Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops CVAD 1903

Heute hat Citrix die erste Virtual Apps and Desktops Version in 2019 veröffentlicht: CVAD 1903 – Den Nachfolger der Virtual Apps & Desktops 1811 – Yay 🙂

Die 1903 hat die folgenden, je nach Edition (Standard, Advanced oder Premium), dazugehörigen Komponenten im Gepäck:

• Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD)
• Server OS / Desktop OS /Desktop OS Core Service Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA)
• Linux VDA
• Storefront
• Profile Management
• Citrix Provisioning
• Workspace App
• Citrix Application Probe Agent

Nebem dem „Windows Ink Support“ sowie dem „Copy Paste Support aus der ICA Session“ klingt der MCS IO write-back Treiber, der Lese I/Os bis zu 40% reduziert ziemlich interessant.

Windows Ink Support — We are now leveraging the latest Microsoft APIs to implement true pen functionality within sessions. Previously, when attempting to use a tablet with a pen/stylus in published apps or desktops, the experience was less than ideal. With this new update, we’re bringing a true, native-like experience on devices like Microsoft Surface Books.

https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2019/03/28/spring-into-the-latest-features-of-citrix-virtual-apps-and-desktops/

Copy Paste from Virtual Session to Local — Users will be now (if allowed by Citrix admins of course, to copy and paste files between local endpoints and virtual sessions.

https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2019/03/28/spring-into-the-latest-features-of-citrix-virtual-apps-and-desktops/

Faster provisioning
With the release of 1903, we are once again making improvements in image provisioning and management. We’ve implemented a new MCS IO write-back cache driver that can drastically reduce the read I/Os up to 40%, leading to improved performance and less IO load on your infrastructure. This new driver is initially available for on-prem and Microsoft Azure VDAs.

https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2019/03/28/spring-into-the-latest-features-of-citrix-virtual-apps-and-desktops/

An dieser Stelle neben den CVAD 1903 Fixed Issues noch die Known Issues. Im Bereich des Citrix Profile Management 1903 (Fixed Issues / Known Issues) wurde (endlich) die AppData Roaming Folder Redirection gefixed:

The AppData(Roaming) folder redirection might fail to work in Profile Management that is running on Microsoft Windows 10. The issue occurs when the AppData(Roaming) folder does not preexist in the file storage directory. [LD0797]

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/profile-management/current-release/whats-new/fixed-issues.html

Ebenfalls stellt die neue Profile Management Version „Profile Container“ vor. Nachdem es bislang möglich war, „nur“ die Outlook OST Datei sowie den SearchCache in einer virtuellen Festplatte zu speichern und diese ins Profile zu mounten, so können jetzt weitere Profilteile mit potentiell großen Files in eine VHDX ausgelagert werden. Leider(?) ist es nicht supportet, dass gesamte Profile auszulagern. Die beiden Einschränkungen im Detail:

– The profile container does not support simultaneous access by multiple sessions.
– The profile container does not support containing the entire profile.

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/profile-management/current-release/configure/profile-container.html

Zum Abschluss noch ein Blick in Richtung Fixed / Knows Issues beim Storefront 1903. Dort wird ein Kunde damit glücklich gemacht, dass er seine Desktops endlich mit einem „&“ benennen darf:

When a desktop contains an ampersand (&) character in its Display name, attempts to launch desktop sessions from Storefront fail with the warning “Cannot complete your request”. [STF-3369]

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/storefront/current-release/whats-new/fixed-issues.html