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reviewer1655040 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Analyst at a healthcare company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Works well, easy to deploy, and stable on Windows
Pros and Cons
  • "It is a good product. I don't have any complaints."
  • "I've recently tried to use Citrix on Ubuntu, and I don't know if this is an Ubuntu issue or a vendor issue, but you can't use Citrix right now on Ubuntu 20.04."

What is our primary use case?

We are using it for the VPN.

What is most valuable?

It is a good product. I don't have any complaints.

What needs improvement?

I've recently tried to use Citrix on Ubuntu, and I don't know if this is an Ubuntu issue or a vendor issue, but you can't use Citrix right now on Ubuntu 20.04.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using this solution for maybe six months. We're now migrating most of our machines over to that.

Buyer's Guide
Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service)
February 2025
Learn what your peers think about Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service). Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
832,138 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It seems fine on Windows.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have probably just under a thousand users.

How are customer service and support?

I don't think I ever had to open up a ticket with them for anything.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We've been on Citrix as long as I've been here.

How was the initial setup?

It was pretty straightforward.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Citrix Workspace an eight out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user8922 - PeerSpot reviewer
Architect at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Consultant
Comparison of VMware View 5.2 VS Citrix XenDesktop 5.6

Recently I attended the VMware Partner Exchange 2013 and there was a session called “Technical Battleground – View VS XenDesktop”. In this post I will try and cover the differences that VMware showcased during their session and I am going to add an additional column for my comments and thoughts on this comparison.

The following table shows the feature comparison between View and XenDesktop:

VMware View 5.2

XenDesktop 5.6 (XD)

My Comments

Uses only VMware Hypervisor. Use the power of vSphere 5.1 with capabilities such as Fault tolerance, VMotion and Site Recovery Manager

No tight integration with Hypervisor and flexible with XenServer, vSphere and Hyper-V

I seriously feel it’s better to have multiple hypervisor support. That way you have the choice to: stick with the current hypervisor the company runs and manages;   use lower cost alternative hypervisors; or use a hybrid hypervisor model

Content based Read Cache (CBRC) feature available on vSphere using RAM cache

IntelliCache feature available on XenServer using Local Storage caching

This feature is only available for pooled desktop delivery method. CBRC and IntelliCache have their own share of pros and cons.  However, CBRC will be faster because it’s based out of RAM. This feature is very vSphere specific

View Composer Array Integration – Offloading the creation of linked clones to the storage array

Not Available (**Can be made available using vSphere + XD 5.6 but not sure if Citrix will support it)

This feature is more related to storage array functioning with the hypervisor. VMware (vSphere) and a few other storage vendors (EMC and NetApp) have coded specific drivers to offload the creation of linked clones process from the hypervisor level to storage array. Very limited vendors  and new arrays would have such capabilities

Sparse Virtual Disk – space reclaiming (deleted files) on the virtual machines

Not Available (**Can be made available at the storage array level provided any OEM supports and has tested features with XD )

Using this feature you can surely save some expensive storage space by deleting unwanted old files.

vShield security & hypervisor offload

Offloading Antivirus architecture capabilities is available with all leading hypervisors today such as Hyper-V, XenServer and vSphere. Vendors such as MacAfee Move and TrendMicro Deep Security provide hypervisor level security

Single console to manage the entire View environment using View Management Manage

Multiple consoles such as Desktop Studio, Provisioning Services,

Current versions of XD 5.6 for sure has many consoles to manage. But Citrix has overcome the problem in the next version (Excalibur) where there is a single console to manage desktop and application delivery

Cheaper View licensing cost

Yes the list price for View is cheaper than the XenDesktop license for all variants such as enterprise and platinum etc. However, one has to evaluate various use cases before making the choice of the products

E.g. The Citrix Provisioning services can reduce the storage cost by 30% VS Machine Creation Services  

VMware Compared a 10,000 desktop reference architecture published on the Citrix website and claimed they are:

-          42% less Storage than XD

-          19% few servers than XD

No detail was given as to which Citrix XD architecture they were comparing View to.

Virtual 3D Graphics over WAN and LAN

Similar capabilities of 3D GPU sharing using OpenGL available with XenDesktop

VMware said there was no 3D GPU sharing/virtualization within XD. However it is available within XD

A website that gives detailed information about VMware’s competition

www.whychooseview.com

Citrix Flexcast & Project Accelerator websites where you can get more information

http://project.citrix.com/

VMware is the only vendor which has public information on competition on their website compared against Citrix, Dell etc. A detailed comparison of VDI products is carried out by ProjectVRC in their VDI Smackdown


In this study, VMware compared View 5.2 (which is only 2 month old) with XenDesktop 5.6 (which is 1.2+ years old).  In most of the cases, the highlighted feature is not part of View itself, but a VMware vSphere hypervisor capability instead. Almost 80% of the vSphere hypervisor features can be extended to XD, but it will become a very expensive solution.

How this study will change in the months to come: Citrix has announced the Excalibur version which is in technical preview since Citrix Synergy 2012 and will include both XenApp, XenDesktop, Provisioning Services and Profile Management capabilities and will be served as a single product just like the Horizon suite from VMware.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user366051 - PeerSpot reviewer
it_user366051Infrastructure Engineer at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Real User

consumption would be per machine memory (3*2GB=6 GB)

See all 2 comments
Buyer's Guide
Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service)
February 2025
Learn what your peers think about Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service). Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
832,138 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1381863 - PeerSpot reviewer
CEO at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Consultant
Provides us with a good user experience in a very secure environment
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is the desktop experience so that users don't see much difference between the remote desktop and the local desktop... It also provides virtualization for high-end graphics so that they can be displayed. AutoCAD can be done on Citrix. The graphics are very good."
  • "It would help if it were a little simpler. It's a bit complicated and we have hired Citrix administrators. But it's a good solution."

What is our primary use case?

One of the things we wanted to achieve was the ability to work from home and have the same environment. We use the application virtualization capabilities, the on-premise desktop virtualization, and the cloud-hosted desktop virtualization.

How has it helped my organization?

A lot of people are going to a hybrid working model and they can work in the same environment, whether they're at home or in the office. They're able to work efficiently.

Security is also of critical importance. It provides a very secure environment with several security features that can be implemented. We are an IT infrastructure company, so infrastructure passwords are very critical. It provides us with a tremendous amount of security, which is very valuable.

Citrix also simplifies adherence to industry regulations for data protection and for compliance.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the desktop experience so that users don't see much difference between the remote desktop and the local desktop. Their files remain the same, so it's much easier to work from different locations. We use it for laptops and desktops only, but I believe it has the flexibility to be used on any device. If the desktop experience is good, the employees are happier. They are able to do what they want to do.

It also provides virtualization for high-end graphics so that they can be displayed. AutoCAD can be done on Citrix. The graphics are very good.

We also like the security features it provides.

What needs improvement?

It would help if it were a little simpler. It's a bit complicated and we have hired Citrix administrators. But it's a good solution.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops for about two and half months.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have about 400 people and we have implemented it for about 130 people. We're implementing it for the other employees as well.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We went with Citrix because of its security and the user experience.

How was the initial setup?

Deployment and management are not easy, but because we are an IT company, we are able to do it. We provide a virtual desktop service to our customers, so Citrix fits into our business model. You have to set up all the Citrix components, drivers, and Netscaler. You need to deploy three to four servers for a basic Citrix setup, as well as servers that give the remote desktop to your users.

If you have Citrix experts, deployment should happen in a month's time. But if you don't have experts, it can take more time. Now that we have the expertise in managing Citrix on the cloud, the time it takes to get our customers on board and into the service that we are providing to them with Citrix, depends on them. We can get them on board very quickly because now we know what to do and how to do it.

What other advice do I have?

We haven't embraced thin clients or low-cost device computing yet. We were of two minds about whether to take full laptops or thin clients for access while working from home. We are experimenting with thin clients now, and the experience has been positive, but until now we have used only laptops. We are going to further test thin clients and then we'll be giving them to some of our users.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
it_user613110 - PeerSpot reviewer
Consultant
Vendor
Desktop virtualization solution that delivers 3D applications over WAN
Pros and Cons
  • "It has very good performance in delivering 3D applications over WAN."

    What is most valuable?

    XenDesktop VDI is the best in class desktop virtualization solution with the best support for clients.

    It has very good performance in delivering 3D applications over WAN.

    How has it helped my organization?

    We implement this solution at many customer sites. It directly affects the productivity and gives the customers a very flexible solution.

    The customers have the possibility to provide access to their applications and data, but its data won’t leave their data centers.

    What needs improvement?

    I can't think of anything at the moment.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We have been using XenApp/XenDesktop for 10 years.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    We sometimes have issues after updates.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    I would rate the technical support at a 10 out of 10.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We did not use a previous solution.

    How was the initial setup?

    You need a very good concept do the conceptual work before you start implementing. Depending on the concept, the setup could be straightforward.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    You have to do some hard work in order to get the suitable licenses.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    We looked at VMware View in some projects.

    What other advice do I have?

    All Citrix products are very flexible and give you a huge amount of possibilities. From a consulting perspective, I recommend that you set aside adequate time for project planning.

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: My company is a Citrix Gold Partner and a specialist in Networking and Virtualization product lines.
    PeerSpot user
    PeerSpot user
    Architect at a tech company with 10,001+ employees
    Vendor
    Consolidated multiple remote access solutions.

    What is most valuable?

    • Protects web infrastructure
    • Ensures business continuity and IT disaster recovery
    • Consolidated multiple remote access solutions
    • Lowers WAN costs

    How has it helped my organization?

    A cements customer uses the application for truck shipments from the United States by connecting to the infrastructure in Colombia, as the solution can only be found in that country.

    What needs improvement?

    We are already evaluating the latest version, 7.9, because Citrix continually updates everything.

    For optimal and stable infrastructure products, the people who develop software in-house should provide IT architecture updates.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    All implementations of Citrix have problems with stability; that is normal. This type of infrastructure should be integrated with the many software and hardware components that are currently implemented in the company.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Customer Service:

    Very good customer service.

    Technical Support:

    Technical support is improving.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I have worked with VMWare as a hypervisor as the suite is very wide. However, Citrix is less expensive.

    How was the initial setup?

    All Citrix configurations have a certain amount of complexity.

    What about the implementation team?

    In-house application deployments are not always easy to integrate, because it is not always compatible with client-server environments.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    For a project to be effective, you must coordinate with Citrix to divide the licenses into stages and not affect costs.

    What other advice do I have?

    It is important to do a good sizing of users. In addition to Citrix' own online calculator for sizing users (https://www.citrix.com/products/xenapp-xendesktop/savings-calculator.html), I can help with dimensioning the server infrastructure for different virtualisation projects.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    PeerSpot user
    Project Assistant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    It is easy to make changes with the product. Document control protects our IP.

    Valuable Features

    The following are the product's most valuable features to me:

    • Quick provisioning: It is easy to make changes and see them reflected throughout the organization.
    • Document control: Enabling users to copy a company document to their hard drive or flash memory really protects our IP.

    Improvements to My Organization

    It has accelerated the process in which a new employee is given the necessary tools. We have contacted people in different countries that no longer have to wait for the central team to grant access to their PC in our environment. Assigning them a VDI user allows them to start right away.

    Room for Improvement

    In general, I'm really pleased with Citrix. What sometimes is an issue is when an application is not compatible with the server's OS, but that is out of Citrix´s hands.

    Use of Solution

    I have used this solution for one year.

    Scalability Issues

    I have not encountered any issues with scalability. It actually is a strong point in its favor.

    Customer Service and Technical Support

    I rate technical support 10/10. They are really interested in understanding your architecture and providing solutions.

    Implementation Team

    Citrix Mexico helped us understand some issues, but mostly it was developed in-house.

    ROI

    The ROI in our case is really difficult to quantify. I focus on the non-measurable advantages: IP protection, access from any device, and storage of data in high-availability data centers, no data loss.

    Pricing, Setup Cost and Licensing

    Unlike MS, many vendors haven’t considered VDI licensing, so this might represent an opportunity to save on licensing costs, because you're actually installing it on only one device (the application server).

    Other Advice

    Redundancy is a must. After that, ensuring that all your users will access it through a high-speed internet connection will be a key success factor.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    PeerSpot user
    Senior Site Infrastructure Engineer at Kurungsiku
    Real User
    Top 20
    Complete Virtual Desktop Infrastructure solution you can try for free

    Valuable Features:

    You can try XenDesktop as alternative to VMware view. The Express edition allow you to use up to 10 machines / users. I use XenDesktop as a Proof of Concept when our lab plans to move to Virtual Desktop. I try to connect from a client on windows machine connecting to remote windows desktop, playing movie is smooth, connecting USB device on your client will show on your virtual desktop.

    Room for Improvement:

    Steep learning curve. You need to configure Active Directory and Desktop Delivery Console (DDC). You will also have to configure XenServer(s) as your VM host. You cannot install XenDesktop on your server; you need a dedicated machine to install XenServer. Connecting from a desktop is easy you just have to install a client. But if you want to be able to boot directly from client to your Virtual Desktop, you need to spend more time to configure it.

    Other Advice:

    Good alternative to VMware view, free for 10 users, you can use it as test pilot
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    PeerSpot user
    Solution Architect at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
    Consultant
    You can create a filter to find hotfixes for a specific product but after you selected the last version there is no filter for feature packs.

    Originally posted at https://www.robbeekmans.net/citrix/citrix-bring-back-rollup-packs/

    Citrix: Bring back the Rollup packs

    In the past Citrix had several software updates available, these days the options are different. In this short article I explain what has changed and why I think that’s causing issues.

    In the old days you had:

    • Software
    • Hotfixes
    • Feature packs
    • Rollup packs

    The Rollup packs used to contain all the hotfixes of a certain period and guarantee that you installed all the hot fixes and your environment was up-to-date again. The Rollup packs would have a list with all the previous hotfixes it included.

    When we fast-forward to today what Citrix is delivering is:

    • Software
    • Hotfixes
    • Feature Packs

    As you notice the rollup packs are gone. Hotfixes are no longer combined and as Citrix is also not delivering service packs the Citrix site is loaded with hotfixes.

    On the Citrix site you can create a filter to find hotfixes for a specific product but after you selected the last version there is no filter for feature packs.  Of course a feature pack is to add new features so no hotfix would be included I assume, but 113 hotfixes available make it an unsolvable puzzle to complete.

    Another issue is that there is no filter to filter VDA,Controller, Storefront hotfixes, so you need to look at them all to find interesting ones. You are comparing numbers and reading if they became obsolete or not. Good stuff for a rainy day.

    As it seems all hot fixes are needed for none of them have information about which feature pack obsoletes the hotfix. There are no service packs as mentioned before so if you would be a first-timer you go about installing hotfix 001 until you read the last one. I can guarantee your servers will fail if you do. DON’T TRY.

    The biggest issue is that there is no documentation, NO documentation what so ever about what hotfix to apply and which one not. Of course there are always hotfixes that are depending on the situation but some are required. Without documentation, each time a software update/feature pack comes out, it’s Russian roulette. 

    With this being the case you have to apply hotfixes in a production environment without a real way of doing it controlled. If it fails, restore the database and all controllers and hope they get back up. If they don’t, rebuild your environment.

    In the old days the database was open and after a restore of the database you could rollback easier. With the 7.x database being a closed database this route is closed. I think it’s a dangerous route Citrix is one and I hope they will return to rollup packs at least. With this at least we know what to install and we know it has been tested in that order at Citrix.

    Another thing Citrix should do is to create a tool to add controllers to the database and remove orphan ones from it after a crash. This way if you update and it all goes wrong you have an easy escape route.

    Hope someone at Citrix reads this and has the power to change… we applaud it.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: February 2025
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.