Overview

Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) is a component of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops that enables the delivery of virtualized desktops and applications to users. VDA requires to be installed on either virtual machines or physical machines which’s member of a machine catalog in CVDA environment. By installing VDA, it allows any machines on a machine catalog to register with the Delivery Controller and participate in the application and desktop delivery infrastructure.

Key features and functions of Citrix VDA include:

  • Desktop and Application Delivery: VDA facilitates the delivery of virtual desktops and applications to end-users, providing them with access to their desktop environments and the applications they need from anywhere, on any device.

  • Optimized User Experience: VDA includes features for optimizing the user experience, such as HDX (High Definition Experience) technology, which provides multimedia redirection, graphics acceleration, and efficient bandwidth utilization to ensure a responsive and high-quality experience for users.

  • Resource Optimization: VDA dynamically allocates resources such as CPU, memory, and disk space based on user demand, ensuring optimal performance and efficient resource utilization across the virtualized environment.

  • Session Management: VDA manages user sessions, allowing users to reconnect to their sessions from different devices without losing their work. It also supports features like session pre-launch and session lingering to reduce login times and improve user productivity.

  • Security: VDA enhances security by centralizing application and desktop delivery within the data center or cloud environment, reducing the risk of data loss and ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.

  • Compatibility: VDA is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows Server and desktop operating systems, as well as various linux operating system and virtualization platforms such as Citrix Hypervisor, VMware vSphere, and Microsoft Hyper-V.

For Linux operation or hypervisor, there’s particularly steps prior to installation. Follow the official documentation for further details.

VDA Installation

This installation supports Server and desktop operating systems.

  1. Download the Citrix VDA full-product installer.

    Login using valid Citrix account is required.

  2. Mount the ISO on the VM you want to install/update.

    If the installer does not launch automatically, double-click the AutoSelect application on the mounted drive.

  3. Select Virtual Delivery Agent for Windows Single-Session OS
  4. Specify how th e VDA will be used:

    If you want to use Virtual machines and deliver session-based computer to users, select Create a master MCS image`.

Image alt

  1. Select the components to install and the installation location: Image alt

By default, Citrix Workspace app for Windows is not installed with the VDA. Manually check this box if you want to use Workspace App on the machine environmnet.

If you are using separated component installation (VDAWorkstationCoreSetup.exe) installer, Citrix Workspace app for Windows is never installed, so this check box is not displayed, you will need to download and install this component separately.

  1. Install additional components Image alt

If you are using separated component installation (VDAWorkstationCoreSetup.exe) installer, some additional component might unavailable for you. These component checkbox will be unavailable, you will need to download and install this component separately, or using a full installer (.ISO) instead.

  • Check these box manually:
  • Citrix Profile Management
  • Citrix Profile Management WMI plug-in
  • Citrix WEM (Workspace Environment Management (if you want to integrate with WEM later)
  • Citrix Supportability Tools (if available)`.
  1. Delivery Controller addresses.

If you want to connect this VDA into a the delivery control server, select select Do it manually. You will need to Enter the FQDN of an Delivery Controller Server address afterward.

Image alt

VDA Troubelshooting guidance.

Will be updated soon..

Conclusion

Overall, Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent plays a crucial role in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops infrastructure, enabling organizations to deliver secure, high-performance virtual desktops and applications to their users, thereby enhancing productivity and flexibility while reducing IT management overhead.