VDI & Citrix XenDesktop Implementation
A Citrix VDI solution that lets the IT team deploy desktops to users in minutes following an acquisition.
A Top 10 U.S. Property and Casualty insurance company
The Challenge
The client wanted to use hosted desktops to solve several business challenges centered on providing fast and secure access to business applications for new acquisitions in the U.S., as well as offshore employees and business partners. The client had chosen Citrix XenDesktop to meet the objectives and engaged IntelliSuite to assist with the implementation.
The Solution
Based on the project definition, IntelliSuite applied Citrix Consulting methodology to assess the existing infrastructure for readiness and created a design to achieve the stated objectives. With design approval from the client, IntelliSuite created a XenDesktop 7.1 solution designed to support 10,000 end users across multiple locations in the U.S. and India.
- Two independent active-active XenDesktop sites across two data centers for business continuity
- Two independent XenApp farms to publish Windows applications and websites to VDIs
- Two independent StoreFront sites, load balanced via F5 GSLB, accessible via a single URL
- Two independent Provisioning Services farms for single-image management
- Two independent Desktop Director sites for helpdesk support and monitoring
- A Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 mirror and witness solution per site for the Citrix data stores
- Active Directory Group Policy Objects to streamline the virtual environment
- Redundant Citrix and Remote Desktop Licensing servers across both data centers
- VMware PowerCLI scripts to automate persistent virtual desktop creation
- Entire infrastructure deployed on VMware vSphere using EMC NAS and SAN storage
The Results
- Centralized hosted desktops increased the security of client data
- Business continuity enhanced by two independent, active-active data centers
- New desktops for any user or use case can now be provisioned in minutes
Technologies Used
- Microsoft Windows Server
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
- Citrix XenDesktop 7.1
- Citrix XenApp
- Citrix StoreFront
- Citrix Provisioning Services (PVS)
- Citrix Desktop Director
- VMware PowerShell / PowerCLI
- VMware ESX vSphere 5
- EMC NAS & SAN Storage
- F5 GSLB