Citrix Sizing 1

[HaSC2]

Hi.

We are trying to size a remote access solution using Citrix. Our idea is provide access to the corporate applications from the Web. And we have some questions.

We are looking for a solution to be used by 50 concurrent users.

a) How should be the configuration of the box that will be processing the "Secure Gateway" in the DMZ?
b) Can we put the Secure Access Manager and the Metaframe XP in the same box? Or is it better to put them separately?
c) How to size the "Metaframe XP" box? (CPU, RAM, disk)
d) Will we need license some SQL database? Can it be an existent database (e.g. Oracle)?
e) What do we need to license?

If you were, how would you do it?

Any help and tips would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

 

[ascotta]

That is a lot to ask in one question .....

However.... the word according to ascotta is

a) How should be the configuration of the box that will be processing the "Secure Gateway" in the DMZ?

A web server patched to the hilt + a Secure Gateway Server in your DMZ.That is two boxes. You can put them on the one box but best practice says two boxes.

b) Can we put the Secure Access Manager and the Metaframe XP in the same box? Or is it better to put them separately?

see a) above
c) How to size the "Metaframe XP" box? (CPU, RAM, disk)

sizing is either a suck it and see black art or you run a pilot and bench mark the users to see what is happening. I would sugegst that your minimum config is 2 X dual processor boxes with 2Gb Ram and 3 hd's each 1 for OS 1 for Apps and 1 for page-file. There are other arguements about this this is what I feel comfortable with.

d) Will we need license some SQL database? Can it be an existent database (e.g. Oracle)?

You can use SQL or Oracle or Access. If you have Oracel go with that.


e) What do we need to license?

You need Win2k licenses for the servers. Your need Win2K TSCAL's for devices that do not run Win2K or XP.
And you need citrix licenses to cover your concurrent user count.
You then need proper licensing for the apps you intend to run.

However I would PILOT your useage of the system to check RAM and Network activity and how to set users up etc.

 

[MikeKap]

Re this part of your question:
c) How to size the "Metaframe XP" box? (CPU, RAM, disk)

Ascotta suggests a pilot and I agree. I have a white paper regarding "server sizing" that I can e-mail you if you send me your e-mail address to kapski@yahoo.com. This can make the job a lot easier.

Mike