Working With Virtual Machines

Chapter 11.

11.1. About Working with Virtual Machines

CloudPlatform provides administrators with complete control over the life cycle of all guest VMs executing in the cloud. CloudPlatform provides several guest management operations for end users and administrators. VMs may be stopped, started, rebooted, and destroyed.

Guest VMs have a name and group. VM names and groups are opaque to CloudPlatform and are available for end users to organize their VMs. Each VM can have three names for use in different contexts. Only two of these names can be controlled by the user:

•Instance name – a unique, immutable ID that is generated by CloudPlatform, and can not be modified by the user. This name conforms to the requirements in IETF RFC 1123.

•Display name – the name displayed in the CloudPlatform web UI. Can be set by the user. Defaults to instance name.

•Name – host name that the DHCP server assigns to the VM. Can be set by the user. Defaults to instance name.

Note

You can append the display name of a guest VM to its internal name. For more information, see Section 11.6, “Appending a Display Name to the Guest VM’s Internal Name”.

Guest VMs can be configured to be Highly Available (HA). An HA-enabled VM is monitored by the system. If the system detects that the VM is down, it will attempt to restart the VM, possibly on a different host. For more information, see Section 18.2, “HA-Enabled Virtual Machines”.

In a zone that uses basic networking with EIP enabled, each new VM is by default allocated one public IP address. When the VM is started, CloudPlatform automatically creates a static NAT between this public IP address and the private IP address of the VM.

If Elastic IP is in use (with the NetScaler load balancer), the IP address initially allocated to the new VM is not marked as elastic. The user must replace the automatically configured IP with a specifically acquired elastic IP, and set up the static NAT mapping between this new IP and the guest VM’s private IP. The VM’s original IP address is then released and returned to the pool of available public IPs. Optionally, you can also decide not to allocate a public IP to a VM in an EIP-enabled Basic zone. For more information on Elastic IP, see Section 16.18, “About Elastic IP”.

CloudPlatform cannot distinguish a guest VM that was shut down by the user (such as with the “shutdown” command in Linux) from a VM that shut down unexpectedly. If an HA-enabled VM is shut down from inside the VM, CloudPlatform will restart it. To shut down an HA-enabled VM, you must go through the CloudPlatform UI or API.

11.2. Best Practices for Virtual Machines

For VMs to work as expected and provide excellent service, follow these guidelines.

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 Working With Virtual Machines, About Working with Virtual Machines

Models: 4.2

Chapter 11.