Integrate Citrix XenServer 6.0 with VMM 2012

 

Not long ago, i have posted Citrix Xenserver 5.6 SP2 integration with VMM 2012 Beta  (previous blog). However recently Citrix has released a new version of hypervisor:- Citrix XenServer 6.0.0 to public. Therefore i have added XenServer 6.0.0 into my heterogeneous environment and continue managing Citrix hypervisor using VMM 2012 RC.

You can download the trial version from here. If you have MyCitrix account, you can directly download Citrix XenServer 6.0 and you can find Microsoft System Center Integration Pack (size 11.5MB).

Install the XenServer with Integration Pack.

Once you have complete, proceed to Fabric workspace, click Add resources and select Citrix XenServer Hosts

Fill up Server Settings

Once added, you can view the server properties. Here is the screenshot that i have successful added Citrix XenServer 6.0.0 into VMM 2012

On Citrix XenServer 6.0.0 server, here is the screenshot of the Citrix hypervisor.

So what’re you waiting for? Start download and integrate into VMM 2012.

Unable to Connect Citrix VM via Console When Using VMM 2012

 

VMM 2012 Beta has released since few month ago. One of the cool features is the support on managing Citrix XenServer without Citrix XenCenter.

If you have add Citrix XenServer and try managing Virtual Machine running inside XenServer. You will be able to Power on , provisiong VM using template, Stop, etc.

However when you Connect via VMM 2012 Console and you received an error message

" Unable to download VNCControl.msi from (your Xenserver name)”

and unable to Connect via Console. Now here is the resolution to solve this issue.

Resolution

1. Configure DNS to resolve xenserver01

2. On VMM Server, use Internet Explorer to browse

http://xenserver01.ms4u.info/VNCControl.msi

XenServer name: xenserver01

Domain name : ms4u.info

The URL is case sensitive.

3. Install VNCControl.msi

4. Try Connect via Console from VMM 2012 Console. Xen Viewer will open the VM which running in XenServer.

Convert XenServer VHD To Hyper V VHD

 

Previously Citrix has a tool called “Project Kensho ver 1.3” which is under experimental to convert Vmware or XenServer to Hyper V VHD. More information about this tool:- http://community.citrix.com/display/xs/Kensho.

However it no longer available to download from MyCitrix website.

Citrix has included this tool into Citrix XenServer 5.6 and you can use XenCenter to perform import and export appliance. Bear in mind, it is not a conversion tool and may not be 100% working.

Test scenario:-

a) Hyper V Host running Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1

b) Citrix XenServer 5.6 SP2

c) XenCenter

d) In my simulation lab, i have converted Citrix Virtual Appliance (running Windows Server 2008 R2) & one virtual machine running in Citrix XenServer 5.6 SP2 (Windows Server 2008).

Here is how i perform this tasks:-

1. To use it, go to XenCenter console. Select Tools | Virtual Appliance Tools | Export Appliance

2. Give a name of the export appliance and set the destination

3. Select the VM

4. On EULA page, just click Next

5. On Security options, leave it default and click Finish.

6. On Ready to export Appliance, review the setting and click Finish to start exporting

7. The Export process will take a while.

 

The final result is a VHD has exported. Copy the VHD to Hyper V Host, create a new VM configuration and assign HDD to the converted VHD.

Final step is start the VM, uninstall Citrix Tool for Virtual Machine and install Hyper V Integration Component. Once done, reboot the VM and you are set to go.

Note: This tool is still under experimental.

Adding Load Balancer–Citrix Netscaler into SCVMM 2012 Beta

Thanks to Citrix which is generous to offer Load Balancer- Citrix NetScaler VPX running on Hyper V Virtual Machine. If not, probably i need to put the VM into Citrix XenServer. The extracted VM size is 2.5 GB and you need to configure at least 2 vcpu, 2GB of vMemory and synthetic NIC in order to start. During boot up, you can see the Netscaler VPX is running on FreeBSD.

Now i have Citrix Netscaler ver 9.3 (latest) running and this will eventually expand the complexity of my lab data center (a.k.a:- Virtual Lai DC).
To refresh your knowledge, SCVMM 2012 will support the following load balancer

1. F5
2. Citrix Netscaler
3. Probably Brocade (during RTM)

Without further delay, let me walk through on how to integrate Citrix Netscaler into SCVMM 2012 Beta.
1. Download and install Citrix Netscaler LB Provider into SCVMM 2012. This allow SCVMM ability to natively manage a Citrix Netscaler appliance.
2. Add Provider into VMM to link up with Citrix Netscaler. If successful, you can see Load Balancer added and listed on VMM console as displayed below.

3. Create a VIP Template. Here you need to specify the VIP protocol, persistence, Load Balancing Method and Health Monitor of the Load Balancing configuration. The concept is similar as configure Citrix Netscaler as you will find similar setting when configure VIP Template.
Now you’ve Load Balancer added into VMM 2012.

[Update: 13 July 2011]
Thanks to Brian (MVP VM) for sharing a link. For those who are interest to test Netscaler VPX for free, go to below link

http://try.citrix.com/NSVPXFREE

Adding Citrix XenServer 5.6 SP2 into SCVMM 2012 Beta

 

Yesterday, I’m just completed the installation of XenServer 5.6 Features Pack 1 and plan to add into SCVMM 2012 as part of my lab environment. But when i woke up this morning, then i saw a notification about  Citrix has just released Citrix XenServer 5.6 SP2. What’s the heck? Since it is a new release, then i just upgraded both XenServer to the  latest version. No harm for me to go on new version.

Now why i should look into Citrix XenServer since I'm MVP for Virtual Machine ? The reason are because

a) I’m just got Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA): XenDesktop 5 . (Hooray !) . I took this exam is because of my work related on VDI. However, my VDI deployment is only using Citrix XenDesktop 5 with Hyper V (hypervisor platform) . So no major conflict . Anyway,Citrix and Microsoft is an alliance partner in term of VDI delivery as well.

b) Good to know since SCVMM 2012 has support on additional hypervisor : Citrix XenServer. It will become advantages for me to understand the technologies as well.

c) Pursuing to high level of Citrix certification. One of pre-requisite is i must take the CCA: XenServer.

For the benefit of people who’re interest on Citrix hypervisor, the new version included with

a) Feature Pack 1 +

b) Support for IntelliCache enabling you to use a combination of shared storage and local storage.

c) Local Storage Spans All Physical Volumes.

d) Reset-on-boot VM behaviour.

d) Block SCSI Generic Support added, enabling full compatibility with Emulex and QLogic management functionality.

e) Support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.

Now, before integrate XenServer with SCVMM 2012, i need to install additional SCVMM Supplemental Packs.

The new version of SCVMM 2012 can manage Citrix XenServer without Citrix XenCenter (citrix hypervisor management software).

Xenserver1:-

Xenserver 2:

Integrate with SCVMM 2012:-

a) Computer name and Issue to (view certificate) must be same. If different, then you need to key in computer name according to Issue to . Both must match in order to successful adding Citrix Xenserver into SCVMM 2012.

After adding Citrix XenServer:-

I’ve successful added both Citrix XenServer 5.6 SP2 as part of my lab datacentre family.

Missing Streamed VM Setup Wizard on Provisioning Services 5.6 SP1

 

Just playing around with Citrix Xendesktop 5 since outside is raining for a whole day and i’m too lazy to go out.

At this stage, i have reached until Citrix Provisioning Services 5.6 and would like to provisioning multiple stream VM to use with Microsoft Hyper V hypervisor with SCVMM in order for successful on VDI deployment.

If you try to read Citrix eDocs you will realise that most deployment is focus on Citrix XenServer hypervisor and exploring on using Microsoft Hyper V is quite challenging. Most probably because the product is still new and documentation probably on the way.

Nevertheless this will not stop me from proceed with the research on streaming virtual machine using Citrix Provisioning 5.6

So, i have installed Citrix provisioning services 5.6 with SP1 and create master target device, but the next question that pop up on my head is “How to provision multiple VM?”.

More ???? as what I'm recall from Xendesktop 4 is using Xendesktop Setup Wizard but can’t find anything on the CD which i have downloaded from MyCitrix.

After searching on Citrix Knowledge Center, then i manage to locate the problem. I need to install Hotfix CPVS56SP1E016 for Provisioning Services 5.6 SP1. Proceed to MyCitrix and download the hotfix.

Then Just apply the hotfix to PVS server with the following order:

• ServerPatch_64.msp
• HostPowerShellSnapin_x64

Then open back PVS Console snap in and manage to find the Streamed VM Setup Wizard.

Now i can proceed to create my streaming VM without any problem.

So Hyper V folk, remember to apply this hotfix if you plan to use Citrix Provisioning Services with Hyper V and VMM on your VDI deployment.

Cheers,

“Virtual Lai”

Cannot See Storage When Adding Hyper V Host into XenDesktop 5

 

Weird ! Try to add a Hyper V Host into XenDesktop 5. However in Citrix Desktop Studio, I can’t see the storage either Hyper V (stand alone) or Hyper V Cluster. Here is what you should do:-

Resolution:-

a) On Hyper V R2 Stand alone

1. Create a share folder to store the VM on the Hyper V Stand Alone server.

2. Try add a host by selecting the Hyper V server. It will detect the storage as “local” and select the share folder that you’ve shared in Step 1.

b) On Hyper V R2 Cluster using CSV

1. Share C:\ClusterStorage using Advanced Sharing.

2. Try add a host by selecting the Hyper V Cluster server. It will detect the storage as “shared” and it will displayed CSV volume.

If you refer to the XenDesktop 5 documentation library,

Installing and Configuring Your Hypervisor

* Install Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 on your servers. Note that all controllers in your environment must be in the same forest as the System Center Virtual Machine Manager servers.
* Install the System Center Virtual Machine Manager Console on all controllers in your environment.
* If you are using XenDesktop to create your VMs, rather than selecting an existing catalog, configure your Hyper-V deployment as follows:

o For a single Hyper-V host deployment, create a Windows network share that is writeable by the System Center Virtual Machine Manager administrator account on the Hyper-V server.

o For a multiple Hyper-V host deployment, ensure your Hyper-V hosts are set up in a Hyper-V Failover Cluster with Cluster Shared Volume storage. On one of your Hyper-V servers, create a Windows network share, that is writeable by the System Center Virtual Machine Manager administrator account for the Cluster Shared Volume mount point, typically C:\ClusterStorage.

Note: In both deployments, the Windows Network share is required to allow XenDesktop remote access to storage on the host server, where VMs you create are stored.

Citrix XenDesktop 5 with Hyper V R2

For the pass few days, i have been busy attending training. Guess what?

It's Citrix XenDesktop 5 which announced at Citrix Synergy 2010 Berlin (last week) which will ship by the end of the year 2010. Among several selected people, we had been train to use the latest Citrix. Since it is not yet release as production, i would not share the step by step instruction. However a high overview of the class setup during the training.

Here is our setup environment:-

A machine installed with Hyper V R2 with the following Virtual Machine:-

a) Active Directory
b) VMM 2008 R2
c) Citrix XenDesktop 5 (DDC)
d) Win7Base (as master image)
e) Citrix XenApp

The entire environment is in domain environment and a DHCP is setup inside the Active Directory. Meanwhile, Citrix deployment is using Quick Deploy.

Backend infrastructure
Using Active Directory, Microsoft Hyper V R2 and VMM 2008 R2.

DDC VM
If you're familar with XenDesktop 4, supported operating system for DDC is Windows Server 2003. With XenDesktop 5, DDC can install in Windows Server 2008 or 2008 R2.

Quick Deploy is suitable in small environment and the entire Citrix component is installed into DDC VM. For those familar with Citrix XenDesktop 4, you will find the installation of Citrix XenDesktop 5 is easy. During the installation, Xendesktop Controller, Web Access, Desktop Studio, Desktop Director and License Server is installed.

You need to install VMM Administrator Console into this VM as well before establish a connection.

The following is setting that you to perform:-

a) Set Site Name
b) Establish Connection to VMM
c) Specify VM storage location.
d) Select Win7Base image
e) Configure pool image.

Win7Base VM

On the Win7Base VM, VDA agent is installed. Once done, offline the VM.

DDC will use VMM to create snapshot and multiple pool images.

There's a redesigned & brand-new administrative console called "Desktop Studio," which is where administrator will build, test, deploy, roll back images, create assignment, create policy, etc.

Lastly, not to forget a brand new web based helpdesk console called "Desktop Director". Now, you can delegate different roles to the user based on management tasks. These roles are designed to fit with the typical IT structure in an enterprise. For example, a user can be granted Read Only access to the XenDesktop site and use the Desktop Director at the Help Desk.

XenApp VM
Besides than Citrix XenApp, you need to install RDS Session Host. XenApp allow you to publish application into Citrix Web Access and inside the VM. The concept is similar as RD Session Host and RD Web Access.

To access the VDI and XenApp application, you can use Web browser.The web interface has changed to white background.

As a conclusion, a lot of cool stuff in Citrix XenDesktop 5 and XenApp during our lab environment. Hope to share more but it's still too soon as currently it is in beta stage.

To learn more about Citrix XenDesktop 5, feel free to visit http://community.citrix.com/display/ocb/2010/10/06/FREE+Citrix+XenDesktop+5+training+now+available%21

TechNet Virtual Lab: Implementing Citrix XenDesktop 4 on Hyper-V R2

This lab is intended for IT Professionals who would like to deliver virtual desktop computers using Microsoft Hyper-V Server, Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager and Citrix XenDesktop. Users will work through the steps to simulate deploying multiple virtual desktops, and will first capture a reference image using the Citrix Provisioning Server for Desktops. Next, the user will verify that the computer can be booted from a diskless client computer. The user will create multiple virtual machines using the reference computer as a template. Finally, the user will use the Citrix Desktop Delivery Controller and System Center Virtual Machine Manager to create a group of virtual desktops and deploy them to end devices. At the end of this lab, the user will have worked through all the steps required to implement Citrix XenDesktop using Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager and Microsoft Hyper-V Server.

Check it out:- https://cmg.vlabcenter.com/default.aspx?moduleid=281742e3-2613-42da-bd58-2c3578f039b4