XenApp and XenDesktop in a Single AMC

A Guide to Console Consolidation

Posted by Roger Birong, Jr. in How-To, XenApp, XenDesktop on Nov 11th, 2009 | 1 Comment

As an administrator of both XenDesktop and XenApp environments, I’m absolutely sick of multiple consoles. I’ve finally managed to easily integrate XenDesktop and XenApp administration into a single console (AMC). Unfortunately, we’re unable to integrate the “Presentation Server Console” that is still used for manging policies.

While alternative methods may exist, I know the following steps will work.

  1. On your XenDesktop 3.0 Media, run autorun.exe
  2. Select Install Optional Components.
  3. Install Management Consoles.
  4. Install XDE300AMC004 (Download here).
  5. Open the Access Management Console, you should see Desktop Delivery Controller in the left pane. If you do, you may continue.
  6. On your XenApp Media (I’m using 4.5 media) navigate to Administration\Access Management Console\Setup\
  7. Run ASC_PresentationServer.msi
  8. After following the prompts, you should now have Presentation Server as an option in the left tree below Desktop Delivery Controller.

If you also want other snap-ins you can find them on your media under Administration\Access Management Console\Setup\. There are snap-ins for Web Interface, etc. as well.

Hardware Planning Tips for XenDesktop 3.0, Part 1

Posted by Roger Birong, Jr. in How-To, Opinion, Provisioning Services, XenApp, XenDesktop, XenServer on Jul 22nd, 2009 | No Comments

Planning for your new XenDesktop environment can be a tough process. Being a relatively fresh technology, there aren’t too many places to find straight answers regarding scalability. I intend on changing that. Here are a few helpful tips and straight answers to help you decide whether you have the hardware already, or need to purchase new. This will be a multi-part series, only some aspects will be addressed in this initial post.

Assumptions

  • XenDesktop 3.0, Platinum Edition.
  • XenServer 5.5.
  • Provisioning Server 5.1.
  • XenApp 5.0, Platinum Edition.
  • Windows Vista Business (x86)
  • 300 Users, all will use XenDesktop for OS and XenApp for Application Delivery.
  • Endpoints are XP Embedded Thin Clients.
  • Single Location, Single Data Center.
  • Users occasionally want to access the environment from home.
  • Users are “Task Workers”

While this scenario is pretty simple, I’ll be more than happy to help you with your questions in the comments, via Twitter, or e-mail.

In the next post, I’ll discuss Virtual Machine Specifications and choosing the right server specifications for your XenServer hosts.