Software from Citrix that enhances centralized, terminal-based, multiuser environments for Windows and Unix servers. Using Citrix's ICA protocol, which governs keyboard, mouse and screen transfer, a client PC is turned into an input/output (I/O) terminal to the server, which runs any and all applications that might normally be run on a desktop PC. In lieu of PCs, low-cost terminals that support the ICA protocol can also be used. Citrix XenApp was formerly Citrix Presentation Server and originally Citrix MetaFrame.
Windows Terminal Services
Windows servers include Terminal Services, which provides shared terminal services capability. However, Citrix XenApp adds the ICA protocol and a raft of enhancements for central control, printers, server farms, handheld devices, scalability and policy management. It also enables a wider variety of platforms to be used as client terminals. Actually, the foundation of Terminal Services itself is based on Citrix software. In 1997, Citrix licensed its MultiWin technology to Microsoft and it became the underlying Terminal Services foundation. See thin client, Terminal Services, centralized processing and Citrix XenDesktop.
Unix X Window System
In Unix, X Window provides the shared terminal services. XenApp sets up an X Window partition in the server for each user and converts between X Window and ICA. See X Window.
Multiuser Computing
Citrix XenApp adds the ICA protocol to Windows Terminal Services and Unix environments, which enables a wide variety of clients to function as input/output terminals.
Windows Terminal Services
Windows servers include Terminal Services, which provides shared terminal services capability. However, Citrix XenApp adds the ICA protocol and a raft of enhancements for central control, printers, server farms, handheld devices, scalability and policy management. It also enables a wider variety of platforms to be used as client terminals. Actually, the foundation of Terminal Services itself is based on Citrix software. In 1997, Citrix licensed its MultiWin technology to Microsoft and it became the underlying Terminal Services foundation. See thin client, Terminal Services, centralized processing and Citrix XenDesktop.
Unix X Window System
In Unix, X Window provides the shared terminal services. XenApp sets up an X Window partition in the server for each user and converts between X Window and ICA. See X Window.
Multiuser Computing
Citrix XenApp adds the ICA protocol to Windows Terminal Services and Unix environments, which enables a wide variety of clients to function as input/output terminals.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
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