White Paper. Citrix Presentation Server. Citrix Systems, Inc.

Transcription

1 White Paper Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals Citrix Presentatin Server Citrix Systems, Inc.

2 Ntice The infrmatin in this publicatin is subject t change withut ntice. THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED AS IS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. CITRIX SYSTEMS, INC. ( CITRIX ) SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, NOR FOR DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, OR USE OF THIS PUBLICATION, EVEN IF CITRIX HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES IN ADVANCE. This publicatin cntains infrmatin prtected by cpyright. Except fr internal distributin, n part f this publicatin may be phtcpied r reprduced in any frm withut prir written cnsent frm Citrix. The exclusive warranty fr Citrix prducts, if any, is stated in the prduct dcumentatin accmpanying such prducts. Citrix des nt warrant prducts ther than its wn. Prduct names mentined herein may be trademarks and/r registered trademarks f their respective cmpanies. Cpyright 2007 Citrix Systems, Inc., 851 W Cypress Creek Rd, Ft. Lauderdale, Flrida U.S.A. All rights reserved. Versin Histry 1.0 Citrix Technical Publicatins CTX February 27, 2007 Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals ii

3 Table f Cntents INTRODUCTION... 5 GETTING STARTED: BASIC STEPS... 5 INSTALLING THE PROFILER... 5 PROFILING AN APPLICATION... 6 LIMITATIONS... 8 PROFILER INTERNALS... 8 CREATING A PROFILE... 8 CREATING TARGETS... 9 TARGET COMPONENTS CREATING THE.CAB FILE CONFIGURATION OPTIONS OTHER CONFIGURATION OPTIONS MANIFEST FILE SUGGESTED READING Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals iii

4 Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals iv

5 Intrductin This white paper prvides yu with details abut prfiling and Citrix Streaming Prfiler internals fr Citrix Presentatin Server 4.5. It is ne f a series f white papers designed t prvide yu with mre detailed infrmatin beynd the scpe f the Citrix Applicatin Streaming Guide included with the Presentatin Server dcumentatin. Getting Started: Basic Steps The prfiler is an independent applicatin that enables yu t prepare cmmercial r custm Micrsft Windws applicatins, Web applicatins, brwser plug-ins, files, flders, and registry settings streamed t yur users wrkstatins. Resurces yu prepare with the prfiler are called prfiles. Yu create a prfile by installing applicatins r ther resurces n an independent cmputer running the prfiler. The prfiler bundles files and cnfiguratin settings that the client accesses t stream t end-user desktps, r laptps, r stream t end pint. After yu create a prfile, yu make it available fr publishing by saving it t a netwrk file share. This sectin includes the basic steps fr installing the streaming prfiler and prfiling a simple applicatin fr streaming. Installing the Prfiler Fr best results in creating streamed applicatin prfiles and aviding issues after deplyment, fllw the recmmendatins in this sectin. Tips fr preparing a wrkstatin Start with a wrkstatin that has nly the Windws perating system and service packs f yur end-users (ensure it is clean f ther sftware applicatins). The perating system base shuld be the same as r lder than yur target client cnfiguratins. Client cnfiguratins lder than the perating system f the prfiling wrkstatin might nt successfully run prfiled applicatins. Fr example: Prfiles created n a Windws 2000 wrkstatin launch best n Windws 2000, XP, and 2003 client desktps Prfiles created n an XP wrkstatin launch best n XP and Windws 2003 client desktps Prfiles created n a Windws 2003 wrkstatin launch best n Windws 2003 client desktps Check fr files left behind frm uninstalled applicatins. If yu uninstalled applicatins frm the wrkstatin using Windws Add r Remve Prgrams, manually remve any remaining files. This step is imprtant because if an applicatin s files exist n the prfiling wrkstatin, the prfiler detects them and skips them when installing files int an applicatin prfile. As a result, the streamed applicatin might fail t launch. After the prfiling wrkstatin is prepared, insert the Cmpnents CD in the CD-ROM drive. T install the Citrix Streaming Prfiler 1. On the Cmpnents CD, duble-click Autrun.exe t start the installatin wizard. 2. Select Prduct installatins and updates. 3. Select Install Citrix Streaming Prfiler fr Windws. Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals 5

6 4. Select yur preferred language (English, by default) and cntinue fllwing the instructins in the wizard. The default settings are sufficient fr typical installatins. 5. After yu click Finish, restart the cmputer. Similarly, t uninstall the prfiler, frm Windws Add r Remve Prgrams, select Citrix Streaming Prfiler 1.0 fr Windws. Prfiling an Applicatin Yu use the Citrix Streaming Prfiler t prfile applicatins that yur users clients stream t their desktps. Using the prfiler, yu can create several targets within an applicatin prfile that can match a variety f yur client devices. In this way, yu can create a single prfile that can accmmdate a variety f user envirnments. Yu can als use the prfiler t update applicatins in the prfile and prvide ther resurces that yu find yur users need. The prfiler includes a wizard t create streaming applicatin prfiles. This sectin includes the basic steps in using the wizard. Fr mre infrmatin abut using the wizard and ther ptins in the prfiler, see the Administratr s Guide. T start the prfiler, frm the Start menu, chse Prgrams > Citrix > Streaming Prfiler > Streaming Prfiler. T create a new prfile and the initial user cnfiguratin (target) 1. The prfiler pens with the Welcme page. T create a prfile, click New Prfile. Alternatively, when the prfiler is already pen, frm the File menu, chse New. 2. On the Name Prfile page, enter a simple name. D nt include any criteria the client uses t identify targets. Fr example, d nt include a versin number in the prfile name. 3. On the Set User Prfile Security page, select the level f user prfile security yu want fr the prfile. Use the ptin buttns t select between the fllwing: Enhanced security. Des nt permit any executable files t run ther than thse included in the target. Fr example, if the client is running an Internet Explrer plug-in included in the target, the enhanced security setting prevents the client frm running any ther plug-ins that the user might dwnlad. Relaxed security. Permits executable files t run that are accessed thrugh the prfiled resurce. 4. On the Set Target Operating System and Language page, select the client cnfiguratins that can access the applicatin yu are installing. Yu must select at least ne target perating system and language. Setting the target and perating system and language criteria are the first steps in creating the initial target fr a prfile. The default perating system and language are thse f the perating system installed n yur prfiling wrkstatin. a. T supprt ther perating systems and languages, select the check bxes assciated with thse yu want t supprt. When selecting target perating systems and languages, d nt select thse languages fr which yu are ging t create separate targets. b. If yu want the client t cnsider the service pack level, click Set Service Pack. By default, a target matches all service packs f the perating systems it supprts. When selecting the service pack supprted by the target, use the Supprted Service Pack Levels pull-dwn menu t chse a rule fr cnsidering the service pack level. Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals 6

7 Type the number representing the service pack level in the applicable field fr Minimum Level, Maximum Level, Exact Level; r, if fr a range, Minimum Level and Maximum Level. Nte: Fr subsequent targets, yu can ensure the current target yu are adding des nt cnflict with ther targets in the prfile by clicking Check fr Cnflicts. 5. On the Select Install Optin page, chse an installatin ptin. Yu chse an installatin ptin accrding t the type f resurce r number f resurces yu want t install int a target. Quick Install (selected by default). Use this ptin if the applicatin yu are installing has an installatin prgram, such as setup.exe (recmmended fr nrmal installatins). Advanced Install. Use this ptin if yu are installing Internet Explrer plug-ins, editing registry settings, installing an applicatin manually, r installing frm multiple installers. Advanced install prvides the pprtunity t repeat the installatin prcedure as many times as yu need, s yu can add a variety f multiple resurces t a target. Fr instructins abut using Advanced Install, see the Administratr s Guide. With Quick Install selected, cntinue with the remaining steps. 6. On the Chse Installer page, lcate the applicatin s installatin prgram. Click Brwse t lcate the executable file r a script yu run t install the applicatin int the current target. In this step, yu are nly chsing the installer, nt running it. If needed, enter required cmmand-line arguments. Click Next. 7. On the Run Installer page, ensure the installatin prgram and cmmand-line parameters are crrect, then click Launch Installer and wait fr the installatin prgram t run. Yu have the ptin f using installers (.exe r.msi), Micrsft Internet Explrer (plug-ins, Web applicatins, and nline updates), selecting flders and files (custm applicatins), and editing the registry. Nte: When running the installer, yu can accept the default destinatin flder r lcatin. The prfiler autmatically installs the applicatin in an islatin envirnment n the prfiling wrkstatin. After yu launch the installer, the Back buttn is disabled. D nt click Next until the installer finishes. If, after yu are sure the applicatin installer is finished, yu want t frce a virtual restart, befre clicking Next, check Perfrm virtual restart. When yu click Next, instead f restarting yur prfiling wrkstatin, the prfiler simulates a system restart. 8. On the Run Applicatin page, launch the applicatin and enter a license cde r accept a license agreement. Select the applicatin and click Run. Additinally, yu can add files that the applicatin needs t perfrm crrectly. When the applicatin is fully launched, clse it and click Next. 9. On the Select Applicatins page, select the applicatin t make it available fr yu t publish in the Access Management Cnsle. T change the default icn r applicatin name, such as t remve a versin number, click Mdify, and after making changes, click OK. Click Next t cntinue. 10. Use the Sign Prfile page t sign the prfile with a digital signature (ptinal). By default, the prfile is nt signed. Click Next. 11. On the Build Prfile page, review prfile details and, if necessary, click Back t edit the prfile. Click Finish t build the prfile with the installed applicatin. When it cmpletes, the new prfile appears in the navigatin panel in the prfiler. Click the tabs t review the infrmatin. 12. Manually save the prfile t a netwrk file share. Frm the File menu, click Save as, and enter the UNC path t the file share. The path must already exist n the file share; the prfiler cannt create new flders. Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals 7

8 Nte that the prfile name and manifest name (name.prfile) are autmatically added t the UNC path, as nted in the Save T address. After creating the prfile, publish the applicatin in the Access Management Cnsle s that cnfigured users can stream the applicatin t their lcal desktps and launch it lcally r stream it t a server and launch it using a Presentatin Server Client cnnectin. Limitatins Citrix recmmends that yu test every applicatin befre deplying it t users. As yu select and test applicatins fr prfiling, keep in mind the fllwing cmpatibility guidelines: Sme suites f applicatins, such as Micrsft Office, install Windws Services r drivers that cannt stream t clients. When yu prfile these suites, the applicatins run prperly n clients, but the features that rely n Windws Services r the drivers d nt wrk. Sme applicatins are supprted with issues. Fr mre infrmatin abut applicatin cmpatibility issues and wrkarunds, see the Citrix Knwledge Center at Prfiler Internals This sectin prvides in depth infrmatin abut hw the prfiler creates a prfile. The purpse is t enable administratrs t identify bjects f interest at the pint when prfile creatin r mdificatin fails. Yu can use the prfiler t create a streaming applicatin prfile (and its initial target), add a target t a prfile, delete a target frm a prfile, update a target, and add updates, patches, additinal applicatins, and s n. As part f the basic functinality, the prfiler can install applicatins, cnfigure prfiles, supprt Access Management Cnsle functinality, and maintain prfile security. Creating a Prfile A streaming applicatin prfile is a cllectin f client cnfiguratins (called targets) and a list f applicatins that users can execute. In additin, prfiles include scripts and ther settings that are used in streaming applicatins t client devices. Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals 8

9 The fllwing diagram illustrates the flw f prfiling. The prfiler wizard guides yu thrugh the prcess f starting the applicatin, running the applicatin in an islatin envirnment, creating and string the files, registry changes, islatin envirnment rules, and manifest file. Creating Targets As yu create a streamed applicatin prfile, yu specify client cnfiguratins (targets), cnsisting f the perating systems, service packs, languages, and bt drive, that can access the applicatins in the prfile. Adding individual targets can simplify applicatin publishing as well as simplify applicatin enumeratin. Yu can cnfigure the same target t run n multiple perating systems (and services packs) and languages. By default, the perating system, language, and bt drive f the prfiler wrkstatin are selected, but service packs are nt specified. Yu need t create different targets fr applicatins that can be used nly by specific cnfiguratins f perating systems, languages, service packs, and bt drives. As a best practice, d nt target applicatins t run n perating systems lder than the current prfiler perating system. T create targets fr specific cnfiguratins, install the prfiler n a matching cnfiguratin and create the target. Nte: When prfiling applicatins that yu intend t enable fr ffline access, create targets fr all intended client perating systems t ensure applicatins can be deplyed befrehand crrectly n all client cmputers. Fr example, if yur users have a mix f 32-bit and 64-bit client platfrms, create a target fr 32-bit platfrms and anther fr 64-bit platfrms. The client accesses a target based n the client cnfiguratin. If the client attempts t launch an applicatin, but cannt access an apprpriate target, an errr message appears. T avid this prblem, select all the client cnfiguratins (perating systems and languages) that need t access the target. If needed, create multiple targets fr users f different cnfiguratins. Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals 9

10 Target Cmpnents A target is a client cnfiguratin specified in the prfile. Each prfile has ne r mre targets, and each target in the prfile is identified by a unique.cab file name. In the prfiler, when yu click the target, yu can see its flders with the installed files, registry data, and islatin envirnment rules, as nted in the fllwing graphic. Creating the.cab File When yu save the prfile t a netwrk file share, the prfile manifest has a.prfile file extensin, and each target has a unique cabinet (.cab) file. The size f the.cab file is dependent upn the files being cmpressed and cannt be estimated until actually creating the.cab file. Fr example, if the files in the prfile are mstly text r ther highly cmpressible data, the.cab will be rather small. On the ther hand, if mst f the files are binaries r ther cmpressed data, the cmpressin rati will nt be as gd. Cnfiguratin Optins After creating a prfile, yu can view and edit sme f the prperties at the prfile level r target level. T view and mdify settings, frm the Edit menu, select Prfile Prperties r Target Prperties, which includes the fllwing tabbed windws: General. Shws prfile r target infrmatin, including the name, descriptin, perating system cnfiguratin, bt drive, language, lcatin n the file share, and dates f creatin and last update. Applicatin. Specifies the shrtcuts and infrmatin fr the applicatin in the prfile, including the details abut their availability in all r selected targets. File Types (prfile prperty nly). Specifies the file type assciatins used in publishing t invke the prfile. This feature specifies autmatic detectin f file type assciatin (FTA) infrmatin added by varius applicatin installatins in a prfile and makes them available fr applicatin publishing in the cnsle. Target Operating System and Language (target prperty nly). Specifies the perating systems, service pack levels, and languages selected fr the target. User Prfile Security (prfile prperty nly). Specifies the security level selected initially in the prfiling wizard: Enhanced security (default setting). Users cannt launch executing files (such as.exe,.dll, and.cx) present in the User Prfile Rt. This setting can prevent malicius cde frm running. Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals 10

11 Relaxed security. Allws users t dwnlad executable files int the user prfile rt and run. Pre-launch analysis. Checks fr certain applicatins, files, and registries n the client s device befre running the applicatin. Use this feature t check fr certain prerequisites n the client befre streaming a prfiled applicatin. Fr example, yur applicatin might require the installatin f DirectX, a specific versin f JRE, r.net 2.0 n the client. In this case, yu can set pre-launch analysis t check fr the prerequisite n the client, which allws the applicatin t stream nly if the prerequisite is installed. Pre-launch and pst-exit scripts. Specifies the scripts t run either befre the prfile runs r after the prfile exits. Use this feature t: Run pre-launch scripts befre the first applicatin f a prfile is run Run pst-exit scripts after the last applicatin f a prfile exits Specify the rder f executin Specify whether t run inside islatin envirnment r utside islatin envirnment Rules (target prperty nly). Gverns hw the islatin envirnment functins when running an applicatin n the client. The default rules apply t mst applicatins, and there is usually n need t change the cnfiguratin. Hwever, if needed, yu can add, mdify, r delete the rules. Rules are based n fur types: Ignre, Redirect, Islate, and Strictly Islate. Other Cnfiguratin Optins The prfiler includes the fllwing additinal ptins: Access Management Cnsle can publish prfiled applicatins. Applicatin Discvery autmatically detects infrmatin in the prfiles and makes it available fr publishing: Applicatin shrtcuts installed in a prfile In case f Internet Explrer plug-ins and Web applicatins, Internet Explrer is available fr publishing Manual selectin f applicatins is als supprted File Type Assciatin infrmatin added by varius applicatin installatins in a prfile Prfile security. Digital signing f prfiles is supprted t guarantee the integrity and rigin f the prfile applicatins. This can be set while prfiling r later in the prfiler; frm the Tls menu, select Sign Prfile. Nte: Fr infrmatin abut securing yur deplyment, see the Citrix white paper CTX Enhancing the Security f Applicatin Streaming fr Desktps, lcated in the Citrix Knwledge Center. Prfiler preferences. After starting the prfiler fr the first time, yu can set prfiler preferences that ptimize hw yu create prfiles and targets. Preferences save time and imprve usability by enabling yu t stre relevant settings fr use in future packaging tasks. T set these default preferences, frm the Edit menu, chse Preferences. On the User Prfile Security tab, use the check bx t select the security level fr all prfiles and skip the security page in prfiling wizards. Yu can save default security settings yu want fr all prfiles yu create. Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals 11

12 On the Digital Signatures tab, if yu are nt signing prfiles, yu can specify nt t shw the Sign Prfile page in the prfiling wizards. Yu can change the preferences at any time, and the changes are effective immediately. Manifest File The manifest is an XML file cntaining infrmatin abut the streaming applicatin prfile. The prfiler creates the manifest during a new prfile creatin. The prfiler uses the manifest t pen a streaming applicatin prfile. In additin, the Access Management Cnsle accesses the manifest fr applicatin publishing, and the Streaming Client accesses the manifest t launch a streamed applicatin. After yu cmplete a prfile, yu save the manifest file n the netwrk file share, where it appears as shwn in the fllwing example. List f files in prfile cmpnent: Scripts\. This subdirectry cntains all the prfile-level pre-launch and pst-exit scripts fr the prfile. [PrfileName].prfile. The.prfile file, stred in XML frmat, cntains details abut which applicatins and file type assciatins exist, as well as which versins f the prfile exist. [guid]_[versin].cab. The.cab file cntains all the files fr the target, as well as cnfiguratin files fr the islatin and streaming envirnment. A prfile can have multiple.cab files, each representing a target. Hashes.txt. The hashes file cntains all the file hashes fr the prfile, excluding the file cntained in the.cab, but including the.cab file. This allws digital signing (verificatin). Icns.bin. Icns are stred in this file fr the Access Management Cnsle t display and distribute t the clients. Suggested Reading Fr mre infrmatin abut prfiling and streaming published applicatins, refer t the Citrix Applicatin Streaming Guide, included with the prduct dcumentatin. T lcate this and ther dcuments and white papers abut Presentatin Server and ther Citrix prducts, refer t the Citrix Prduct Dcumentatin Web site lcated at Citrix Applicatin Streaming Internals 12