Other Applications

APPLICATION SELF-AUTHORIZATION CITRIX STOREFRONT

Application self-authorization is a plugin for the Citrix StoreFront Web-interface (v3.0 and up). The plugin enables a logged in user to authorize themselves for the use of applications of their choosing (which are available).

LOGIN ASSISTANT

The application is designed to work as a helper for the user in repeating situations which would usually require action from the user, and thus enhances the user experience.

The application starts with user login and executes actions with its plugins that would otherwise be done by the user every time they start using the computer. The application works independently and doesn’t require any action from the user.

Application structure

The application is adaptive depending on needs and can be complemented through plugins. Each plugin is a DLL-library, which is added to the application directory. At start, the application goes through the contents of the folder and takes the plugins which have been turned on in the configuration file and adds them.

Plugins

The functionality of the application is constantly expanded with new plugins. Current plugins for the application are:

1. Application responder checker

The feature constantly monitors the behavior of the users applications. If some application gets stuck in the “Not responding” -state and doesn’t return to normal within a set time period, the feature sends an error message to (a) pre-determined administrator(s).

The waiting time can be configured for the feature (how much time to give to the application to respond before the message), as well as whether the observations should be paused while the user has locked the computer or left the session.

2. Internet Explorer browser-formatting function (BrowserReset)

If the Internet Explorer -browser or one of its tabs freezes, the Assistant gives the user a chance to reset the browser settings. The feature empties the browsers cache, disables plugins, and returns browser functionality. The feature also attempts to return open tabs and browser windows.

The reset can also be performed manually by using a menu command.

3. Restart notification avoider

In a virtualized environment it’s very common that after certain update procedures the virtual computers' operating systems asks for the computers restart in connection with the user login. This can happen when the virtual computers parameters (memory amount, number of CPU cores) are changed, or when applications are updated/installed on the Master-computer and the computer hasn’t been able to, or remembered to have been reset before publishing.

On a traditional computer this isn’t an issue, because the user can restart the computer, when the needed changes are applied, and the problem is solved. This is different in a virtualized environment, where the computers restart only returns the computers state back to what it was at the publishing point. The operating system notices the update again and asks for another reset. So, the problem isn’t solved, no matter how many times the computer is reset.

Often the notification in question is unnecessary in a virtual environment, and the computer will continue to run as usual, even if the restart is left undone. As such, the notification is only problematic, especially since worried users will ask about it from user support.

The restart notification avoider solves the problem: during the startup of the Assistant the function will remain to observe the possible notification displayed to the user. If the notification appears, the function will dismiss it immediately. This way the user will not be shown false information.

The time the function waits for the notification can be configured in the configuration file, as well as whether only the first notification will be handled.

4. Default printer helper (UserDefaultPrinterHelper)

Printer control in a virtual environment can be challenging. Even though Citrix has done an excellent job in accommodating many printer models in its environment, there are situations where printers won’t settle as the user would want. One of the most common issues is an incorrectly configured default printer.

Since in a virtual environment the user always logs into a “clean” computer, Citrix needs to also install the users selected printers and configure the default printer as selected by the user.

There are sometimes situations where this functionality won’t work as intended and the users default printer is instead picked randomly. This causes inconvenience to the user because they need to choose the default printer manually every time.

The solution to this problem is the Default printer helper -function: After the printers are installed the function chooses the default printer based on the user’s previous choice.

The function will remain to observe if the user changes their default printer, and after a small delay, will take that printer and save it as the default for future log in events.

5. Processor and memory observation (CPU & Memory Tracker)

The plugin observes the usage of the processor and memory, and reports if the usage temperature raises too high. The plugin observes user sessions, and if the user stops the session or locks their computer, empties the working sets of every running process of the user in question, thus reducing memory usage by freeing resources for the server.

It’s possible to configure the observation of certain processes by name for focused observation or work set emptying.

6. Registry cleaner (RegistryCleaner)

Clogging of the background printing service within the XenApp-environment is a common issue, the plugin keeps the HKLM registry clean from the user brought excess printers to avoid printing issues.

PROFILE CLEANER

The program automates cleaning the user’s profile and greatly reduces the amount of time required for repeating routines.

The program can be configured to operate independently, e.g. during night time, when the systems resources can be leveled, and possible resource sharing conflicts can be avoided, if the user in question is logged in.

LIDO EROUTEMANUAL UPDATER

The program has been designed to update the Lido eRouteManual application on its own with an externally downloaded update package at certain intervals.