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Citrix Interview Ques & Ans

1) Explain what is Citrix?


It is an application deployment system. With Citrix, one can access the customized application
and can also delivered to remote systems. It also allows file transfer from home computer to
office computer and e-mail accessing.
2) List out the Major Citrix components?
Major Citrix components are
XenApp: It allows to host applications on central servers and enables users to interact with them
remotely and deliver it to the users devices for local executions
XenDesktop: It is the practice of hosting a desktop operating system with a virtual machine
running on a remote server
XenServer: It enables you to combine multiple Xen-enabled servers into a powerful resource
pool using industry standard shared storage architecture and leveraging resource clustering
technology created by XenSource
Provisioning Server: It reduces the number of systems that they manage, even as the computers
number continues to grow.
Netscaler: It is used to provide level 4 load balancing
3) List out the services provided by Citrix?
Service provided by Citrix includes

Citrix virtual memory optimization service


Encryption service
Citrix XTE service
Independent Management architecture
Citrix SMA service
COM (Common Object Model) services

4) Explain what is Data Store?


Data store is a database which consists of all the configuration information needed by the Citrix
farm. Changes can be made at any time to the Meta Frame Server. The changes are persisted
in the data store. It will data store following information like

Server configuration
User configuration
Print Environment
Published Application

5) List out the ports associated with Citrix services?

Default port is A: 1494


Default listening port for Citrix XML service: 80
For ICA: 1494
UDP port used for client broadcasting: 1604

IMA port: 2512 and 2513


CMC and SSL port: 443
Server to SQL port: 1433
Session Reliability: 2598
Port Number for licensing: 27000

6) Mention what is the query command in Citrix?


Query command in Citrix includes

qfarm
querydc
queryds
queryhr

7) Mention what is web interface or Nfuse?


Citrix web interface software provides web access to Java, Unix and Windows applications
which are hosted via Citrix application server software. Citrix offers server side control of hosted
applications, while Citrix web interface makes applications accessible through a web browser
interface.
8) Explain what is Citrix XML broker?
Citrix XML broker behaves as an intermediary between the web interface and farm. It receives
the credentials of the user from the web interface. It retrieves the applications that have user
permission to access. It is done by independent management architecture and returns to the
web interface. XML broker detects the server in the farm, once the user is authenticated. It
returns the address of the service rendering server to the web interface. It functions between
IMA service and web interface.
9) Explain what is the step to clear XenServer cache?
To clear XenServer cache you have to use command Dnscmd Server Name/clearcache.
10) Mention what are the default tests available in Health Monitoring & Recovery Tool?
The tests in XenApp Health Monitoring and Recovery Tool are

Citrix IMA service test


Logon Monitor test
Terminal Service test
XML Service Test

11) Explain what is LHC in Citrix?


The IMA service executing on each Presentation Server downloads the information it requires
from the central data store into a local MDB database known as the Local Host Cache or LHC.
12) List out the load evaluators that are supported in Citrix?
Load evaluators that are supported in Citrix includes

Memory Utilization
CPU Utilization

IP Range
Page Swap
Page Fault
Context Switches
Disk Data I/O
Scheduling
Server Application Load
User Application Load

13) Mention what is the limit of refresh time for Local Host Cache in Citrix?
The refresh time set for Local Host Cache is 30 minutes, it can be created when IMA is stopped.
14) Explain how you can view the LHC information?
The LHC information is found in the file imalhc.mdb, and this file is available in c:program
filescitrixindependent management architecturedirectory.
15) Explain what is Citrix Reciever?
Citrix receiver is a collection of suite of products that enables client devices to connect to
various desktop virtualization services offered by Citrix. Citrix receiver can link with client devices
to XenDesktop applications, XenApp and desktops via the HDX protocol.
16) Explain what is Citrix Access Gateway?
CAG or Citrix Access Gateway is a universal secured socket layer virtual private network
appliances. It got features like IPSec and SSL VPN. It also enables instant access to the users and
secure access to the company. Any information resource can be retrieved by using CAG with
secure, single point access, always on features. It supports various types of applications
including IP telephony. Any application which is hosted on Citrix Presentation Server can be
used in a secured manner.
17) Explain how you can remove dead server from the Citrix Management Console?
To remove dead server from the Citrix Management Console you have to run

DSVERIFY SERVERS/CLEAN/FORCE for optimizing the Data Store


DSVerify can be executed on any of the servers in the farm
MetaFrame feature release 3 has a command line tool known as DSCHECK
Use the following command DSVerify command line tool DSCHECK/CHECK

or right click on the server in the farm and select option remove from the Farm
18) Explain what is the purpose of Zones?
Data collector stores information about Zones, Users Session and Published Application.

A Farm consists of a subset referred as Zones


It consists of various server members
One of the server members is referred as Zone Data Collector
In traffic controlling, Zones are useful
Using ZDCs communication is established among zones

19) Explain the use of shadowing in Citrix?


In Citrix, shadowing resembles for one user to join remotely to another user. One user can use
the session of another user remotely.
20) List some of the important Xen Desktop Real time Issues
Desktop not launching, launching with temporary profile, Shared drives not mapping, Printers not
available are common issues
21) What will be happen if Data store down in Citrix?
If datastore goes down there is no impact to the users connected and the new user trying to
connect because in each xenapp server localhost cache is there which is a subset of data store
which is able.
22)Citrix Xenapp 6.5 Server Reboot
In Citrix Xenapp 6.5, if Citrix environment server goes down where they user are already login or
landed so they are unable to access for his session and when they are try to re-login at same
time it will be not possible to login on a same server because the server goes down. So What I
want is When the users are going to re-login How to log them in to another sever which I have
already published in.
First if the faulty server is accessible, disable the logon by command change logon/disable. But if
the server is not accessible then go to the Citrix app center or delivery console remove the
server
23)Applications are delivering to one zone but not delivering to another zone. The users able to
access applications properly for some time and after some period of time users cannot able to
access the same applications in the zone? What will be the problem?
There is no issue at the Citrix level if you did not find anything unusual after qfarm/load
Check if you have any specific computer policies, check the network bandwidth, check firewall
policies, run the trace route command and analyses. Also do follow this when users are having
issue.
24) If any user getting error that Resources is unavailable in Citrix than what will you do?
Its clear "resource is not available that means" XML server is not able to connect/contact to
published app server, check that app is available means hosted server is reachable. then do
other troubleshooting.
25) What is the difference between online Citrix plugin and offline Citrix plugin
Basic difference is online citrix plugin installed for one time use only or you can say if you launch
any virtual desktop, it requires a plugin, and on other hand if you use throughf virtual desktop.
26)Scenario: User asks that I am unable to see the icon of published application. What is the
reason and resolution for it?
If it is for single user, you can check the access right for that user, if its for multiple user, we have
to check the farms on WI server. If the farm XML server is missing from WI application will not be
seen. Also if you have WI LB it is better to verify XML servers on the WI.

Please check if this particular user is part of respective application security group. If not then add
user in that group.This will resolve your problem. Sometime it happens due to group setting. Set
the group as universal group if users from multiple domain are accessing this application.
27)What are different load evaluators are available in Citrix
Different types of Load Evaluators- 1) Advance load evaluator - CPU utilization,page swaps Rule,
Mamrory usage and load Throttling rules. 2) default Load Evaluator - Server user Load, Load
throttling
28)ICA/ IMA Trouble Shooting
Please check the service account for IMA service may be its expired. If it has been expired then
use DSMAINT CONFIG command to reset. then try to recreate LHC. Please check logs on the
server.
ICA is server to client communication and IMA is sever to server communication. ICA majorly
depends on the client (receiver) and IMA depends on the LHC and datastore. For
troubleshooting IMA you can typein services.msc on the affected server and restart the service.
29)How to check one server load if one app is installed on 50 Xenapp servers
Qfarm /APP
QFARM /LOAD
30)What are the different ports use in Citrix
ICA: 1494, Session reliability: 2598
IMA: 2512 (Server to server) 2513 (Server to console)
XML: 80 when integrated with IIS can be configured to 8080
License: 27000, Vendor deamon: 7279, License server console: 8082
SQL server for data store: 1433
31)Roles and Responsibilities of CITRIX administrator
As a Citrix admin we have to Perform daily health checks for servers like checking CPU memory
utilization, Check the connectivity, we can publish the resources in servers initially etc and all this
can have done by before business hours
Daily task by a Citrix administrator is incident, change and problem management. Server health
checks and optimizing.
32)What is the main work of controller in xenapp 6.5?

Session routing to least loaded server


Server load sharing among all zones and xenApp servers also share load to their zone
data collector from 0-10000
Zone data collector is best for optimizing traffic.

32)What kind of applications can be delivered in citrix and how to install many number
applications in the citrix servers?
Any application can be delivered through Citrix. There are two modes of delivering applications
a) Hosting b) Streaming. When there are multiple application of different versions streaming is a
better option as it will not be installed to server.
33)What is the best way to manage user profiles and how do you implement it on the XenApp
servers?
Whenever a user launches an application a session is started on xenApp and a profile is created
on the Server. The profile should be deleted every end of day.
34)What are Session Printers?
A session printer is a printer that is set by policy. If we want to provide a group of users a
particular printer, we can add that group to the session printer and when the user will launch a
session that printer will also be created for those users.
Session Printers will map the drivers using the native driver from the network print server. If this is
not on the XenApp server it will either not show the printer or install the driver.
35)Why is ICA that much faster than RDP ? What is the technological differences between the
two?
ICA is lighter than RDP as only mouse movements and keystrokes are sent to server. RDP on the
other hand moves the complete screen to the client machine
36)What will happen if data collector goes down?
If a data collector goes down an election process will take place based on preferred, Sever with
latest patches and latest hotfixes, based on configuration.
37)What kind of policies we use most of the time in citrix environment?

In Citrix, we can implement the policies in the three ways.


Domain Group Policy : It will be configured from AD Group Policy
Citrix IMA Policy : It will be configured from Citrix Delivery Service Control
Local Group Policy : It will configured locally on server

Note: If I have configure all policy through all three ways then the group policys order will be :
Domain Group Policy --> Citrix IMA Policy --> Local Group Policy
38)You have been asked to reduce the time on Citrix support calls, by making sure your Citrix
XenApp 6.5 farm is Citrix Support Ready and already has the proper tools installed before
contacting Citrix, what is the main tool you would install?
Citrix Scout
39)You will be migrating from XenApp 6.5 to XenApp 7.6, what are two differences between IMA
and FMA?
Some answers include: FMA uses Sites and no longer utilizes Zones or Zone Data Collectors, FMA
uses Virtual Desktop Agents (VDAs), FMA leverages MCS for Servers and Desktops, IMA uses
Local Host Cache (LHC), IMA uses IMA Service.

40)You have been tasked to come up with an Active/Active GSLB scenario for your Citrix
XenDesktop environment. What are some underlying factors you should consider during your
research and planning phase?
You want to make sure you have a working way for data replication, including profile replication
between the two sites. Microsoft does not support two-way replication for their profiles. You will
also need to make sure you have a way to disconnect sessions from each site. It is best to use
Active/Passive with manual failover in this scenario.
41)You are creating a XenApp/XenDesktop environment and your manager asked you to
optimize your profiles without using a third party solution. How would you accomplish this?
Citrix has User Profile Manager, which will allow you to streamline your profiles and leverage
Microsoft folder redirection.
42)You are migrating your Citrix environment from a 2003 OS to 2008R2 OS, and you want to
make sure your current applications will run correctly on the 2008R2 OS. What software or utility
does Citrix provider you help you make sure your applications will be compatible on the 2008R2
OS before the migration?
Citrix AppDNA
43)How does Citrix Netscaler licensing differ from the other Citrix product licensing?
As an appliance or hardware, Netscaler is separate from most other Citrix products that use a
license server. It is licensed independently.
44)Can you name two of the services required to be running on the Provisioning Server for it to
function?
SOAP and STREAM services must be running on the PVS Servers
45)What are the two most common ports used on XenApp ICA sessions? What are each used
for?
Ports 1494 (ICA/HDX) and 2598(Session Reliability)
46)What is the Role of the XenDesktop Controller?
A controller is the server-side architectural component of XenDesktop that is responsible for
distributing desktops, managing user access, and optimizing connections.
47)Your manager has requested you to come up with a way for your helpdesk to monitor and
troubleshoot your XenDesktop/XenApp 7.x environment, without adding on a third party solution.
What built in Citrix functionality would you use to do so?
Citrix Director Enables level-1 and level-2 IT Support staff to monitor a XenDesktop deployment
and perform day-to-day maintenance tasks. You can also view and interact with a user's
session, using Microsoft Remote Assistance, to troubleshoot problems
48)You are architecting a Citrix Provisioning Services (PVS) deployment which will be placed
across different datacenters via a WAN link. You only want the PVS disks to be streamed in each

local datacenter and not cross over the WAN. What feature in PVS would you use to accomplish
this?
Subnet Affinity
49)What is the major financial bottleneck of any VDI deployment?
Storage. Traditionally, storage has been very costly in getting a comparable VDI end user
experience as opposed to the local desktop experience. There are several vender solutions on
the market now to address this. Hint: You may want to have them mention some of these
solutions as well.
50)You are preparing a PVS master target device which is created on VMware vSphere virtual
hardware version 10 or higher. What must you do with the CD/DVD Rom setting for PVS to work
correctly?
You will need to change the CD/DVD Rom to IDE instead of SATA. SATA is not supported in PVS.
51)Citrix StoreFront displays applications differently than Web Interface. Instead of having all
accessible applications appear on the home screen, first time users are invited to choose
(subscribe) to the applications they want to regularly use after they logon. What function in
Storefront must you use to avoid users having a blank screen and automatically subscribe users
to a few core applications when they first logon?
Keywords
52) What free tool from Citrix will allow you to analyze your log files, profile your Citrix
environment, scan for known issues and attach a log file to a Citrix support ticket.
Citrix Insight Services or TaaS
53)What is the newest version of XenApp you have worked with and tell me a little about your
work on it?
58)Explain a difficult challenge you had with XenApp and or XenDesktop and what you did to
solve it?
It should be fairly simple for an experienced person to come up with something.
59) What is the latest version of XenDesktop you have worked with and explain a little about your
work on it?
Explain what you do to keep up your professional development?
60) You are looking for blogs, training (if they are willing to get training on their own, without
relying on an employer), videos and a biggie is home lab. There is not a good excuse in todays
climate for an engineer or architect not to have either a home or cloud based lab if they take
their career seriously.
61) If you were tasked to architect a Citrix XenDesktop 7.6 environment, what would be some of
the questions you would ask the business, so you can design a technical solution?
You want to see if they know how to start with a business outcome and work backwards into the
technology. Good signs are, asking specific business related questions such as: How do you
envision the end goal, what are you trying to accomplish? What is the importance of this project

to the business (If highly important, that leads into DR questioning about RTO and RPO and the
such?

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