Citrix Ready HCI Workspace Appliance Deployment Guide for ... · Flexxible|SmartWorkspaces for...

Citrix Ready HCI Workspace Appliance Deployment Guide for

Flexxible|SmartWorkspaces for Citrix CloudDeployment Guide

Flexxible|SmartWorkspaces for Citrix Cloud | Deployment Guide


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IntroductionThis document details the technical aspects of a Flexxible│SmartWorkspaces for Citrix Cloud deployment on the customer site.Flexxible│SmartWorkspaces for Citrix Cloud is a HCI solution consisting of one or more Flexxible IT hardware appliances. The VDI infrastructure is based on Citrix technologies integrated with Citrix Cloud and Flexxible IT modules that accelerate, secure and ease the deployment and day-to-day management of a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

Overview: This Deployment Guide provides a technical overview of Flexxible│SmartWorkspaces for Citrix Cloud (from now on SWS4CC). The solution is tested and validated through the Citrix Ready HCI Workspace Appliance Program. The guide will help users deploy a turnkey, hybrid cloud, app and desktop infrastructure in a matter of hours. By enabling the HCI workspace appliance to connect to Citrix Cloud in order to automate the setup and maintenance of the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service, typical challenges related to the configuration and ongoing management of a desktop virtualization environment will be greatly reduced.

Audience:This guide is intended for IT administrators, implementers and architects who are defining a deployment approach for their IT infrastructure. All readers are assumed to be familiar with virtualization technology, storage, servers, hyper-converged infrastructure, and associated components.

Disclaimer:This guide is not intended to constitute legal advice. The customer should consult with their legal counsel regarding compliance with U.S., and other country-specific industry laws and regulations, and the intended use of Citrix products and services. Citrix makes no warranties, express, implied, or statutory, as to the information in this document.



Deployment pre-requisitesCitrix Cloud pre-requisites

Before you can use Citrix Cloud, sign up using one of the following options:• Sign up and create a new Citrix.com account• Sign up with your existing Citrix.com or My Citrix account• Join an existing Citrix Cloud account for your company

Buy the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service from Citrix Cloud.

Appliance pre-requisites:SWS4CC has several prerequisites that need to be fulfilled for a successful deployment.

NetworkFlexxible| SmartWorkspaces for Citrix Cloud has four different network zones: Management, Infrastructure, Storage and Desktop LAN. Each of these network zones host different Virtual Machines. An additional Out-of-Band interface is provided for remote appliance diagnosis

Management NetworkThis network hosts the access to Citrix Hypervisor (formerly XenServer). One network port is used in each appliance to provide network access. It is not supported to use any VLAN over this interface.

Infrastructure networkThis network hosts the Infrastructure Virtual Machines needed to provide the Virtual Desktop services, including Citrix Cloud Connectors. One network port is used in each appliance to provide network access to these Virtual Machines. If using an Infrastructure VLAN, the network ports must be established as Access Ports and at least one domain controller of the external Active Directory must reside on this VLAN.

Desktop LANThis zone hosts the Virtual Desktops that the clients connect to. One network port is used in each appliance to provide network access to these Virtual Machines. It is recommended that at least one VLAN is used for this purpose. These VLANs have to be tagged to the corresponding switch ports (trunk ports). You must provide a DHCP server for each VLAN used in this zone.

Storage NetworkThis zone hosts the dedicated storage traffic that the hypervisor requires for the VMs. One network port is used in each appliance to provide access to either Storage Spaces Direct based NFS or the customer storage array.

Active DirectoryAn existing Active Directory is mandatory to include the infrastructure VMs and the server and desktop workloads in the relevant OU.

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/citrix-cloud/overview/signing-up-for-citrix-cloud/signing-up-for-citrix-cloud.html

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/citrix-cloud/overview/signing-up-for-citrix-cloud/signing-up-for-citrix-cloud#join-account

https://www.citrix.com/products/citrix-cloud/subscriptions.html?_ga=2.32200445.299526557.1534246056-277473301.1498545992



CredentialsAs the infrastructure VMs will join the existing Active Directory, administrator credentials are required to create the machine accounts in Active Directory.

Citrix Cloud AccountIn order for the Citrix Cloud Connectors to authenticate against the customer Citrix Cloud account, the customer ID, the API ID and the API Secret ID are required. Those will be submitted during the deployment phase.

NetScaler ConfigurationIn order to access the solution, either the Citrix Gateway Service or a Citrix ADC appliance running locally in the customer’s DMZ is required. This will provide the secure entry point to the applications and desktops.

Overview of Citrix Cloud and Services:Citrix Cloud is a platform that hosts and administers Citrix services. It connects to your resources through the Citrix Cloud Connector on any cloud or infrastructure you choose (on-premises, public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud). It allows you to create, manage, and deploy workspaces with apps and data to your end-users from a single console.

Architecture and Overview of Citrix Cloud Virtual Apps and Desktops Service:

Connecting HCI to Citrix Cloud ManagementCloud-based management, local resources - less to deploy, simpler, faster

• https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/xenapp-and-xendesktop/service.html • https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/xenapp-and-xendesktop/current-release/technical-overview.

html#par_anchortitle_2039

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/workspace-cloud/what-is-a-workspace-cloud-connector-.html

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/xenapp-and-xendesktop/service.html

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/xenapp-and-xendesktop/current-release/technical-overview.html#par_anchortitle_2039

https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/xenapp-and-xendesktop/current-release/technical-overview.html#par_anchortitle_2039



Overview of Partner Appliance: Flexxible|SmartWorkspaces for Citrix Cloud is a modular and highly scalable product which can support a variety of configurations, from one single node to many or adapted to the existing storage array infrastructure.Assuming a two node setup, the diagram will depict as follows:

Technical specifications of the appliance range:• Two state-of-the-art Intel Xeon Gold processors, from 10 to 20 Cores• From 384 to 768 GB of RAM• Up to 18 data packs of 1TB raw and 2x 200Gb for the OS• 4x10Gb Base-T and 4x10Gb SFP+• One Out-of-Band Management interface• Two 750 W hot-swap power supplies



Because of the different setup possibilities, the Flexxible IT solution is delivered with pre-configured components based on the customer’s requirements. The outcome of this document will be available in the Customized SWS4CC document. This document will provide the following data:

• Static IP configuration for each of the two nodes; Including IP, Network mask, gateway and DNS server

• Locale and keyboard layout

• NTP configuration

• Root password

• Pool name

• Local, convergent or hyperconverged option• If the converged option is chosen, NFS share details or LUN-backed iSCSI details need to

be provided as a bash file to attach this storage array will exist under /root in the master pool node.

• Quick Config Setup IP (same range as management interface)

• Entry point: Citrix ADC Gateway FQDN or managed Citrix Gateway Service

Implementation and Deployment steps:Provided SetupThe dialog between the Flexxible IT Technical Sales Team and the customer will set the configuration baseline as detailed in the customized SWS4CC document. The preconfigured SWS4CC consists of the following components:

Hypervisor installationTwo nodes with XenServer 7.1 LTSR CU1 preinstalled in the local drives allocated for the OS using RAID 1 with the configuration outlined in the customized SWS4CC document.

Pool creationThe two nodes will build up a single pool named as described in the customized SWS4CC document.

Network configurationFlexxible|SmartWorkspaces for Citrix Cloud has four different network zones: Management, Infrastructure, Storage and Desktop LAN. These will be labelled accordingly in XenServer:

DesktopLAN

Infrastructure

Management

Storage



Storage Based on the customer’s preference, SWS4CC can be configured with local storage, hyperconverged or converged storage.

Local storage Drives connected to each node will be added up as a local Ext3 Storage Repository. High availability is based on duplicity on the VM role mode existing on each node.

Hyperconvergence In this setup, all drives on each node will be passed through to two Windows 2016 Virtual Machines with Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct technology configured. Both Windows VMs will build up a Microsoft Cluster where a redundant vDisk with a two-way mirror as Storage Tier exists. The Windows NFS role server, configured as “Files Server for General Use” over this vDisk, will be leveraged as a hyperconvergent NFS SR repository for the SWS4CC1

1 This SWS4CC setup requires an extra drive controller to separate the drives that belong to the Storage Spaces Direct and the drives hosting the VMs



Convergence In this setup, the customer’s storage array will be manually configured during the initial setup executing the bash file attach_storage.sh located under /root on both nodes to generate the Storage Repository. Flexxible IT will create the bash scripts based on the information provided in the Convergent section in the Customized SWS4CC document.

Hosted infrastructure This is a Windows 2016 VM where the proprietary Flexxible│Quick Config Setup runs. This VM automatically provisions two VMs for the Cloud Connectors, downloads and installs the Connectors creates a resource connection and performs the connection.

Pre-loaded templates SWS4CC comes with a local ISO SR configured under /var/opt/ISOs. This ISO Storage Repository includes ISOs for Windows 2016 and Windows 10.

Deployment Process This section describes the steps to place the server and perform the initial configuration.

Rack-mounting the appliance

After unpacking the server, decide on a suitable location for the rack unit that will hold the server. It should be rack mounted in a clean, dust-free area that is well ventilated. Avoid areas where heat, electrical noise and electromagnetic fields are generated. You will also need it placed near a grounded power outlet.



The box will contain: two sets of rail assemblies, two rail mounting brackets and the mounting screws to install the system into the rack.

1. Confirm that the inner rails are properly installed on the chassis.

2. Confirm that the outer rails are correctly installed on the rack.

3. Pull the middle rail out from the front of the outer rail and make sure that the ball-bearing shuttle is at the front locking position of the middle rail.

4. Align the chassis inner rails with the front of the middle rails.

5. Slide the inner rails on the chassis into the middle rails, keeping the pressure even on both sides, until the locking tab of the inner rail clicks into the front of the middle rail, locking the chassis into the fully extended position.

6. Depress the locking tabs of both sides at the same time and push the chassis all the way into the rear of the rack.

7. If necessary for security purposes, use screws to secure the chassis handles to the front of the rack.

Starting SWS4CC

Please start the appliance(s). Ensure your client IP is in the same range as the management interface and there is no VLAN in the switch port where your client device connects to. Once they have booted, you will need the Citrix XenCenter to connect to the pool. Please use the IP and credentials specified in the Customized guide. In the local and hyperconverged options, the Storage Repository will automatically show up as “Local Storage” and “NFS Local Storage” respectively.

For the convergent solution, please open the console through the XenCenter and click on “Local Command Shell”



And then launch: Shell for local user ‘root’.

Type ‘exit’ to return to the management console. [root@swcc-xs1 ~]# /root/attach_storage.sh

The new SR will automatically show up in the XenCenter.

Launching Flexxible|Quick Config Setup

Flexxible|Quick Config Setup is automatically started and preconfigured with a static IP in the same range as the management interface to allow connectivity. A web application locally in the VM can be fired up using the local browser against the local IP.

After logging in with admin/admin, the Quick Config Setup will guide you through the process.

The following data is required to be submitted:

• Hostname

• IP, CIDR and Gateway

• Domain name, NetBios name and administrator user with his credentials

• Region zone

• Email

• Flexxible IT Licenses

• Valid customer ID, API client id and secret ID for Citrix Cloud



A series of tests will be conducted including IP validation, internet connection, and an authentication test against Citrix Cloud with the given credentials.



After a confirmation screen (see below), two VMs with Windows 2016 will be automatically created, joined to the customer AD, the Citrix Cloud Connectors will be downloaded and installed and a generic resource connection will be created.

Post-Deployment Tasks The consultant on-site will perform a series of final steps which include entry point adjustment to the solution, the VDI deployment itself and a series of test cases to validate the solution.

Adjust entry point

Based on the information from the Customized SWS4CC document, the consultant on-site will add the customer FQDN Citrix ADC or choose the Citrix Cloud managed one.



VDI deployment

The consultant on-site will log into the customer’s Citrix Cloud account to verify the connectors are up and running.

Next, the consultant using the preloaded ISO will generate a series of golden images where the VDA will be installed using the Citrix Connectors hostname as the controller/broker.

Connection will be made to the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Service on behalf of the customer.



Where the SWS4CC management IP will be added as hosting unit

Based on the customer requirements for their VDI infrastructure a series of catalogs will be created

Partner Appliance:How business productivity is increased by Appliance

Business productivity is increased by providing a fast, reliable and secure solution for the users. With Login VSI technology included in the solution, companies can ensure user performance is at the optimal level and enables issues to be detected and proactively corrected before users are affected. Assuring correctly resourced appliances at all times delivers the highest performance, fastest login times and minimum disruption.

Flexxible│SmartWorkspaces helps organizations manage their virtual workspace infrastructure by providing fast, automated delivery of Citrix virtual workspaces and simplifying day-to-day management via a single console.

Benefits

• Increased user productivity of critical applications

• First class consistent user experience

• Highly customizable, scalable environments to suit individual needs

• Enhanced security

• Rapid deployment and easy management via a single pane of glass

• Lower TCO

Features Deliver ready-to-use virtual workspaces with multi-tenant and multi-environment cloud console management. The HCI approach, leveraging Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct technology, provides redundancy, fault tolerance, and simplified scalability. The solution supports XenServer 7.1 LTSR and includes automated Citrix Cloud Connectors setup.

Summary and conclusion Flexxible|SmartWorkspaces for Citrix Cloud delivers the best user experience and offers a proven deployment methodology and a systematic approach to delivering Citrix Workspaces. Organizations of all sizes can now take advantage of the multi-tenancy and multi-environment single console to fully manage and monitor all deployments. This automated approach frees up valuable IT staff resources by enabling IT help desk staff to manage day to day tasks.

About Citrix Ready

Citrix Ready identifies recommended solutions that are trusted to enhance the Citrix Delivery Center infrastructure. All products featured in Citrix Ready have completed verification testing, thereby providing confidence in joint solution compatibility. Leveraging its industry-leading alliances and partner ecosystem, Citrix Ready showcases select trusted solutions designed to meet a variety of business needs. Through the online catalog and Citrix Ready branding program, you can easily find and build a trusted infrastructure. Citrix Ready not only demonstrates current mutual product compatibility, but through continued industry relationships also ensures future interoperability. Learn more at citrixready.citrix.com.

About Flexxible IT

Flexxible IT enables companies to benefit from company-wide digital workspace adoption by simplifying the delivery and day-to-day management of virtual workspaces, ensuring the best user experience. Flexxible IT makes virtual workspaces possible for every company across all verticals and help partners to accelerate workspace projects making them financially viable for companies of any size. Founded in 2008, Flexxible IT became a product company in 2012 and has over 300,000+ users. Headquarters are in Fort Lauderdale and London. Learn more at www.flexxible.com

©2018 Citrix Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Citrix, the Citrix logo, and other marks appearing herein are property of Citrix Systems, Inc. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, and may be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owner(s).


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