Understanding Citrix XenApp 5.0 Architecture

Citrix XenApp server uses server farms to organize and manage servers. This allows you to manage many settings as a unit rather than apply them individually to each machine. Servers in a farm all connect to the same datastore and generally have some features in common that make grouping them together logical. Farms also provide a method for application publishing. Publishing an application means to provide it to remote users from the server installation. Within the farm model are the two technologies that make the on-demand enterprise function: Independent Management Architecture (IMA) and Independent Computing Architecture (ICA).

XenApp Server Farms

Users and administrators alike quickly realize the value of a Citrix XenApp server in delivering applications for a variety of needs. However, it does not take long for one of these servers to reach its capacity. Administrators then bring other Citrix servers online to provide the needs for the new users. The problem seems to be solved; yet as new servers are added to the network, another issue arises: It becomes increasingly complex for users to determine which server to use. In addition, administrators are faced with having to install multiple servers with a variety of applications, configuring sessions and users, and managing them.