(Microsoft Remote Desktop Services was formerly known as Microsoft Terminal Services.)
There are several advantages to running ViewX or WebX on a Citrix server or Remote Desktop Services server:
- Administration is centralized. Each Citrix or Remote Desktop Services server has 1 installation of ViewX or WebX and this single application can then be accessed by each Citrix or Remote Desktop Services client. So Citrix/Remote Desktop Services clients can be used to access the ViewX or WebX interface without having ViewX or WebX installed locally - the clients use the ViewX or WebX that is running on the Citrix or Remote Desktop Services server.
- As ViewX/WebX is only installed on the server(s), any upgrades or maintenance to ViewX/WebX only have to be performed on the server(s). So maintenance of ViewX is easier and quicker, and may be more cost-effective.
However, while using ClearSCADA with Citrix or Remote Desktop Services has several benefits, there is also a cost - higher bandwidth is required. This is because the Citrix or Remote Desktop Services server(s) has to send graphics to each of its clients. High bandwidth is needed to allow quantities of graphics to be sent effectively.
So, if you are interested in running ClearSCADA on Citrix or Remote Desktop Services servers, you need to consider:
- The overhead of upgrading and maintaining ‘normal’ ViewX and WebX clients compared to the cost of upgrading and maintaining ViewX/WebX running on a single server
- The cost and availability of high bandwidth connections between your Citrix or Remote Desktop Services servers and their clients
- How many Citrix or Remote Desktop Services servers and clients your system will require
- The cost of implementing and running Citrix or Remote Desktop Services (initial set up, hardware, software, licenses, support etc.).
A Citrix/Remote Desktop Services agent will be able to advise you on a suitable setup for your requirements and the associated costs.