Citrix server definition
Citrix server is a suite of products by Citrix Systems that provide a virtualization platform for hosting applications and desktop environments. People use it to remotely access and run applications or full desktops from various devices and locations. The goal is to centralize IT management and reduce costs while giving end-users the same or even better experience than a local desktop or application would.
Citrix servers use a client-server model. Applications or desktop environments run on the server, and users access them through the Citrix Workspace app. The server sends screen updates to the user while receiving keyboard and mouse input from them. This way, the data remains secure on the central server, and only screen data is transmitted.
See also: application virtualization, data center virtualization, hardware virtualization, intel virtualization technology
History of Citrix
Citrix Systems was founded in 1989 and introduced its first product, Citrix MULTIUSER, in 1990. Over the years, the product evolved, with Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop being two of its flagship products for application and desktop virtualization.
Advantages of using Citrix servers
- Users can access applications and data from anywhere and on any device.
- Everything is managed at the server level, which makes updates, maintenance, and backups easier and centralized.
- Data remains on the server, so there’s a smaller chance of data loss on users’ devices.
Disadvantages of using Citrix servers
- Highly dependent on the central server — if it faces issues, it could impact all users.
- User experience will suffer if there's network latency or insufficient server resources.
- Setting up a Citrix environment requires significant investment in infrastructure and licensing.
