Citrix Workspace app for Linux 2503 - Preview

What’s new

• Boot to Virtual Desktop
• Seamless Integration of deviceTRUST
• New command for storebrowse
• Connection strength indicator on Desktop Viewer toolbar
• Enable Audio Quality Enhancer to improve audio performance
• On-screen keyboard enhancement for multi-touch
• Multi-monitor layout selection
• Enhanced battery status indicator
• Default audio device selection
• Bidirectional content redirection supports OAuth redirection
• Improved audio performance in Microsoft Teams

Boot to Virtual Desktop

Starting with version 2503, Citrix Workspace app for Linux supports directly booting into a Virtual Desktop from the endpoint device. This feature simplifies the login process for Citrix virtual desktops and is particularly beneficial for users who primarily work within the virtual environment during their workday.

Overview

The Boot-to-Virtual-Desktop feature simplifies access to virtual desktops. This feature allows administrators to configure local desktops so that users can directly access their virtual desktops without having to authenticate into any local applications.

The Boot-to-Virtual-Desktop feature is ideal where data protection, compliance, and simplicity are top priorities for organizations. This solution ensures users always work within the virtual desktop, keeping your data secure and reducing risk. It is ideal for kiosk mode and frontline use cases.

Key features

• Non-domain-joined machine support: While primarily intended for domain-joined environments, this feature also supports user authentication on non-domain-joined machines. However, manual authentication is required in this scenario.
• Flexibility: Direct-boot-to-Virtual-Desktop supports both shared and dedicated local desktops, catering to various use cases like kiosks and frontline users.

Prerequisites

• Citrix Workspace app prerequisites: All other system requirements are identical to that of the Citrix Workspace app. For more information, see the System requirements documentation.
• Store configuration: Before installing direct boot to Virtual Desktop, ensure that the store is configured.

Configure Boot-to-Virtual-Desktop Using configuration file

This feature is disabled by default. To enable this feature, do the following:

1. Enable direct boot to Virtual Desktop:

   • Navigate to the $ICAROOT/config/AuthManConfig.xml configuration file.

   • Add the following entries:

    <key>DesktopLockEnabled</key>
    <value>false</value>
   <!--NeedCopy-->
   

2. Provide StoreURL and ResourceName:

   To use the boot-to-Virtual-Desktop feature, add StoreURL and ResourceName in $ICAROOT/config/AuthManConfig.xml:

    <StoreURL>test.cloud.com</StoreURL>
    <ResourceName>EDaaS Desktop</ResourceName>
   <!--NeedCopy-->
   

Configure Boot-to-Virtual-Desktop using script

The script is designed to manage the configuration of the boot-to-Virtual-Desktop feature. To run the script, do the following:

1. Open the terminal on your Linux machine.

2. Navigate to the installation directory of Citrix Workspace app.

   Note:

   $ICAROOT is the default installation directory of Citrix Workspace app.

3. Type cd DesktopLock.
4. Type configureDesktopLock.sh to run the script.

The following command usage information appears:

usage: ./configureDesktopLock.sh <Citrix workspace installation path> <enable|disable>

Note:

To block shortcuts or create an autostart entry, you must provide a separate mechanism to disable shortcuts (if GSettings schema doesn’t exist).

To configure boot-to-Virtual-Desktop for the endpoints, enter the storebrowse command as follows:

./desktoplock <storeURL> <resourceName>

Seamless Integration of deviceTRUST

Starting with version 2503, Citrix Workspace app for Linux includes deviceTRUST, enhancing security through continuous device posture checks within the session. deviceTRUST is packaged with Citrix Workspace app for unified deployment, ensuring seamless integration and management.

Note:

This feature is currently supported only on the Ubuntu operating system. Verify the Ubuntu versions as given in Supported Linux distributions.

The following are the behavior and specifications of the deviceTRUST integration:

• By default, Citrix Workspace app for Linux installs or updates deviceTRUST using the packaged version included in the installer.
• If deviceTRUST is already installed independently on the user device, the new installation overwrites the existing one.
• The failure of deviceTRUST installation doesn’t impact the installation of Citrix Workspace app.
• During uninstallation, deviceTRUST is removed only if it was installed by the Citrix Workspace app.
• When you update Citrix Workspace app, deviceTRUST is also updated to the version included in the updated installer.

New command for storebrowse

Introducing a new command -eu to accept the End-User License Agreement (EULA) through the command line. This command bypasses the need for explicit user consent through the GUI.

-eu --accept-eula

Description: This command applies to version 2503 and later. Use this command to accept EULA from the users. This command eliminates the GUI and silently accepts the EULA.

Enter the storebrowse command as follows:

./storebrowse -eu

The output is as follows:

Connection strength indicator on Desktop Viewer toolbar

Starting with version 2503, Citrix Workspace app for Linux now supports the Connection Strength Indicator (CSI) on the Desktop Viewer toolbar. This feature displays a network strength icon that alerts you of network issues. You can click the indicator to view real-time connection statistics for the client and VDA, and copy diagnostic information to share with IT for advanced troubleshooting.

Note:

This feature is enabled by default.

Benefits

• Immediate feedback: The network strength icon gently nudges users when network issues are detected.
• Enhanced troubleshooting: Real-time stats and diagnostics help users and IT teams quickly identify and resolve connectivity issues.

Prerequisites

• This feature is only available when a session opened using:

  • VDA 2407 or later
  • VDA 2402 LTSR CU1 or later

• The Supportability Virtual Channel must be enabled on the client side.

When you open the Citrix Workspace app session, you can see the Connection icon on the Desktop Viewer toolbar.

Note:

If you are using a lower version of VDA, the Connection icon won’t be visible.

The connection strength indicator on the Desktop Viewer toolbar provides users with immediate feedback on their network connectivity and offers detailed real-time stats for enhanced troubleshooting. This feature aims to improve user experience and reduce the time spent on resolving connectivity issues.

Enable ‘Download details’ and ‘Copy details’ options

Note:

These options are disabled by default.

Download details option: Saves the CSI metrics as a file to your local device.

Copy details option: Copies the CSI metrics directly to your clipboard for quick sharing or reference.

To enable these options, do the following:

1. Navigate to the $HOME/.ICAClient/wfclient.ini folder.
2. Navigate to the [WFClient] section.

3. Add the following entry:

   CsiDownloadButtonVisible=1
   CsiCopyButtonVisible=1
   <!--NeedCopy-->
   

Enable Audio Quality Enhancer to improve audio performance

Starting with the 2503 version, Audio Quality Enhancer (v2) is added for Adaptive Audio.

Audio quality enhancer effectively manages short periods of packet loss and disruptions by intelligently reconstructing audio from previous samples in real-time, thus preventing noticeable degradation in quality. Furthermore, it intelligently and adaptively recovers lost audio packets, if and only when needed. It enables and disables itself adaptively when packet loss increases and decreases for a sustained period. Audio quality enhancer optimizes audio playback and recording quality in both good and poor network conditions.

Enabling Audio Quality Enhancer

To enable Audio Quality Enhancer, follow these steps on the client:

1. Enable Adaptive Audio. See Adaptive Audio for more information.
2. Enable Loss Tolerant Mode for Audio. See Loss Tolerant Mode for Audio for more information.

3. Edit the module.ini file:

   • Open /opt/Citrix/ICAClient/config/module.ini
   • Set the following configuration options:

    PacketLossConcealmentEnabled=TRUE
    EnableNetStat=TRUE
    <!--NeedCopy-->
   

4. Enable Audio Quality Enhancer on the VDA. Enable this feature on both VDA (Virtual Delivery Agent) and the Citrix Workspace app for end-to-end functionality, covering both audio playback and recording.

Disabling Audio Quality Enhancer

To disable Audio Quality Enhancer, follow these steps on the client:

1. Disable the feature:

   • Edit the module.ini file located at /opt/Citrix/ICAClient/config/module.ini
   • Set the following configuration options:

    PacketLossConcealmentEnabled=FALSE
    EnableNetStat=FALSE
    <!--NeedCopy-->
   

2. Disable Audio Quality Enhancer on the VDA. Ensure that this feature is also disabled on the VDA to fully disable the feature across both ends.

On-screen keyboard enhancement for multi-touch

Starting with version 2503, the on-screen keyboard functionalities are enhanced to better work with the multi-touch feature. This enhancement allows end users to use the digital on-screen keyboard on their device instead of relying on an additional external physical keyboard.

The feature is enabled by default.

Administrators can disable this feature as follows:

1. Navigate to the $HOME/.ICAClient/All_Regions.ini folder.
2. Go to the [Virtual Channels\Keyboard] section.
3. Modify the value of EnhanceOSKForMT as follows: EnhanceOSKForMT=False

This feature supports the following environments:

• The default on-screen keyboard in Gnome.
• Florence and Onboard in X11-based desktop environments.

Multi-monitor layout selection

Starting with version 2411, the Multi-Monitor Selector (MMS) allows users to choose which displays to use in full-screen mode for desktop sessions only, not for seamless sessions. A new Multi-Monitor button has been added to the toolbar, which appears only when more than one screen is connected. This feature enhances the flexibility and usability of multi-monitor setups in desktop sessions, providing a more tailored and efficient user experience.

Starting with version 2503, we provide an enhanced multi-monitor experience when using a full-screen session through the Custom Layout feature. Additionally, you can save a monitor layout as per your preference and start a session with the saved layout.

This enhancement ensures a stable Citrix session experience in the following situations:

Unplugging or plugging in monitors:

Unplugging or plugging monitors into the system doesn’t affect the stability of your full-screen Citrix session.

When you unplug a monitor that isn’t used by a full-screen Citrix session: If you unplug an external monitor that isn’t being used by a full-screen session, the session remains normal and available. The same applies when you plug the monitor back in.

When you unplug a monitor that is used by a full-screen Citrix session: When you unplug a monitor that is being used by a full-screen session, the session transfers to the next available monitor without interrupting the session progress. Once you plug the monitor back in, the session automatically restores to its previous state.

When you unplug a monitor when a full-screen Citrix session spans across more than one monitor: If your full-screen session spans across multiple monitors, unplugging a monitor causes the session to adjust to the remaining monitor(s), adapting their layout. When you plug the monitor back in, the session automatically restores back to its previous state.

Disconnecting and reconnecting monitors:

When your session monitor is disconnected due to network issues or other reasons, the full-screen session transfers to the next available monitor without affecting your work. Once the monitor is reconnected, the session automatically restores back to its previous state.

Prerequisites

Multi-monitor layout selection feature is disabled by default. To enable the multi-monitor layout selection feature:

1. Navigate to the $HOME/.ICAClient/wfclient.ini folder.
2. Navigate to the [WFClient] section.
3. Add the following entry:

MultiMonitorSelectionEnabled=True
<!--NeedCopy-->

Multi-monitor menu options

The toolbar button includes three dropdown menu options for desktop sessions in full-screen mode:

1. Extend to All Displays: The session switches to full-screen mode on all connected screens.

2. Custom Layout: This option opens a custom monitor selector displaying the layout of the Linux system. Users can click on the rectangles in the selector to choose which screens to use and then click Apply. The session then uses the selected screens in full-screen mode.

   

3. Fullscreen: The session switches to full-screen mode on the current single display where the toolbar is located or where the button is clicked.

   

When a new monitor is plugged in, a notification appears for the user to make a selection. Users can select the Don’t ask me again checkbox to mute this notification.

Starting with 2503 release, to save a monitor layout, do the following:

1. Click the Multi-monitor option from the toolbar. For more information, see Multi-monitor menu options.
2. Select the Don’t ask me again checkbox and then click Extend to all displays or Custom Layout.

The monitor layout is saved.

The user-customized layout is used first when the session is restarted or the monitor layout is changed.

• If you select Extend to all displays, the session always extends to all monitors in Fullscreen mode.
• If you select Custom Layout, the session extends to the selected monitors.

Enhanced battery status indicator

Starting with the version 2503, the battery status indicator feature is compatible with CMB and ADP battery types. This enhancement allows users with devices using these newer battery technologies to also monitor battery life and prevent unexpected power loss during virtual desktop sessions, boosting user productivity.

For more information, see Battery status indicator.

Default audio device selection

Starting with the 2503 version of Citrix Workspace app, you can now select your preferred audio devices directly in the Desktop Viewer toolbar. This feature offers a more customized audio experience with the following key features when connected to a virtual desktop.

• Device splitting: You can assign different audio devices to different VDAs. For example, you can have two monitors with two different VDAs, each using a separate audio device (one loudspeaker and one headset).
• Specific device selection: The exact audio device can be selected for each active VDA from the Preferences section.
• Configuration persistence: The selected configuration is preserved for the next session, ensuring a seamless experience.

Note:

If you don’t want the selected configuration to be preserved for the next session, you can adjust the settings accordingly in the Preferences section.

This feature isn’t applicable to a pooled desktop environment because each time a user signs in, they might be connected to a different VDA.

To select the specific audio device, do the following:

1. Navigate to the Preferences section on the Desktop Viewer toolbar.

   

2. Select the device that you want from the Default speaker drop-down list.
3. Select the device that you want from the Default microphone drop-down list.
4. Click OK to save the changes.

Bidirectional content redirection supports OAuth redirection

Starting with 2503, Bidirectional content redirection supports OAuth redirection. For more information about the feature, see Bidirectional content redirection.

Improved audio performance in Microsoft Teams

Starting with the Citrix Workspace app for Linux 2503 version, the audio subsystem used in the HDXRTCMediaEngine has been replaced with a newer system. As a result, Microsoft Teams now provides better audio performance, enhancing the overall user experience during calls and meetings.

Fixed issues

• You might encounter an installation error when installing Citrix Workspace for Linux on RHEL 9.

  

  [RFLNX-10747]

• For users running Citrix Workspace app for Linux version 2503 with Linux VDA versions lower than 2503, opening an app session on an external monitor might result in continuous flickering. [HDX-82101]

• For users running Citrix Workspace app for Linux version 2503 with Linux VDA versions lower than 2503, opening an app session on an external monitor mightn’t display the session window properly in full screen. Instead, black borders might appear between the monitor bezels and the app session window. [HDX-82079]

• When the DTLS protocol setup fails, the microphone doesn’t work when using UDP audio. [HDX-82340]

Known issues

• Some third-party scanners fail to scan in color and grayscale modes. This issue occurs when Citrix Workspace app and the scanner drivers use different versions of the JPEG library. [HDX-80932]

• On Ubuntu 24.04, HDMI audio devices may not be correctly detected or removed in the VDA when plugging in or unplugging the HDMI device while the session is active. This issue occurs due to differences in PipeWire (the default audio engine in Ubuntu 24.04) compared to its predecessor, PulseAudio. [HDX-80385]

  This issue affects machines that support both HDMI audio output and built-in speakers simultaneously.

  • When an HDMI device is plugged in before session launch: The device is redirected to the VDA as expected.
  • When an HDMI device is plugged in after session launch: The device is not redirected to the VDA correctly.
  • When an HDMI device is unplugged after session launch: The device remains in the VDA and cannot be used.
  • When an HDMI device is unplugged and then reconnected after session launch: The device works as expected in the VDA.