Study Guide - Citrix Certified Administrator XenApp 5.0 Server 2008

Discussion in 'Other IT certifications' started by craigie, Nov 26, 2009.

  1. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    Study Time: One Month (Two Hours Daily Min)
    Materials: Citrix XenApp 5.0 Official Course, Course Handouts & CBT Nuggets
    Mock Exam: None
    Exam: 81 Questions, including 4 Drag & Drop

    Lab

    2 x Windows 2008 Enterprise Edition
    1 x Windows XP Pro SP3 Client

    Configuration

    Server01 Roles – Windows

    Domain Controller, Active Directory Integrated DNS, Certificate Authority, DHCP, File Server, Web Server

    Server02 Roles - Windows

    Application Server, Print Server, Terminal Server, Web Server

    Server01 Roles - Citrix

    License Server

    Server02 Roles - Citrix

    XenApp 5.0, Profiler, Secure Access Gateway

    Clients

    1 x Windows XP SP3 Client

    Citrix XenApp 5.0 For Free

    You can get Citrix XenApp 5.0 Downloaded & Installed under a Developer License for free for 1 Year (should be long enough for most of us to pass our exams).

    To do this, first of all you need to signup to My Citrix this is free.

    Citrix XenApp 5.0 Download

    1. Login to My Citrix
    2. Select Downloads
    3. Select Switch Product - XenApp
    4. Scroll down and you will see a section called XenApp5.0 > Select DVD Image for Windows Server 2008 (All Editions)

    To install Citrix XenApp 5.0 onto Windows Server 2008 follow the Installation Guide

    Free 1 Year Developer License for Citrix XenApp 5.0

    1. Login to My Citrix
    2. Select Toolbox > Product Previews / Beta Releases - License Retrieval
    3. Select Presentation Server Dev. Edition
    4. Select Licence Code & Hit Continue

    Citrix Lingo

    New Name______________________________Old Name

    Citrix XenApp____________________________Citrix Presentation Server
    XenApp Advanced Configuration_____________Presentation Server Console
    Citrix XenApp Plugin for Hosted Apps_________Presentation Server Client
    Citrix XenApp Plugin_______________________Program Neighbourhood Agent
    Citrix XenApp Web Plugin___________________Web Client
    Citrix XenApp Plugin for Streamed Apps_______Citrix Streaming Client

    Deployment

    First of all, I made sure that I had both Servers applied with Windows Updates. Before installing Citrix, I recommend installing things in this order:

    - Java Runtime Environment
    - Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
    - Microsoft Visual C++ 2005
    - Application Server
    - Terminal Server
    - Web Server ensuring that Security Windows Authentication, IIS 6 Management Compatibility.

    Citrix Roles – This is a large topic, you need to know how Citrix works, overall, you need to understand how the following work:

    Data Store (static data e.g. Published Applications, Print Policies, Farm Configuration)
    Data Collector (dynamic data e.g. User Information, Session Status)
    Local Server Cache (local cache of the Data Store)
    Zones (administrative boundary of XenApp servers)
    Independent Management Architecture (what makes Citrix work)
    Server Load & Load Balancing (distribution of configured resources)
    Profiler (an application that records installations for streaming applications)

    Citrix Licensing – Installed the License Server and installed License on this. You have to be careful as part of the licensing process you need to type in the server name exactly into the My Citrix website. I recommend using the hostname command.

    Client Deployment – Created a custom MSI installer for Citrix XenApp Plugin for Hosted Apps and Citrix XenApp Web Plugin. Then deployed these using Group Policy to automatically install. I didn’t use Citrix XenApp Plugin as in the real environment, you wouldn’t normally want users configuring the Plugin themselves.

    Publishing Applications – This is relatively straight forward, in total I deployed four applications being Adobe Acrobat Reader, Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007 & Word 2007. These applications where accessible via Web Interface and also via Citrix XenApp Plugin for Hosted Apps.

    Policies – These are pretty much like Group Policy in the way that you create a Policy and choose whom to assign it to. All of the policies are designed to enhance the client experience of using Citrix, whether that being to disable Audio or to Server to Client redirection to save bandwidth.

    Streaming Applications – Configured profiling where I recorded the installation of Office 2007. I then deployed this using Streamed to Client where the application is pushed out from your File Server directly to the Client. The Client can then cache and use the application for upto 365 days without needing to even be connected to Citrix! Also used Stream to Server which means that the Server is deploying applications on demand.

    Server Load & Load Balancing - The ability to give users and servers preferential treatment e.g. Server 1 is state of the art and Server 2 is a bit old, you can give Server 1 70% of the workload and Server 2 30% of the work load using a setting called Load Evaluator. You can also give certain applications, individuals or groups priority on the servers e.g. Emails are a priority application where as Excel is not, the Directors have priority as well, therefore this application and users get more resources than everyone else.

    Printing – Perhaps one of the easiest yet hardest topics in Citrix. Most of your issues will come from this area on a day to day support basis. Make sure that you know how to replicate drivers and know when to use the Citrix Universal Print Driver.

    Secure Access Gateway – Used IIS7 to Create Domain Certificate Request to Server01 being the Certificate Authority. Implement Secure Access Gateway Direct using HTTPS. Verified this by opening an application and confirming in Connection Centre it is using 256 Bit Encryption.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2009
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  2. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Nice one mate :thumbleft
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  3. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Yeah well done, looks good.
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  4. UKDarkstar
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    UKDarkstar Terabyte Poster

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    Well done again m8

    Repp'd
     
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    WIP: CMALT (about to submit), DTLLS (on hold until 2012)
  5. onoski

    onoski Terabyte Poster

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    Well done Craigie the great motivator on CF:) with a drive and kick.
     
    Certifications: MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003 Messaging, MCP, HNC BIT, ITIL Fdn V3, SDI Fdn, VCP 4 & VCP 5
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  6. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    Cheers for the feedback chaps.
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  7. davelee212

    davelee212 Nibble Poster

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    nice one craigie! I'm looking to do a Citrix certification next year. We're on Presentation Server 4.0 at work so I was hoping to take the CCA on that version but I understand that's retired so i'd have to take the XenApp exam instead. Have you worked with PS4? Any comment on how different XenApp 5 is?

    cheers chap

    dave
     
    Certifications: Network+, CCNA (expired), MCSA 2000/03 + Messaging, MCSE 2000/03, MCTS:Sharepoint Config, VCP4-DCV, VCP5-DCV, VCP5-Cloud, VCP6-DCV, MCSA 2012, MS Specialist: Hyper-V
    WIP: Dunno yet
  8. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    Nah sorry mate, we only have 4.5 and 5.0.

    Pretty much the only major differences that I can see is that they have moved some of the stuff out of of the Advanced Configuration into the MMC Snap-In.

    Oh and loads of changes to the names of things!
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  9. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    Nice one Craigie on the study guide. Will be starting CCA sometime next year so this will come in handy.
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP | MCDST | MCTS: Hyper-V | MCTS: AD | MCTS: Exchange 2007 | MCTS: Windows 7 | MCSA: 2003 | ITIL Foundation v3 | CCA: Xenapp 5.0 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7
    WIP: Online SAN Overview, VCP in December 2011
  10. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Sorry to ask a silly question but do you have to go on the official course to take this exam? (similar to VCP)
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  11. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    Nah mate, no course needed.
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  12. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Might add this to my ever growing to do list then ha Cheers mate
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  13. bzqgkg

    bzqgkg New Member

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    Great Explanation.
    Thanx
     
  14. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    Really want to do XenApp but there is no study material available to buy. Rang Citrix and you have to do an authorised course to get the study material and at around £1700 it's a bit too pricey.

    Craigie if you read this would you say CBT Nuggets would be enough to pass this course as well as playing around with the software as this is top of my list but lack of openness from Citrix has put a block on my doing the CCA?
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP | MCDST | MCTS: Hyper-V | MCTS: AD | MCTS: Exchange 2007 | MCTS: Windows 7 | MCSA: 2003 | ITIL Foundation v3 | CCA: Xenapp 5.0 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7
    WIP: Online SAN Overview, VCP in December 2011
  15. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hiya Craigie, I think I might take this exam next, how difficult did you find it? Where you working with it every day to only spend a month on it? I don't work with it just yet but I should be shortly, although in what capacity I don't know :S I'm a total Citrix Noob! Thanks mate, James
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  16. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    I would say borderline, you get alot of information from the CBT Nuggets in relation to the things like the Data Collectors/Stores and an overview of Citrix, however a book really helps.

    I would recommend going for a book and also the CBT Nuggets, The Real CCA from Amazon looks like it would cut the mustard.
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  17. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    The exam was easier than the MS ones (especially the 2003 variety).

    My involvement with Citrix on a daily basis is limited, except for the usual ending users Sessions if they have lost connection. It's like Cisco stuff, it just works (except when you apply Citrix Updates!)

    Out of all the technologies I work with I use MS the most, then Cisco, then Citrix.

    Not sure if you are familiar with Terminal Services 2003 or Remote Desktop Gateway, Remote Application in Server 2008, if so Citrix is just a slicker version.

    Alot of the controls for Citrix are held in GPO's for things such as Terminal Server anyways.

    Same as I mentioned to Slypie, get the CBT Nuggets and the Real CCA and smash it in mate :D
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5
  18. delorean

    delorean Megabyte Poster

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    I have contact with Citrix on an almost daily basis at work. A Citrix certification is something I'm seriously considering further down the line.

    Thanks for the useful study guide.
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP 70-270, 70-290, 70-291
    WIP: 70-680, S+, MCSA, MCSE, CCNA
  19. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    I sure am familiar with them mate, good times! Thanks for your advice mate and I'm glad you said the exam wasn't as bad as some of the 2k3 exams which I found pretty tough TBH. I'll put in a PO for the CBT Nuggets tomorrow mate. Is this exam the way to go do you reckon or would you recommend 4.5??
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  20. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    4.5 and 5.0 are virtually the same.

    You would be better off going for the 5.0.
     
    Certifications: CCA | CCENT | CCNA | CCNA:S | HP APC | HP ASE | ITILv3 | MCP | MCDST | MCITP: EA | MCTS:Vista | MCTS:Exch '07 | MCSA 2003 | MCSA:M 2003 | MCSA 2008 | MCSE | VCP5-DT | VCP4-DCV | VCP5-DCV | VCAP5-DCA | VCAP5-DCD | VMTSP | VTSP 4 | VTSP 5

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