Inside Citrix: Web Interface & StoreFront — XML-based user authentication

Initially, with the introduction of StoreFront it relied solely on its authentication service for user authentication purposes. This, as you might be aware is different from Web Interface, which will directly contact one of the configured Delivery Controllers where the Broker/XML service will take over. Since Web Interface is still widely deployed and used in (large) production environments (and StoreFront now also supports XML based user authentication) I would like to talk, in a bit more detail about both authentication methods available today.

My personal Community Edition… The best of September 2015!

The amount of useful, interesting and fun to read community content in the form of blog posts, webinars, podcasts, tools etc. being shared each month can be overwhelming sometimes. This is my second attempt; I did one for August as well, in collecting some of the most popular blog post shared within the EUC community. Have fun reading.

Citrix NetScaler… The basics continued, part four. What about SSL?

I think we all know port 443 and the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol that goes with it right? When securing our inbound (incoming) as well outbound (outgoing) network traffic we have to deal with things like certificates, public and private key’s, certificate authorities (CA), and so on and so forth. This can be confusing. Where do certificates get applied, what is a CA, what types of certificates are there and which ones do we use? Also, once applied, how does the NetScaler actually know who it is communicating with and how is traffic secured? Using the NetScaler to offload SSL you say? Let’s have a look.

Citrix NetScaler… The basics continued, part three. High Availability!

I think we are all familiar with the term High Availability, or HA in short. It simply means that if a single machine or system fails we will have another equally configured system, or multiple, in standby mode or actively participating a.k.a. active / active, ready to take over when needed. This way we won’t loose any of the functionality that the failing, or failed, machine was providing us with. Which in the case of the NetScaler could be anything from a Gateway to Load Balancing, SSL offloading, Content Switching and more. Needless to say that the Citrix NetScaler has some nifty build-in HA capabilities as well.

Citrix NetScaler… The basics continued, part two. Static routes, SNIP and MIP!

Before we jump into what a static route actually is and why we would like, or need, to configure one we must first have a basic understanding of the so-called SNIP, or Subnet IP Address, in full. And while we are at it, we will have a quick look at the MIP, Mapped IP Address, as well. Both er important to understand how traffic flows through a NetScaler device.

Citrix NetScaler… The basics continued, part one. VIP’s, Monitors and other objects!

When dealing with the Citrix NetScalers there is a lot to get your head around, especially when you are still relatively new to the product / technology. The different licensing models, all of the ADC (Application Delivery Controller) features (and there are a lot) the secure remote access gateway functionality and a whole bunch of abbreviations like NSIP, SNIP, MIP, VIP and so on and so forth, which will have your head spinning in no time. You have to know about monitors, static routes, load balancing, HA and more. A very interesting, powerful but potentially confusing product when starting out.

Desired State Configuration & the Citrix XenDesktop DSC Tech Preview

Desired State Configuration (DSC)… Ring any bells? No? It should by now. Although it isn’t a technology or concept thought up by Citrix, it is still very much applicable to Citrix components and infrastructures. DCS is a (still relatively) new management platform for Windows PowerShell allowing you to configure, apply and maintain a certain desired state (duh) on a single or multiple machine(s). A desired state can be anything related to software installation and configuration, the management of files and folders, registry entries, local group and account management, adding and removing server roles and the list goes on. Best thing is, as soon as something changes DSC will step in and correct it for you, preserving the desired state. DSC is a PowerShell extension and ships with Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1. Let’s have a closer look at what is needed.

My version of why the pen is mightier than the keyboard!

Little over two years ago I singed up to WordPress.com, bought my own personal domain basvankaam.com and just started writing. The main thought behind all this was to create some sort of online (personal) knowledge base and to learn about new and existing technologies and products as I progressed, primarily focusing on the Citrix portfolio. Over time I’ve learned that sharing what I know, or have learned, with others is probably one of the main reasons I kept, and keep, doing what I do. It’s fun, educational (in many ways) and very rewarding at the same time. Although at first I never expected it to turn out the way it has done today, something for which I can only be thankful. But don’t worry, that’s not what I wanted to talk about throughout this article.

Citrix NetScaler Gateway, the basics!

I don’t want to spend to much time talking about the different kinds of editions and or licenses available, if you want to know about those I suggest you check out one of my previous articles here, or just give citrix.com a visit. Throughout this article I’d like to briefly focus on some of the basic terminology and traffic flow that comes with the NetScaler Gateway edition providing our users with secure remote access. This (the Gateway edition) is probably one of the most popular NetScaler implementations today, although, and as you might know, the NetScalers ADC edition also has the Gateway functionality build-in and can provide us with a bunch of additional features as well. Let’s have a look shall we?!