XenApp and XenDesktop 7.9 is released
At Citrix Synergy 2016 in Las Vegas, Citrix announced a new version of XenApp and XenDesktop 7.9. It is not that long time ago they released XenApp and XenDesktop 7.8 or XenApp and XenDesktop 7.7 for that matter. But never the less, there is a lot of new features and changes in the new version. Most of the new features and changes are in the VDA.
To make it easy for you, I have listed the most important features and changes bellow
MCS I/O storage optimisation
Machine Creation Services uses three different data types when building machines:
- Operating System data, including the master image.
- Temp data. Data such as user profile and data that are being saved on the local drive. If users are having data synchronized from a service, those are being stored here as well.
- Personal data on vDisks.
With the new release, it is now possible to have these three different data types stored on separate storage. This means that you can spread the I/O across different storage solutions.
Nutanix integration in Studio
The partnership with Nutanix is getting better for each day that goes by. You can now integrate Nutanix Acropolis into In XenApp and XenDesktop 7.9 environmen by creating a connection in Studio. This allows you to provision VM’s in studio directly to your Nutanix ressources.
Federated Authentication Service
Citrix Federated Authentication Service is build to integrate with Active Directory Certificate Service. This means that Storefront is able to use other authentication methods, such as SAML. This allows users to get access to their applications and data by using accounts from other services than Windows Active Directory.
Load Balancing for Citrix UPS
With this feature, you are now able install more than one UPS server and load balance between the servers. This prevents from downtime if one of the print servers goes offline. The users are then able to use another server. All of this happens seamlessly.
Extended HDX3D Pro support for Intel CPUs with Intel Iris Pro
XenApp and XenDesktop now support multiple monitors, when using Intel Iris Pro.
New default codec setting for VDA’s
The new default video codec for both, the server VDA and the Desktop VDA has been changed to Thinwire Compatibility or as some call it, Thinwire Plus. You can read more about HDX video codec in this article.
Conclusion
A lot new features are available in XenApp and XenDesktop 7.9 The new Federated Authentication Service will make it a lot easier to deliver applications and desktops to users. Load balancing for printer gives the users a lot more stable environment. And with the new integration with Nutanix hardware and new Citrix HDX Raspberry Pi thin client, just proves that companies keeps invest in Citrix’s technology.