technical solutions and commentary

Citrix Research Engineer, Jeff Muir, introduces PortICA on his blog in this post Introducing PortICA (ICA server on XP). In the post he states “…For the first time, it will be possible to host ICA on Windows XP. This makes it possible to use existing ICA clients and infrastructure to access Windows XP desktops.”

It sounds like PortICA is similar to users being able to remotely access an XP desktop using RDP. I work with several IT departments that use Presentation Server and also provide users remote access to their office desktops using VPN over the internet and an RDP client. In this regard PortICA could simplify this scenario since using the ICA client will work on about any platform/OS, including a web based version.

If users can use the Citrix Access Gateway or Web Interface w/ Secure Gateway and be provided the icon at login to a dedicated XP desktop (either a full PC fat client or a blade running XP) There would be value in PortICA. It would be easier than providing each user the name or dedicated IP address of their desktop for the RDP client.

Also interesting would be using PortICA along with Citrix EdgeSight for remote monitoring and control of users desktops. There are other solutions on the marketing for this inclusing built-in remote assistance RDP, VNC, SMS, LanDesk, etc. If a company is making the investment in EdgeSight, it may be a good add-on product to it.