Citrix Products 2010: A Wish List

What would Joe, a Citrix admin, put on his Christmas wish list? Here are some guesses in no special order.

XenApp

• A version of XenApp that runs on Windows Server 2008 R2
• One console only, at least for XenApp
• PowerShell SDK for managing XenApp
• Realtime audio/video so that, for example, Microsoft Office Communication Server can be used well
• Migration tool that exports an old farm’s settings and imports them after optional transformation into a new farm

Support for XenApp in SCCM (Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager)

• XenApp collections
• Add application hosting information to SCCM package
• Autonomic server load management to allow SCCM software distribution

VM Hosted Apps

• Session sharing (multiple applications per session/VM)
• Real application publishing

XenClient

• Release a first version, if only for enterprise volume laptops initially
• Make it run on any system that supports VT-D and TXT (trusted execution technology)
• Provide a private image mode: copy a VM to a client initially and then sync back differentially by creating snapshots that are stored on a server. A user would “own” a VM in this scenario and could store data and install applications in it, but updates/application installs could not be easily centrally managed.
• Provide a shared image mode: copy a VM to a client initially that is reset to its original state when powering off. Provide a second disk (VHD file) for persistent user data. In this scenario, users could not install applications, since the OS VHD gets reset constantly, but administrators could manage updates to the OS VHD centrally by distributing snapshots containing new applications or patches to the clients. All user data would have to be stored on a second partition.
• Optionally encrypt VHD files on the client (we are talking about laptops)
• Map the GPU to any VM. That way we could use a private VM (with GPU, for games, etc.) and a more secure business VM.
• Run applications from one VM seamlessly in the other VM (over ICA)

XenDesktop

• Make HDX media stream for Flash optionally work in such a way that we do not need internet access in the client’s site. Stream Flash through ICA from the server to the client and only render it on the client.
• PowerShell SDK for managing all aspects for XenDesktop

Image Management for Provisioning Server

• Give us a tool for automating the management/patching of PVS images
• Make it run in one of three modes:
• • Monitoring: Monitor external ESD server to determine if updates have been assigned to a machine
  • Scheduled: Periodically start the VM and allow the machine to update itself
  • Manual: Admin initiates VM start/stop for manually updating
• Give the tool a PowerShell SDK so we can program it

Various

• Release Branch Repeater as a virtual appliance. Better make it available for all three important hypervisors.
• Release a virtual appliance version of Access Gateway that can serve as a true replacement for CSG (Secure Gateway). For that, it needs to be free or very cheap at least. And better make it available for all three important hypervisors.