Citrix XenApp April 2008

WAN Optimization FAQ

Citrix XenApp – WAN Optimization

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WAN Optimization? How does WAN Optimization meet these challenges?
Powered by Citrix WANScaler™, WAN Optimization is a feature of Accelerates Application Delivery — Deliver LAN-like application
Citrix XenApp™, Platinum Edition that improves productivity for performance over the WAN to make branch office and mobile
mobile and branch office users by accelerating the movement of workers more productive and allow for collaboration on a global
data across the WAN. scale.
Optimizes Bandwidth Utilization — Reduce current bandwidth
How does WAN Optimization work? usage by up to 70% and protect critical business application
traffic from bulk data flows and recreational network use.
WAN Optimization is a symmetric solution that optimizes both
ends of a WAN connection using a suite of technologies including Enables Centralization — Distributed XenApp farms and other IT
compression, protocol optimization and bandwidth control. This infrastructure can be centralized to achieve cost savings and
feature of XenApp Platinum Edition is powered by WANScaler meet security mandates.
software clients and appliances.
WAN Optimization can take place between any pair of WANScaler What can WAN Optimization do for XenApp?
appliances or between a WANScaler 85XX or 88XX Series
XenApp uses the highly efficient and proven ICA protocol to
appliance and the WANScaler Client. The client is a software
effectively deliver applications to users in all locations. XenApp
based solution for PCs. A Citrix WANScaler appliance in the data
users may see additional benefit from WAN Optimization when
center may communicate concurrently with a large number of
hazardous network conditions exist, like high network latency and
branch office WANScaler appliances and WANScaler Client users.
jitter, congestion, and packet loss. With WAN Optimization,
bandwidth is better utilized allowing interactive ICA traffic to be
What business challenges does WAN Optimization protected from bulk transfers, such as local printing, and from
address? other bandwidth hungry applications to ensure a consistent user
experience. WAN Optimization can also dramatically speed up
Poor WAN Performance —When using locally installed the transfer of application packages for Client-side Application
applications that are designed for LAN use, branch office and Virtualization to branches, resulting in faster first-launch and
mobile workers experience poor data transfer performance over update times for users. Where multiple users are streaming the
the WAN. When accessing applications through XenApp, users same application across a network, WAN Optimization can
may benefit from WAN Optimization under challenging WAN distribute this traffic efficiently, saving bandwidth for other uses.
conditions, and enjoy an optimized end-user experience.
Besides benefiting the delivery of applications to desktops for
High Bandwidth Costs —WAN bandwidth costs represent a centralized XenApp deployments, WAN Optimization can also
significant portion of overall IT budgets. Upgrading bandwidth to enhance distributed XenApp infrastructure by accelerating and
support more users and applications can be extremely expensive. optimization back-end traffic that must traverse the WAN.
And, upgrading bandwidth does not address all WAN
performance.
Can WAN Optimization help other applications
Need for IT Consolidation — Concerns over application besides those delivered by XenApp?
performance on the WAN may prevent organizations from
consolidating IT infrastructure (applications, servers, and Yes, WAN Optimization can accelerate any TCP-based
personnel) to reduce costs and physically secure data. application delivered over the WAN including web, email, file
sharing, etc. This makes it ideal for customers who deliver apps
in a variety of ways, including XenApp delivery, local installation
and/or through a web browser. With Citrix WAN Optimization the
benefits extend beyond just XenApp to provide all enterprise
applications LAN-like performance over the WAN.

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How does WAN Optimization relate to SpeedScreen? What appliance options are available?
WAN Optimization complements XenApp SpeedScreen Unlike Access Gateway editions and models, WANScaler
technology to further enhance XenApp delivered over hazardous appliances are single edition and available in several models
WAN conditions. Since WAN Optimization is applied to all traffic based on bandwidth and user scalability requirements for each
on the wire it can compress and accelerate other applications location. For example, different branch locations and the data
delivered alongside XenApp while simultaneously prioritizing center will typically require different models. Throughout 2008
XenApp traffic above bulk data flows. When SpeedScreen and special promotional pricing is available on several WANScaler
WAN Optimization are used together all applications perform at appliance models. Please consult a WANScaler sales specialist
their full potential across the WAN. to assist with appliance sizing and pricing.

What is included with the WAN Optimization feature? Is a high availability (HA) option available?
The WAN Optimization feature of XenApp Platinum Edition entitles All WANScaler appliances include a fail-to-wire NIC which ensures
XenApp users to use WANScaler Client software. One WANScaler continuous network operations, albeit without acceleration, if an
Client concurrent user (CCU) license entitlement is included for appliance fails. Some appliance models also support RAID and
every CCU license of XenApp Platinum Edition – the WANScaler redundant fans and power supplies for additional hardware
Client license must be used with the XenApp license. resiliency. WANScaler appliances can be deployed in pairs for a
true high availability (HA) solution and can be matched to support
The WANScaler Client is an unobtrusive software module that
customers who have multiple, redundant WAN circuits.
accelerates and optimizes traffic over any broadband, WiFi
hotspot, or cellular data connection. The client is compatible with
leading VPN solutions, including Citrix Access Gateway (Standard Are there NFR appliances available?
and Advanced Editions only), allowing enterprises to combine
NFR appliances are available for Citrix authorized partners so they
both acceleration and secure access for their remote users.
can demonstrate WAN Optimization and conduct customer
WANScaler appliance(s) are required but not included.
evaluations.

Who is entitled to this new feature?

Why would a customer purchase additional
New and existing XenApp Platinum Edition customers with valid appliances for branch offices?
Subscription Advantage as of Jan 1, 2008 are entitled.
While the WANScaler Client is ideal for mobile users and provides
many of the same optimization features as WANScaler
How does the addition of WAN Optimization affect appliances, a dedicated appliance is often preferable to serve
customers who already use XenApp and WANScaler? branch office users. By seeing all WAN traffic flowing to/from the
branch, an appliance is better able to optimize cross-session and
Customers who already use XenApp and WANScaler can take
cross-user application traffic such as when multiple users request
advantage of the WANScaler Client entitlement to extend the
the same file from a remote server. WANScaler appliances also
benefits of WAN Optimization to additional mobile or home users.
offer advanced quality of service and bandwidth shaping
capabilities not available on the client that can protect bandwidth
How can customers begin using this feature? for XenApp, and other WAN-based applications, in the face of
severe network congestion. Please consult a WANScaler sales
Customers can download the latest WANScaler Client software specialist to help determine the correct WAN Optimization
from MyCitrix.com – it is not included in the XenApp media kit. solution for a customer.
WANScaler Client software can be installed on any machines in a
customer’s environment. In addition, a WANScaler appliance for
the data center must be purchased separately in order to What are the recommendations to support branch
terminate client connections and accelerate the data center side and mobile users?
of the WAN connection.
• WANScaler Client software is recommended for mobile users
and SOHO (Small Office - Home Office) users.
Is an appliance required?
• The appropriate solution for branch offices depends on
Yes, a WANScaler 85XX or 88XX series appliance for the data several factors such as workflow and WAN characteristics.
center must be purchased separately in order to terminate client Please consult a WANScaler sales specialist to help
connections and accelerate the data center side of the WAN determine the correct WAN Optimization solution for branch
connection. Additional WANScaler appliances may be deployed offices.
in branch offices.

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What are the client PC requirements for WAN How is WAN Optimization licensed?
Optimization? WANScaler currently uses a legacy licensing mechanism that is
WANScaler Client is supported only on the following operating not compatible with core Citrix license infrastructure. WANScaler
systems: Client concurrent user (CCU) licenses are installed on the data
center appliance and cannot be managed by an external license
• Windows 2000 Professional server. Platinum Edition customers who purchase a new 85XX or
• Windows XP Home 88XX series appliance will receive their WANScaler Client
• Windows XP Professional concurrent user (CCU) licenses pre-installed on the device.
• Windows Vista (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Platinum Edition customers who already own WANScaler
Ultimate) appliances should contact Citrix Customer Service in order to
obtain a license.
Recommended hardware requirements are:
• Pentium 4-class CPU Can WAN Optimization be purchased separately?
• 1 GB of RAM
• 2 GB of free disk space Yes, additional WANScaler Client concurrent user (CCU) licenses
and WANScaler appliances can be purchased separately.

Minimum hardware requirements are: How does Citrix WAN Optimization compare to
• 1.0 GHz CPU competing solutions?
• 512 MB RAM
Citrix WAN Optimization is unique in its transparent operation
• 350 MB free disk space
which allows it to be installed without changes to the application
or the network and for its deployment flexibility by offering both a
WANScaler appliances in a branch office can provide WAN
software client for mobile users and hardened network appliances
Optimization for any client PC running any operating system
for branch offices. Unlike other vendors who focus mainly on
version.
selling networking equipment or who only sell WAN acceleration
products, Citrix is unique by offering WAN Optimization as part of
complete end-to-end solution for application delivery.

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