Document Details
Document Name XenDesktop & XenApp 7.15 Deployment ISO
Author DG
Version 1.0
Date 21st September 2017
Status Released
Document History
Date Modification Details
21/09/2017 N/A First Release
XenDesktop & XenApp 7.15 Deployment ISO
Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................... 4
1.1 Available Task Sequences ..................................................................................... 4
2. Server Deployment .................................................................................... 5
2.1 Create a virtual machine with the following hardware configuration. .................. 5
2.2 Deploy Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition .................................................... 6
2.3 Install Hypervisor Guest Operating System Tools / Agent ................................... 13
2.4 Run Windows Update ......................................................................................... 13
2.5 Install Anti-Virus Software .................................................................................. 13
3. Configure Citrix Proof-Of-Concept Environment ...................................... 15
4. Deploy 2016 Virtual Desktop Agent (Multisession) Server ....................... 20
4.1 Configure Machine Catalog & Delivery Group .................................................... 23
5. Connect to your Virtual Desktop .............................................................. 33
6. Install XenDesktop Components (Advanced Users) ................................. 37
6.1 Configure Citrix Components .............................................................................. 38
7. Licensing ................................................................................................... 39
7.1 Citrix XenApp & XenDesktop .............................................................................. 39
7.2 Windows Server 2016 ......................................................................................... 39
8. References ............................................................................................... 40
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1. Introduction
The XenDesktop & XenApp 7.15 Deployment ISO contains preconfigured deployment tasks enabling the unattended deployment of Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition to virtual machine guests running on the following hypervisors.
Microsoft Hyper-V 2012R2 / 2016
VMWare ESX Server 6.0 u2, 6.5
Citrix XenServer 6.x, 7.x The XenDesktop & XenApp 7.15 Deployment ISO is created from a Media Collection using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 6.3.8443.
1.1 Available Task Sequences
Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition Vanilla - Windows 2016 Server with no Roles or Features installed – Manually install components after initial deployment or update and create a template for subsequent deployments
2016 XenDesktop & XenApp Proof of Concept Controller - Windows 2016 Server with all the required Citrix components for a proof of concept implementation
2016 XenApp Virtual Desktop Agent (Multisession) - Windows 2016 Server with the RDS Session Host Role and Citrix Virtual Desktop Agent for XenApp
2016 Citrix Storefront - Windows 2016 Server with IIS and Citrix Storefront
2016 Citrix License Server - Windows 2016 Server with RDS License Server and Citrix License Server
2016 Citrix Director - Windows 2016 Server with Citrix Director for support and monitoring
2016 XenDesktop & XenApp Controller - Windows 2016 Server with Citrix XenDesktop Controller – A separate SQL Server is required to host the site database.
2016 XenDesktop & XenApp Controller with SQL Express - Windows 2016 Server with Citrix XenDesktop Controller and Microsoft SQL Express
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2. Server Deployment
Approximate Deployment Times using SSD storage.
All XenDesktop Controller and Virtual Desktop Agent deployments are prolonged by the .Net Optimisation process. If the installation appears unresponsive, look for mscorsvw.exe using a high percentage of CPU to confirm that the installation is proceeding normally. When deploying .Net Framework components, the installation may appear to hang while checking for updates if internet access is available to the virtual server. Restrict internet access to virtual servers if possible during deployment.
For a simple Proof-of-Concept environment:
Deploy one server using the 2016 XenDesktop & XenApp Proof of Concept Controller task sequence.
Follow the instructions in Configure Citrix Proof-Of-Concept Environment.
Deploy one server using the 2016 XenApp Virtual Desktop Agent (Multisession) task sequence. -
Follow the instructions in Configure Machine Catalog & Delivery Group
2.1 Create a virtual machine with the following hardware configuration.
Set the operating system to Windows Server 2016 Standard
Attach the CD/DVD-ROM to 2016_XDXA715.iso
If necessary set the BIOS to boot from CD/DVD-ROM first.
Verify that the NIC is tagged with the correct VLAN.
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2.2 Deploy Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition Power on the virtual machine and press ‘any key’ to boot from CD/DVD-ROM.
Click Configure with Static IP Address…
Configure the server with a Static IP Address.
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Click Run the Deployment Wizard to install a new Operating System.
Task Sequence Select a task sequence to deploy a new server. Click Next.
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Computer Details Specify… Computer Name: _________ Domain: ________________ User Name: ______________ Password: _______________ Domain: ________________ or WorkGroup: _____________
Product Key The Windows Server 2016 Server Standard KMS Client Setup Key is pre-entered. Type an alternative Client Setup Key if required. Click Next. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj612867.aspx
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Locale and Time Enter preferred settings for your region. Click Next.
Administrator Password Specify the Administrator Password. The Task Sequence will reboot multiple times during deployment and will use these credentials to auto-logon to the server and perform the next task sequence step. Click Next.
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Ready Review the Task Sequence information and click Begin.
Registration and Agreement Complete the Registered User and Registered Organisation fields and click Continue.
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Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition is deployed.
After the installation of Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition, the task sequence will autologon and reboot multiple times while installing software and components. Do not start using the server until the deployment is complete.
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When the deployment is complete, the following message is displayed.
Disconnect the CD/DVD-ROM from 2016_XDXA715.iso.
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2.3 Install Hypervisor Guest Operating System Tools / Agent Install the appropriate guest operating system tools for the hypervisor platform. Microsoft Hyper-V
Hyper-V integration Services is built-in to Windows 2012R2 Hyper-V integration Services is built in to Windows 2016
Citrix XenServer Guest Tools
Attach the Windows PV drivers ISO to the VM by using the Install Tools menu in XenCenter, or by directly attaching the built-in xs-tools.iso ISO image on the VM using the CLI. Once the ISO is attached, doubleclick on the installwizard.msi installer executable and follow the on-screen prompts.
VMWare Tools
General VMware Tools installation instructions (1014294)
Reboot when complete.
2.4 Run Windows Update The XenDesktop & XenApp 7.15 Deployment ISO contains the September 12, 2017—KB4038782 (OS Build 14393.1715) update. Apply the latest updates for Microsoft Windows 2016 Server from the Windows Settings panel.
2.5 Install Anti-Virus Software
Citrix Guidelines for Antivirus Software Configuration Citrix Consolidated List of Antivirus Exclusions Virus scanning recommendations for Enterprise computers that are running currently supported versions of Windows
Windows Server 2016 now includes Windows Defender Antivirus. Windows Defender AV is malware protection that immediately and actively protects Windows Server 2016 against known malware and can regularly update antimalware definitions through Windows Update. During the deployment, Windows Defender Real-time protection is disabled as this prolongs the deployment by approximately 50%. You can re-enable Real-time protection by running the following command in an elevated Powershell console.
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false
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If you wish to install an alternative virus scanner, you can uninstall Windows Defender by running the following command in an elevated command prompt.
Dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Windows-Defender /Remove /NoRestart /quiet
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3. Configure Citrix Proof-Of-Concept Environment
You must have successfully deployed a server using the 2016 XenDesktop & XenApp Proof of Concept Controller task sequence before starting this section.
Logon as a Domain User with local administrative rights.
Run Citrix Studio
Click on Deliver applications and desktops to your users.
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Enter a Site name.
Accept the default database locations.
Click Next.
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Click Next to use the 30 day trial license. Connection Type: No Machine Management Click Next.
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When complete open your web browser and browse to http://<YOUR SERVER>/Citrix/StoreWeb/ Click Log On.
Enter your domain\username and password. Click Log On.
The following message is displayed as there are no Delivery Groups in your XenDesktop Site.
Complete the next section to deploy a Windows 2016 Virtual Desktop Agent and to create a Machine Catalog and a Delivery Group to host desktops and applications.
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4. Deploy 2016 Virtual Desktop Agent (Multisession) Server
Follow the Server Deployment procedure and select the 2016 XenApp Virtual Desktop Agent (Multisession) task sequence to deploy a new Virtual Desktop Agent server.
Following the server deployment, double click Configure Virtual Agent.
Delivery Controller
How do you want to enter the location of your delivery controller? Do it manually
Controller Address: Enter the DNS name of your Delivery Controller
Click Test Connection.
When the green tick appears, click Add.
Delivery Controller Click Next.
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Configure Delivery Controller
Accept the default port (80) to register with the delivery controller.
Click Next.
Summary
Click Reconfigure.
Call Home Select ‘I do not want to participate in Call Home’. Click Next.
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Finish
Click Finish. The server will reboot automatically.
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4.1 Configure Machine Catalog & Delivery Group Citrix XenDesktop Controller Logon as a Domain User with local administrative rights.
Click on Set up machines for desktops and applications or remote PC access
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Introduction Click Next.
Operating System Select Server OS as the operating system. Click Next.
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Machine Management Select Machines that are not power managed. Select Another service or technology. Click Next.
Machines Click Add Computers. Select Computers Type the name of your Virtual Desktop Agent server. Click OK.
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Machines Click Next.
Summary Enter a Machine Catalog name and a Machine Catalog description for administrators. Click Finish.
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Click on Set up Delivery Groups to assign desktops and applications to your users
Introduction Click Next.
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Machines Set Choose the number of machines for this Delivery Group to 1. Click Next.
Users Click Next.
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Applications Click Add – From start menu
Applications Optionally select applications to publish to users. Click Next.
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Desktops Enter a Display name and Description. Optionally restrict access to the desktop to a specific Active Directory group. Click OK.
Desktops Click Next.
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Summary Enter a suitable Delivery Group name and Delivery Group description. Click Finish.
Reboot your Virtual Delivery Agent Server to apply the new configuration. Wait for a few minutes after the Virtual Delivery Agent Server has rebooted to allow time for registration with the Delivery Controller then move onto the next section to Connect to your Virtual Desktop.
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5. Connect to your Virtual Desktop
Open your web browser and browse to http://<YOUR SERVER>/Citrix/StoreWeb/
Accept the license agreement and click Install.
Click Run.
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Click Start.
Accept the license agreement and click Next.
Select ‘No Thanks’ and click Install.
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Click Install.
Click Finish.
Click Continue.
Enter your domain, username and password. Click Log On.
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Click on Desktops.
Click on 2016-Desktop.
When the virtual desktop launches you may be prompted for permissions to access local resources. (Sound, drives, camera etc.).
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6. Install XenDesktop Components (Advanced Users)
If you have deployed a Vanilla Server or want to install XenDesktop Components after the operating
system deployment, you can run from the root of the 2016_XDXA715.iso file.
Applications Select the required Citrix component. Select only one at a time.
Ready Click Begin.
Success The following dialog is displayed when complete.
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6.1 Configure Citrix Components
Citrix XenDesktop Controller
Logon as a Domain User / Local Administrator
Citrix Storefront
Logon as a Domain User / Local Administrator
Citrix Director
Logon as a Domain User / Local Administrator Run C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Director\Tools\Directorconfig.exe <params>
Usage: DirectorConfig [/site <siteName>] [/ddc <XenDesktopDDCDnsName>] [/xenapp <XenAppServerDnsName>] [/uninstall] [/upgrade] [/registerdotnet] [/confignetscaler] [/unconfignetscaler] [/enablera] [/createsitegroups] [/configsessionrecording] [/unconfigsessionrecording] Example: DirectorConfig /site Director /ddc xendesktop-ddc.mydomain.com DirectorConfig /site Director DirectorConfig /ddc xendesktop-ddc.mydomain.com DesktopDirectorConfig /xenapp xenapp-server.mydomain.com DirectorConfig /uninstall DirectorConfig /uninstall /site Director Warning: Uninstall will remove all the previously saved configuration. DirectorConfig /upgrade DirectorConfig /registerdotnet DirectorConfig /confignetscaler DirectorConfig /unconfignetscaler DirectorConfig /enablera DirectorConfig /createsitegroups DirectorConfig /configsessionrecording DirectorConfig /unconfigsessionrecording
Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent Following installation of the Virtual Agent, double click Configure Virtual Agent or open a command prompt and type:
"C:\Program Files\Citrix\XenDesktopVdaSetup\XenDesktopVdaSetup.exe" /reconfigure
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7. Licensing
The XenDesktop & XenApp 7.15 Deployment ISO contains evaluation licenses for Citrix XenApp & XenDesktop, and Windows Server 2016.
7.1 Citrix XenApp & XenDesktop The XenDesktop & XenApp 7.15 Deployment ISO contains a standard 30 day trial license for Citrix XenApp & XenDesktop. If you wish to extend your evaluation period, you may obtain a 99 user evaluation license which is valid for 90 days. Try XenApp or XenDesktop free for 90 days
7.2 Windows Server 2016 The XenDesktop & XenApp 7.15 Deployment ISO contains an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2016 which is valid for 180 days. You may convert your deployment of Windows Server 2016 to a retail version however you will require valid a KMS server or licensing keys.
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8. References
Available Updates for Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4039839/available-updates-remote-desktop-services-windows-server-2016 Best Practices for Citrix Director http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX139382 XenApp and XenDesktop 7.15 LTSR (on EDocs) http://docs.citrix.com/en-us/xenapp-and-xendesktop/7-15-ltsr.html