Citrix released XenApp 6.5 this week, here is a quick overview of what’s new in this release, it includes several new features and enhancements to Citrix XenApp.

What’s New

• Server Platform Support

The XenApp software can be installed on the following platforms. For all system requirements, see System Requirements.

• • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 20008 R2 Service Pack 1
• Windows Desktop Experience Integration

Installed by default when installing the XenApp server role, this feature provides a Windows 7 look and feel including desktop customization. PowerShell script options enable administrators to control desktop and environment defaults while allowing end users to customize their desktops.

When installed and enabled, this feature also removes the Windows Server Manager Console from the XenApp server’s toolbar and relocates the Citrix XenApp administrative tools such as the AppCenter to the Start menu’s Administrative Tools\Citrix folder. See Delivering XenApp to Software Services Subscribers for more information.

• Citrix AppCenter

The AppCenter provides a streamlined interface for performing management functions. From the AppCenter, you can manage components administered through other Citrix products, such as Citrix Secure Access and Citrix Single Sign-On. For Citrix XenApp, you can configure and monitor servers, server farms, published resources, and sessions.

• Session Pre-launch, Session Linger, and Fast Reconnect

This collection of features improves the user experience by eliminating delays when launching and maintaining sessions. By using configurable Session Pre-launch policy settings, a session is started automatically when a user logs on to the farm. By implementing Session Linger policy settings, sessions remain alive for a configurable period before termination, rather than terminating when users close applications.

Fast Reconnect, built into XenApp and requiring no configuration, helps minimize delays when users reconnect to existing sessions.

• Citrix HDX Enhancements

XenApp includes the latest HDX enhancements:

• • HDX MediaStream Flash Redirection
  • Audio Settings
  • Multimedia Conferencing with HDX RealTime
  • Increased 2D and 3D Application Scalability and Performance
  • Assigning Priorities to Network Traffic
  • Dynamic Windows Preview Support
• Migration Center with Graphical User Interface

With the choice of using a PowerShell cmdlet command line or graphical user interface, XenApp administrators can import application, folder, server configuration, and other XenApp object types from farms running previous versions of XenApp into XenApp 6.5 farms. See XenApp Migration Center for requirement and installation information.

• Improved Performance for Pooled Desktops

Application launch time in pooled desktop environments is improved through the use of virtual hard disks. Using the Streaming Profiler, virtual hard disks can be created when profiling an application. When the application is launched for the first time, the virtual hard disk is mounted and all the profile contents are copied to the virtual hard disk. For all subsequent launches, the application is launched from the virtual hard disk, resulting in a speedier launch.

• Printing Optimization

XenApp printing features include improved print session performance, lower bandwidth required for printing, and improved user experience when printing to redirected client printers. Universal Printing policy settings enable the administrator to control print quality, spooling, and optimization defaults. See the printing topics in the Manage node of this documentation for more information.

 

Also, I’m writing up a how to install XenApp 6.5 coming later today! Watch out for it!