Virtual Machine Snapshots for VMware | Citrix Systems 4.2 specification

Chapter 11. Working With Virtual Machines

Click the Change Affinity button.

View Members of an Affinity Group

To see which VMs are currently assigned to a particular affinity group:

1.In the left navigation bar, click Affinity Groups.

2.Click the name of the group you are interested in.

3.Click View Instances. The members of the group are listed.

From here, you can click the name of any VM in the list to access all its details and controls.

Delete an Affinity Group

To delete an affinity group:

1.In the left navigation bar, click Affinity Groups.

2.Click the name of the group you are interested in.

3.Click Delete.

Any VM that is a member of the affinity group will be disassociated from the group. The former group members will continue to run normally on the current hosts, but if the VM is restarted, it will no longer follow the host allocation rules from its former affinity group.

11.9. Virtual Machine Snapshots for VMware

(VMware hosts only) In addition to the existing CloudPlatform ability to snapshot individual VM volumes, you can now take a VM snapshot to preserve all the VM's data volumes as well as (optionally) its CPU/memory state. This is useful for quick restore of a VM. For example, you can snapshot a VM, then make changes such as software upgrades. If anything goes wrong, simply restore the VM to its previous state using the previously saved VM snapshot.

The snapshot is created using the VMware native snapshot facility. The VM snapshot includes not only the data volumes, but optionally also whether the VM is running or turned off (CPU state) and the memory contents. The snapshot is stored in CloudPlatform's primary storage.

VM snapshots can have a parent/child relationship. Each successive snapshot of the same VM is the child of the snapshot that came before it. Each time you take an additional snapshot of the same VM, it saves only the differences between the current state of the VM and the state stored in the most recent previous snapshot. The previous snapshot becomes a parent, and the new snapshot is its child. It is possible to create a long chain of these parent/child snapshots, which amount to a "redo" record leading from the current state of the VM back to the original.

If you need more information about VM snapshots, check out the VMware documentation and the VMware Knowledge Base, especially Understanding virtual machine snapshots1.

1http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&externalId=1015180

4.2 specifications

Citrix Systems, a leading provider of virtualization solutions and cloud computing technologies, released version 4.2 of its popular software, Citrix XenApp, which was previously known as Presentation Server. This version marked a significant evolution in providing users with remote access to applications and desktops, emphasizing simplicity, performance, and security.

One of the standout features of Citrix XenApp 4.2 is its improved application streaming capabilities. This technology allows applications to be delivered to users in real-time, reducing the need for extensive local installations and enhancing the user experience. With application streaming, administrators can efficiently manage applications on a central server while ensuring that users have immediate access to the necessary tools.

Another highlight of this version is the enhanced security measures put in place to protect sensitive data. Citrix XenApp 4.2 includes support for SSL encryption, providing a secure communication channel for data transmitted between the server and clients. This is particularly crucial for businesses that need to comply with strict data protection regulations. Additionally, the integration of endpoint security features ensures that unauthorized access to applications is minimized.

Performance enhancements are also a critical focus in this release. Citrix optimized the delivery of applications over various network conditions, ensuring that users experience minimal latency regardless of their location. This was achieved through the incorporation of SmartAccess and SmartControl technologies, which allow administrators to set policies based on user roles, device types, and network conditions. This level of granularity enables organization-wide security without compromising on usability.

The user experience was further improved with a revamped interface, making it easier for end-users to access their applications and data. Simplified menus, clear navigation paths, and the ability to customize user settings contributed to a more efficient workflow, allowing users to focus on their tasks rather than struggling with the software.

Finally, Citrix XenApp 4.2 was designed to be highly scalable. Organizations of all sizes could deploy this solution to deliver applications efficiently, adapting to their specific needs as their user base grows or changes. This flexibility is crucial for businesses looking to future-proof their IT investments while maintaining optimal performance.

In summary, Citrix XenApp 4.2 stands out with its enhanced application streaming, robust security features, improved performance under varying conditions, user-friendly interface, and scalability, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to leverage virtualization for remote access to applications and desktops.

Citrix Systems 4.2 manual Virtual Machine Snapshots for VMware, View Members of an Affinity Group

Models: 4.2