Documentation made easy

I want to start this year and the first post to explain the use and need of NetBox!

Netbox is a free and amazing tool to help you with control and documentation of your system. Netbox can help you with IPAM(IP address management), DCIM(Data Center Infrastructure Management)

To get your infrastructure and network automated, one of the most important things is to have single SOT (source of truth). How is the infrastructure looks like right now? To have some of the network documented in excel and other just in vCenter, it will be hard or not possible to automate it. This works good for your home network of for big enterprise companies. Netbox comes from the network engineering team at DigitalOcean.

Netbox is easy to install and use. I don’t explain the process of install here since it’s a lot of good documentations and videos on the web. But I want to just spread the word of this tool. Its has helped me a lot in different project to get control of the network and to start automate the inventory. Netbox come with REST API that you can use with other tool or create your own scripts. Also, NAPALM is 100% integrated that help you with automate the network automation. (Network as Code). NAPLAM stands for “Network Automation and Programmability Abstraction Layer with Multivendor support”. The name is far too long, but the functions give Netbox a flying start that’s absolutely worth to try.

I have tried with successes integrated Netbox with following:

  • Cisco IOS Switches and Routers
  • Cisco Nexus Switches
  • Vmware vCenter

Hope this short information give interest to install Netbox and explore all the possibility it gives.


Read more of the documents for Netbox and NAPALM on the links here:

Citrix VAD Database migration

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops contains of 3 databases, Logging, Monitoring and site database. Logging and Monitoring can be moved with GUI(Studio) but Site need to be done by PowerShell. After some struggling and no good documentation or guides I finally found a solution that a want to share.

Logging and Monitoring

As mention this databases can be moved within Studio. Do it like this:

  1. Stopp database logging and monitoring
    1. Stop Logging with this PowerShell command: “Set-LogSite -State Disabled”
    2. Stop monitoring with this PowerShell command: “Set-MonitorConfiguration -DataCollectionEnabled $False”
  2. Take full SQL backup of both database
  3. Logg into Studio and click “Configuration”. Mark Logging or Monitoring database and choose “Change Database” on right side. Repeat this operation for both databases.

4. After both database i created on new SQL you need to restore backup to get old data. If you dont need old data can you skip this step.

Site Database

This database need to be moved with PowerShell. Start on first DDC and complete this before start on second DDC.

  1. Backup old database and restore on new SQL. Remember to control that ACL on database is correct. (Same as old server)
  2. First step is to remove DBConnection on DDC with following PowerShell command:
## Load the Citrix snap-ins
asnp Citrix.*

## Disable configuration logging for the XD site:
Set-LogSite -State Disabled

## Clear the current DDC database connections
Set-ConfigDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-AppLibDBConnection -DBConnection $null    #7.8 and newer
Set-OrchDBConnection -DBConnection $null      #7.11 and newer
Set-TrustDBConnection -DBConnection $null     #7.11 and newer
Set-AcctDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-AnalyticsDBConnection -DBConnection $null # 7.6 and newer
Set-HypDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-ProvDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-BrokerDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-EnvTestDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-SfDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DataStore Monitor -DBConnection $null   #Monitoring Database
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $null                      #Site Database
Set-LogDBConnection -DataStore Logging -DBConnection $null       #Logging Database
Set-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $null                          #Site Database
Set-AdminDBConnection -DBConnection $null -force

2. Next you need to restart all Citrix services. This can be done with PowerShell:

Get-Service Citrix* | Stop-Service -Force
Get-Service Citrix* | Start-Service

3. Before add new connection, control that DBConnection is clean. Output of this command should be “Empty filed”:

Get-ConfigDBConnection
Get-AcctDBConnection
Get-AnalyticsDBConnection              #  for 7.6 and newer
Get-AppLibDBConnection                 #  for 7.8 and newer
Get-OrchDBConnection                   #  for 7.11 and newer
Get-TrustDBConnection                  #  for 7.11 and newer
Get-HypDBConnection
Get-ProvDBConnection
Get-BrokerDBConnection
Get-EnvTestDBConnection
Get-SfDBConnection
Get-MonitorDBConnection
Get-LogDBConnection
Get-AdminDBConnection

4. To set new DBConnection value, run following commands. Remember to correct db Servername and DBName before you run.

$ServerName = "NEW SQL SERVER FQDN"
$SiteDBName = "CTX_Site"
$LogDBName = "CTX_Log"
$MonitorDBName = "CTX_Mon"
$csSite = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$SiteDBName;Integrated Security=True"
$csLogging = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$LogDBName;Integrated Security=True"
$csMonitoring = "Server=$ServerName;Initial Catalog=$MonitorDBName;Integrated Security=True"

Set-AdminDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-ConfigDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-AcctDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-AnalyticsDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite # 7.6 and newer
Set-HypDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite 
Set-ProvDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-AppLibDBConnection –DBConnection $csSite # 7.8 and newer
Set-OrchDBConnection –DBConnection $csSite # 7.11 and newer
Set-TrustDBConnection –DBConnection $csSite # 7.11 and newer
Set-BrokerDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-EnvTestDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-SfDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-LogDBConnection -DataStore Logging -DBConnection $null
Set-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-LogDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-LogDBConnection -DataStore Logging -DBConnection $csLogging
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DataStore Monitor -DBConnection $null
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $null
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DBConnection $csSite
Set-MonitorDBConnection -DataStore Monitor -DBConnection $csMonitoring
Set-LogSite -State Enabled

5. Finally run the check again to control that all field has value. (Same as point 3) Also control Studio that is starts normal and show that Site database also has been moved.

Another good article that cover some other detailed can be read here.

Finally CCU in Citrix Cloud

Today Citrix announced that Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service in Citrix Cloud is now available for purchase under a Concurrent licensing model.

https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2020/04/08/concurrent-licensing-is-here-for-citrix-virtual-apps-and-desktops-service/

Almost all installation i have done on-prem use CCU license model. Citrix Cloud only had pr. user/device license in cloud was a big drawback. With CCU in place many more customer can go over to Citrix cloud. With same license model and with new feature from the Cloud, I think this can be a point where Citrix Cloud could take over the share for on-prem and maybe be the biggest product for Citrix in 2020?

With this change, license and all feature are in place and its now time to take a deeper look into the Citrix Cloud. Not sure how Citrix will handle convert from On-prem CCU to Cloud CCU, since this was released today but I think it will come more info within the next weeks.

Citrix AppDNA is dead

Almost dead, but from version 1909 AppDNA is deprecated. Citrix purchased App-DNA in October 2011, now 8 years later the story ends.

Microsoft App Assure / FastTrack

The FastTrack Center Benefit for Windows Alternative to Citrix AppDNA is Microsoft App Assurance.(New name is FastTrack)

10 provides access to Desktop App Assure – a new service designed to address issues with Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus app compatibility. When you request the Desktop App Assure service, a FastTrack Specialist works with you throughout your migration to Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus and when you consume feature updates.

A Microsoft engineer works with you to address valid app issues at no additional cost to you with an eligible subscription. We also provide guidance to customers who face compatibility issues transitioning from Office clients to Office 365 ProPlus. This is a service provided by FastTrack and not a software package.

Its also own FastTrack for 365 migration as showed under. For more information see Microsoft own sites.

Citrix change name again of products

Synergy 2018, Citrix announced that the change all products name. This is not first time we have heard that. It has taken over 6 months to change all documentation and installation ISO.  If you plan to upgrade some of your Citrix product you need to know the new names. 

For those of you that has not heard about the change, I have created a list of the most common used products:

Old ProductName
New ProductName
XenApp
Citrix Virtual Apps
XenDesktop
Citrix Virtual Desktops
XenServer
Citrix Hypervisor
Receiver
Citrix Workspace App
XenMobile
Citrix Endpoint Management
NetScaler
Citrix ADC
Citrix Unified GatewayCitrix Gateway

Its two name change I want to highlight, XenServer and NetScaler. WHY? XenServer is now Citrix Hypervisor and NetScaler is Citrix ADC. 

First, Citrix Hypervisor, isn’t this a bit to obelus? Boeing does not call the newest flight model for Boeing Airplane. XenServer is well known name and have good reputation. 

Citrix. ADC. I understand. Less, NetScaler is something EVERYONE associate with something good and a product that work well. The Name has been with Citrix since 2005 when Citrix bought NetScaler. NetScaler has been the begin of Citrix Network product and has over all this year been one of the most known Gateway, Load balancing and ADC in the marked. I hope the name will get a comeback in the next 1-2 year as XenApp did 🙂

Windows Update failed – KB4480970

Release January 8, 2019—KB4480970 (Monthly Rollup) for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 has Known issues that give you BIG problem.

Out of all the problem, i will cover two of them:

1. SMBv2  stops workling

Symptom from Microsoft

SMBv2 could not be connected anymore after installing this patch. The admins with networks using SMBv2 shares are reporting the bug.

2. Network interface controller may stop working

Symptom from Microsoft

After you apply this update, the network interface controller may stop working on some client software configurations. This occurs because of an issue related to a missing file, oem.inf. The exact problematic configurations are currently unknown.

For more information, check Microsoft own article about this update:
https://support.microsoft.com/nb-no/help/4480970/windows-7-update-kb4480970

Windows Explorer crash when using “Send To – Mail recipient”

Got an problem with the context menu option:  “Send To – Mail recipient”. Windows explorer crash and reload. 

The problem is observed on Windows 2016 and Windows 10 (several Builds) in combination with Office365 and Click-To-Run.

The issue is not any news,  it should really be fixed soon in future release, please Microsoft.

Problem happens when a user click on the option showed.

Solution

Add the following registry value to all terminalserver/clients to fix the problem. It solved for users after logoff and on again.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ClickToRun\OverRide]
“AllowJitvInAppvVirtualizedProcess”=dword:00000001

Workspace App dont work with Safari 12

After upgraded to Safari 12, Citrix Workspace App and Citrix Receiver do not start *.ica files any more.

To correct this problem, you need to change the web.config on all Storefront servers.

Solution:

For StoreFront deployments, modify web.config under the Receiver for Web (RfWeb) site (typically C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Citrix\StoreWeb) to activate the Citrix Receiver Launcher / Citrix Workspace App Launcher for Safari 12 and later.

1. Open web.config using your preferred text editor and locate the line : <protocolHandler enabled=”true” platforms=”(Macintosh|Windows NT).*((Firefox/((5[2-9]|[6789][0-9])|\d\d\d))|(Chrome/((4[2-9]|[56789][0-9])|\d\d\d)))” skipDoubleHopCheckWhenDisabled=”false” />

2. The value of the platforms attribute is a regular expression specifying the browsers that Citrix Receiver Launcher is used for client detection and HDX launches. Change the regular expression to:

“(Macintosh|Windows NT).*((Firefox/((5[2-9]|[6789][0-9])|\d\d\d))|(Chrome/((4[2-9]|[56789][0-9])|\d\d\d)))|Macintosh.*Version/(1[2-9]|[2-9][0-9]).*Safari/

3. This will add Safari 12 and later to the list of browsers that Citrix Receiver Launcher will be used.

 

Source: CTX238286

Startmenu problem

After some days of troubleshooting with WEM and Start Menu has I found 2 problem and solution other also maybe need.

Problem 1: Start Menu icons missing for user:
Users may see blank tiles/icons in the Start Menu or the Start Menu corrupted in their published desktops when User Profile Management shipped with VDA 7.15 LTSR CU1/CU2/7.16/7.17 is enabled for user profile roaming.
This missing icons issue happens with second or subsequent logins, and may occur intermittently. The issue is not observed with VDA 7.15.

This article is for Server 2012R2, 2016 and Windows 10.

Solution:
[Workaround #1] – Works with Windows Server 2012 R2/2016 VDA
Configure the policy “Directories to synchronize” and add the folder “AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Caches”.
[Workaround #2]
Remove the Start menu redirection policy and Apply the below registry via policy at every logon:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\StateStore\
DWORD: ResetCache
Value: 1

Click here for full article from Citrix

Problem 2: Start Menu will not start at all for user:

Start Menu is not responding to Left Mouse clicks and does not show anything.

This article is for Server 2016 and Windows 10.

Solution:

  1. Add “!ctx_localappdata!\Microsoft\Windows\Usrclass.dat*” to Exclusions in “Exclusion List – Directories” and “Exclusion List – Files” policy.
  2. Add “!ctx_localappdata!\packages” to Exclusions in “Exclusion List – Directories” and “Exclusion List – Files” policy.

Click here for full article from Citrix