| General |
| Q1. |
Is HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop an HP product? How different is this offering from XenDesktop solution provided by Citrix? |
| A1. |
- HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop is a joint product between HP and Citrix.
- The HP offering is an end-to-end client virtualization solution based on the best managed and virtualization-ready HP ProLiant and BladeSystem servers, HP StorageWorks storage, HP Thin Client access devices and Citrix’s proven virtualization platform.
- When the solution is purchased from HP, HP provides services and support for the entire offering - Servers, storage, thin clients and both virtualization as well as management software.
- HP also qualifies the Citrix infrastructure software on a wide range of servers and storage platforms that allows customers to deploy their VDI infrastructure on the server of their choice. HP also qualifies Thin Clients to be supported with Citrix Desktop Delivery Controller.
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| Q2. |
How is the new XenDesktop 4 different from the other available client virtualization products? |
| A2. |
HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop is built on an open architecture to offer customers the choice and flexibility of virtualization platform and endpoint devices. The new XenDesktop 4 includes full capabilities of XenApp and can deliver everything from a single application to a complete Windows desktop experience to any user, anywhere. Application virtualization is essential to reducing desktop management costs. With application virtualization, IT can manage fewer, simpler desktop images, eliminate system conflicts, and reduce application regression testing. Whether users are basic task workers or on-the-go mobile workers, desktops and applications are made available as simple, on-demand services that are centrally managed. |
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| Q3. |
What are the key changes in HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop 4? |
| A3. |
- New XenDesktop 4 with full capabilities of XenApp - HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop 4 includes on-demand application delivery using XenApp. XenDesktop4 can now deliver everything from a single application to a complete Windows desktop experience to any user, anywhere.
- Named User Licensing - Citrix XenDesktop 4 pricing and licensing is changing to align with desktop licensing models. With this new release, XenDesktop will be offered on a “named user license”, replacing the “concurrent virtual desktop” license.
- Introducing Platinum edition - HP now provides a new Platinum edition for XenDesktop. This end-to-end virtual desktop (VDI) and desktop management solution is feature rich and provides virtual application delivery, for the most flexible user access, complete performance monitoring and QoS capabilities. With this new edition, customers now have the choice of 2 editions – Enterprise and Platinum. Upgrade SKUs are available to assist with moves from one edition to another.
- Get complete Citrix XenServer and Citrix Essentials for XenServer, Enterprise Edition - HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop now includes the retail version of Citrix XenServer and Citrix Essentials for XenServer, Enterprise edition. The latest XenServer 5.5 enables easier management and broader integration with enterprise systems. The Essentials for XenServer, Enterprise Edition provides integration with native storage services, workload balancing, high availability and performance monitoring and reporting.
- XenDesktop 4 also delivers improved end-user experience, better security and easy management.
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| Q4. |
How can I compare the 2 editions – Enterprise and Platinum, available for HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop? |
| A4. |
Please refer to the QuickSpecs for the complete details of components of each of the
2 editions.
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| Availability And Purchase |
| Q1. |
Where can I purchase HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop? |
| A1. |
The solution is available for purchase directly from HP and from authorized HP resellers.
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| Q2. |
How can I get the Citrix Secure Access Gateway and Citrix Branch Repeater hardware? |
| A2. |
- Citrix Access Gateway™ is a secure application access solution that provides administrators granular application-level control while empowering users with access from anywhere. It gives IT administrators a single point of control to manage access and actions based on both the user and the endpoint device, providing better risk, security and compliance management. The solution comprises of Data Center hardware and client-side software. The HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop includes a license for this client-side software. The Data Center side physical hardware can be purchased through HP SLMS or any other Citrix reseller. The client-side software is available and bundled along with the physical access gateway hardware.
- Citrix Branch Repeater™ is a WAN optimization solution that accelerates application delivery to branch office users while dramatically reducing WAN bandwidth requirements and simplifying branch IT infrastructure. The solution comprises of Data Center hardware and client-side software. The HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop, Platinum edition includes a license for Citrix Branch Repeater™ client software. The Data Center side physical hardware can be purchased through HP SLMS or any other Citrix reseller. The client-side software is available and bundled along with the physical branch repeater hardware.
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| Service Warranty |
| Q1. |
What service warranty and support is available with the product? |
| A1. |
- HP serves as the single point of contact for HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop and provides 1 year 9x5 support services and upgrades bundled with every purchase.
- Options are available to upgrade to 24x7 and multi-year support at time of support renewal.
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| Q2. |
Can I continue to use VMware for server virtualization or integrate it with Hyper-V? |
| A2. |
- Yes. The HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop is flexible to fit seamlessly with systems running non Citrix server virtualization in the backend.
- The Open architecture XenDesktop allows it to be supported with range of hypervisors available in the industry, including XenServer, VMware VI and Microsoft Hyper-V on its launch. However, currently HP support is only available on the integrated HP XenServer.
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| Q3. |
Should I contact HP or Citrix for any technical/ support issues on HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop? |
| A3. |
HP serves as a single point of contact for the entire offering. Please contact HP services for any technical/ support issues.
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| Technical |
| Q1. |
What is desktop streaming? |
| A1. |
Desktop streaming enables the centralization of desktop management in the data center for standardized PCs on the LAN. When users turn on their endpoint device, the desktop is streamed from the golden master image and all the processing occurs on the local device. This offers a way to get the TCO advantages of centralization, using minimal server infrastructure, when you have standardized PC hardware or thin clients with the CPU and RAM t0 run a desktop OS.
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| Q2. |
How have we achieved 2X scalability in XenDesktop? |
| A2. |
- Single server scalability allows a single server can now host twice as many virtual desktops as previous versions, while still offering enterprise class, bare metal performance.
- Resource pools which can now include double the number of servers, enable larger desktop groups to share common resources dynamically and optimizing utilization.
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| Q3. |
What edition of Citrix XenServer is included in HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop? |
| A3. |
HP VDI with Citrix XenDesktop 4 includes Citrix XenServer 5.5.
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| Q4. |
Which SmartCards are supported by XenDesktop? |
| A4. |
XenDesktop 3 supports Common Access Cards (used by government and the defense industry) and USB smartcard tokens. In XenDesktop, the endpoints must be Windows-based. In addition, pass-through authentication is enabled for applications that are locally resident on the virtual desktop (installed or streamed).
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Printable version
