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Citrix Systems 4.2 manual Storage Tags, Working With Storage, Fiber Channel support

Models: 4.2

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Chapter 14. Working With Storage

 

VMware

Citrix

KVM

Oracle VM

 

vSphere

XenServer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiber Channel support

VMFS

Yes, via

Yes, via

No

 

 

Existing SR

Shared

 

 

 

 

Mountpoint

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFS support

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

 

 

 

 

Local storage support

Y

Y

Y

Y

 

 

 

 

 

Storage over-provisioning

NFS and

NFS

NFS

No

 

iSCSI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XenServer uses a clustered LVM system to store VM images on iSCSI and Fiber Channel volumes and does not support over-provisioning in the hypervisor. The storage server itself, however, can support thin-provisioning. As a result the CloudPlatform can still support storage over-provisioning by running on thin-provisioned storage volumes.

KVM supports "Shared Mountpoint" storage. A shared mountpoint is a file system path local to each server in a given cluster. The path must be the same across all Hosts in the cluster, for example /mnt/ primary1. This shared mountpoint is assumed to be a clustered filesystem such as OCFS2. In this case the CloudPlatform does not attempt to mount or unmount the storage as is done with NFS. The CloudPlatform requires that the administrator insure that the storage is available

Oracle VM supports both iSCSI and NFS storage. When iSCSI is used with OVM, the CloudPlatform administrator is responsible for setting up iSCSI on the host, including re-mounting the storage after the host recovers from a failure such as a network outage. With other hypervisors, CloudPlatform takes care of mounting the iSCSI target on the host whenever it discovers a connection with an iSCSI server and unmounting the target when it discovers the connection is down.

With NFS storage, CloudPlatform manages the overprovisioning. In this case the global configuration parameter storage.overprovisioning.factor controls the degree of overprovisioning. This is independent of hypervisor type.

Local storage is an option for primary storage for vSphere, XenServer, Oracle VM, and KVM. When the local disk option is enabled, a local disk storage pool is automatically created on each host. To use local storage for the System Virtual Machines (such as the Virtual Router), set system.vm.use.local.storage to true in global configuration.

CloudPlatform supports multiple primary storage pools in a Cluster. For example, you could provision 2 NFS servers in primary storage. Or you could provision 1 iSCSI LUN initially and then add a second iSCSI LUN when the first approaches capacity.

14.2.4. Storage Tags

Storage may be "tagged". A tag is a text string attribute associated with primary storage, a Disk Offering, or a Service Offering. Tags allow administrators to provide additional information about the storage. For example, that is a "SSD" or it is "slow". Tags are not interpreted by CloudPlatform. They are matched against tags placed on service and disk offerings. CloudPlatform requires all tags on service and disk offerings to exist on the primary storage before it allocates root or data disks on the primary storage. Service and disk offering tags are used to identify the requirements of the storage that those offerings have. For example, the high end service offering may require "fast" for its root disk volume.

The interaction between tags, allocation, and volume copying across clusters and pods can be complex. To simplify the situation, use the same set of tags on the primary storage for all clusters in a pod. Even if different devices are used to present those tags, the set of exposed tags can be the same.

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Citrix Systems 4.2 manual Storage Tags, Working With Storage, Fiber Channel support
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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.