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Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) is an application delivery solution that enables access to Windows-based applications to any device compatible with Citrix Receiver. What exactly is the difference between Citrix and VDI? VDI stands for virtual desktop infrastructure. A VDI desktop is a desktop running on a server in the datacenter that a user can access from virtually any device. To use VDI with Citrix, you need to purchase Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop). Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) and VMware Horizon are two well-known solutions to implement and deploy virtual desktop infrastructures.

What Are the Different Types of VDI? While there is a standard definition of VDI, there are various methodologies to deliver virtual desktops, classified into three main categories:

Desktop-Based VDI – A desktop running in a virtual machine that is hosted on a server in the data center. Server-Based VDI – A desktop running in a server operating system that is available only for a single user at a time (Remote PC). Session-Based VDI – An individual session running inside a server OS on either a virtual machine or a physical server. What Are the Limitations for Citrix and VDI? Deploying and maintaining VDI with Citrix is complicated due to different licenses offering different features. For example, to support desktop-based VDI and server-based VDI, organizations need to upgrade from Citrix Virtual Apps to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop. In essence, even in its Platinum Edition, Citrix Virtual Apps does not support a full VDI.

How to Deploy VDI with Citrix To deploy VDI with Citrix, organizations must consider what kind of VDI they need for their infrastructures (desktop, server, or session-based). They also need to be aware that publishing applications require either Citrix Virtual Apps or Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop Enterprise/Platinum version. Citrix’s VDI solution, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop, works in small environments and large ones, but it’s geared toward the medium and big enterprises. Citrix Virtual Apps and Citrix Remote Desktop is available in three versions.

Virtual Apps and Desktops Advanced This version offers more virtualization features including, server-based hosted apps, server-based virtual desktops, VDI (for both pooled and dedicated services), Windows Cloud PC access, and VM-hosted applications. The main benefit of this version is the inclusion of extra features to boost employee productivity, such as optimized Skype and Microsoft Teams for businesses that are not available in Virtual Desktop Standard. However, it still lacks Citrix casting and Citrix SD-WAN for WAN optimization that could boost efficiency in an organization. In terms of security, Virtual Apps and Desktop Advanced lack standard security configurations including FIPS compliance, Common Criteria certification, SmartAccess, Intelligent session recording, and provisions for SSL VPN just like its Virtual Desktops Standard counterpart.

To learn about Azure Virtual Desktop Pricing visit CloudDesktopOnline.