NetScaler VPX Express is a must for all VMware Environments

Citrix has recently released a NetScaler VPX tech preview for VMware.  NetScaler VPX is the VMware ESX virtual appliance version of a NetScaler hardware appliance that is installed on the VMware ESX platform.  With the release of this VMware ESX virtual appliance, NetScaler VPX Express is must for all VMware environments whether you are using other Citrix products or not in your environment.  In a previous post, NetScaler VPX Express is a must of all XenServer Environments, I went over NetScaler VPX and why the Express edition is a must for all XenServer environments.  Now NetScaler VPX Express is a must for VMware environments. 
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Provisioning Services Database Redundancy – Mirroring or Replication?

Awhile back I wrote the blog post Provisioning Services 5.1 Specifiy Database Mirror Failover Partner…Huh? and got some good feedback from Pete Downing the Principal Product Manager for Provisioning Services.  In his comments on my blog post he mentioned that he would like to discuss my views on SQL Server database mirroring versus replication of the Provisioning Services database.  In this blog post I am going go over my views on database Mirroring versus Replication of the Provisioning Services database.
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XenDesktop 4 should have “Flex Licensing”

When Citrix XenDesktop 4 was announced I was very excited about all the new features except for one – Per Named User licensing.  I thought all the new features were great and they would make XenDesktop 4 the front runner in VDI solutions except for the licensing change.  The change from Concurrent User licensing to Per Named User licensing has caused a lot conversation and lots people don’t like the change.  I am one of those people.  I have voiced my opinion that if XenDesktop licensing is going to be changed to Per Named User then Citrix should at least offer you another licensing option like Per Device.  Nick Holmquist went even further in stating the Concurrent User licensing should be an option as well and has stated that Citrix should offer “Flex Licensing” to make licensing for XenDesktop as flexible as the product itself.  You can read Nick’s complete article – XenDesktop 4 Licensing – Additional Thoughts for his great take on “Flex Licensing”.  I think having “Flex Licensing” for XenDesktop 4 is a great idea.  In this blog post I am going to voice my thoughts on the Per Named User licensing change, Per Device licensing, and “Flex Licensing”.
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Using XenDesktop with VMware

Using XenDesktop with VMware Infrastructure 3 or vSphere 4 require a few extra steps to set up and configure.  VMware Infrastructure 3 and vSphere 4 both have a few different steps for XenDesktop Delivery Controller and XenDesktop Setup Wizard communication along with the proper permissions for the account used to connect to your Virtual Center or vCenter server.  In this blog post I am going to go over the steps to set up and configure XenDesktop Delivery Controller and the XenDesktop Setup Wizard communication along with the permissions needed for both VMware Infrastructure 3 and vSphere 4.
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