What this book covers

Chapter 1, Evolution and Core Strengths of XenDesktop^®, walks you through the evolution of XenDesktop^® from the start to its current latest version. It also introduces the core strengths and future roadmap of XenDesktop^®, which help you understand why you need to choose XenDesktop^® for your desktop virtualization.

Chapter 2, Understanding the XenDesktop^® Architecture in Detail, introduces the core and additional components of XenDesktop^® in detail. It explains the XenDesktop^® architecture (FMA) and features in great depth. This basic knowledge gives you a strong foundation to easily understand the advanced configurations discussed in the later chapters.

Chapter 3, Designing XenDesktop^® for Complex Environments, describes the process of designing XenDesktop^® using a layered approach and Citrix^® design tools. It exclusively covers how to design XenDesktop^® for highly available and scalable enterprise environments. It also discusses how to design and deploy XenDesktop^® for complex environments, including multisite XenDesktop^® environments, using application orchestration for multi-forest Active Directory environments, and deploying XenDesktop^® in private, public, and AWS hybrid Cloud environments.

Chapter 4, Implementing a XenDesktop^® Environment, gives you practical knowledge through a step-by-step presentation of implementing the XenDesktop^® environment. You'll learn how to install XenDesktop^® core components, configure them, and verify the XenDesktop^® site and its setup. This basic knowledge helps you quickly start your XenDesktop^® deployments.

Chapter 5, Delivering Virtual Desktops and Optimizing XenDesktop^®, provides you with advanced skills on how to configure additional instances of XenDesktop^® core components to build highly available environments. It covers how to configure VDA, machine catalogs, and delivery group entities to deliver virtual desktops. It also explains how to optimize XenDesktop^® for performance, through Citrix^® policies at server side and VDA performance optimizations at client side.

Chapter 6, Configuring XenDesktop^® for Advanced Use Cases, exclusively covers how to configure XenDesktop^® for a unique compilation of advanced use cases by enterprises and businesses. You'll master how to configure XenDesktop^® for these advanced use cases, which include high-end 3D applications, streaming media applications, web filtering, and so on. It also covers advanced fine-tuning and customization of XenDesktop^® capabilities, including virtual display, Local App Access integration, and seamless and in-browser session interfaces. This unique content would be highly useful for Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) providers.

Chapter 7, Networking for XenDesktop^®, describes the various layers of networking required for the successful functioning of your deployment and connectivity of sessions from users in detail. It explains the sequence of steps that occur during a user connection with a virtual desktop from an external access in detail. It makes you aware of all the required networking concepts and their configuration, to the extent that they are relevant to the scope of XenDesktop^® networking. This knowledge effectively helps you understand, plan, and implement the networking for your deployment.

Chapter 8, Monitoring and Troubleshooting XenDesktop^®, focuses on the usage and features of Citrix^®-provided tools for the effective monitoring and troubleshooting of XenDesktop^® environments. You'll gain deep understanding of the functionality and usage of Citrix^® Director and EdgeSight^®, Citrix^® Studio, and Citrix^® Insight Services using Citrix^® Scout to effectively monitor and troubleshoot XenDesktop^® environments. It also covers the various advanced Citrix^® tools available for troubleshooting to efficiently handle real-time issues.

Chapter 9, XenDesktop^® PowerShell SDK for Automation, introduces the PowerShell SDK provided by Citrix^® for automating XenDesktop^® tasks and operations. It covers the detailed usage and functioning of commonly-used SDK command-lets and how to author your own PowerShell scripts for automation. This knowledge empowers you with the most sought-after skill of automating XenDesktop^® tasks using the PowerShell SDK.

Chapter 10, XenDesktop^® and App-V Integration, focuses on implementing and integrating Microsoft App-V technology-based application delivery with XenDesktop^®. It discusses how you can quickly learn to deliver App-V-based applications with an easy-to-follow practical approach. It also covers all the prerequisite configuration steps needed for you to start off.

Chapter 11, XenDesktop^® Licensing, discusses the Citrix^® licensing for XenDesktop^®, including the license types, and the editions of licenses available for Citrix^® XenDesktop^®. It provides you with a deep understanding of the process of license discovery and allocation.