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Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS
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Features in Technical Preview

November 5, 2024
Contributed by: 
N

Features in Technical Preview are available to use in non-production or limited production environments, and to give customers an opportunity to share feedback. Citrix does not accept support cases for features in technical preview but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance.

List of features in Technical Preview

The following table lists the features in technical preview. These features are request-only preview features. To enable and provide feedback for any of these features, fill out the respective forms.

Title Available from version Enablement form (Click the icon) Feedback form (Click the icon)
Scanner redirection support 2408 You can configure the feature Feedback form
Support to share app window during screen sharing 2408 You can configure the feature Feedback form
Secure HDX 2408 You can configure the feature Feedback form
Improved in-session toolbar 2405 You can configure the feature Feedback form
Adaptive transport 2311 Enablement not required Feedback form
Accessibility and TalkBack 2307 Enablement not required Feedback form

Scanner redirection support

This feature is in technical preview from 2408 release.

Starting with the 2405 version, you can connect a scanning device to your local machine and redirect the scanner to a virtual session. This feature enables you to access the scanned files within a Citrix Workspace app session and easily upload the documents to any other app accessible through Citrix Workspace app.

Notes:

  • This feature is disabled by default.
  • To enable the feature, follow the steps provided in the following Prerequisites section.
  • This feature supports Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops version 2407 and later.

Feature supportability

Currently, you can connect only one scanner, specifically Fujitsu (fi-7160).

Scanner redirection prerequisites

Enable the SANE redirection policy in DDC as follows:

  1. Sign in to the Desktop Delivery Controller (DDC) machine, and open Citrix Studio.

  2. Click Policies > Create Policy. The Create Policy dialog box appears.

    Scanner

  3. Search for SANE scanner redirection as shown.

    Scanner

  4. Select the SANE scanner redirection option. The Edit Settings dialog box appears. Select the Allowed option.

    Scanner

  5. Click OK.

Feature limitations

  • If a session is using the scanner and a scan is in progress, attempting to use the scanner from a second session causes the first session’s scan operation to fail abruptly.
  • The Silent scanning option that is used to allow document scanning without user approval isn’t available in Kiosk settings from the Google Admin Console. For more information, see the partner ticket.
  • Some of the scanner features might not function as expected. For example, page width, page height, paper size, brightness, and contrast. The issue occurs because of a third-party scanner API bug regarding Option descriptors. [RFHTMCRM-13829]

Configurations

For managed users, to allow document scanning without user approval, admins can enable the Silent scanning option from the Google admin console.

To enable silent scanning:

  1. Navigate to Devices > Chrome > Apps and Extensions.
  2. Choose the Citrix Workspace app ID.

  3. Enable the Silent scanning option available on the right panel.

    Silent scanner

  4. Save the changes.

Support to share app window during screen sharing

This feature is in technical preview from 2408 release.

Previously, the optimized Microsoft Teams call didn’t support sharing an app window running on the virtual session.

Starting from the 2408 version, optimized Microsoft Teams supports screen sharing of specific apps running in the virtual session rather than the entire desktop, which reduces the exposure of information.

For more information about how to share a specific app, feature limitations and more, see App sharing in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops documentation.

Notes:

  • This feature is disabled by default.
  • To enable the feature, follow the configuration steps.
  • To provide feedback about this feature, click the Google form.
  • The minimum VDA version must be at least 2109.

Feature limitations

  • This feature might not work in kiosk multi-monitor mode.
  • This feature isn’t supported in legacy graphics mode.

Configuration

You can configure the feature in the following way.

Google Admin Policy

For managed devices and users, administrators can enable the feature using the Google Admin Policy as follows:

  1. Sign in to the Google Admin Policy.
  2. Go to Device management > Chrome Management > User Settings.

  3. Add the following strings to the policy.txt file under the engine_settings key.

    Note:

    You can apply this configuration on the following as well:

    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Users and browsers > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Kiosks > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Managed guest sessions > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.

    Make sure you set the attribute appSharing to true.

    The following is an example of JSON data:

    {
  "settings": {
    "Value": {
      "settings_version": "1.0",
          "engine_settings": {
            "features": {
              "msTeamsOptimization":
                          {
                            "appSharing": true 
                          }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
}
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  4. Save the changes.

Secure HDX

This feature is in technical preview from 2408 release.

Secure HDX is an Application Level Encryption (ALE) solution that prevents any network elements in the traffic path from being able to inspect the HDX traffic. It does this function by providing true End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) at the application level between the Citrix Workspace app (client) and the VDA (session host) using AES-256-GCM encryption.

Prerequisites

The minimum VDA version must be 2402 for this feature to function.

Notes:

  • Secure HDX is in technical preview.
  • This feature isn’t recommended for use in production environments.
  • To request access for this feature, fill out this form.

Configurations

Secure HDX is disabled by default. You can configure this feature using the Secure HDX setting in the Citrix policy:

  • Secure HDX: Defines whether to enable the feature for all sessions, only for direct connections, or disable it.

For more information, see Secure HDX in the Citrix DaaS documentation.

Improved in-session toolbar

This feature is in technical preview from 2405 release.

Starting with the 2405 version, an enhanced toolbar UI appears when you start a desktop session. The look and feel of the in-session toolbar UI has changed. The toolbar UI is designed to enhance the end user experience by organizing the options in a user-friendly manner.

Old toolbar UI

Old toolbar

New toolbar UI

New toolbar

Note:

This feature is disabled by default. To enable the feature, follow the configuration steps. To provide feedback about this feature, click the Google form.

Configuration

You can enable the new toolbar UI by using the Google Admin Policy.

Google Admin Policy

For managed devices and users, administrators can enable the feature using the Google Admin Policy as follows:

  1. Sign in to the Google Admin Policy.
  2. Go to Device management > Chrome Management > User Settings.

  3. Add the following strings to the policy.txt file under the engine_settings key.

    Note:

    You can apply this configuration on the following as well:

    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Users and browsers > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Kiosks > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Managed guest sessions > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.

    The following is an example of JSON data:

    {
    "engine_settings": {
        "ui": {
            "toolbar":
                { "switchToNewToolbar": true 
                }
            }
       }
}
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  4. Save the changes.

Icons and actions

End users can do the following actions:

Note:

The icons are visible to the end users only if their organization’s admin has enabled the specific feature.

  • Toolbar notch – when you start an app or a desktop session, the toolbar notch appears at the top of the screen. When you click the notch, the toolbar appears in the unpinned state. Drag and reposition the toolbar notch onto any side of the screen. After you release the mouse, the notch will automatically align itself with the nearest edge.

  • Pin – when you pin it, you can drag and reposition the toolbar onto any side of the screen. After you release the mouse, the notch will automatically align itself with the nearest edge. The advantage of pinning the toolbar is that it doesn’t minimize into a notch after you complete an action that involves toolbar icons.

  • Unpin – when you unpin the toolbar, it minimizes into a notch after you complete an action that involves toolbar icons.

  • Shortcut keys – you can perform the Ctrl+Alt+Del function with the click of a button. This option helps users to sign out, switch users, lock the system, or access the Task Manager.

    Toolbar shortcut

  • File transfer – you can upload or download a file between a user device and a session. For more information, see File handling.

    File transfer

  • Clipboard – you can use the clipboard option to copy and paste plain text and HTML data from the VDA to the local device and back. For more information, see Clipboard.

  • Devices – click to open the USB Devices dialog box. Click Add to view the USB devices connected to the local device. The dialog box lists the devices that can be redirected to the session. To redirect the USB devices, select an appropriate device and click Connect. For more information, see USB device redirection.

    Note:

    You can view the Devices icon only if your IT administrator provides access to connect USB devices through policy settings.

  • Preferences – You can set your preference as follows. The following four options appear:

    File transfer

    • Map a drive – the Client Drive Mapping (CDM) feature allows you to access your local folders and drives from Citrix Workspace app. For more information, see File handling.

    • Display Resolution – select the size of the resolution for the session display. By default, the screen resolution is set to Auto-fit screen.

    • Multi-touch mode – click to use the multi-touch mode. You can toggle between Panning and Multi-touch mode. This option is applicable to touch-screen devices. For more information, see Touch and mobility support.

    • More – displays preferences about the soft keyboard button and Citrix Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP).

  • Help - the following three options appear:

    Help

    • Gesture Guide – a gesture guide appears with details on how to use finger taps. This option is applicable to touch-screen devices.

    • About – displays the current version of the Citrix Workspace app that you’re using.

  • Minimize – you can minimize the session window.

  • Fullscreen – you can switch your screen from windowed to fullscreen. If you have a multi-monitor set-up, the fullscreen button extends the screen across the set-up and also functions as a multi-monitor button.

  • Disconnect – the disconnect action keeps the virtual desktop running. Sign out to save energy. For more information, see Sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app.

    Disconnect

Adaptive transport

This feature is in technical preview from 2311 release.

Starting from the 2311 version, Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS supports the Adaptive transport feature.

Adaptive transport delivers a superior user experience on challenging long-haul connections while maintaining server scalability. This feature delivers a high-quality HDX experience on web-based platforms.

Notes:

  • Starting with the 2409 version, administrators can self-configure this feature instead of reaching us to enable this feature.

  • This feature works on managed devices and not on BYOD.

For more information, see the Adaptive transport section in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops documentation.

Requirements

The following are the requirements for using Adaptive transport:

VDA System requirements

  • Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 1912 or later.

  • Virtual Delivery Agent

    ◈ Version 1912 or later (2402 or later is recommended)

    ◈ Version 2012 is the minimum required for using EDT with the Citrix Gateway Service

For more information, see System requirements in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops documentation.

VDA Network requirements

Enable the Firewall in your internal and external network. For more information, see Network requirements in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops documentation.

Gateway requirements

Citrix NetScaler Gateway (ADC)

  • 14.1.12.30 or later (recommended)
  • 13.1.17.42 or later (13.1.52.19 or later is recommended)

For more information, see Citrix Gateway.

On-prem Citrix Gateway

For more information, see HDX enlightened data transport support in the NetScaler Gateway documentation.

Citrix Gateway service

For more information, see HDX adaptive transport with EDT support for Citrix Gateway Service in the Citrix Gateway Service documentation.

ChromeOS requirement

  • The minimum Chromium version required is 125 and later.

  • Network:

    ◈ If the gateway or non-gateway with SSL VDA is used, enable the UDP Port 443 in the firewall of the client-side network.

    ◈ If non-gateway and non-SSL VDA are used, enable the UDP ports 2598 and 1494 in the firewall of the client-side network.

Administrator configurations

You can configure the adaptive transport feature in the following way:

Google Admin Policy

For managed devices and users, administrators can enable the feature using the Google Admin Policy as follows:

  1. Sign in to the Google Admin Policy.
  2. Go to Device management > Chrome Management > User Settings.

  3. Add the following strings to the policy.txt file under the engine_settings key. You can apply this configuration to the following:

    Note:

    You can apply this configuration on the following as well:

    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Users and browsers > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Kiosks > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
    • Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Managed guest sessions > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.

    The following is an example of JSON data:

    {
"settings": {
"Value": {
    "settings_version": "1.0",
            "engine_settings": {
                "features": {
                    "edt": {
                        "enabled": true
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
}   
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  4. Save the changes.

Verification steps

To check the connection over EDT or TCP:

  1. Open the command prompt in the Citrix VDA session.
  2. Run ctxSession -v.

  3. You can identify the output for adaptive transport EDT as follows:

    • If you use SSL VDA, then follow UDP->DTLS->CGP->ICA.
    • If you use non-SSL VDA, then follow UDP->CGP->ICA.

    EDT

Debugging and collecting Logs

In case if the adaptive transport feature isn’t working:

  • Collect Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS logs. For more information, see Client logs.

  • When facing a connection issue with adaptive transport, test its functionality on the Citrix Workspace app for Windows or Mac with the same network, store URL and user details. This helps to identify and eliminate any potential configuration or network-related issues.

  • Network Traces - Collect Gateway logs.

  • CDF traces on VDA side - Collect Citrix Diagnostic Facility (CDF) trace at system startup.

Accessibility and TalkBack

This feature is in technical preview from 2307 release.

Citrix Workspace app provides an enhanced user experience with the TalkBack feature. The TalkBack feature helps end users who have difficulty seeing the screen. The narrator reads the screen elements aloud when using the UI.

To use the ChromeOS narrator (ChromeVox), end users must use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Z to turn on the narrator. Use the same key combination to turn off the narrator.

Note:

  • By default, this feature is disabled.

Configuration

You can configure the Accessibility feature in one of the following ways:

  • Configuration.js
  • Google Admin Policy

Configuration.js

To enable the accessibility feature using the configuration.js file, do the following:

  1. Locate the configuration.js file in the ChromeApp root folder.

    Notes:

    • Citrix recommends that you back up the configuration.js file before making changes.
    • Citrix recommends editing the configuration.js file only if the Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS is repackaged for users.
    • Administrator-level credentials are required to edit the configuration.js file.

  2. Edit the configuration.js file and add the accessibility attribute. Set the enable attribute to true.

    The following is an example of JSON data:

    'features' :
{
    'accessibility': {
          'enable': true
        },
}

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  3. Save the changes.

Google Admin Policy

For managed devices and users, administrators can enable the feature using the Google Admin Policy as follows:

  1. Sign in to the Google Admin Policy.
  2. Go to Device management > Chrome Management > User Settings.

  3. Add the following strings to the policy.txt file under the engine_settings key. Following is an example of JSON data:

    'features' :
{
    'accessibility': {
          'enable': true
        },
}

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  4. Save the changes.
Features in Technical Preview
November 5, 2024
Contributed by: 
N
November 5, 2024
Contributed by: 
N

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