Loading and Configuring Citrix ICA Client

Introduction

These instructions have been tested using a PC running the following operating systems: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT4, Windows 2000 Workstation and Windows XP. If you intend to use Linux or an Apple MAC, follow the same instructions but download the appropriate version of the MetaFrame client.

To meet the needs of the EDA tools, your screen should be capable of a resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels. Ideally a resolution of 1280 x 1024 or greater should be used. A number of the PC EDA tools require 16 bit or greater colour depth. The UNIX EDA tools use 256 colours at the moment, but we hope to improve this as we move to new servers to avoid colour map issues. In order to ensure compatibility it is recommended that your graphics card is capable of supporting 16 bit or better colour depth.

For further information about Citrix MetaFrame and the Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) client, please refer to http://www.citrix.com/

Test of IP Route to Bolton

Before installing Citrix client, check the delay (latency) between your site and the CAD servers at Bolton. You've probably done this already because details were given in the page on "Application Details", but it is worth repeating to see if anything has changed.

Please be aware that a variety of elements can affect the success of this operation. Including firewall and router configurations.

First obtain a DOS prompt (see instructions below), then type:

If the response time is consistently less than 300mS at the time of day when you will normally be wanting to use the system, then remote access to EDA tools should be viable. With a delay longer than 300mS the effect is to increase the delay between moving the mouse and the result being displayed on the screen. This may make the EDA tools tiring and difficult to use.

If the test shows the connection to be unsuitable, it is probably worth trying another ISP. An ISP that is based in a particular country (e.g. USA) is likely to route all packets there first, regardless of their final destination. To trace how the connection has been routed, type:

The table that is gradually constructed on the screen lists all the "hops" in the route to Bolton and the time taken for each.

Changing to a local ISP, or one based in the UK, may bring about the required improvement. It may be helpful to contact the CET Postgraduate Programme's Office and ask them to contact students studying from your area, to ask which ISP they are using.

Instructions to obtain the DOS prompt

Method for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT:

Method for Windows 2000 and Windows XP:

If the third element (Command Prompt) is not listed, then there is a different route:

Selecting and Downloading Citrix ICA Client

    Caveats

    With the purchase and development of the XEN infrastructure, Citrix have for the time being stopped producing servers for UNIX and LINUX systems. This has led to issues with the new releases of XEN clients where they are incompatible with our current UNIX Citrix server environment. Citrix clients later than the 10 series are currently incompatible with our UNIX server environment. A situation which is unlikely to change in the near future. Both the 10 and later series of the XEN clients are compatible with the Windows based Access platform. If you are only intending to use the Windows based Access platform then you can download the latest XEN client from Citrix. If not then the recommendation is that you use the 10.2 client available via the link below.

    Most AMI students can be expected to make use of both the UNIX and Windows platforms. This can be problematic to locate on the Citrix Web site and thus a link to a version 10.2 Citrix client is given below.

    After obtaining the client you need to skip the initial part of the installation section covering obtaining the client and move onto the installation sequence located here:

    Removing the Version 11 Installation

    Those of you who have installed a version 11 or later client and need to access the UNIX platforms will need to remove the version 11 client and install the version 10 client before you will be able to access the UNIX platform. This requires use of the Windows Add/Remove Software facility located in the Control panel.

    Citrix Web Site Citrix ICA Client

    For those who decided to download the current client Citrix regularly update the names, structure and visual appearance of theirweb site. Whilst every effort is made to keep "up to date" we do occasionally lag behind. In particular the client description, central picture and icons change regularly. If the menus do not match those shown in the guide or you experience difficulties navigating around the Citrix web site please let us know.

    The walk through below was done using a windows XP platform. The forms and responses of other systems may differ to varying degrees. If you do encounter problems then let us know and we can extend the section to include a system specific comment.

  1. Open a web browser.

  2. Go to http://www.citrix.com/

  3. In the menu on the top , select "Support->Downloads". This should take you to the downloads page. If the page has changed significantly then look for the "Download" menu item.

  4. On the Downloads page select the "Citrix Clients ". Again the location and structure of this may vary so if you do have problems determing the correct item please let us know.

  5. This will take you to the clients page. At the moment the required download for windows users is the: Xen App Plugin Client.

  6. This will take you to the clients download page. From there you can start to download the relevant client.
  1. Selecting the link will start the download and installation procedures.
  2. This will start the download process. You can choose to run or save and the run the file manually. The current size is approximately 11 Mbytes.



If the save option was selected The following dialogue box will be displayed. Save the file in an appropriate location, you will need to find it later. The download should begin after you have chosen the location and you have clicked “Save”.

When you select save, or if you selected the run option then the system should start downloading the file.


Installing Citrix ICA Client

  1. The installation should follow this sequence, if you selected the run option when downloading the file. If you selected save then you will need to locate and run the file (e.g. ica32.exe) that you have just downloaded, by double clicking on it. In this case the initial sequence will be different.


  2. You should be then prompted for the required language. Select the most appropriate to your situation. In this example I selected the default "English" for all subsequent operations.

  3. You should then see the start of the Citrix installation forms.



  4. You will then be prompted if you want to continue to the next phase.



  5. You need to read and accept the license agreeement.



  6. When you have accepted this and selected Next the next form will be displayed. You do not need the program Neighbourhood agent. for the test installation the option to "Click Back" to modify the selection only took me to the previous screen with no options to change the installed items. Select "Next" to begin installing the software.

  7. The final frame should resemble the one below if the installation has been succesful.

  8. On the test system it proved necessary to reboot the system for the changes to be visible when using the Application Server 2 web page. So the recommendation is to reboot the system at this point if you are intending to utilise this system.


Accessing the Citrix Systems

Preconfigured ICA Clients for all supported systems and Links to the Application servers are available at the following location:

 

http://www.ami.ac.uk/students/itconfig/jump_start.asp#

 

For those wishing to use the Application 2 Web interface the secure link can be found at:

 

https://access.bolton.ac.uk

 

Users can either utilise these or save the short cuts, or indeed the ".ica" files directly to their own systems or desktops.

However if you would like to configure your own links for the client systems the following guides will help you do so.


Configuring your own Clients

  1. The installation procedure may leave a folder with the "Citrix Program Neighbourhood" icon in it. Alternatively the icon should also be available on the desktop or via the menus. Select and open either of these to open the Citrix Program Neighbourhood


 

Configuring an ICA Client

 

Once citrix is installed there are two possible routes to access the requisite EDA tool servers. You can if you wish configure ICA clients for each of the EDA tool servers you require. This procedure is detailed in this section. This will allow you to customise the links and add in customised items such as your desired screen size and resolution. Other items you can include are your user name, domain and if you wish password. The instructions on how to create the required clients are detailed below.

Alternatively there is a page which includes preconfigured links for all the current servers. You can add the page or the relevant links as a short cut to your desk top or into your favourites list. These can be used to open your Citrix ICA access. In this case you will be unable to modify the information or options for the ICA client. Preconfigured Citrix ICA Clients page

 

  1. We now need to create the ICA clients to allow us to connect to the EDA tool servers. If you double click on the "Add ICA Connection" in the Citrix Program Neighbourhood tool this will then start the configuration of an ICA client. The first form displayed should be:


  2. If you are a broadband user, or connecting with another high speed connection such as Cable or via a company LAN, select "Wide Area Network" from the drop-down menu. If you are using a dial-up connection (56k modem), select "Dial-Up Networking (PPP/RAS)" from the drop-down menu.

    Form configuration for a LAN or broadband users

    Figure 11

    Form configuration for a dial up user

    Figure 11a

  3. The UNIX tools and environments are accessed using the server cad02.bolton.ac.uk.

PC tools are accessed using the web interface to AccessPlatform2. A link can be found at:

 


For UNIX server access the configuration should be

  • CAD02
  • TCP/IP
  • cad02.bolton.ac.uk ( The fourth and fifth characters of cad02 are numeric (02) and not alphabetical (oi).

  1. Form configured for connection to the UNIX server cad02

    Figure 12



    1. When you click next the encryption page is displayed. It should be displayed as shown below. The recommendation is to use the default options on this page. Select next to move to the next page of the form.

      On the next box do nothing and click next
    2. This is the password page. If you wish to use this to store the Bolton University user name and password then do so. For the UNIX system you do not need a domain. For the PC systems the domain is "bolton.ac.uk". Alternatively the recommendation is to leave the fields blank and move to the next form by selecting the "Next" option.

      Figure 14
    3. The next box is the client window settings. The Windows colours should be set to 16 bit, or better, resolution. This is compatible with both the UNIX and PC requirements. It is recommended that you make the window size match your current screen configuration. Ideally this should be at least 1024 * 768, if you can set this to a higher resolution do so. Do not make the citrix client screen size larger than your screen can display. Otherwise the Citrix client will utilise scroll bars to allow you to scroll through the larger citrix virtual screen.

      You may find you need to override the defaults for both options. Do this by removing the "Use Default" tick from each box and using the cyclic field to select the required values. Note: The cyclic fields can be scrolled up and down to present more options, particularly for the "Window Size" option. Once this is done select next to move onto the next options form.








    4. This is the applications form. As we will be using a desktop interface we do not want to select any applications. Do not fill in the fields on the following boxes. Choose next and move to the next form.

      Figure 16
    5. This is the last form and only requires you to click "Finish" to complete your ICA connection set up. Dependent on the server selected you will have an ICA client capable of connecting to either the PC or the UNIX EDA tool environment. It is recommended that you repeat the sequence to create one for the other EDA tool servers. For future modules it is likely you will require access to both systems. Repeating the exercise whilst it is fresh in your memory is recommended.

      Figure 17

Connecting to the Server

  1. Open your citrix program Neighbourhood, if not already open. You should now have a connection icon(s) with the name(s) you decided upon. In this example the name given to the ICA client was "Bunsen". Double click on the Bunsen ICA client to start opening the Citrix session.

    Connecting to the Server
  2. The client will now attempt to establish a connection with the server.

    The client will now attempt to establish a connection with the server
  3. Once the connection is established the login page will be displayed. In this case it is the UNIX login page. Now enter your username and password. if logging onto the PC EDA server make sure that the domain is set to "bolton.ac.uk" and not "... (this computer)"

    Once established enter your username and password

 

Check the Response

Keystrokes and mouse movements are traveling from you to the server and back before the screen is updated. Simply typing a few unix commands (e.g. ls) and moving the mouse around will give an initial feel for whether the response is adequate.

Now open a dialogue box and drag it around the screen. This server is now having to send considerably more screen update information. A small delay (less than half a second) in catching up with a mouse movement is to be expected.

A "worst case" test involves moving a detailed schematic around the screen, when the amount of screen refresh information is substantial. You will have the opportunity to do this during the first exercise involving remote access.

Action if the Response is too Slow

First establish where the delay is occurring. Is it the transmission path (latency) or the response of the internet service provider (ISP). Trace the route (see test above) to see what's happening. Is there a firewall in the path slowing everything down? Is it going much further than necessary.

Consider changing Internet Service Provider.

It should not be necessary to move to broadband just to improve remote access to CAD - the response over a 56k modem should be adequate. However, if you were thinking of moving to broadband , then there is likely to be some improvement and it is probably justified more by the improved response in accessing web pages.

Students based in the UK can dial direct to Bolton using a 56k modem or ISDN connection. Bolton Institute then becomes the ISP. First contact the CET Postgraduate Programme's Office and ask for your account to be enabled for dial-up access. Then follow this link: Configuring Direct Dial-up to Bolton Institute (restricted).


Removing Citrix Web and Program Neighbourhood Agent from a Windows System

If you downloaded and installed the complete Citrix Agent package by mistake you automatically installed the web agent and the program Neighbourhood agent. This may result in unwanted prompts for a web server on startup. Rather than reinstalling with the relevant options deleting the citrix entry in the Start -> Program -> Startup will be sufficient. Any windows of this type can be closed with no impact on accessing the tools.

NC 21-10-09