Virtualization: Citrix Launches XenApp 6

Citrix Systems continues to bolster its virtualization story. Sometime later this month, the company expects to ship XenApp 6, a virtualization and application “delivery product” that lets users connect to corporate applications. You can also host apps with XenApp, or stream them direct to the local user. Here are some more details.

XenApp 6 is going to bring enhanced integration with Microsoft App-V virtualization, Windows Sever 2008 R2 support, and it’ll be sprinkled with all the power, automation and other enhancements you’ve come to expect. Generally, Citrix wants you to know that XenApp6 will feature expanded scalability, and of course, simplified central management with AppCenter, which allows for management of applications via a central console.

XenApp is also sporting “Enhanced High-Definition HDX Technology” which is a big word for the fact that you can now virtualize and/or stream real time media applications while utilizing a host of USB peripherals back at the thin client. All the white, maintaining a “CD-quality” audio and ‘high-definition’ user experience (but we don’t think they’re talking about video quality)

There’s also integration with Citrix’s Dazzle, which lets users pick if Microsoft’s App-V or XenApp virtualizes and delivers their application.

But wait, there’s more: Mac and smart phone support is here, so you can get at your Windows Apps on a Mac, and multitask on your iPhone or Windows phone. (Remember the Windows 7 on iPad story?)

Citrix is also touting this beast’s “unparalleled scalability.” Translation? XenApp 6 has been confirmed to scale to 100,000 concurrent users in a “single farm.”

Sounds like some big beefy virtualization going on. But we’ll offer some reality checks ones it arrives.

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