Citrix XenMobile: The Basics You Should Know

In continuation of the Citrix products exploration, we will move further and learn about XenMobile.

Citrix XenMobile
 

XenMobile is a software released by Citrix Systems Inc., that provides Mobile Device Management [MDM] and the Mobile Application Management [MAM].
 

In brief, the XenMobile product facilitates the businesses to manage their employees’ mobile devices and applications.
 

It centralizes the management of mobile devices, traditional desktop, laptops, and IoT in a single platform. Thus, it increases the productivity as the employees are able to work securely on enterprise-owned and personal mobile devices and apps as well.

Citrix XenMobile Features:
 

• Mobile Device Management (MDM) enables the IT to configure, secure, provision, and manage the secure corporate and employee-owned devices and meets the compliance requirements as well.
• It integrates with GoToAssist and thus gives the mobile users’ service desk and remote support tools live.
• Mobile App Management (MAM) enables complete management, security, and have control over native mobile apps and the data associated.
• It integrates with the ShareFile and facilitates the IT to mobilize the data in SharePoint and Network file share securely for the users.
• With the Worx App SDK, the mobile apps that are custom developed, owned by the person or the third-party could be delivered to the users via the Worx App Gallery. Further, it is possible to remote lock, wipe, or encrypt data and the apps.
• It comprises of WorxMail, WorxWeb, native iOS and Android apps for emails, contacts, calendar, mobile web browsing that could be easily integrated with other Worx-enabled apps leveraging the MDX mobile security features.  
• It provides the application-specific micro VPN facilitating the app to access the internal network securely via any mobile app. [It prevent the device-wide VPN necessity and thus no compromise in security].
• The users may access their desktops and apps similar to the web and mobile apps view.
• It has a unified/single place for users so that they can choose and access their mobile, web or the Windows app on their device choice.
• A multi-factor single sign-on for mobile, web and Windows apps with security and thus ensures simplified the user experience.
• The secure integration of ShareFile and XenMobile facilitates the multiple users to view, edit, and share the data within a secure container on the mobile device.
   

The IT can share their data on the cloud, on-premises or a combination of both in a secure manner.
 

XenMobile Components/Architecture:
 

It forms the major ingredient to deliver a mobile workspace. If you are using XenApp or the XenDesktop, then the integration of Xenmobile is much easier.
 

The addition of XenMobile to the existing XenApp and XenDesktop environment looks as depicted in the diagram below.

Image Source: https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2014/04/03/xenmobile-andthe-citrix-mobile-workspaces-architecture/

The remote users of XenDesktop and the Xenmobile users are supported by the modular design i.e., Citrix 5-layer.
 

The components include User Layer, Access layer, Resource layer, Control layer and the Hardware layer.
 

1. User layer:

It depicts the user groups and their access to the desktops. And, as such the user may become the mobile user at any time supporting 1000 to 8000 users. However, 1000 steady-state mobility users are specified.
 

2. Access Layer:

The internal users can access directly to the StoreFront VMs. The two NetScaler 10500 system manages the remote users. It directs the mobile users to the XenMobile environment and the desktop users to the redundant StoreFront VMs.  
 

3. Resource layer:

It dictates the virtual desktops, applications or the XenMobile environment to the users. The desktop comprises of the Hosted shared desktops (HSD); Random pooled desktops and the  Static pooled desktops with a personal vDisk.
 

4. Control Layer:

It dictates the infrastructure VMs in support of the users to access the resources.

XenDesktop Users: VMs are created for StoreFront, XenDesktop Broker, Provisioning Services and the SQL databases.
XenMobile Users: Configuration of the database server, a mobile Device Manager [MDM] and the redundant App controllers.
 

5. Hardware Layer:

It determines the physical implementation with three clusters of servers such as the HSD cluster, VDI cluster, and, the Infrastructure cluster.
 

Benefits of Using Citrix XenMobile:
 

XenMobile is generally deployed along with the XenDesktop or the XenApp. The IT administrators are able to possess a centralized and secure tool to manage the virtual apps, desktops, corporate-issued mobile devices or the BYOD.  
 

A few of the benefits are listed below.
 

• XenMobile empowers the mobile users. It enables the enterprise user workflows easily with the Worx apps and the Worx Gallery apps.
• As the architecture comprises of sophisticated and complex network topologies, it is used in the large enterprise with users spread over the globe.
• The consolidated architecture [integrates mobile device, application management consoles and NetScaler Gateway controls] enables easy usage, deployment and thus service engagement.
• The intuitive Dashboard helps to manage and deploy the XenMobile with an easy understanding of the deployments.
• Owing to the consolidated architecture as mentioned above, it is known that the deployment time with XenMobile is highly reduced.
• It enables the user workflows in an easy way without the need to navigate along the multiple apps.
• The automated APNS certificate signing process, ISV partners’ self-verification and the self-service portal for the end users enables them to locate, track or wipe their stolen/lost devices independently.
• As it offers end-to-end FIPS compliant mobility solution without compromise in the security, it is better recommended for the businesses.
• Apart from the executed XenMobile deployments, the quality and expertise are driving the business effectively.

Citrix XenMobile Use Cases:
 

“Users can now leave the command center and effortlessly pull their session over to their mobile devices for secure real-time access in the field”, says Jason Adwell, Senior IT Systems engineer of LG&E and KU.
 

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company (LG&E and KU) are electric and natural gas utilities are using Citrix XenMobile as an MDM solution for the last few years.
 

The key benefits of using XenMobile as shared by them are briefed below:
 

• Efficient and easy to use with less IT support
• Delivers the data in a secure environment
• It supports an easy mobile workforce
   

Conclusion:
 

The deployment of XenMobile as a part of the workspace brings in all the changes required for centralized management of the mobile devices, desktops, laptops and the IoT. It brings in easier and efficient management as follows.
 

• Unified endpoint management
• Mobile device management
• Mobile application management
• Mobile content management
• Secure network gateway
• Enterprise-grade mobile productivity apps