Linux Virtual Delivery Agent

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Use Machine Creation Services (MCS) to create Linux VMs

April 11, 2023

Contributed by:

B C

Starting with the 7.18 release, you can use MCS to create Linux VMs.

Supported hypervisors

AWS
Citrix Hypervisor
Microsoft Azure
VMware vSphere

Unexpected results can occur if you try to prepare a master image on hypervisors other than the supported ones.

Use MCS to create Linux VMs on Citrix Hypervisor

Step 1: Prepare a master image

A master image contains the operating system, non-virtualized applications, VDA, and other software. To prepare a master image, do the following:

Step 1a: Install Citrix VM Tools

Citrix VM Tools must be installed on the template VM for each VM to be able to use the xe CLI or XenCenter. VM performance can be slow unless the tools are installed. Without the tools, you cannot do any of the following:

Cleanly shut down, restart, or suspend a VM.
View the VM performance data in XenCenter.
Migrate a running VM (through XenMotion).
Create snapshots or snapshots with memory (checkpoints), and revert to snapshots.
Adjust the number of vCPUs on a running Linux VM.

Run the following command to mount Citrix VM Tools named guest-tools.iso.
```
sudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt

```

Run the following command to install the xe-guest-utilities package based on your Linux distribution.

For RHEL/CentOS:

sudo rpm -i /mnt/Linux/xe-guest-utilities_{package-version}_all.rpm
<!--NeedCopy-->

For Ubuntu:

sudo dpkg -i /mnt/Linux/xe-guest-utilities_{package-version}_all.deb
<!--NeedCopy-->

For SUSE 12:

sudo rpm -i /mnt/Linux/xe-guest-utilities_{package-version}_all.rpm
<!--NeedCopy-->

Check the virtualization state of the template VM on the General tab in XenCenter. If Citrix VM Tools are installed correctly, the virtualization state is Optimized:

Step 1b: Install the Linux VDA package on the template VM

Note:

To use a currently running VDA as the template VM, omit this step.

Before installing the Linux VDA package on the template VM, install .NET Core Runtime 3.1. For more information, see Installation overview.

Based on your Linux distribution, run the following command to set up the environment for the Linux VDA:

For RHEL/CentOS:

sudo yum –y localinstall <PATH>/<Linux VDA RPM>
<!--NeedCopy-->

For Ubuntu:

sudo dpkg –i  <PATH>/<Linux VDA DEB>

apt-get install -f
<!--NeedCopy-->

For SUSE 12:

sudo zypper –i install <PATH>/<Linux VDA RPM>
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 1c: Enable repositories to install the tdb-tools package

For RHEL 7 server:

subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-server-optional-rpms
<!--NeedCopy-->

For RHEL 7 workstation:

subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-workstation-optional-rpms
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 1d: Install the EPEL repository that contains ntfs-3g

Install the EPEL repository on RHEL 6/CentOS 6, RHEL 7/CentOS 7 so that running deploymcs.sh later installs the ntfs-3g package contained in it.

Step 1e: Manually install ntfs-3g on SUSE 12

On the SUSE 12 platform, there is no repository providing ntfs-3g. Download the source code, compile, and install ntfs-3g manually:

Install the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) compiler system and the make package:
```
sudo zypper install gcc
sudo zypper install make

```
Download the ntfs-3g package.

Decompress the ntfs-3g package:

sudo tar -xvzf ntfs-3g_ntfsprogs-<package version>.tgz
<!--NeedCopy-->

Enter the path to the ntfs-3g package:

sudo cd ntfs-3g_ntfsprogs-<package version>
<!--NeedCopy-->

Install ntfs-3g:

./configure
make
make install
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 1f: Set up the runtime environment

Before running deploymcs.sh, do the following:

Change variables in /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs.conf. The mcs.conf configuration file contains variables for setting MCS and the Linux VDA. The following are variables you can set as required:
- Use_Existing_Configurations_Of_Current_VDA: Determines whether to use the existing configurations of the currently running VDA. If set to Y, configuration files on MCS-created machines are the same as the equivalents on the currently running VDA. However, you still must configure the dns and AD_INTEGRATION variables. The default value is N, which means configuration files on MCS-created machines are determined by configuration templates on the master image.
- dns: Sets the DNS IP address.
- AD_INTEGRATION: Sets Winbind or SSSD.
- WORKGROUP: Sets the workgroup name, which is the NetBIOS name (case-sensitive) if configured in AD. Otherwise, it is the domain name by default.
On the template machine, add command lines to the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file for writing or updating registry values as required. This action prevents the loss of data and settings every time an MCS-provisioned machine restarts.

Each line in the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file is a command for setting or updating a registry value.

For example, you can add the following command lines to the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file to write or update a registry value respectively:
```
 create -k "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\VirtualChannels\Clipboard\ClipboardSelection" -t "REG_DWORD" -v "Flags" -d "0x00000003" --force
 
```
```
 update -k "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\VirtualChannels\Clipboard\ClipboardSelection" -v "Flags" -d "0x00000003"
 
```

Step 1g: Create a master image

Run /opt/Citrix/VDA/sbin/deploymcs.sh.
(Optional) On the template VM, update the configuration templates to customize the relevant /etc/krb5.conf, /etc/samba/smb.conf, and /etc/sssd/sssd.conf files on all created VMs.

For Winbind users, update the /etc/xdl/mcs/winbind_krb5.conf.tmpl and /etc/xdl/mcs/winbind_smb.conf.tmpl templates.

For SSSD users, update the /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd.conf.tmpl, /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd_krb5.conf.tmpl, and /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd_smb.conf.tmpl templates.

Note: Keep the existing format used in the template files and use variables such as $WORKGROUP, $REALM, $realm, and $AD_FQDN.
On Citrix Hypervisor, shut down the template VM. Create and name a snapshot of your master image.

Step 2: Create a machine catalog

In Citrix Studio, create a machine catalog and specify the number of VMs to create in the catalog. Do other configuration tasks as needed. For more information, see Create a machine catalog using Studio.

Step 3: Create a delivery group

A delivery group is a collection of machines selected from one or more machine catalogs. It specifies which users can use those machines, and the applications and desktops available to those users. For more information, see Create delivery groups.

Use MCS to create Linux VMs on Azure

Step 1: Create a hosting connection to Azure in Citrix Studio

In Citrix Studio, choose Configuration > Hosting > Add Connection and Resources to create a connection to Azure.
Choose Microsoft Azure as the connection type.
Type the subscription ID of your Azure account and your connection name.

A new connection appears in the hosting pane.

Step 2: Prepare a master image on the template VM

A master image contains the operating system, non-virtualized applications, VDA, and other software. To prepare a master image, do the following:

Step 2a: Configure cloud-init for Ubuntu 18.04

To ensure that a VDA host name persists when a VM is restarted or stopped, run the following command.

 echo "preserve_hostname: true" > /etc/cloud/cloud.cfg.d/99_hostname.cfg
<!--NeedCopy-->

Ensure that the following lines are present under the system_info section in the /etc/cloud/cloud.cfg file:

system_info:
   network:
       renderers: ['netplan', 'eni', 'sysconfig']
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2b: Install the Linux VDA package on the template VM

Note:

To use a currently running VDA as the template VM, omit this step.

Before installing the Linux VDA package on the template VM, install .NET Core Runtime 3.1. For more information, see Installation overview.

Based on your Linux distribution, run the following command to set up the environment for the Linux VDA:

For RHEL/CentOS:

sudo yum –y localinstall <PATH>/<Linux VDA RPM>
<!--NeedCopy-->

For Ubuntu:

sudo dpkg –i  <PATH>/<Linux VDA DEB>

apt-get install -f
<!--NeedCopy-->

For SUSE 12:

sudo zypper –i install <PATH>/<Linux VDA RPM>
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2c: Enable repositories to install the tdb-tools package

For RHEL 7 server:

subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-server-optional-rpms
<!--NeedCopy-->

For RHEL 7 workstation:

subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-workstation-optional-rpms
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2d: Install the EPEL repository that contains ntfs-3g

Install the EPEL repository on RHEL 6/CentOS 6, RHEL 7/CentOS 7 so that running deploymcs.sh later installs the ntfs-3g package contained in it.

Step 2e: Manually install ntfs-3g on SUSE 12

On the SUSE 12 platform, there is no repository providing ntfs-3g. Download the source code, compile, and install ntfs-3g manually:

Install the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) compiler system and the make package:
```
sudo zypper install gcc
sudo zypper install make

```
Download the ntfs-3g package.

Decompress the ntfs-3g package:

sudo tar -xvzf ntfs-3g_ntfsprogs-<package version>.tgz
<!--NeedCopy-->

Enter the path to the ntfs-3g package:

sudo cd ntfs-3g_ntfsprogs-<package version>
<!--NeedCopy-->

Install ntfs-3g:

./configure
make
make install
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2f: Set up the runtime environment

Before running deploymcs.sh, do the following:

Change variables in /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs.conf. The mcs.conf configuration file contains variables for setting MCS and the Linux VDA. The following are some of the variables, of which dns and AD_INTEGRATION must be set:

Note: If a variable can be set with multiple values, put the values inside single quotes and separate them with spaces. For example, LDAP_LIST=’aaa.lab:389 bbb.lab:389.’
- Use_Existing_Configurations_Of_Current_VDA: Determines whether to use the existing configurations of the currently running VDA. If set to Y, configuration files on MCS-created machines are the same as the equivalents on the currently running VDA. However, you still must configure the dns and AD_INTEGRATION variables. The default value is N, which means configuration files on MCS-created machines are determined by configuration templates on the master image.
- dns: Sets the DNS IP address.
- AD_INTEGRATION: Sets Winbind or SSSD (SSSD is not supported on SUSE).
- WORKGROUP: Sets the workgroup name, which is the NetBIOS name (case-sensitive) if configured in AD. Otherwise, it is the domain name by default.
On the template machine, add command lines to the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file for writing or updating registry values as required. This action prevents the loss of data and settings every time an MCS-provisioned machine restarts.

Each line in the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file is a command for setting or updating a registry value.

For example, you can add the following command lines to the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file to write or update a registry value respectively:
```
 create -k "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\VirtualChannels\Clipboard\ClipboardSelection" -t "REG_DWORD" -v "Flags" -d "0x00000003" --force
 
```
```
 update -k "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\VirtualChannels\Clipboard\ClipboardSelection" -v "Flags" -d "0x00000003"
 
```

Step 2g: Create a master image

Run /opt/Citrix/VDA/sbin/deploymcs.sh.
(Optional) On the template VM, update the configuration templates to customize the relevant /etc/krb5.conf, /etc/samba/smb.conf, and /etc/sssd/sssd.conf files on all created VMs.

For Winbind users, update the /etc/xdl/mcs/winbind_krb5.conf.tmpl and /etc/xdl/mcs/winbind_smb.conf.tmpl templates.

For SSSD users, update the /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd.conf.tmpl, /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd_krb5.conf.tmpl, and /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd_smb.conf.tmpl templates.

Note: Keep the existing format used in the template files and use variables such as $WORKGROUP, $REALM, $realm, and $AD_FQDN.
Install applications on the template VM and shut down the template VM from the Azure portal. Ensure that the power status of the template VM is Stopped (deallocated). Remember the name of the resource group here. You need the name to locate your master image on Azure.

Step 3: Create a machine catalog

In Citrix Studio, create a machine catalog and specify the number of VMs to create in the catalog. When creating the machine catalog, choose your master image from the resource group where the template VM belongs and find the VHD of the template VM. See the following screen capture.

Finding VHD of the template VM

Do other configuration tasks as needed. For more information, see Create a machine catalog using Studio.

Step 4: Create a delivery group

Use MCS to create Linux VMs on VMware vSphere

Step 1: Create a hosting connection to VMware in Citrix Studio

Install vCenter Server in the vSphere environment. For more information, see VMware vSphere.
In Citrix Studio, choose Configuration > Hosting > Add Connection and Resources to create a connection to VMware vSphere.
Choose VMware vSphere as the connection type.
Type the connection address (the vCenter Server URL) of your VMware account, your user name and password, and your connection name.

A new connection appears in the hosting pane.

Step 2: Prepare a master image

A master image contains the operating system, non-virtualized applications, VDA, and other software. To prepare a master image, do the following:

Step 2a: Install the Linux VDA package on the template VM

Note:

To use a currently running VDA as the template VM, omit this step.

Before installing the Linux VDA package on the template VM, install .NET Core Runtime 3.1. For more information, see Installation overview.

Based on your Linux distribution, run the following command to set up the environment for the Linux VDA:

For RHEL/CentOS:

sudo yum –y localinstall <PATH>/<Linux VDA RPM>
<!--NeedCopy-->

For Ubuntu:

sudo dpkg –i  <PATH>/<Linux VDA DEB>

apt-get install -f
<!--NeedCopy-->

For SUSE 12:

sudo zypper –i install <PATH>/<Linux VDA RPM>
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2b: Enable repositories to install the tdb-tools package

For RHEL 7 server:

subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-server-optional-rpms
<!--NeedCopy-->

For RHEL 7 workstation:

subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-workstation-optional-rpms
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2c: Install the EPEL repository that contains ntfs-3g

Install the EPEL repository on RHEL 6/CentOS 6, RHEL 7/CentOS 7 so that running deploymcs.sh later installs the ntfs-3g package contained in it.

Step 2d: Manually install ntfs-3g on SUSE 12

On the SUSE 12 platform, there is no repository providing ntfs-3g. Download the source code, compile, and install ntfs-3g manually:

Install the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) compiler system and the make package:
```
sudo zypper install gcc
sudo zypper install make

```
Download the ntfs-3g package.

Decompress the ntfs-3g package:

sudo tar -xvzf ntfs-3g_ntfsprogs-<package version>.tgz
<!--NeedCopy-->

Enter the path to the ntfs-3g package:

sudo cd ntfs-3g_ntfsprogs-<package version>
<!--NeedCopy-->

Install ntfs-3g:

./configure
make
make install
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2e: Set up the runtime environment

Before running deploymcs.sh, do the following:

Change variables in /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs.conf. The mcs.conf configuration file contains variables for setting MCS and the Linux VDA. The following are some of the variables, of which dns and AD_INTEGRATION must be set:

Note: If a variable can be set with multiple values, put the values inside single quotes and separate them with spaces. For example, LDAP_LIST=’aaa.lab:389 bbb.lab:389.’
- Use_Existing_Configurations_Of_Current_VDA: Determines whether to use the existing configurations of the currently running VDA. If set to Y, the configuration files on MCS-created machines are the same as the equivalents on the currently running VDA. However, you still must configure the dns and AD_INTEGRATION variables. The default value is N, which means the configuration files on MCS-created machines are determined by the configuration templates on the master image.
- dns: Sets the DNS IP address.
- AD_INTEGRATION: Sets Winbind or SSSD (SSSD is not supported on SUSE).
- WORKGROUP: Sets the workgroup name, which is the NetBIOS name (case-sensitive) if configured in AD. Otherwise, it is the domain name by default.
On the template machine, add command lines to the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file for writing or updating registry values as required. This action prevents the loss of data and settings every time an MCS-provisioned machine restarts.

Each line in the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file is a command for setting or updating a registry value.

For example, you can add the following command lines to the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file to write or update a registry value respectively:
```
 create -k "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\VirtualChannels\Clipboard\ClipboardSelection" -t "REG_DWORD" -v "Flags" -d "0x00000003" --force
 
```
```
 update -k "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\VirtualChannels\Clipboard\ClipboardSelection" -v "Flags" -d "0x00000003"
 
```

Step 2f: Create a master image

Run /opt/Citrix/VDA/sbin/deploymcs.sh.
(Optional) On the template VM, update the configuration templates to customize the relevant /etc/krb5.conf, /etc/samba/smb.conf, and /etc/sssd/sssd.conf files on all created VMs.

For Winbind users, update the /etc/xdl/mcs/winbind_krb5.conf.tmpl and /etc/xdl/mcs/winbind_smb.conf.tmpl templates.

For SSSD users, update the /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd.conf.tmpl, /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd_krb5.conf.tmpl, and /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd_smb.conf.tmpl templates.

Note: Keep the existing format used in the template files and use variables such as $WORKGROUP, $REALM, $realm, and $AD_FQDN.
After you finish installing applications on the template VM, shut down the template VM from the VMware. Take a snapshot of the template VM.

Step 3: Create a machine catalog

In Citrix Studio, create a machine catalog and specify the number of VMs to create in the catalog. When creating the machine catalog, choose your master image from the snapshot list.

Choosing a master image

Do other configuration tasks as needed. For more information, see Create a machine catalog using Studio.

Step 4: Create a delivery group

A delivery group is a collection of machines selected from one or more machine catalogs. The delivery group specifies which users can use those machines, and the applications and desktops available to those users. For more information, see Create delivery groups.

Use MCS to create Linux VMs on AWS

Step 1: Create a hosting connection to AWS in Citrix Studio

In Citrix Studio, choose Configuration > Hosting > Add Connection and Resources to create a connection to AWS.
Choose Amazon EC2 as the connection type.
Type the API key and secret key of your AWS account and type your connection name.

The API key is your access key ID and the Secret key is your secret access key. They are considered as an access key pair. If you lose your secret access key, you can delete the access key and create a new one. To create an access key, do the following:
1. Sign in to the AWS services.
2. Navigate to the Identity and Access Management (IAM) console.
3. On the left navigation pane, choose Users.
4. Select the target user and scroll down to select the Security credentials tab.
5. Scroll down and click Create access key. A new window appears.
6. Click Download .csv file and save the access key to a secure location.
A new connection appears in the hosting pane.

Step 2: Prepare a master image

A master image contains the operating system, non-virtualized applications, VDA, and other software. To prepare a master image, do the following:

Step 2a: Configure cloud-init

To ensure that a VDA host name persists when an EC2 instance is restarted or stopped, run the following command to preserve the VDA host name.
```
 echo "preserve_hostname: true" > /etc/cloud/cloud.cfg.d/99_hostname.cfg

```
For Ubuntu 18.04, ensure that the following lines are present under the system_info section in the /etc/cloud/cloud.cfg file:
```
system_info:
    network:
        renderers: ['netplan', 'eni', 'sysconfig']

```
To use SSH for remotely accessing MCS-created VMs on AWS, enable password authentication because no key name is attached to those VMs. Do the following as needed.
- Edit the cloud-init configuration file, /etc/cloud/cloud.cfg. Ensure that the ssh_pwauth: true line is present. Remove or comment the set-password line and the following lines if they exist.
```
 users:
 - default
 
```
- If you plan to use the default user ec2-user or ubuntu created by cloud-init, you can change the user password by using the passwd command. Keep the new password in mind for later use to log in to the MCS-created VMs.
- Edit the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file to ensure that the following line is present:
```
 PasswordAuthentication yes
 
```
  Save the file and run the sudo service sshd restart command.

Step 2b: Install the Linux VDA package on the template VM

Note:

To use a currently running VDA as the template VM, omit this step.

Before installing the Linux VDA package on the template VM, install .NET Core Runtime 3.1. For more information, see Installation overview.

Based on your Linux distribution, run the following command to set up the environment for the Linux VDA:

For RHEL/CentOS:

sudo yum –y localinstall <PATH>/<Linux VDA RPM>
<!--NeedCopy-->

For Ubuntu:

sudo dpkg –i  <PATH>/<Linux VDA DEB>

apt-get install -f
<!--NeedCopy-->

For SUSE 12:

sudo zypper –i install <PATH>/<Linux VDA RPM>
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2c: Enable repositories to install the tdb-tools package

For RHEL 7 server:

subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-server-optional-rpms
<!--NeedCopy-->

For RHEL 7 workstation:

subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-workstation-optional-rpms
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2d: Install the EPEL repository that contains ntfs-3g

Install the EPEL repository on RHEL 6/CentOS 6, RHEL 7/CentOS 7 so that running deploymcs.sh later installs the ntfs-3g package contained in it.

Step 2e: Manually install ntfs-3g on SUSE 12

On the SUSE 12 platform, there is no repository providing ntfs-3g. Download the source code, compile, and install ntfs-3g manually:

Install the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) compiler system and the make package:
```
sudo zypper install gcc
sudo zypper install make

```
Download the ntfs-3g package.

Decompress the ntfs-3g package:

sudo tar -xvzf ntfs-3g_ntfsprogs-<package version>.tgz
<!--NeedCopy-->

Enter the path to the ntfs-3g package:

sudo cd ntfs-3g_ntfsprogs-<package version>
<!--NeedCopy-->

Install ntfs-3g:

./configure
make
make install
<!--NeedCopy-->

Step 2f: Set up the runtime environment

Before running deploymcs.sh, do the following:

Change variables in /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs.conf. The mcs.conf configuration file contains variables for setting MCS and the Linux VDA. The following are some of the variables, of which dns and AD_INTEGRATION must be set:

Note: If a variable can be set with multiple values, put the values inside single quotes and separate them with spaces. For example, LDAP_LIST=’aaa.lab:389 bbb.lab:389.’
- Use_Existing_Configurations_Of_Current_VDA: Determines whether to use the existing configurations of the currently running VDA. If set to Y, configuration files on MCS-created machines are the same as the equivalents on the currently running VDA. However, you still must configure the dns and AD_INTEGRATION variables. The default value is N, which means configuration files on MCS-created machines are determined by configuration templates on the master image.
- dns: Sets the DNS IP address.
- AD_INTEGRATION: Sets Winbind or SSSD (SSSD is not supported on SUSE).
- WORKGROUP: Sets the workgroup name, which is the NetBIOS name (case-sensitive) if configured in AD. Otherwise, it is the domain name by default.
On the template machine, add command lines to the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file for writing or updating registry values as required. This action prevents the loss of data and settings every time an MCS-provisioned machine restarts.

Each line in the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file is a command for setting or updating a registry value.

For example, you can add the following command lines to the /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg file to write or update a registry value respectively:
```
 create -k "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\VirtualChannels\Clipboard\ClipboardSelection" -t "REG_DWORD" -v "Flags" -d "0x00000003" --force
 
```
```
 update -k "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Citrix\VirtualChannels\Clipboard\ClipboardSelection" -v "Flags" -d "0x00000003"
 
```

Step 2g: Create a master image

Run /opt/Citrix/VDA/sbin/deploymcs.sh.
(Optional) On the template VM, update the configuration templates to customize the relevant /etc/krb5.conf, /etc/samba/smb.conf, and /etc/sssd/sssd.conf files on all created VMs.

For Winbind users, update the /etc/xdl/mcs/winbind_krb5.conf.tmpl and /etc/xdl/mcs/winbind_smb.conf.tmpl templates.

For SSSD users, update the /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd.conf.tmpl, /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd_krb5.conf.tmpl, and /etc/xdl/mcs/sssd_smb.conf.tmpl templates.

Note: Keep the existing format used in the template files and use variables such as $WORKGROUP, $REALM, $realm, and $AD_FQDN.
Install applications on the template VM and shut down the template VM from the AWS EC2 portal. Ensure that the instance state of the template VM is Stopped.
Right-click the template VM and select Image > Create Image. Type information and make settings as needed. Click Create Image.

Step 3: Create a machine catalog

In Citrix Studio, create a machine catalog and specify the number of VMs to create in the catalog. When creating the machine catalog, choose your machine template (the master image you created earlier) and select one or more security groups.

Creating a machine catalog

Selecting security groups

Do other configuration tasks as needed. For more information, see Create a machine catalog using Studio.

Step 4: Create a delivery group

Use MCS to upgrade your Linux VDA

To use MCS to upgrade your Linux VDA, do the following:

Upgrade your Linux VDA on the template machine:

For RHEL 7/CentOS 7:

sudo rpm -U XenDesktopVDA-19.12.0.50-1.el7_x.x86_64.rpm
<!--NeedCopy-->

For RHEL 6/CentOS 6:

sudo rpm -U XenDesktopVDA-19.12.0.50-1.el6_x.x86_64.rpm
<!--NeedCopy-->

For SUSE 12:

sudo rpm -U XenDesktopVDA-19.12.0.50-1.sle12_x.x86_64.rpm
<!--NeedCopy-->

For Ubuntu 16.04:

sudo dpkg -i xendesktopvda_19.12.0.50-1.ubuntu16.04_amd64.deb
<!--NeedCopy-->

For Ubuntu 18.04:

sudo dpkg -i xendesktopvda_19.12.0.50-1.ubuntu18.04_amd64.deb
<!--NeedCopy-->

Edit /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs.conf and /etc/xdl/mcs/mcs_local_setting.reg.
Take a new snapshot.
In Citrix Studio, select the new snapshot to update your machine catalog. Wait before each machine restarts. Do not restart a machine manually.

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Use Machine Creation Services (MCS) to create Linux VMs

April 11, 2023

Contributed by:

B C

April 11, 2023

Contributed by:

B C

Use Machine Creation Services (MCS) to create Linux VMs

Supported hypervisors

Use MCS to create Linux VMs on Citrix Hypervisor

Step 1: Prepare a master image

Step 1a: Install Citrix VM Tools

Step 1b: Install the Linux VDA package on the template VM

Step 1c: Enable repositories to install the tdb-tools package

Step 1d: Install the EPEL repository that contains ntfs-3g

Step 1e: Manually install ntfs-3g on SUSE 12

Step 1f: Set up the runtime environment

Step 1g: Create a master image

Step 2: Create a machine catalog

Step 3: Create a delivery group

Use MCS to create Linux VMs on Azure

Step 1: Create a hosting connection to Azure in Citrix Studio

Step 2: Prepare a master image on the template VM

Step 2a: Configure cloud-init for Ubuntu 18.04

Step 2b: Install the Linux VDA package on the template VM

Step 2c: Enable repositories to install the tdb-tools package

Step 2d: Install the EPEL repository that contains ntfs-3g

Step 2e: Manually install ntfs-3g on SUSE 12

Step 2f: Set up the runtime environment

Step 2g: Create a master image

Step 3: Create a machine catalog

Step 4: Create a delivery group

Use MCS to create Linux VMs on VMware vSphere

Step 1: Create a hosting connection to VMware in Citrix Studio

Step 2: Prepare a master image

Step 2a: Install the Linux VDA package on the template VM

Step 2b: Enable repositories to install the tdb-tools package

Step 2c: Install the EPEL repository that contains ntfs-3g

Step 2d: Manually install ntfs-3g on SUSE 12

Step 2e: Set up the runtime environment

Step 2f: Create a master image

Step 3: Create a machine catalog

Step 4: Create a delivery group

Use MCS to create Linux VMs on AWS

Step 1: Create a hosting connection to AWS in Citrix Studio

Step 2: Prepare a master image

Step 2a: Configure cloud-init

Step 2b: Install the Linux VDA package on the template VM

Step 2c: Enable repositories to install the tdb-tools package

Step 2d: Install the EPEL repository that contains ntfs-3g

Step 2e: Manually install ntfs-3g on SUSE 12

Step 2f: Set up the runtime environment

Step 2g: Create a master image

Step 3: Create a machine catalog

Step 4: Create a delivery group

Use MCS to upgrade your Linux VDA

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