Could I install PNAgent on a Citrix server?

[edlcsre]

OK, strange question I know, but i have an organisation who literally just use Citrix to publish desktops. They use a kix script to check group membership and, based on that, copy shortcuts to applications onto the Citrix desktop. This is fraught with dangers, not least that 'publishing' a new application involves manually editing the login script, SO, what I was wondering was whether its possible to install PNAgent onto a Citrix server. My thinking is that if this is possible, when the user logs into published desktop, the agent would then kick in and put the correct shortcuts on the desktop, based on which published app the user has access to, and we'd have a centrally managed system, not one which is a complete nightmare to try and do anything for.

So, has anyone ever actually done this and would it be a worthwhile alternative to the current situation, whilst we try and convince them life can be a whole lot easier than the way they currently do things.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

many thanks,

Chris

 

[ascotta]

Hmm, I have written such a script myself, and it is one way of tying down the desktop. It also works

Why are they publishing desktops. Could they not just connect to PN ( I am assuming thin Clients here) so they get a box of apps. You could even publish drive mappings if that is a concern.

[blue]Arguably the best cat skinner around ! [/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[edlcsre]

Hi Scott

The million dollar question, that, WHY! They don't really seem to know why they do things the way that they do, its just that they've always done it that way. It was when I told them they could actually dispense with Citrix altogether if they created RDP connections for each server (there are only 3!) on the user's desktops that they were a little suprised!

Yes, they could connect to PN from the Citrix servers, which would resolve a whole load of issues, but ideally i'm after something that is 'seamless' as far as the user is concerned, because they fear change. Ultimately, though, it makes my job of running their environment disproportionally more time intensive than a 3 server farm should be, so I want something which can be centrally managed. PNAgent would fulfill that requirement, just wasn't sure if it was possible or not. I guess, though, if PN works on a Citrix server, PNAgent might too.

Will see if i can find out anything more. Unfortunately, I've not got a test network to try this out on.

Think their problems start with the fact its an NT Domain with Windows 2000 servers in it, and so they can't really manage anything centrally and easily as its not AD.

Would just like to get my 3 server farm not taking as much time to manage as my 26 server farm when it comes to something as basic as adding a new application to the environment!!

Chris

 

[ascotta]

Oh indeed. I would be tempted to install agent and give it a test, well what can you break ?

I took over a site recently that did desktops, had a hell of a job selling them seemless windows. Ended up haveing to show them it, once shown sold.

You probably wouldn't nned three icons doing TS, just create three alias in DNS to TSSER for example and point at
each TS box, use the round robin effect of DNS and hey presto limited load balncing too.

[blue]Arguably the best cat skinner around ! [/blue]

Cheers
Scott