XenApp

XenApp
Developer(s) Citrix
Stable release
7.6
Operating system Microsoft Windows
Type Application virtualization
License Proprietary
Website www.citrix.com

XenApp is application virtualization software produced by Citrix Systems that allows Windows applications to be accessed via individual devices from a shared server or cloud system. XenApp was first released in 2008, but earlier versions of the product were called WinFrame, MetaFrame, and Presentation Server.

Product overview

XenApp is application virtualization software that delivers centrally-hosted Windows applications to local devices without the necessity of installing them.[1] It is the flagship product for Citrix and was formerly known under the names WinFrame, MetaFrame, and Presentation Server.[2]

XenApp software uses FlexCast Management Architecture (FMA), a proprietary architecture for Citrix virtualization products.[2] It delivers individual applications, as opposed to entire desktops, to devices.[3] It is also used with XenDesktop to deliver apps as part of a complete virtual desktop environment.[4]

With XenApp, Windows applications can be used on devices that typically could not run them, including Macintosh computers, mobile devices, and Google Chromebooks.[5][6] Conversely, it enables otherwise incompatible apps to run on Windows desktops.[7]

XenApp is accessed on all devices via Citrix Receiver.[5] The software can be delivered from on-premises data centers[6] or public, private, or hybrid clouds.[3][4]

History

The precursor to XenApp was called WinFrame, a multi-user operating system based on Windows NT 3.51.[8] Released in 1995, WinFrame was one of the first products distributed by Citrix.[2] At this stage of the product development Citrix Systems licensed the Windows NT 3.51 base operating system from Microsoft. The core development that Citrix delivered was the MultiWin engine. This allowed multiple users to logon and execute applications on a WinFrame server. Citrix was to later license the MultiWin technology to Microsoft, forming the basis of Microsoft's Terminal Services.

Repackaged versions of Windows 95, with Citrix WinFrame Client included, were also available from Citrix.

MetaFrame superseded WinFrame in 1998. The product was renamed several times: it became MetaFrame XP in 2002, MetaFrame XP Presentation Server in 2003, and then was rebranded as Presentation Server in 2005.[2] Each of these products focused on remote access of applications and server-based computing.[8]

In 2008, the product was renamed XenApp. The "Xen" was taken from the company's acquisition of XenSource in 2007.[1]

Between 2010 and 2012, Citrix issued two updates of XenApp. XenApp 6 launched in 2010 and included a new central management console called AppCenter.[9] In 2012, XenApp 6.5 was released and this update included a new feature called Instant App Access, which aimed to reduce application launch time.[7]

In 2013, version 7.0 was released.[3] This update combined XenDesktop and XenApp into one application called XenDesktop under the Flex Management Architecture (FMA).[3] Prior to this, all versions of XenApp used the company's Independent Management Architecture (IMA).[2] In 2014, version 7.5 was released as XenApp, separate from XenDesktop, but it was also built on FMA.[2][3]

External links

References

  1. 1 2 Joe Brodkin (25 August 2008). "Citrix puts virtualization spin on flagship application delivery software". Network World. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greg Shields (4 April 2014). "Citrix Products Evolve, but Name Changes Obscure Unification". Redmond magazine. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Alyssa Wood (27 January 2014). "XenApp 7.5 dodges desktops with app delivery to mobile devices, cloud". TechTarget. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 Larry Dignan (28 January 2014). "Citrix latest XenDesktop, XenApp plug into Amazon Web Services, CloudStack". ZDNet. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 Joe Brodkin (12 August 2011). "Google Chromebooks now run Windows through Citrix Receiver". Network World. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 Jack Madden (November 2011). "Citrix XenApp definition". TechTarget. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  7. 1 2 Frank Ohlhorst (8 November 2012). "Citrix XenApp 6.5: Eight exciting enhancements". TechTarget. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  8. 1 2 Paul Stansel (19 October 2005). "Citrix Access Suite 4.0 – It's Not Your Daddy's MetaFrame". VirtualizationAdmin.com. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  9. ↑ Mikael Ricknäs (10 March 2010). "XenApp 6 centralizes management, adds Android and Mac support". InfoWorld. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
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