture for Remote PC to work: Many of you would ask what is the difference between RemotePC VS traditional RDP? RDP Remote PC Works well on Microsoft platform. However, no standard or official applications are available on cross platforms such as iOS, Android and Blackberry You can access your desktop on m...

Recently, I am setting up a poor man’s lab of Citrix XenApp 6.5 (64 bit). The reason to call it a poor man’s lab is because of the equipment in use. Though, I am complaining about the equipment I will tell you “my way” of efficiently setting up XenApp on a desktop class  Dell machine. My configuration is as follows: Desktop Configuration: Preparatory Steps: Install Windows 2008 R2 with Hyper-V as the choice of operating system on the Desktop. Connect the desktop with internet to get all the Windows Updates My next big thing was to create a Windows 2008 R2 EE template to create multiple VM’s and not waste time in creating individual virtual machines Create a new Virtual Machine with Windows 2008 R2 EE SP1 and install all the Windows Updates Install Features such as .Net 4 and Telnet Client from the “Add Features” as its reusable component on all VM’s  Enable the ICMP inbound rule under the Windows Firewall port else you would be clueless during your...

I finished watching the Nokia Lumia/Windows Phone 8 launch event. Two new phones hitting the market Lumia 920 and Lumia 820. My guess is the Lumia 920 will be for US/Europe region like the previous Lumia 900 and the Lumia 820 would be launched for the Asia Pacific region. Let me highlight some of the super-duper new features that Nokia has introduced in the new Lumia phones: Super Sensitive Touch: A nice demo on the super sensitive touch showcasing the phone works with your fingers as well as with skiing gloves. Haven't seen other touch phones that understand anything other than the finger touch or stylus. Wireless Charging: This the coolest thing I have seen in the last couple of years. Simply put your Lumia phone on a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors charging dock and the phone will start charging. Isn't this super KOOL? The important question to be asked is how long does Wireless Charging take VS traditional charging. In-built Near Field Communication (NFC): T...