The HDX RealTime Optimization Pack (RTOP) for Skype® for Business is a feature of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (formerly XenApp and XenDesktop), Advanced (formerly Enterprise) and Premium (formerly Platinum) editions. HDX RTOP provides optimized delivery of the Microsoft Skype for Business 2015, 2016 and 2019 clients.

Microsoft has announced that Skype for Business Server 2015, Skype for Business Server 2019, Skype for Business 2016 (client) and Skype for Business 2019 (client) have already reached mainstream end of support and will reach end of extended support in October 2025

Microsoft's recommendation is to migrate to Microsoft Teams or prepare to upgrade your organization to Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE) when it becomes available in July 2025.

1. Long Term Service Release

HDX RTOP 2.9 is a Long Term Service Release (LTSR). HDX RTOP 2.9.700 is the last released version of RTOP that is currently available.
HDX RTOP 2.4 was also an LTSR release. This version reached EoL on December 31, 2020, and is no longer supported.
Code-level maintenance (critical defect and security fixes) is provided by updating to the most recent RTOP Cumulative Update (CU) software version.
CUs are released twice a year, aligned with the XenApp and XenDesktop / Virtual Apps and Desktops CUs in April and October when possible.
The components covered under the LTSR program are:

• HDX RealTime Connector for Skype for Business
• HDX RealTime Media Engine for Windows
• HDX RealTime Media Engine for Mac
• HDX RealTime Media Engine for Linux 

 IMPORTANT: If you are using Workspace app 2402 or later, you must upgrade to RTOP 2.9 CU 7 (2.9.700).

Lifecycle Phases: GA (General Availability), EOM (End of Maintenance), EOL (End of Life). For definitions of these terms, click here.

Customers must be current with Citrix Customer Success Services (CSS) for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops to obtain HDX RealTime Connector LTSR and HDX RealTime Media Engine LTSR Cumulative Updates (CUs). 

Accessing and Deploying Updates: Cumulative Updates (CUs) are software releases that provide maintenance corrections and/or fixes. CUs will be available for download from www.citrix.com for Customer Success Services (Software Maintenance) customers. 
Generally, CUs will include fixes and no new functionality. CUs are cumulative in nature, so any new CU will include all fixes released in previous CUs for that component. 
This means that all updates will include all previous updates. You will not be able to install a subset of the fixes included in a CU release.
Support is available for any LTSR version level, but code level maintenance will be provided on the latest released CU.

Admins that want to routinely point their end users to the latest version may choose to advertise a download page for the latest current release version or a download page for the latest LTSR CU version (only the RTME for Windows is covered by the LTSR program).  Those pages will be evergreen - the URLs will persist while the contents on the pages are refreshed with each release.  If you prefer to point your end users to a specific version, choose one of the pages listed here.

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 2.9.x and 2.4.x

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 2.9.x and 2.4.x are for customers using one of the following Microsoft unified communications products: Skype for Business Server 2015, Lync Server 2013, Skype for Business Online (Office 365 - restrictions apply).

2. Current Releases

As stated above, RTOP 2.9 LTSR is the last released version. No additional CR versions of RTOP will be released.

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 1.8.x

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 1.8.200 (December 2015) is the last release for customers still using Lync Server 2010.
Please note that Microsoft’s Mainstream Support End Date for Lync Server 2010 was 4/12/2016 - hence it is not supported by Citrix any longer.

3. Questions and Answers:

Q: What is a Current Release (CR) and how does it compare to a Long Term Service Release (LTSR)?
A:  See Servicing Options.

Q: When is the next LTSR planned?
A: RTOP 2.9 is the latest LTSR version released and will be the last version until further notice

Q: Where can I find documentation for HDX RealTime Optimization Pack?
A:  Documentation for HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 2.x can be found here.

Q: Would HDX RealTime Optimization Pack work when trying to optimize Microsoft Teams?
A: No, Microsoft Teams has a different optimization solutions - Refer Optimization for Microsoft Teams

Q: I am moving to Microsoft Teams. So, how do I remove Real Time Media Engine components?

A.

RTME uninstallation process:

All operations should be done on endpoint not connected to to any VDA at the moment.

Windows:

1.Manual process: Click Start-> Type and select “Add or remove programs”

And run the applet. In Apps and Features search start to type “Citrix HDX RealTime Media Engine”, click on found application, select and start “Uninstall”. Follow the uninstall prompts.

2. Using PowerShell script: Click Start-> Type "PowerShell”, select it and run as administrator->run attached script WINuninstallHDXRTME.ps1. Will uninstall “RealTime Media Engine” if it exists (run could take up to 1 minute).

Linux: The best way to uninstall: download latest HDX RealTime Media Engine 2.9 for Linux (zip file) from

https://www.citrix.com/downloads/citrix-receiver/additional-client-software/hdx-realtime-media-engine-latest.html

Unzip, run HDXRTME_install.sh an follow the uninstall prompts

Mac: Open console, run  "sudo <path_to>/MACuninstallHDXRTME.sh 

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication, but updates and revisions may be posted periodically and without notice. CITRIX DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY WARRANTIES COVERING THIS INFORMATION AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, AND SPECIAL DAMAGES, IN CONNECTION WITH THE INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE.