Citrix ICA Clients FAQ
What is Citrix ICA?
Citrix ICA stands for Citrix® Independent Computing Architecture. It is the "thin" protocol that enables Citrix to separate screen updates and user input processing from the rest of the application's logic. When using a Citrix ICA Client, all application logic executes on the server and only screen updates, mouse movements and keystrokes are transmitted via the Citrix ICA session.
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What are Citrix ICA clients?
A Citrix ICA client is the software component that executes on the client device. It allows the user to establish a Citrix ICA session with a Citrix MetaFrame™ server. This session enables the user to access server-based applications that appear to run locally on the client machine but execute on the server.
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What types of applications can I access using Citrix ICA clients?
Virtually any application that can run on a Citrix server can be executed over Citrix ICA. These include most Windows®-based applications as well as UNIX®, X11, text, and Java-based applications.
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What operating systems do Citrix servers run on?
Currently, Citrix MetaFrame supports Windows NT 4.0, Terminal Server Edition and Windows 2000 Server and Advanced Server; Citrix® WinFrame® supports Windows NT 3.51. Citrix also provides Citrix MetaFrame for the Solaris™ operating environment, AIA and AP-UX operating systems.
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What are the currently supported platforms for the Citrix ICA clients?
Native Citrix ICA Clients are available for Windows PCs, Macintosh®, UNIX, Windows Based Terminals (WBTs) and a range of Windows CE and EPOC-based hand-held devices. The Java-based Citrix ICA Client provides Citrix ICA functionality to an even wider range of devices and environments. The list of supported clients is always growing to meet the ever-expanding universe of devices and operating environments offered by manufacturers. For a current listing,
click here.
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Does this mean that I can use my Macintosh to connect to a Citrix server and run Windows or UNIX applications?
Yes. Citrix ICA client software allows Macintosh, Windows, Linux®, Java and even legacy DOS and Windows users to run the latest Windows or UNIX applications directly from the server, without having to upgrade or give up their client hardware.
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What languages are supported?
Most Citrix ICA clients are available fully localized (user interface, documentation, and online help) in English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese versions. Citrix ICA clients can also display the remote user interface for a much wider array of localized applications published on Citrix MetaFrame servers. There is also wide support for various types of localized keyboard layouts.
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How are Citrix ICA clients distributed?
Clients are available for download at http://www.citrix.com/download/. Citrix also has a large number of companies that are licensed to redistribute the Citrix ICA clients with their products. These include manufacturers of terminals, hand-held and custom devices, wireless devices, and operating systems.
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How much do Citrix ICA clients cost?
Citrix ICA clients are offered at no cost to the end user. Citrix works in advance with OEMs and device makers to ensure Citrix ICA clients are of the highest quality and are well supported.
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Can I use local printers and hard drives with Citrix MetaFrame application server software?
All Citrix ICA clients support the use of locally connected printers. In effect, the server side provides the print driver for formatting the print job. This allows users to make the best use of newer printers on a wide range of operating systems without waiting for the appropriate drivers. Most Citrix ICA clients also allow access to locally mapped drives for storage and retrieval of files.
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What speed of connection do I need to the Citrix MetaFrame server?
The Citrix ICA protocol is very efficient. It requires quite small amounts of network bandwidth (5-20 Kbps is a typical requirement). Citrix ICA is also robust enough to continue operating even if bandwidth is more limited.
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Can I run the Citrix ICA clients via a Web browser?
Yes. Using Citrix NFuse™ technology, you can integrate application sets along with customized Web content on a per-user basis. This configuration serves as the basis for Web-based application service providers (ASPs) to offer any application to their end users.
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How do I keep my Citrix ICA client up-to-date with the latest release?
The latest client releases are always available at http://www.citrix.com/download/. In order to update several client machines within an enterprise, Citrix MetaFrame provides automatic client updating from the connecting server.
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How does automatic client update work?
First, an administrator populates the latest Citrix ICA client versions in the client update database on the Citrix MetaFrame server. Next, as clients connect to the server, they will recognize that they are older in version than the latest version in the update database. At this point the Citrix ICA client will prompt the user to accept the update.
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How can I learn more about Citrix ICA clients and the benefits of application server computing?
Visit our home page at http://www.citrix.com - where you'll find links to a wealth of information about our complete product line, press releases and real-world customer profiles.
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