Citrix Presentation Server 4.5 launches on March 8, and it includes a host of new features and enhancements in that can provide significant incentive to incorporate to make the upgrade. The old differentiation between Presentation Server (Advanced and Enterprise) and Citrix AccessSuite is gone. Now there are just three versions of Presentation Server: Advanced, Enterprise and Platinum. Most of the improvements and new features require the Enterprise version, and some require the Platinum. While there are over 100 new features to Presentation Server 4.5, the major improvements are summarized below:
• Improved graphics performance – provided by the new SpeedScreen Progressive display which accelerates graphics display by up to 20 times allowing virtualization of the most graphic intensive application including GIS and image archiving apps.
• End user experience and performance monitoring – Most Citrix administrators have at some point heard users complain about their performance experience, yet the servers are checking out fine. Citrix’s new EdgeSight feature allows performance monitoring and full visibility into application performance from an end-user’s perspective, not just server statistics. EdgeSight allows IT staff to proactively monitor performance and remediate problems in the servers, network, or application. This allows enhanced service level monitoring and management. (Platinum only)
• Greater availability – enhance availability and system resiliency are provided by the new Health Assistant features which perform continuous server health checks on key systems and services then respond with automatic actions to recover from failures without administrator intervention.
• Enhanced security architecture – Citrix Password Manager allows automated single sign-on across multiple applications both on Presentation Servers and web or host based. This enhanced security architecture extends to provide simplified partner access using Microsoft federated directory services (ADFS). A simple self-service web interface is provided for end users to reset locked passwords. This is further extended by using the Citrix Secure Gateway SSL VPN to provide a secure single point of access for all users. Using the new SmartAccess feature allows customized security policies to be applied based on the configuration of the end user’s device giving granular control of remote access end point security.
All Presentation Server configuration changes are logged including user name, access time, and configuration change. This system auditing allows quicker auditing, troubleshooting and easier configuration management. A new trusted server feature ensures that your clients can only access authorized Presentation Servers. This feature functions similarly to Internet Explorers “Trusted Web Sites” feature. (Platinum only).
• Faster and more versatile centralized application deployment – application virtualization and streaming allows applications to by dynamically delivered to presentation servers or desktops and laptops directly for local execution without application installation or any threat of application conflict. The Presentation Server can now dynamically select the best application delivery method based on client, application, and connection type and deliver either a published app or stream the app for execution on the local device. This allows secure delivery of applications to disconnected laptop users. (Platinum only)
• Centralized Application Provisioning – Presentation Server 4.5 includes new centralized application provisioning capabilities enhanced by the application streaming and virtualization features. This provides one central location to prepare and deliver all of the latest versions of Windows, desktop and client-server applications. This enables true centralized application deployment, patching and removal across windows desktops and presentation servers throughout the organization during business hours without user disruption.
• Greater Scalability – Presentation Server 4.5 can be run on 64-bit server platforms bypassing the kernel resource limitations inherent in the 32 bit architecture allowing scalability of up to 500 concurrent users per server even when running 32 bit applications. Running Presentation Server 4.5 on a 64-bit platform provides fantastic scalability and return on hardware investments.
• Desktop Broker – An additional enhancement is available for all versions of Citrix Presentation Server 4.5 as well as Presentation Server 4.0. Desktop Broker enables seamless connection of users to desktops running on VMware ESX servers that reside in the datacenter. It also facilitates management with a common management console. Desktop Broker is available immediately to Citrix Presentation Server 4.0 customers with active Subscription Advantage. To download, log in to My Citrix at www.mycitrix.com"
All of these features expand your current investment in Presentation Server and provide the framework which further enhancements and value will be built upon. This upgrade will also allow you to keep up with today’s performance, security, and accessibility needs.
Steve Kaplan is a 4-year Microsoft MVP for Terminal Server, and is co-author of three editions of Citrix Access Suite: The Official Guide and of two editions of Citrix Access Suite: Advanced Concepts Guide, as well as over a dozen white papers and articles on Citrix technology.
Bryan Dickson, VCP, is a senior engineer for AccessFlow with many years experience innovating enterprise solutions based upon Citrix and VMware.
