Citrix

Revision as of 11:01, 26 February 2016 by Gllarson (Talk | contribs) (Windows)



This student is using a Civil and Environmental Engineering program to design bridges on his Ipad over Citrix in the Cougareat Food Court.

Citrix XenApp is a commercial tool that allows users to remotely access "published" applications. It allows reasonable application performance over the internet. Citrix works well with most applications, but is not well-suited for graphics-intensive applications. Graphic intensive applications require a product like RGS.

How CAEDM uses Citrix

Many applications available on the desktop computers in the labs are provided through Citrix. Upon selecting one of these applications, a connection is made to a Citrix terminal server, and the application is shown locally, but is running remotely. Seamless integration causes the application to look like it is running locally. Unlike RGS, Citrix servers are a shared resource. There can be several users logged onto the same Citrix server simultaneously. Each Citrix server has multiple processors and generous memory allocations.

The Citrix Receiver allows anyone with a CAEDM account to access many CAEDM applications from anywhere in the world, from a wide range of devices.

Installing Citrix Receiver

Video: Install and Using Citrix on Your Own Computer

Windows

If accessing Citrix from a Windows desktop/laptop, you can use any internet browser (IE/Edge works best, but Firefox and Chrome work also) to go directly to the CAEDM Citrix web interface. After logging in with your CAEDM credentials, you will be prompted to accept the install of the Citrix client software. On Windows, this is a quick, painless, "download, next, next finish" process.

Linux

Instructions for 64 Bit RedHat 6.2

When accessing Citrix from a RedHat desktop/laptop, go directly to the CAEDM Citrix web interface. After logging in with your CAEDM credentials, you will be prompted to accept the install of the Citrix client software. as you would on a Windows machine. Find the tar.gz file that was just downloaded, and extract it (tar -xvf filename.tar.gz). Run setupwfc, in the configuration, set the default directory to be /usr/lib/, choose 'yes' to integrate with KDE and Gnome, do not install USB support. Open /etc/bashrc in vim, or your preferred text editor, and add: export LANG=C to the first line of the file. Run /usr/lib/ICAClient/wfica to test for dependiencies.

Now configure firefox:

Install nspluginwrapper (64 bit), then run /usr/lib64/nspluginwrapper/npconfig -i /usr/lib/ICAClient/npica.so. Now try to open a Citrix program, if it does not work, check about:plugins in the url bar of firefox, make sure that it appears as an active plugin.

Macintosh

If the browser based client doesn't work, try these instructions: Download citrix receiver for mac from http://www.citrix.com/downloads/citrix-receiver/mac/ Run the install file and start the citrix receiver. For the work email field put in citrix.et.byu.edu. For the login Domain\username use et.byu.edu\username. You can then add the desired apps.

Phones and tablets

To access Citrix from a tablet or phone, download the Citrix Receiver from your device's app store. When prompted for the server address, enter https://citrix.et.byu.edu. For the domain, enter "et.byu.edu".

Citrix Java Client

Use the Java client for tech podiums, internet cafes, or any computer where it is not possible to install the Citrix client, but Java is installed. The Java client is slower to react to user input and may not produce the best user experience compared to the Citrix receiver as explained above. The Java client displays a desktop with a start menu in a browser instead of individual applications in their own windows.

This is currently incompatible with Google Chrome. We recommend using Firefox for best results.

To use the Java client, use the table below.

Click the desired resolution and color depth
Millions of Colors 256 Colors
1600 x 1200 1600 x 1200
1600 x 980

(HP Wide Screen)

1600 x 980

(HP Wide Screen)

1280 x 960 1280 x 960
1024 x 768 1024 x 768
800 x 600 800 x 600
640 x 480 640 x 480

Warning: Java client is slower than the Citrix Receiver

Using the Citrix Receiver

Once the Citrix Receiver is installed, access Citrix applications through the CAEDM Citrix website. The website will show a series of folders and icons available to launch. Clicking on program icons will cause that software to load in a separate window on your computer. To log out of Citrix, exit the software accessed through Citrix using File -> Exit, or the equivalent menu option.


Printing from Citrix

Citrix will automatically detect existing printer drivers on the local computer. Citrix also permits printing to the CAEDM printers. Citrix also provides standard office programs that are omitted on the RGS blades. In order to print from a Citrix session simply print the file as you would normally. To print to the CAEDM printers, select CAEDM in the printer options and select the appropriate printer in the correct lab.

Accessing files in Citrix applications

Citrix will connect to the J Drive, to USB on the local machine, and to the files on the local drive (Windows only). It will automatically capture USB devices when they are plugged in, and is configured to use the J Drive as its primary source. Because of the difference in infrastructure and file system types, the Citrix client will only be able to access Local Hard Disks in Windows. Linux and Mac will not connect. In Windows, a pop-up will appear querying whether to allow a program access to the local personal files. Check that it is the Citrix receiver making the request, then allow it. The local drive will appear in the places menu as Local Disk (C: on localhostname).

Citrix vs RGS

CAEDM uses both Citrix and RGS, which may seem to be very similar. They are similar, but do have some differences:

Citrix RGS
Displays text and simple graphics Handles high-end graphics such as CAD and video
Many users share one machine Each user session requires an entire server
Clients available for Windows, Machintosh, Linux, smartphones, tablets Windows and Linux clients only
Uses little bandwidth, handles internet lag well Requires a high speed, low latency connection for best results
Can display a Windows desktop, or individual applications Displays a desktop
Server software available for Windows only Server software available for Windows and Linux

Troubleshooting

  • If a Citrix application becomes unresponsive, press Ctrl+F1 to bring up task manager for the remote Citrix server. Using task manager it is then possible to end an unresponsive process.
  • Problems with Citrix applications should be reported to an administrator, preferably with the error or other problematic program open.
  • The "Just In Time Debug Error" is typically not a temporary problem. This error should be reported to an administrator.
  • If you are having trouble launching Citrix in Firefox open up the extension manger by typing in the address bar "about:addons" (without quotation marks) then navigate to plugins on the sidebar. This will bring up a list of all the addons you have installed. Find the Citrix plugin and set the behavior to "Always Activate."