About Hosts

server with CloudPlatform. There may be multiple vCenter servers per zone. Each vCenter server may manage multiple VMware clusters.

3.5. About Hosts

A host is a single computer. Hosts provide the computing resources that run guest virtual machines. Each host has hypervisor software installed on it to manage the guest VMs. For example, a host can be a Citrix XenServer server, a Linux KVM-enabled server, or an ESXi server.

The host is the smallest organizational unit within a CloudPlatform deployment. Hosts are contained within clusters, clusters are contained within pods, pods are contained within zones, and zones can be contained within regions.

Hosts in a CloudPlatform deployment:

•Provide the CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources needed to host the virtual machines

•Interconnect using a high bandwidth TCP/IP network and connect to the Internet

•May reside in multiple data centers across different geographic locations

•May have different capacities (different CPU speeds, different amounts of RAM, etc.), although the hosts within a cluster must all be homogeneous

Additional hosts can be added at any time to provide more capacity for guest VMs.

CloudPlatform automatically detects the amount of CPU and memory resources provided by the hosts.

Hosts are not visible to the end user. An end user cannot determine which host their guest has been assigned to.

For a host to function in CloudPlatform, you must do the following:

•Install hypervisor software on the host

•Assign an IP address to the host

•Ensure the host is connected to the CloudPlatform Management Server.

3.6. About Primary Storage

Primary storage is associated with a cluster or (in KVM and VMware) a zone, and it stores the disk volumes for all the VMs running on hosts.

You can add multiple primary storage servers to a cluster or zone. At least one is required. It is typically located close to the hosts for increased performance. CloudPlatform manages the allocation of guest virtual disks to particular primary storage devices.

It is useful to set up zone-wide primary storage when you want to avoid extra data copy operations. With cluster-based primary storage, data in the primary storage is directly available only to VMs within that cluster. If a VM in a different cluster needs some of the data, it must be copied from one cluster to another, using the zone's secondary storage as an intermediate step. This operation can be unnecessarily time-consuming.

CloudPlatform is designed to work with all standards-compliant iSCSI and NFS servers that are supported by the underlying hypervisor, including, for example:

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Citrix Systems 4.2 manual About Hosts, About Primary Storage
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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.
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