Citrix XenServer Reviews

Name: Citrix XenServer
Brand: Citrix
Rating: 4 (47 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

47 reviews
81% willing to recommend

4,129 followers

What is Citrix XenServer ?

Citrix XenServer is a virtualization platform used in industries such as banking, automotive, and data applications for cloud automation, server virtualization, and VDI scenarios. It supports infrastructure management, virtual machine hosting, and enterprise software deployment, reducing costs by migrating from other platforms.

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Citrix XenServer is the #9 ranked solution in best Server Virtualization Software. PeerSpot users give Citrix XenServer an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Citrix XenServer is most commonly compared to Proxmox VE: Citrix XenServer vs Proxmox VE. Citrix XenServer is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 57% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 52% of all views.

Helped 814,649 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Siva Kuppala

Enterprise Architect at Wipro Limited

It is a scalable product and provides great benefits for virtualization needs. However, there are a few considerations: * Cost: Citrix Hypervisor can be fairly expensive. * Complexity: There's a learning curve, especially for those coming from a Microsoft background. Setting it up and managing it can introduce some complexity. * Hardware Support: Not all major hardware vendors fully support Citrix Hypervisor. * Third-party Integration: Integrating Hypervisor with other technologies within a large ecosystem can sometimes be challenging. * Community Support: Compared to solutions like Microsoft Hyper-V, the community support for Citrix Hypervisor is somewhat less extensive. It is not vast. If there are any issues or errors, the community support is not that good. Those are definitely important disadvantages.

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Kim Gudiksen

IT Infrastructure Architect at a government with 10,001+ employees

The interface has to be updated. The management console has to be a console that can work on any platform instead of just Windows. The problem is that Mac users cannot install the management console, so they cannot manage the XenServer. We'd like to be able to move servers or machines from one pool to another pool due to the fact that it has a maximum, right now, of how many servers you can have in a pool or physical machines. Right now, if you want to move between the machines or servers, I have to close it down and move it. I cannot live migrate anything. That would be nice to do.

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Achim Heisler

Owner at A-H-S Computer

Citrix is not investing in the virtual surroundings. Third-party tools are bad for Citrix at the moment. No good backup recovery is available. On Microsoft, we can use Veeam, which is a great product. However, in Citrix, we were using Unitrends and Alike, but they are more or less good tools. We're not installing Unitrends again because they don't have good support for their product. And if you run into trouble, you're left in trouble, and that's not what I pay for. Alike is working stable with recovery. You can recover the system and so on. But similarly, if you run into trouble, you will be left alone, and that's not very good if you pay money for a contract. In the end, if you compare it to Veeam or other programs running on other platforms, Alike and Unitrends are behind in what's technical and the possibilities.

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Citrix XenServer mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Citrix XenServer in the Server Virtualization Software category stands at 4.9%, up from 3.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Server Virtualization Software

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Oct 6, 2024

Valuable Features

Citrix XenServer offers cost-effective virtualization with features like live migration, GPU support, and high availability. It excels in compatibility with various systems and supports seamless migration. Users appreciate its Windows-based management, scalability, ease of use, and robust security. Citrix XenServer's efficient resource management, migration without service interruption, and easy integration with existing infrastructures make it a preferred choice for virtual machine hosting. Users find it stable and beneficial for diverse IT environments.

"There's no complexity in using the tool, especially with the VBI integration. It works very well and has proven to be a stable platform. I have experienced attacks, such as ransomware, but my Citrix Hypervisor virtual machines were protected. This is due to its hardened operating system and DNS, which successfully protected the virtual machines on that platform."
"The core function enables multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server. This maximizes hardware utilization and efficiency."
"Citrix is easy to use and is stable."

Room for Improvement

Citrix XenServer needs better integration with third-party backup solutions and a web-based management interface. High-availability and clustering options are lacking in the free version. There's limited support for Linux guests and network stability issues. XenCenter's compatibility is restricted to Windows and its footprint is larger compared to competitors. Users encounter difficulties with system manageability, licensing costs, and storage limitations. Performance, technical support speed, and third-party integration need enhancement, particularly for more robust backup solutions.

"It would be very helpful if I could browse the data store directly in the GUI, similar to VMware and Hyper-V. This feature would be particularly useful when something goes wrong with a virtual machine or virtual disk."
"There's a learning curve, especially for those coming from a Microsoft background. Setting it up and managing it can introduce some complexity."
"Citrix is not investing in the virtual surroundings."

ROI

Citrix XenServer yields appreciated financial returns with tangible benefits. Management values its substantial impact. Despite challenges in direct ROI calculation, satisfaction from users and environmental virtualization contribute positively. Cost factors include licensing, hardware, deployment, training, and ongoing management. Virtualization offers server consolidation, energy savings, improved resource utilization, and streamlined IT management. High availability and disaster recovery capabilities add significant value, justifying the investment, although the solution might not always be the most economical option.

Pricing

Citrix XenServer, free to use, requires a paid license for commercial support. The annual support cost is around $6,000, which includes technical assistance. Users find the paid version's pricing competitive compared to VMware but note that costs increase with complexity and additional support. While considered expensive by some, it's viewed as cost-effective by others due to its features. There are three editions: free, advanced ($4,000), and premium, with a subscription-based license.

"Citrix Hypervisor can be fairly expensive."
"Citrix Hypervisor is expensive."
"We used it only for some desktop licenses, so the pricing is great. We used the free licenses for server virtualization."

Popular Use Cases

Citrix XenServer is primarily utilized for server virtualization, cloud automation, and virtual machine management. Organizations deploy it for infrastructure, application delivery, core banking, and ERP systems. Users migrate from platforms like VMware to XenServer for cost efficiency. It's used to host virtual desktops, manage virtual servers, automate cloud applications, and deliver centralized applications via data centers. Additionally, it's instrumental in virtualizing desktops and servers, supporting VDI scenarios, and facilitating third-party services access.

Service and Support

Citrix XenServer customer service is mostly described as good, though experiences vary. Many users find the technical support knowledgeable and responsive, while others mention slow response times or difficulty in accessing support. Community forums and internal IT support are often relied upon, especially with the open-source version. Some note partner resellers focus more on sales than assistance. Having up-to-date licenses and versions is important for receiving proper support.

Deployment

Citrix XenServer's initial setup is often described as simple and quick. It typically requires users to have basic IT knowledge. Installation varies, taking minutes up to a day, depending on infrastructure size. Most find it straightforward with local storage; network storage transitions smoothly. Proper hardware configuration is essential. Users often engage consultants for advanced needs. Deployment is manageable with minimal staff, but complex scenarios like shared storage may need additional expertise.

Scalability

Citrix XenServer is considered highly scalable by users, supporting both small and large enterprise environments. Many have successfully scaled their infrastructure without encountering significant issues, praising features like processor masking and easy expansion capabilities. Users appreciate the ability to add hosts as needed, enabling seamless growth in user base and virtual machines. Citrix XenServer is favored for its scalability, making it suitable for diverse organizational needs, although some express preferences for different hypervisors in comparison.

Stability

Citrix XenServer generally exhibits strong stability, with many users reporting high reliability and minimal issues. Some users have noted occasional bugs, especially with older hardware or during specific operations, like backups. However, most users find the platform stable, with reliable performance and very few crashes or freezes. Regular updates, good documentation, and responsive support enhance its reputation for stability, making it preferable to competitors like VMware for many.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Citrix XenServer Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

52%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

Comms Service Provider

University

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Non Profit

Media Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Hospitality Company

Legal Firm

Performing Arts

Outsourcing Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Compare Citrix XenServer with alternative products

Learn more about Citrix XenServer

As a virtualization tool, Citrix XenServer stands out for its ease of maintenance, support, scalability, and centralized management. Commonly deployed on-premises and in data centers, it provides real-time monitoring, live migration, and strong security features. With compatibility across many operating systems, users benefit from a Windows-based management interface that is easy to install and navigate. Integration capabilities with active directory, storage, and load balancing contribute to resource optimization and reliability.

What are the key features of Citrix XenServer?

Cost-effectiveness: Reduces operational expenses across IT environments.
High Performance: Real-time monitoring and live migration support high efficiency.
Security: Strong safeguards protect data and processes.
Management Interface: Windows-based, offering user-friendly controls.
OS Compatibility: Works with a range of operating systems for flexibility.
Advanced Integrations: Active directory, storage, and load balancing maximize resources.

What benefits should users consider in Citrix XenServer reviews?

Scalability: Easily adapts to growing demands.
Ease of Deployment: Streamlines the installation process for quick setup.
Comprehensive Virtualization: Offers extensive capabilities for seamless operations.
Centralized Management: Facilitates control through XenCenter.

Implementation in banking, automotive, and data applications leverages Citrix XenServer's strengths in cloud automation and virtualization. Organizations manage resources, deploy services, and ensure stable operations within their infrastructure. The platform is used both on-premises and in data centers, aiding in areas such as cost reduction and maintenance efficiency.

Citrix XenServer was previously known as Hypervisor.