What was Citrix XenApp Secure Browser Edition?

Written by Jas Singh in citrix

Citrix XenApp Secure Browser Edition was a specialized version of Citrix XenApp 7.8 designed to securely deliver web and SaaS applications to end users. This edition was tailored to organizations that required secure access to browser-based applications without compromising performance or security. The solution provided flexibility, allowing administrators to choose the best browser for each application and included many features for optimizing user experience, security, and scalability.

Key Features of XenApp Secure Browser Edition

1. Browser Selection

  • Flexible Browser Deployment: IT departments could select the optimal web browser for each web or SaaS application and deliver it securely to users’ devices. This provided greater flexibility in application compatibility and security management.

2. HDX™ (High Definition eXperience)

  • Enhanced Graphics and Performance: HDX™ technology provided better graphical definitions, enhanced peripheral support, and optimized performance over high-latency networks, improving the user experience even under challenging network conditions.

3. Citrix X1 Mouse

  • Mouse Support for iOS Devices: XenApp Secure Browser Edition supported the Citrix X1 Mouse, allowing users to interact with Windows applications and desktops on iPads and iPhones.

4. HDX 3D Pro

  • Optimized for 3D Applications: HDX 3D Pro technology enabled remote office workers to securely use graphics-intensive 3D applications, ensuring that these applications remained responsive and secure even over long distances.

5. HDX Virtual Display Technologies

  • Increased Visual Performance: By using Framehawk and Thinwire technologies, XenApp Secure Browser Edition enhanced visual performance, even over wireless, low-bandwidth, or high-latency network connections.

6. HDX User Experience Templates

  • Performance Optimization Templates: Pre-built policy templates helped administrators fine-tune user environments, particularly focusing on optimizing graphics performance.

7. XenServer vGPU

  • GPU-Enhanced Virtual Desktops: For intensive graphics applications, XenServer vGPU technology allowed NVIDIA drivers to share GPU resources, improving the performance of virtual desktops and applications requiring high graphical power.

8. Pre-launch Technology

  • Faster Application Launching: With pre-launch technology, applications were launched automatically in the background, so when users initiated the application, it would appear almost instantaneously, improving productivity.

9. Session Linger

  • Faster Relaunching of Applications: After a user closed an application, the session would remain open for a specified time, allowing for rapid re-launch without needing to log in again.

10. Anonymous Logon

  • Simplified Access: Anonymous logon allowed users to access applications without requiring authentication, simplifying access for certain environments.

11. WAN Optimization

  • Smart Bandwidth Management: Citrix HDX technology automatically detected available bandwidth and latency, optimizing communication between XenApp and XenDesktop to maintain a quality user experience under various network conditions.

12. Any Device Access

  • Cross-Platform Connectivity: Users could access published applications and desktops from a wide range of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

13. Enterprise App Store

  • Self-Service Application Access: Through StoreFront, users could access a self-service portal where they could select and launch applications and desktops they were authorized to use.

14. Clientless HTML5 Receiver

  • Browser-Based Access: Users could connect to virtual desktops and applications using an HTML5-compatible browser, eliminating the need for the full Citrix Receiver client.

15. Universal Printing Services

  • Optimized Printing: Universal Printing Services (UPS) provided a centralized and optimized printing solution without requiring specific printer drivers, enhancing print performance across XenApp and XenDesktop environments.

16. Centrally Secured Applications

  • Data Center Security: Applications remained securely installed and managed in the data center, with only screen updates and user interactions sent to the client device, ensuring high levels of security.

17. High Security

  • Reduced Exposure to External Threats: By minimizing data exchange between the corporate network and end-user devices, XenApp Secure Browser Edition reduced the exposure to external threats while ensuring that only necessary screen updates and input were transmitted.

18. Two-Factor Authentication

  • Enhanced Login Security: Citrix NetScaler provided two-factor authentication (2FA), requiring users to provide a username, password, and a third-party shared secret (such as through Symantec 2FA or RSA SecurID).

19. Accelerated Logon for Smart Card Users

  • Faster Logon Times: For Smart Card Users, XenApp Secure Browser Edition improved logon times, making access to applications faster and more efficient.

20. Risk-Based Authentication Support

  • Multi-Factor Authentication: The Citrix Receiver supported multi-factor authentication by integrating with systems such as NetScaler for enhanced security.

21. ShareFile Integration

  • Secure Data Sharing: ShareFile integration provided secure data sharing and syncing capabilities with virtual apps and desktops. This feature enabled users to access and manage shared data securely, with separate availability.

22. Simpler Deployment and Management

  • Unified Management Console: Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop environments were managed through a unified console, Citrix Studio, simplifying the deployment and administration of virtual desktops and applications.

23. Improved Connection Resilience

  • Connection Leasing: With Connection Leasing, users could continue working even when the system was temporarily disconnected from the database, as cached applications could still be delivered to users.

24. Microsoft Azure Integration

  • Hybrid Cloud Support: XenApp and XenDesktop workloads could be provisioned on Microsoft Azure, offering hybrid cloud capabilities for more flexible infrastructure deployment.

25. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Integration

  • AWS Cloud Integration: Citrix Studio enabled seamless integration with AWS, allowing administrators to provision desktop and application workloads in the cloud.

26. CloudPlatform Integration

  • Cloud-Based Provisioning: CloudPlatform integration allowed virtual desktop and application provisioning into cloud environments, providing flexibility for hybrid cloud deployments.

27. Machine Creation Services

  • Automated VM Creation: With Machine Creation Services, administrators could quickly deploy virtual machines from master images, speeding up the deployment process and ensuring consistency.

28. Integrated Profile Management

  • Optimized User Profiles: User Profile Manager (UPM) virtualized user profiles, leading to faster logons and logoffs, and ensuring that profile sizes remained manageable.

29. Enterprise Scalability

  • Large-Scale Deployments: XenApp Secure Browser Edition could scale to support enterprise-level user bases, offering robust capabilities for large organizations.

30. Open Architecture

  • Multi-Hypervisor Support: The platform allowed for the deployment of virtual desktops and applications across multiple hypervisors, including Citrix XenServer, Microsoft Hyper-V, and VMware vSphere.

31. NetScaler Load Balancing

  • High Availability: Citrix NetScaler could be used to load balance components in a XenDesktop system, providing high availability and ensuring continuous access even if some system components failed.

32. Citrix LifeCycle Management – Deploy Edition

  • Automated Deployment: The Citrix LifeCycle Management Deploy Edition enabled automated deployment of XenApp and XenDesktop infrastructure using verified Citrix blueprints.

33. Secure Browser Deployment Kit

  • Simplified Browser Deployment: This kit allowed for the automated deployment of XenApp to publish web or SaaS applications via the Citrix LifeCycle Management XenApp Secure Browser Blueprint.

Conclusion

Citrix XenApp Secure Browser Edition offered a comprehensive, secure solution for delivering web and SaaS applications to users. By leveraging Citrix’s powerful HDX technology, hybrid cloud capabilities, and seamless integration with third-party tools like AWS, Azure, and ShareFile, this edition provided a robust platform for secure, scalable application delivery. While no longer available, its features laid the groundwork for secure, enterprise-level browser application management in modern IT environments.

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