Server HBA Replacement Steps

This article outlines the steps required to replace Host Bus Adapter (HBA) cards on servers. In this example, the technologies involved are brocade fabric switch, Windows server/ VMware ESXi server and HP 3PAR storage but the same steps can be applied to other vendor technologies like Cisco MDS switch, EMC storage, Hyper-V host, IBM SAN etc…

Citrix receiver slow applications launch issue

Guys, recently I had installed Citrix receiver 4.1 on windows 7 and then connected to Store front Server to connect / launch published application. Citrix receiver was very slow and it took 2 mins to launch or enumerate published application. Sometimes Citrix receiver freezes.

Citrix Published applications missing from Receiver

Issue:

 After login to receiver, cannot see (do Not appear) any published applications in Citrix receiver. Found following errors on XenApp server event log.

Log Name:      Citrix Delivery Services

Source:        Citrix Store Service

Event ID:      4003

Task Category: (12346)

Level:         Error

Description:

All the Citrix XML Services configured for farm Controller failed to respond to this XML Service transaction.

Resolution:

DNS Round Robin config for Citrix Storefront or VMware View Connection/ Security servers

This article explains the steps to configure DNS Round Robin to load balance end-user connections among VMware Horizon View connection or  Security or Citrix Storefront servers. Even though DNS Round Robin is not a true load balancing solution, it works as a dumb load balancer if you are not ready to spend on expensive load balancers like F5, Citrix Netscaler etc…

An an alternative for DNS Round Robin is low-cost KEMP Load Balancers. I think the price for KEMP VLM 100 Load Balancer is a couple of thousand dollars and these are intelligent enough.

OK, let me start with the steps to configure DNS Round Robin.

Steps to add second Citrix Storefront server to server group for HA

This article explains the steps to add second Citrix Storefront server for the high availability and load balancing (Called Storefront Server Group). Steps are straightforward. In this example, I am working on two storefront servers called Citrix1 and Citrix2. These two servers are already installed with Storefront 2.1 component.

How to reboot Netscaler?

This article explains the steps to restart NetScaler virtual or physical appliance. Again if you are an experienced NetScaler administrator, it is an easy task. These instructions are documented for beginners.

There are two ways to reboot NetScaler, one is from Console and another from the browser by connecting with NetScaler management IP address.

Steps to find Netscaler IP address

Hi guys, someone asked me how to find Netscaler IP address when they are new to the environment and doesn’t have any inventory information. I know it’s basic but sometimes hard to find information if someone is new to the Citrix Netscaler.

Someone asked me the question that he knows there is a Netscaler but he doesn't know it's details/ how to login.

Citrix Single Sign On step by step implementation guide

This article explains the steps to run and configure Citrix Single Sign on (Password manager) component in the XenApp environment. Please check the update at the end of the article.

Make sure that you have XenApp Platinum licenses before implementing Citrix SSO.

These steps need to be performed on the XenApp server which is going to host Single Sign component and plugin. I typically install SSO component on Citrix Zone data collector (Most preferred).

Citrix Receiver error

Issue:

After login to Citrix Receiver 4.1 and click on Refresh applications option, you see following error message.

Your apps are not available at this time. Please try again in a few minutes or contact helpdesk with this information. Cannot contact <Storefront Store name>

Storefront Server MMC loading/ crash issues

While implementing Citrix XenApp 6.5 Hotfix 2, I had a few issues with Storefront. Here I would like to share my experience/ issues and fixes.

Note: Refer to this article if you want to add second Storefront server for HA purposes.

One of the issues I faced after installing Storefront 1.2 (which comes with XenApp 6.5 download), Storefront keeps crashing with MMC Error as follows. I tried multiple things like installing the latest Microsoft patches with certificates and other things.