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

1. A Windows 11 virtual machine in Microsoft Azure

2. A Citrix Cloud account with Citrix DaaS permissions

3. A domain account with the ability to create machine accounts in the desired OU

4. A Citrix.com account to download software

   • Citrix VDA
   • Citrix Optimizer

Windows VM Preparation

1. Join VM to the domain

2. Launch windows settings and check for updates

3. 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

1. 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.

1. Run the VDA setup file “VDAWorkstationSetup_xxxx.exe” as an administrator.

2. SelectCreate a master MCS image, clickNext

   

3. If you would like the full workspace experience or to deliver virtual applications, select theCitrix Workspace App, clickNext

   

4. Select theAdditional Componentsyou wish to install, clickNext

   

   Note

   For a full list of VDA install options seeInstall VDAor useCitrix VDA Commandline Helper Tool.

5. 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).

6. SelectTest Connectionand if successful selectAdd

7. ClickNext

   

8. Select这是VDA V上安装吗M in the Cloud (i.e. Azure, AWS, Google)?, clickNext

   

9. Depending on your specific requirements, select the firewall configuration accordingly, clickNext

   

10. Review the summary and clickInstall

    

11. SelectCollect diagnostic information

12. ClickConnectand enter your Citrix Cloud login information

13. ClickNext

    

14. Confirm everything was installed successfully and clickFinish

    

Citrix Optimizer

1. Log in and download Citrix Optimizer fromCitrix Optimizer

2. Run Citrix Optimizer as an administrator

3. Select the appropriate Windows 11 Build

   

4. SelectAnalyze

   

5. Once the analyses are completeView results

6. Select all the desired optimizations and selectOptimize

7. 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

1. Log into Citrix Cloud

   

2. Select theDaaStile

   

3. SelectManage

4. From within Web Studio, selectMachine Catalogs, thenCreate Machine Catalog

   

5. SelectMulti-session OSfor Windows 11 multi-session windows on Azure or Operating System as appropriate based on your deployment, clickNext

   

6. SelectMachines that are power managed

7. Deploy machines usingCitrix Machine Creation Services, select the appropriate Resource, clickNext

   

8. SelectMaster Imagepreviously created

9. Select the minimum functional level and clickNext

   

10. SelectStorage and License Typesbased on your environment

    

11. Enter the number ofVirtual Machinesyou would like to create, along with the machine size, clickNext

    

12. SelectNetwork Interface Cardto be associated with the VM, clickNext

    

13. ConfigureDisk Settings and Write Back Cacheas appropriate, clickNext

    

14. Select the appropriateResource Groupprovisioning method, clickNext

    

15. Select whether to create new AD accounts, where to create them and the naming convention to be used, clickNext

    

16. Add theDomain credentialsto be used to perform the account operations, clickNext

    

17. Select the appropriateScope, clickNext

18. Select the appropriateWEM binding, clickNext

19. 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

1. Log into Citrix Cloud and select theDaaStile

2. SelectManage

3. From within Web Studio, selectDelivery Group, thenCreate Delivery Group, clickNext

   

4. Select theMachine Catalogyou created (above)

5. Choose the number of machines you created or want to add to the Delivery Group, clickNext

   

6. Select theUsersassignment method (We are using Citrix Cloud for assignment in this scenario). ClickNext

   

7. If adding applications to be published separately add these here (We are only publishing a desktop in this scenario). ClickNext

   

8. Select theScopeif appropriate, clickNext

   

9. Select the appropriateLicense Type, clickNext

   

10. Provide theDelivery Group nameandDisplay name, clickFinish

    

11. Once created, view the machines and check their registration status

    

Assign Users to Desktop

1. Log in to Citrix Cloud and from the landing page selectView Library

   

2. Locate the new Windows 11 Desktop resource in the Library, select theellipsis(3 dot menu item in the top right corner), and selectManage Subscribers

   

3. 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

Citrix Workspace App

1. From the start menu launchCitrix Workspace

   

2. Add the URL to your Citrix environment

   

3. Enter yourUser nameandPassword

   

4. Once authenticated you see any assigned resources in the workspace or populated in the start menu