HDX 3D Pro Enhancements

Introduced in XenDesktop 4, HDX 3D Pro released in this version of XenDesktop enables you to leverage GPU hardware acceleration for 3D applications based on OpenGL and DirectX. With HDX 3D Pro, you can use XenDesktop to deliver complex interactive graphics over wide area network (WAN) connections with bandwidths as low as 2 Mbps. On local area network (LAN) connections, HDX 3D Pro enables you to replace complex and expensive workstations with much simpler user devices, moving the graphics processing into the data center for centralized management.

XenDesktop 5.6 Feature Pack 1 introduces the following enhancements to HDX 3D Pro:

• New, default CPU based deep compression improves performance and reduces GPU costs.
• NVIDIA VGX™ GPU hardware virtualization extends GPU capability beyond users like design engineers and radiologists to other workers in the organization who need access to large 3D models but do not require the power of a dedicated graphics card.
• API integration provides direct frame-buffer access to a highly interactive user experience.
• Full screen application support.
• Improved screen resolution negotiation.

Remote PC Access

Remote PC allows an end user to log on remotely to the physical PC in his or her office from virtually anywhere. The Citrix XenDesktop Virtual Desktop Agent on the office PC enables it to register with the XenDesktop Controller and manages the HDX connection between the machine and end user client devices. The Citrix Receiver running on the client device provides access to the office PC.

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack for Microsoft Lync

Citrix HDX RealTime Optimization Pack for Microsoft® Lync™ offers highly scalable video conferencing and clear, crisp high-definition audio-video calls in conjunction with Microsoft Lync. Users can seamlessly participate in audio-video or audio-only calls to and from other HDX RealTime users and other standards-based video desktop and conference room systems.

HDX RealTime optimized Lync calling is not available for use with Remote PC access.

Citrix Mobility Pack

Citrix Mobility Pack automatically re-skins virtual desktops for more intuitive, touch-friendly use on tablet devices. Tablet-optimized desktops work with the currently available Receiver for iOS and Receiver for Android.

Citrix Mobility Pack provides users with a true Native Device Experience by recognizing the type of endpoint operating system and enabling mobile device features such as auto-keyboard popup, local selector controls, and auto-scrolling. Receiver for iOS and Receiver for Android are required to take advantage of these enhancements.

This pack is required to make the unique capabilities of a mobile device such as GPS, camera, and other sensors available to application developers who may use it in conjunction with the Citrix Mobile Application SDK to create custom, mobile-friendly, virtual desktops hosted by XenDesktop in the data center.

Universal Print Server

The Citrix Universal Print Server extends XenApp and XenDesktop Universal printing support to network printing. This feature eliminates the need to install numerous network printer drivers on XenApp and XenDesktop hosts, and enables more efficient network utilization. The new Citrix Universal printer driver supports direct network printing from any Citrix Receiver, supporting a wide range of Windows and non-Windows clients.

After you install the Universal Print Server components and configure the new policy settings, a user can add and enumerate network printers through the Windows Provider and Citrix Provider interfaces.

The Universal Print Server feature comprises a client component (UPClient) that you install on XenApp and XenDesktop hosts, and a server component (UPServer) that you install on a print server. You must also ensure that your XenApp and XenDesktop hosts and the computer where you use the Group Policy Management Console have the appropriate updates installed.

XenDesktop Collector

Use XenDesktop Collector to gather information about the health of your XenDesktop deployment. XenDesktop Collector captures key, troubleshooting data points for Citrix XenDesktop Controllers and Virtual Desktop Agents.

XenDesktop Collector has a Graphical User interface (GUI) that lets you Collect environmental information on multiple virtual desktops and upload that data to Citrix Technical Support. It also provides data collection reports and logs.

XenDesktop Collector Command Line Interface (CLI) provides the same functionality as the GUI. Additionally, you can automate data collection through scripts running XenDesktop Collector commands, collect data points specific to your XenDesktop environment, and collect one specific data point for multiple virtual desktops in large environments.

HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression Support of Cisco WebEx

With this release of XenDesktop, HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression now supports Cisco WebEx.