Support for Citrix XenApp Plugin Version 11

Overview / Scenario:

Citrix has introduced XenApp, an update to their Presentation Server hypervisor product line.  With this new architecture, comes new Citrix clients.  This article will detail support for XenApp Plugin Version 11 in the EX SSL-VPN appliance.

Changes to the ActiveX client

The EX SSL-VPN appliance requires two clients be installed via AMC , an ActiveX control, and a Java client (The procedure for doing this is described in the online Aventail Management Console (AMC) help and in the Installation and Administration Guide.).  The ActiveX client, prior to version 11, was distributed as a Windows cabinet (.cab) file.  With the release of version 11, the XenApp plugin is now distributed as an MSI or an executable (.exe).

The EX SSL-VPN appliance cannot automatically distribute the newer XenApp ActiveX client to WorkPlace users, but two workarounds are available and will be explained in more detail in the Workarounds section of this article.

Due to Citrix licensing restrictions, SonicWall cannot distribute older Citrix clients via its KB.

Changes to the Java client

As of the writing of this article, the Java client version is 9.6 and has not significantly changed from older clients, so this client can be automatically distributed via WorkPlace to end users.  Should that change, this KB will be updated.

Workarounds

As detailed earlier in this article, the newer XenApp client cannot automatically be distributed to WorkPlace users.  Two workarounds are available:

Distribute only the Java client to end users

Appliance release 10.0.0 introduced the ability to provision access agents using only Java, bypassing ActiveX altogether.  For more information, please see KB item 5226.

Distribute the XenApp Plugin MSI file to users via WorkPlace shortcut

The XenApp Plugin 11 MSI file does work with backend Citrix resources, provided it is installed manually by users prior to accessing a Citrix resource from WorkPlace.  SonicWall is looking to add support for automatic distribution of this client in a future release, but administrators can distribute this client via a shortcut on WorkPlace in the meantime.  Users would need to click on this link, install the client, and then they would be able to access those backend Citrix resources.

A user who does not install the Citrix client manually before clicking on a Citrix shortcut would be sent through a series of prompts to install an ActiveX control, but that installation will fail because the appliance cannot properly distribute the XenApp MSI file to users.  Internet Explorer will end up blocking the download or will not properly prompt the user to install it.

This workaround requires an administrator to do the following:

• Configure the MSI as the ActiveX client via AMC
• Upload the MSI file to their own webserver
• Create a web resource and associated WorkPlace shortcut
• Instruct users to download this client before clicking on any Citrix shortcuts in WorkPlace

Configure the MSI as the ActiveX client via AMC

1. In AMC, under User Access, click Agent Configuration
2. Click Configure next to Graphical terminal agents
3. Select the XenAppWeb.msi file and then upload to the appliance.  Failure to configure the ActiveX client in AMC will result in end users being able to access Citrix shortcuts as described in KB item #5226.

Upload the MSI file to a webserver

1. Place XenAppWeb.msi on a backend webserver that the appliance has access to.

Create a web resource and associated WorkPlace shortcut.

1. In AMC, click Resources and then click New.
2. From the list of available resources, choose URL.
3. Fill in details for the resource - name, URL, description and then click Save.
4. Under User Access click WorkPlace.
5. Click New and then select Web shortcut.
6. Select your previously created web resource and name the shortcut.  It might be useful to give this a prominent position and name in the shortcuts list so your users will see it.
7. Click Next
8. In the Start page field enter the path to the XenAppWeb.msi file on your server.  For instance, /files/citrix/XenAppWeb.msi.
9. Click Finish to save this shortcut.
10. Apply changes in AMC.

User education

• How you educate your users to click on this link to install the XenApp plugin is up to you.  SonicWall recommends that instructions and download links be placed conspicuously on WorkPlace.