Citrix Group Policy Management Console

It is a common practice to have a management server, with most (if not all) consoles installed on it. the purpose of this practice are to consolidate the management consoles into centralized servers, and reduce un-needed resources utilization on target servers (e.g : SQL, AppSense, Citrix Delivery Controller, VMware vCenter). 

One component that I love to have in my management server is Citrix GPMC. I prefer to configure my Citrix policies via GPO, rather than Citrix Policies. One main reason is to consolidate all policies into a single, centralized location. 


This is what you can see from AD server or normal servers/machines without Citrix GPMC installed / enabled.

This is what you can see from Citrix servers with GPMC installed / enabled.

Now, how to install Citrix GPMC : 

1.  Download the installers from here :
   
   x86 : http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX142463#download
   
   x64 : http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX142464#download
   
   
2.  Right click at the installer, and click Install (or just double click at it).
   
   
   
3.  Preparing to install..
   
   
   
4.  Accept the agreement, and click Install
   
   
   
5.  Installing...
   
   
   
6.  Done, click Finish.
   
   
   
7.  Launch Group Policy Management, and Edit any GPO
   
   
   
8.  Now we can see Citrix Policies available in GPO.
   
   

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Citrix Studio - Change Hypervisor Connection

In Citrix Studio, it is possible to create a new hypervisor connection, and move the VMs to that new connection. The reason new connection be created and we move VMs to that connection can be varies – from commissioning new vCentre server to changing to a new hypervisor platform (from Microsoft Hyper-V to VMware vSphere).

This post will explain on how to change the connection from current to a new one. The connection needs to be already established prior to implementation of this steps.

1.  RDP to Citrix Studio server, and launch PowerShell. Add Citrix snap-in by following below command.
   
   
   
   

   Command : asnp citrix*

   
   

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
2. Identify current and to be used Broker Connection IDs by using below command. In this example, I want to change from Hypervisor Connection UID 1 to Hypervisor Connection UID  3Command : get-BrokerHypervisorConnection
   

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Citrix Studio – Receive ‘Error Expanding Nodes’ Error While Adding VMs from PVS

While adding VMs created by Citrix Provisioning Services, you may receive this error :

Error : ‘Error expanding node’.




This issue occurred as the machine catalogue was initially created in PVS version 6.x. and current PVS version is higher than that. This is a well-known issue and a Citrix article is available here.


Get It Resolved :

1. RDP to Citrix Studio server, launch PowerShell console. Add Citrix snap-in by inserting below command :
   Command : asnp Citrix*
   
   
   
    
2.  List all Machine Catalog configured in the environment by inserting below command
   Command : get-BrokerMachine
   
   
   
   
    
3.  All Machine Catalog information listed
   
   
   
   
   

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Citrix Provisioning Services (PVS) - Target Device with Wrench Icon

I was working with my colleague when he pointed out to me an intersting icon in PVS console - a desktop with a grey wrench on it. When I tried to change the target device from Production to Maintenance / Test, I could not because it grayed out.

Upon checking for a few minutes, it turned out that the specific target device was set as template device for the said collection.

How to check on that?

1. At PVS console, on the left side, click at Collection. We will see our device collections on the right side. Note that the machine with wrench icon listed as template device for the said device collection. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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How To : StoreFront Factory Reset / Rejoin Citrix StoreFront to Server Group

In some situations, you may need to unjoin a StoreFront server from an existing server group, and join the server to a different server group. However, after you remove it, there is no option to add it back. You will see this screen at your StoreFront server.

So, what it The easiest way? Reinstall StoreFront!. 

However, there is another cool way to do this, especially if you want to show off in front of your customers (no, I have never done this), or if you want to flaunt your expertise in front of your juniors (never done this as well).

Description :
StoreFront Factory Reset / Rejoin Citrix StoreFront to Server Group


How To Do :

1.  Close all opened / active Storefront consoles. You will get error if there is active session. Launch PowerShell as Administrator.
   
   
   
   
   
2.  Type asnp Citrix*
   
   
   
   
   
3.  Browse to %Program Files%\Citrix\Receiver StoreFront\Scripts
   
   
   
   
4.  Run ImportModules.ps1
   
   
   
   
5.   Modules imported
   
   
   
   
6. Run this command : Clear-DSConfiguration
   
   
   
   
7. Command completed.
   
   
   
   
8.  Close PowerShell, and launch StoreFront. You will get the option to join to existing server group back.
   

Reference :

• http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX200239

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Unable to Change Citrix XenApp Farm

This issue occurred to me a few years back, when we started enrolling Windows Server 2008. When I tried to change my Citrix XenApp server to another farm, CHFARM.exe crashed and I could not do it. Because I was using GUi rather than command line during that time, so I could capture below detail.

I did not have any issues in changing farm for XenApp in Server 2003, and my home lab (with Windows Server 2008) also gave a positive result. As I only can see this error on Server 2008 (security permission on my home lab was more relaxed - UAC disabled) and but not on Server 2003 (and my home lab), thus to me it was safe to narrow down the root cause to security permission on Server 2008 (to be exact : User Acess Control) that cause the problem.

Issues :

CHFARM crashed in the middle of changing Citrix XenApp farm (on Windows Server 2008).

Troubleshooting 

1.  RDP to the server, launch RUN, type secpol.msc, and press OK.
   
   
   
   
2. (First hint) At this window, click at I want to complete this action.
   
   
   
   
3.  Press Control+Alt+End at your keyboard to proceed.
   
   
   
   
4. Click at Continue.
   
   
   
   
5. Local Security Policy window appeared. Browse to Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options
   
   
   
   
6.  Look for this option, you will find it Enabled
   Option : User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode
   
   
   
   

Resolution :


**Depending on you organization security policies, you may want to consult with your Security team first before performing these steps.

1.  Right click at the option, and click on Properties
   
   
   
   
2.  From Enabled, change it too Disabled. Press Apply and OK. Reboot the server before proceed to change the XenApp farm. You may want to re-enable it once done.
   
   
   
   
3.  This explains in detail on the options. Note that Microsoft already stated that changing this setting requires a system reboot.
   

 p/s : You may find the option set to Not Configured. Try to check GPO applied to the server.

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VDI Issue - Virtual Desktop Under Maintenance

I had this incident reported to my team once in a blue moon. users not able to access to their virtual desktops, with below error.

The desktop that you are trying to restart is currently undergoing maintenance. Contact your system administrator.

Issues :

Users not able to access virtual desktop because of the desktop is still under 
maintenance.

Troubleshooting 

1.  Launch Citrix Desktop Studio, and search for the specific virtual desktop. You may focus on the virtual desktop name or the user ID configured to it.

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Citrix Support Tools

I just realized that Citrix has listed all its support tools under a page. Admins can easily download all those tools and utilized them in their environments.

You can download those tools from here.

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How To Enable / Disable Time Zone Redirection

There will be situation where Business wants users' Citrix sessions to reflect server time zone, especially when the datacenter location and users' locations are at different time zones. These steps are also applicable to provide local time zone to Citrix / TS users.

Description :
To provide server / local time zone to users' Citrix sessions.


How To Do :

1.  Launch Citrix AppCenter, and go to Policies node.
   
   
   
   
2. From there, click at Users tab.
   
   
   
   
3.  Depending whether to create a new policy or edit current one, choose the option accordingly. In this case, we create a new one.
   
   
   
   
4.  Configure policy name
   
   
   
   
5.  Browse to All Settings > ICA > Time Zone Control
   
   
   
   
6.   Add Use local time of client policy
   
   
   
   
7.  Choose desired option, whether to use server time or local time, then press OK
   
   
   
   
8.  Press Next to proceed
   
   
   
   
9.  Configure filtering accordingly.
   
   
   
   
10.  Enable and create the Citrix policy.
    
    
    
    
11. Go to Group Policy Management Console, and create a new policy or edit current policy. In this case, we edit current policy.
    
    
    
    
12.  Browse to User Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Destop Session Host > Device and Resource Redirection
    
    
    
    
13.  Right click at Allow time zone redirection, and press Edit
    
    
    
    
14.  Choose to enable or disable time zone redirection accordingly. Press Apply and OK.
    
    
    
    
15.  This is the outcomes. 
    
    
    
    

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