Cable Forum - View Single Post - Any citrix users/experts, or users of thin client?

Mr Smooth · 20-08-2009, 22:59

As someone who has implemented citrix at many sites, as well as using it personally I can give you a few pointers and my views.

Citrix like any solution has its flaws, and the more users you have the more it makes sense to use it, despite this.

Its all in the implentation, and the policies you put in place, and also whether you give in to the user or not.

Its all about TCO (Total cost of ownership) and support, as well as ease and flexibilty.

Maintaining support for 5 users pc's, 1 server isnt going to take a lot. When you get to 100 pcs and 10 Servers, you start to get to the realms of remote users, maintaining and supporting the end users pc's and it can get exponentially expensive and time consuming.

Citrix (almost) takes that away. You dont have to only have remote users using it. All users even on the local network can also use it, and it just makes sense.

It takes away the need to support the end users pc's, which as any IT person knows is normally the biggest problem when it comes to IT Support.

Everything can be run from an Internet browser (including shadowing) and there is no need to run a desktop at all. Its fast and needs less bandwidth than a terminal server and its more secure.

There are some instances why you might need to use the desktop, but in my experience, its only ever been clients that has users 'that are used to the desktop' rather than actually needing it.

If that is the case, you start on a slippery slope where users have access to the server, and if configured incorrectly can give access to shut the server down for example. I just wouldn't recommend it.

The only issues I tend to see is with printing, and these can be rationalised and simplified with the correct policies in place. Those who implement or support citrix will know what I mean.

The fact that you can give access to an application within 10 seconds is a deal breaker for me when you look at the alternative.

20-08-2009, 22:59	#6
Mr Smooth Inactive Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 32	Re: Any citrix users/experts, or users of thin client? As someone who has implemented citrix at many sites, as well as using it personally I can give you a few pointers and my views. Citrix like any solution has its flaws, and the more users you have the more it makes sense to use it, despite this. Its all in the implentation, and the policies you put in place, and also whether you give in to the user or not. Its all about TCO (Total cost of ownership) and support, as well as ease and flexibilty. Maintaining support for 5 users pc's, 1 server isnt going to take a lot. When you get to 100 pcs and 10 Servers, you start to get to the realms of remote users, maintaining and supporting the end users pc's and it can get exponentially expensive and time consuming. Citrix (almost) takes that away. You dont have to only have remote users using it. All users even on the local network can also use it, and it just makes sense. It takes away the need to support the end users pc's, which as any IT person knows is normally the biggest problem when it comes to IT Support. Everything can be run from an Internet browser (including shadowing) and there is no need to run a desktop at all. Its fast and needs less bandwidth than a terminal server and its more secure. There are some instances why you might need to use the desktop, but in my experience, its only ever been clients that has users 'that are used to the desktop' rather than actually needing it. If that is the case, you start on a slippery slope where users have access to the server, and if configured incorrectly can give access to shut the server down for example. I just wouldn't recommend it. The only issues I tend to see is with printing, and these can be rationalised and simplified with the correct policies in place. Those who implement or support citrix will know what I mean. The fact that you can give access to an application within 10 seconds is a deal breaker for me when you look at the alternative.