Install the RealTime Optimization Pack

If you have not downloaded the installation files for the Optimization Pack, see How to download the RealTime Optimization Pack.

The order of the Optimization Pack new installation (not an upgrade) is important:

1. If Citrix Workspace app is running, close it.
2. Install the RealTime Media Engine on your user devices.
3. Start Citrix Virtual Desktops.
4. Install the RealTime Connector on your Citrix Virtual Desktops virtual desktops and Citrix Virtual Apps servers.

Important:

• Configure any antivirus or security software on Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops to allow the Optimization Pack and Skype for Business client to run without any unnecessary performance degradation.

• RealTime Connector versions 2.x cannot be used with the RealTime Media Engine version 1.8. You can use any combination of the RealTime Connector versions 2.3 or later and this version of the RealTime Media Engine.

Deploy the RealTime Media Engine to your users

You install RealTime Media Engine on client devices. The media engine provides the local media processing of audio and video calls. It also provides the peer-to-peer communication with other callers using Microsoft Skype for Business.

Your method for deploying RealTime Media Engine to a user device depends on the operating system of the device.

Download the RealTime Media Engine files from HDX RealTime Media Engine for Microsoft Skype® for Business.

Important:

If you plan to deploy the RealTime Media Engine for use with the Chrome OS, download and install the Citrix Workspace app 1904 for Android or later from Google Play at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citrix.Receiver.

Deploy the RealTime Media Engine to Windows devices

RealTime Connector requires the installation of the RealTime Media Engine on the host terminal device. This topic describes the steps for deploying the RealTime Media Engine to thin client terminals running Windows operating systems.

Prerequisites:

Before deploying the RealTime Media Engine to a Windows client device:

• Install the Citrix Workspace app for Windows on the user device. Ensure that it can connect through Citrix Virtual Desktops or to Citrix Virtual Apps.
• If the device is using RAM disk, increase it to its maximum size.

To maximize RAM disk space:

1. Log on to the device.
   • If there is a red ball (labeled FBWF) in the Windows notification area, skip to the next step. The write filter is disabled.
   • If there is a green ball in the Windows notification area, click the green ball and choose DISABLE so that the ball turns red.
2. Restart your device and log on.
3. Open Control Panel > Ram disk.
4. In the Ram disk Configuration dialog box, increase the size of the RAM disk to the maximum amount.
5. Restart your device.

Deploy the RealTime Media Engine:

Ensure system requirements and prerequisites are met. You can then deploy the media engine to your users by making the installer available from a flash drive, webpage, or network drive.

1. Log on to the terminal or computer.
2. Run HDX_RealTime_Media_Engine_2.9_for_Windows.msi. After accepting the terms of use, the installer runs silently.
3. Install a web camera on the device, using the built-in Windows drivers.

Deploy the RealTime Media Engine to Mac devices

The RealTime Connector requires the installation of the RealTime Media Engine on the client device. This section describes how to install the RealTime Media Engine on supported Mac OS devices.

Before you run the RealTime Media Engine installation script, ensure that you have Citrix Workspace app 1808 for Mac or Citrix Receiver for Mac 12.0 or later installed on the device.

The installation package for the RealTime Media Engine includes the following components:

• Install HDXRealTimeMediaEngine.pkg
• Uninstall the HDX RealTime Media Engine

1. Log on to the Mac as an administrator.
2. Double-click the downloaded file, HDX_RealTime_Media_Engine_2.9_for_OSX.dmg. The disk image mounts.
3. To start the installation, double-click HDX_RealTime_Media_Engine_2.9_for_OSX.dmg.
4. Follow the instructions provided by the script.
5. After the installation completes, confirm the installation: In the Mac System Preferences under Other, select Citrix HDX RealTime Media Engine to view the installed version.
6. If you have Microsoft Skype for Business running as a published application, restart it (Microsoft Skype for Business).

Deploy RealTime Media Engine to Linux terminal devices

The Optimization Pack requires the installation of the RealTime Media Engine on the terminal device. This section describes how to install the RealTime Media Engine for all supported platforms.

Prerequisites:

Before deploying the RealTime Media Engine to a Linux terminal device, install the Citrix Workspace app for Linux. Go to the download page for Citrix Workspace app for Linux. Follow the instructions on that page for the system you are installing on.

• RealTime Media Engine 64-bit requires Citrix Workspace app 1808 for Linux or Citrix Receiver for Linux 13.2 x64 or greater
• RealTime Media Engine 32-bit requires Citrix Workspace app 1808 for Linux or Citrix Receiver for Linux 13.0 x86 or greater

To run the RealTime Media Engine installation script:

The installation package for the RealTime Media Engine includes the following components. Use this package for Ubuntu, and Red Hat. The software detects the type of Linux and installs the appropriate package.

Components for the 32-bit package:

• EULA.rtf
• HDXRTME_install.sh
• /i386 subdirectory containing the Debian and RPM packages:
  • citrix-hdx-realtime-media-engine-2.9.0-XXX_i386.deb
  • citrix-hdx-realtime-media-engine-2.9.0-XXX_i386.rpm

Components for the 64-bit package:

• EULA.rtf
• HDXRTME_install.sh
• /x86_64 subdirectory containing the Debian and RPM packages:
  • citrix-hdx-realtime-media-engine-2.9.0-XXX_amd64.deb
  • citrix-hdx-realtime-media-engine-2.9.0-XXX_x86_64.rpm

1. Place the entire installation package in the directory from which you are running commands.
2. Use chmod to make the ./HDXRTME_install.sh executable.
3. At the prompt of the directory in which the software resides, type ./HDXRTME_install.sh, and then follow the instructions provided by the script.
4. If you have Microsoft Skype for Business running as a published application, restart it (Microsoft Skype for Business).

Upgrade the existing RealTime Media Engine installation:

Use the same ./HDXRTME_install.sh script for upgrading the previous version of the RealTime Media Engine package.

Install the RealTime Connector on your servers and VDAs

The RealTime Connector enables optimized audio and video conferences. To make the RealTime Connector available to your users in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops environments, you install the RealTime Connector on your Citrix Virtual Apps servers and Citrix Virtual Desktops virtual desktops.

Important:

Before deploying the RealTime Connector on your servers and VDAs, ensure that you have Skype for Business installed.

Install in to a Citrix Virtual Desktops environment

Install the RealTime Connector onto a Citrix Virtual Desktops virtual desktop you want to make available to your users. Before installation, ensure that Microsoft Skype for Business is not running on the Citrix Virtual Desktops virtual desktop.

Important:

Uninstall older versions of the RealTime Connector before installing this version.

Depending on your VDA/Server operating system, use the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the RealTime Connector.

To install the RealTime Connector:

1. Start a Citrix Virtual Desktops virtual desktop and log on as administrator.
2. On the virtual desktop, run the installation file HDX_RealTime_Connector_2.9_for_Skype_For_Business.msi or HDX_RealTime_Connector_2.9_for_Skype_For_Business_32.msi and follow the instructions.

Install into a Citrix Virtual Apps environment

Install the RealTime Connector on each server in a Citrix Virtual Apps site where you want to make RealTime Connector available. Before installation, ensure that the Microsoft Skype for Business is not running in any sessions on the servers.

Important:

Uninstall older versions of the RealTime Connector before installing this version.

1. Log on to a Citrix Virtual Apps server as administrator.
2. Run the installation file HDX_RealTime_Connector_2.9_for_Skype_For_Business.msi or HDX_RealTime_Connector_2.9_for_Skype_For_Business_32.msi and follow the instructions.

Exclude lync.exe from antivirus software scanning

Your antivirus and anti-malware software might cause sound issues like those in the list. To avoid those issues, exclude scanning of Lync.exe by updating your antivirus and anti-malware software. That includes network-offloaded antivirus scanners.

• A call arrives and the ring tone plays incorrectly and has interruptions at irregular intervals.
• Dual Tone Multiple Frequencies (DTMF) playback is erratic making it difficult to tell which digit was typed.
• Discontinuous (“stutter”) ringing and Ringback tones.

Disable the Optimization Pack

Warning:

Editing the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems that might require you to reinstall your operating system. Citrix cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of the Registry Editor can be solved. Use the Registry Editor at your own risk. Be sure to back up the registry before you edit it.

To disable and then reenable the Optimization Pack, do the following:

Back up and remove or rename the following registry keys (for example, VdiMediaProviderDisabled). When you restart Skype for Business, the Optimization Pack is disabled.

To reenable the Optimization Pack, restore or rename the key back to VdiMediaProvider.

For 64-bit Skype for Business or 32-bit Skype for Business on 32-bit Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Lync\VdiMediaProvider

For 32-bit Skype for Business on 64-bit Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\Lync\VdiMediaProvider