Citrix - How to install Always On Tracing (AOT) Log Server

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Article ID: CTX696833

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Description

What is Always On Tracing? 

Always On Tracing (AOT) is a diagnostic framework that captures logs continuously across your Citrix environment — so when something breaks, the data is already there. No manual tracing setup, no issue reproduction required.

 
 
Step 1 — Check Minimum Version Requirements

AOT requires minimum supported versions across your CVAD environment, Citrix Workspace App, and infrastructure components. Check each section below before proceeding.

 

CVAD Platform Components

Applies to: Windows VDA, Linux VDA, Mac VDA, Delivery Controller, StoreFront, FAS, PVS, Session Recording, WEM, UPM

CVAD Version AOT Support Action
CVAD 2402 CU4, CVAD 2507 CU1 and later CUs and LTSR releases ✓ Supported Eligible — proceed to Step 2
CVAD 2511, 2603 and all later Current Releases ✓ Supported Eligible — proceed to Step 2
Earlier versions ✗ Not Supported Upgrade to a supported version to enable AOT

 

Citrix Workspace App (CWA)

Minimum version varies by platform and how users connect to their resources.

Direct Access

Users connect directly to Storefront over the internal network without using a Citrix Gateway. This is typically used for on-premises or VPN-connected users.

Via Citrix Gateway

Users connect through a Citrix Gateway, which securely brokers remote access to Storefront and backend Citrix resources. This deployment is commonly used for remote users accessing applications and desktops over the internet.

 

CWA Platform Direct Access Via Citrix Gateway
Windows 2511.10 or 2507 CU1+ 2603 or 2507 CU2+
Mac 2603+ 2603+
HTML5 2511+ 2603+
ChromeOS 2511+ 2603+
Android 2603+ 2603+
iOS 2603+ 2603+
Linux Coming soon

 

Infrastructure Components

Only components in use in your environment need to meet these requirements.

Component Minimum Version
Citrix NetScaler Gateway 14.1.60.57
Citrix License Server 540000+
Cloud Connector 6.157.0.19398+
Citric FAS, PVS, WEM, Session Recording Server, Linux VDA, Mac VDA and UPM 2402 CU4, 2507 CU1, 2511, 2603 or later
Citrix DaaS Post February 2026

 

Supported Components

AOT collects logs from the following Citrix components. Any component that participates in log collection must meet the minimum version.

On-premises deployment

All components send logs to the Log Server.

VDA (Windows / Linux / Mac)Delivery ControllerStoreFrontWEMFASPVSSession RecordingNetScaler GatewayCitrix Workspace AppLicense Server
 

Cloud (DaaS) deployment

Resource location components forward the logs to Log Server

VDA (Windows / Linux / Mac)Cloud ConnectorWEMFASPVSSession RecordingCitrix Workspace App

Citrix Cloud plane components forward the logs to Citrix managed service

Citrix Cloud control plane component logs (Cloud DDC, Citrix Gateway service, Citrix Workspace) are not forwarded to the Log Server. These logs are ingested into a Citrix-managed Splunk service and are accessible to Citrix Support internally only — not available via Director or CLI.

 

Step 2 — What You Get with AOT
2
Eliminate the most common cause of long support cycles — missing diagnostic data

Here is what changes when AOT is enabled in your environment:

  • Always-on collection— AOT captures logs continuously in the background. No manual tracing setup, no issue reproduction required.

  • Data is already there when you need it— when an issue occurs, the logs are captured and waiting. You do not need to reproduce the problem to get logs.

  • Human-readable logs— AOT logs are written in plain-text English. No CDF decoding, no TMF files, no parsing tools required.

  • Faster resolution with Citrix Support— When you open a support case, engineers can investigate directly in Citrix Director or pull logs via CLI, reducing back-and-forth and lowering Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR).

  • Covers the key components— VDA, Delivery Controller, StoreFront, Citrix Workspace App, FAS, PVS, NetScaler, Session Recording, and more.

 

Step 3 — Choose Your Deployment Option
3
Pick the option that best fits your infrastructure

All three options deploy the same Log Server — the difference is where it runs and how updates are managed.

  • If you have access to Account Technical Strategist, work with your ATS team for assisted deployment planning.
  • Otherwise, follow the Citrix Always On Tracing documentation to self-deploy.

 

Deployment options:

     Connector Appliance Linux Log Server Windows Log Server
Built-in Log Server — no Docker management, evergreen updates handled by Citrix Ubuntu 24.04, RHEL 8.10 / 9.4 with Docker Engine — preferred for larger deployments Windows 10/11 or Server 2022/2025 with Docker Desktop — requires an active user session
Recommended Recommended if Linux is preferred If Docker Desktop subscription is purchased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Next Steps

Use these resources to plan and complete your AOT deployment.

AOT DocumentationOverview and architectureLog Server Storage RecommendationSizing and storage guidanceView AOT Logs in Citrix Director/MonitorAccessing logs via Director or MonitorAOT FAQFrequently asked questionsKnown Issues and LimitationsCurrent known issues and limitations

 

 

Issue/Introduction

This guide explains how to deploy the Always On Tracing (AOT) Log Server, including deployment prerequisites, supported deployment options, and the steps required to configure your environment for continuous log collection. 

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