Deployment Guide: Windows 11 Deployment Guide
Overview
This guide provides high level instructions to install the Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) on Windows 11 (multi or single session) and deploy Virtual Machines (VMs) with Citrix Machine Creation Services (MCS) via Citrix DaaS.
The following steps are covered in this Guide:
- Install VDA
- Optimize Windows 11 for MCS
- Create a Machine Catalog and deploy VMs
- Create a Delivery Group and assign VMs
- Configure Citrix Workspace client
Prerequisites
Note
This guide assumes that the reader has a basic understanding of the following technologies:
Citrix Cloud, Citrix DaaS, Azure virtual machine configuration, and basic Windows administration
A Windows 11 virtual machine in Microsoft Azure
A Citrix Cloud account with Citrix DaaS permissions
A domain account with the ability to create machine accounts in the desired OU
A Citrix.com account to download software
- Citrix VDA
- Citrix Optimizer
Windows VM Preparation
Join VM to the domain
Launch windows settings and check for updates
Install applications required for the image template and any OS configuration
Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent
Note
It is recommended to use the latest VDA version for optimal performance, security, and functionality
- Log in to Citrix.com/downloads and download the latest version of the VDA.
Note
For Azure based Windows 11 virtual machines, you can either deliver single or multi-session hosts. Ensure that you download the correct Citrix VDA for the OS type you plan to deliver.
Run the VDA setup file “VDAWorkstationSetup_xxxx.exe” as an administrator.
SelectCreate a master MCS image, clickNext
If you would like the full workspace experience or to deliver virtual applications, select theCitrix Workspace App, clickNext
Select theAdditional Componentsyou wish to install, clickNext
Note
For a full list of VDA install options seeInstall VDAor useCitrix VDA Commandline Helper Tool.
Enter theFully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of each Cloud Connector(at least two are recommended for tolerance). After initial registration, VDA retrieves a list of remaining controllers (read more aboutVDA Registration - Auto-Updatefunctionality).
SelectTest Connectionand if successful selectAdd
ClickNext
Select这是VDA V上安装吗M in the Cloud (i.e. Azure, AWS, Google)?, clickNext
Depending on your specific requirements, select the firewall configuration accordingly, clickNext
Review the summary and clickInstall
SelectCollect diagnostic information
ClickConnectand enter your Citrix Cloud login information
ClickNext
Confirm everything was installed successfully and clickFinish
Citrix Optimizer
Log in and download Citrix Optimizer fromCitrix Optimizer
Run Citrix Optimizer as an administrator
Select the appropriate Windows 11 Build
SelectAnalyze
Once the analyses are completeView results
Select all the desired optimizations and selectOptimize
View the results and clickDone
Create Machine Catalog and Deploy VMs
Note
Resources
We are usingMicrosoft Azureas a resource location in this scenario. For a full list of supported Hypervisors and Clouds seeHosts / virtualization resources
Hosting Connections
The available resources are based on the hosting connections already added in Citrix Studio. See the following article for information on creatingDaaS hosting connections
Log into Citrix Cloud
Select theDaaStile
SelectManage
From within Web Studio, selectMachine Catalogs, thenCreate Machine Catalog
SelectMulti-session OSfor Windows 11 multi-session windows on Azure or Operating System as appropriate based on your deployment, clickNext
SelectMachines that are power managed
Deploy machines usingCitrix Machine Creation Services, select the appropriate Resource, clickNext
SelectMaster Imagepreviously created
Select the minimum functional level and clickNext
SelectStorage and License Typesbased on your environment
Enter the number ofVirtual Machinesyou would like to create, along with the machine size, clickNext
SelectNetwork Interface Cardto be associated with the VM, clickNext
ConfigureDisk Settings and Write Back Cacheas appropriate, clickNext
Select the appropriateResource Groupprovisioning method, clickNext
Select whether to create new AD accounts, where to create them and the naming convention to be used, clickNext
Add theDomain credentialsto be used to perform the account operations, clickNext
Verify theSummary, add aMachine Catalog nameandMachine Catalog description, then clickFinish
Note
Wait for the machine catalog to create and the new VM disk. Time depends on the number of VMs specified
Create Delivery Group
Log into Citrix Cloud and select theDaaStile
SelectManage
From within Web Studio, selectDelivery Group, thenCreate Delivery Group, clickNext
Select theMachine Catalogyou created (above)
Choose the number of machines you created or want to add to the Delivery Group, clickNext
Select theUsersassignment method (We are using Citrix Cloud for assignment in this scenario). ClickNext
If adding applications to be published separately add these here (We are only publishing a desktop in this scenario). ClickNext
Select theScopeif appropriate, clickNext
Select the appropriateLicense Type, clickNext
Provide theDelivery Group nameandDisplay name, clickFinish
Once created, view the machines and check their registration status
Assign Users to Desktop
Log in to Citrix Cloud and from the landing page selectView Library
Locate the new Windows 11 Desktop resource in the Library, select theellipsis(3 dot menu item in the top right corner), and selectManage Subscribers
Add users or groups to assign desktop
Client Configuration
Note
Best practice would be to automate the configuration of theCitrix Workspace Appclients.
Once the user has launched the virtual desktop and logged in they are able to carry out the following tasks