What is Citrix XenApp?

We may hear the name of Citrix XenApp often enough, but does everyone understand what this product is about? Let’s take a closer look at this solution, and on the XepApp-focused certification.

Formerly known as WinFrame Server, Citrix MetaFrame Server and Citrix Presentation Server, XenApp is an application virtualization solution that enables users to connect to their corporate applications from a wide range of computer systems and mobile devices. XenApp hosts applications on central servers and allows users to interact with them remotely or stream and deliver them to user devices for local execution. Citrix Xen App extends Microsoft Remote Desktop Session Host desktop sessions and applications to users through the Citrix HDX protocol. XenApp was originally built on top of the Windows Terminal Server platform (which was developed by Citrix in mid 90s).

Citrix XenApp and Remote Desktop Services enable organizations to centrally manage their Windows applications and computing resources in a secure data center, which is especially important for organizations whose operations involve the flow of sensitive data.

As a cross-platform solution, Citrix XenApp enables users to access these applications from anywhere, including non-Windows clients. Here’s how it works: XenApp sessions and applications can be accessed by client devices using a software client Citrix Receiver which is available for a variety of client form factors and operating systems.

HDX protocol provides smooth remote display capabilities, multimedia redirection, USB redirection, and a variety of other capabilities, depending on the client device.

Citrix XenApp direct competitors are Microsoft Terminal Services for Windows Server 2008, Quest Software vWorkspace, Systancia AppliDis Fusion, Spoon Server and Ericom Software WebConnect. Win4Lin Virtual Desktop Server provided similar functionality for serving Windows desktop sessions from Linux servers, while Sun’s application virtualization offering, the Oracle Secure Global Desktop, serves to provide a complete solution allowing for the delivery of both Windows and Unix applications on all major platforms.

Citrix XenApp Certification

Citrix has recently revamped its certification program making its credentials more solution-based and tailored to the current and ever-changing needs of IT professionals and organizations. There are three standard levels proving candidates’ skills and experience required to deliver successful Citrix solutions:

• Citrix Certified Associate
• Citrix Certified Professional
• Citrix Certified Expert

The company offers the credential of CCA for Citrix XenApp for those willing to certify knowledge of Citrix XenApp 6.5 solutions. To attain this certification, candidates need to pass the Basic Administration for XenApp 6.5 exam. IT tests the knowledge and skills required to install, configure, and administer Citrix XenApp 6.5 on-demand applications.

The Citrix XenApp 6.5 Administration exam is divided into the following sections which can serve as a preparation guide:

• Understanding the Citrix Architecture
• Licensing and Installing XenApp
• Configuring XenApp Sessions
• Configuring XenApp Policies
• Publishing Applications and Content
• Additional Management
• Managing Performance and Load
• Configuring Printing
• Enabling and Securing Web Access to Published Applications and Content
• Troubleshooting

So, getting XenApp certified seems like a smart career move for many IT professionals trying to find their high-potential role in medium-and big companies and corporations, since the demand for remote access solutions backed up by the latest functionality and security advances will definitely keep growing.

Citrix offers XenApp official training available on the company’s website. You can also check out the Citrix section at ExamCollection.

• Category: citrix
• Tags: application virtualization, certification, citrix, citrix xenapp, exam, exams, it certification, it certification exam, it certification exams, it certifications, policies, windows server 2008