How to Install a XenDesktop Controller

How to Install a XenDesktop Controller

book

Article ID: CTX130916

calendar_today

Updated On:

Description

This article describes how to install the XenDesktop 5 Controller.

Requirements

Pre-requisites – XenDesktop Controller

Install XenDesktop Controllers on one of the following operating systems:
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Standard or Enterprise Edition, with Service Pack 2 installed (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Standard or Enterprise Edition (64-bit only) 

Disk Space Requirements

  • 100 megabytes for the Controller and SDKs
  • 50 megabytes for Desktop Studio
  • 50 megabytes for Desktop Director
This scenario was performed on Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise with Controller and SDK installation, Desktop Studio on all Controllers, and Desktop Director installed on one Controller.
Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 3.5, with Service Pack 1 must be installed on the operating system.
If Microsoft .NET Framework Version 3.5 is not installed on this server, it is installed automatically by XenDesktop. The XenDesktop installation media contains this installer in the Support\DotNet35 folder.

Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) and ASP.NET 2.0

IIS is required for Desktop Director. Therefore, it will only be installed on the first Controller in this scenario.
  • For Windows Server 2008, Microsoft IIS Version 7.0
  • For Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft IIS Version 7.5
Because Desktop Director will be installed on a Desktop Controller, this article describes the addition of IIS Version 7.5 with the appropriate roles.
Other components might be required depending on variations to the enterprise system environment. Refer to Citrix eDocs for XenDesktop 5 Controllers to gather specifics on:
  • Microsoft Visual J# 2.0 Redistributable Package, Second Edition
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 with Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package
  • Microsoft Windows PowerShell version 2.0
  • Internet Explorer 7.0 or later

Instructions

  1. Connect and authenticate to the server selected to serve as the Desktop Controller
    Note: If using a service account to install the Desktop Controller, ensure that the user account has elevated privileges. Consult with Active Directory Administrators to ensure compliance with specific enterprise account standards.
    Remote Desktop Connection

  2. Start Server Manager from the Start Menu. The path to Server Manager is Start > Administrative Tools > Server Manager.

  3. Select the Roles node in the left hand navigation pane.

  4. Click Add Roles.

  5. Agree to the Introductory Screen for the Add Roles Wizard by clicking Next.

  6. Select the Web Server role from the check boxes available.

  7. Agree to the screen that introduces IIS by selecting Next.

  8. Ensure that all appropriate checkboxes are selected. Many of these are selected by default.  Check boxes include:
    Add Roles Wizard

    Web Server > Common HTTP Features >
     > Static Content
     > Default Document
     > Directory Browsing
     > HTTP Errors

    Web Server > Application Development >
     > ASP.NET
     > .NET Extensibility
     > ISAPI Extensions
     > ISAPI Filters

    Web Server > Health and Diagnostics >
     > HTTP Logging
     > .Request Monitor

    Web Server > IIS Management Console
  1. Confirm installation selections by selecting Install at the prompt. 
    Add Roles Wizard

  2. Allow the installation to proceed to completion.

  3. Validate that the installation completed. If successful, click Close to complete the installation the IIS Server Role. Close Server Manager and return the system.  It is now possible to install Desktop Controller(s).
    Add Roles Wizard

XenDesktop Controller Installation

  1. Staying on the server selected to be the Desktop Controller, navigate to the location of the XenDesktop Installer Media and launch using AutoPlay.

  2. Run AutoSelect.exe.
    Autoplay

  1. Select Install XenDesktop.
    Note: If using a service account to install the Desktop Controller, ensure that the user account has elevated privileges. Consult with Active Directory Administrators to ensure compliance with specific enterprise account standards.
    XenDesktop

  2. Read the entire Licensing Agreement, select I accept the terms and conditions and then select Next to continue.
    Note: In this scenario for XenDesktop, web access is provided through a Web Interface installed on a separate server. Also, a separate SQL 2008 R2 database is used. Lastly, a dedicated License Server has already been installed and is not required as part of the Controller installation.

  1. Select the appropriate components for installation. This should include:

> XenDesktop Controller
> Desktop Studio
> Desktop Director
  1. Clear the selections for Web Access, License Server, and Install SQL Server Express. These components are installed separately.

  2. Click Next to continue.
    XenDesktop

  1. Allow the installation summary to generate.

  2. Validate that all appropriate components are included in the summary area and click Install.
    XenDesktop

  3. Clear Configure XenDesktop after closing and click Close.

  4. Close the remote connection to the first XenDesktop Controller.
    XenDesktop

Issue/Introduction

This article describes how to install the XenDesktop 5 Controller.