So you want to get Citrix certified? 21 June, 2008
Posted by Melvin Porter in Certification, Citrix, Project Delaware, XenApp/Presentation Server.Tags: CCA, CCEA, CCIA, Citrix, Citrix Certification
1 comment so far
•Where do you start?
•What course should you attend?
•What exams do you take to become Citrix Certified?
Given the various name changes that Citrix products have undergone – it can be a bit confusing!!!
Before explaining the Citrix training and certification tracks, I’ll start off with some of the Citrix products and the names that they have been known as – hopefully this will clarify things for you.
Then…
In the early days of Citrix there was Citrix MultiUser and then WinView for OS2. Microsoft came up in the world and WinFrame was born. Winframe grew until it became Citrix Metaframe 1.8.
Metaframe 1.8 became Metaframe XP. One of the big improvements in Metaframe XP was the consolidation of all the Metaframe 1.8 consoles into the sing Citrix Management Console (CMC). The CMC is what we would now {2007 / 2008} refer to as the Presentation Server Console).
Metaframe XP had its additions in the form of Feature Releases (FR) – Metaframe XP FR1, Metaframe XP FR2, Metaframe XP FR3. FR3 saw the Program Neighborhood Agent Admin Tool feature appear – no more manual editing of XML files!!!
Metaframe XP then made way for Citrix Presentation Server 3.0. Presentation Server 3.0 saw the birth of the all new and improved licensing strategy and Access Suite Console.
Hot on the heels of Presentation Server 3.0 came Citrix Presentation Server 4.0 with the new Isolation Environments features. It was around this time the Citrix decided to brand many of their other products to the version 4.0 convention.
- Presentation Server 4.0
- Password Manger 4.0
- Access Gateway 4.0
Now…
Presentation Server 4.5 followed next with Application Streaming, Configuration Logging, Health Monitoring and Recovery and the newly named Access Management Console. Presentation Server 4.5 saw the introduction of Feature Pack 1 with Smart Auditing, as well as Platinum licensing etc. Once again Citrix standardised the naming of many products to 4.5 at this time.
The big name change….
As of April 11, 2008 the nomenclature of Presentation Server 4.5 courses, exams and related certifications have been updated to include the Citrix XenApp name. This name change brings Presentation Server into line with other Citrix Products such as XenServer and XenDesktop. In case you have been on a different planet recently – Citrix acquired XEN Source in 2007 for $500 million.
Just over the horizon…
Project Delaware is the code name for XenApp 5.0 which is scheduled for release very soon (probably late 2008). It has many improvements – namely support for Windows Server 2008 and most noticeably the sexy black Web Interface 5.0!! See my previous posting for some screen shots of this.
Now let’s have a look at the training and certification tracks…
The Citrix Access Suite includes, Citrix XenApp, Citrix Password Manager and Citrix Access Gateway.
Foundation level certification for the Access Suite includes the following levels of certification.
- Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4)
- Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) for Citrix Password Manager 4
- Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) for Citrix Access Gateway 4
Advanced certification for the Access Suite includes the following levels of certification.
- Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA) for XenApp (Presentation Server 4)
- Citrix Certified Infrastructure Architect (CCIA) for XenApp (Presentation Server 4)
FOUNDATION
What should you do to become a CCA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4)?
|
Recommended Training |
Exam code |
|
|
CCA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4) |
CTX-1455CW (E-Learning) * Citrix Common Management Platform 4.5: Administration
CTX-1259AI (ILT) ** 5 days or CTX-4100AI (ILT)** 3days Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4.5): Administration |
What should you do to become a CCA for Citrix Password Manager 4?
|
Recommended Training |
Exam code |
|
|
CCA for Citrix Password Manager |
CTX-1455CW (E-Learning) * Citrix Common Management Platform 4.5: Administration
CTX-1327AI (ILT) ** 2 days Citrix Password Manger 4.5: Administration |
What should you do to become a CCA for Citrix Access Gateway 4?
| Recommended Training | Exam code | |
|
CCA for Citrix Access Gateway 4 |
CTX-1455CW (E-Learning) * Citrix Common Management Platform 4.5: Administration CTX-1307BW (E-Learning)* Citrix Access Gateway 4.5 Standard Edition: Administration*
CTX-1308AI (ILT) ** 2 days Citrix Access Gateway 4.5 Advanced Edition: Administration |
ADVANCED
What should you do to become a CCEA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4)?
| Recommended Training | Exam code | |
|
CCEA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4) |
Prerequisites
CTX-1264AI (ILT) ** 3 days Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4.5): Support CTX-1456AI (ILT)** 2 days Citrix Access Suite 4.0: Build/Test Workshop |
|
|
|
What should you do to become a CCIA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4)?
| Recommended Training | Exam code | |
|
CCIA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4) |
Prerequisites
CTX-1456AI (ILT)** 2 days Citrix Access Suite 4.0: Build/Test Workshop CTX-6113AI (ILT) ** 2 days Citrix Access Suite 4.0: Analysis CTX-6114AI (ILT)** 2 days Citrix Access Suite 4.0: Design |
|
|
|
* E-Learning Courses
- To be completed online at https://citrix.learning.accenture.com
- Includes an assessment which must be passed by the candidate.
** ILT = Instructor Led Training
Useful info – look for the Enablement Guide on each of the exam information pages – Enablement Guides provide exam length, number of questions and exam objectives.
In some cases credit can be obtained for completing alternate exam. E.g. 1Y0-258 can be used instead of 1Y0-264 – please confirm this with Citrix Education before making any certification / exam decision.
Please confirm all of these details on the Citrix web site.
New Citrix course/exam names 25 April, 2008
Posted by Melvin Porter in Certification, Citrix, XenApp/Presentation Server.Tags: Certification, Citrix, Citrix Certification, XenApp, XenApp/Presentation Server
add a comment
-
Effective April 11, 2008, the nomenclature of Presentation Server 4.5 courses, exams and related certifications have been updated to reflect the new XenApp product line name.
-
Updates are limited to nomenclature only; course/exam content and certification requirements have not changed.
-
New course/exam releases will adopt the XenApp name starting with Project Delaware
-
No changes have been made to titles of Presentation Server 4.0 exams and courses.
-
Certification records of existing Presentation Server 4 certificants have been updated to reflect the new certification name.
-
Candidates who have already been certified and would like to receive certificates with the new designation, can request a new certificate by accessing their account on the Certification Manager website.
-
All future certificants will receive certificates with the new nomenclature. The table below details the updated Presentation Server courses, exams and certifications, with new nomenclature:
|
Old Name |
New Name |
|
CCA for Citrix Presentation Server 4 |
CCA for XenApp (Presentation Server 4) |
|
CCEA for Citrix Presentation Server 4 |
CCEA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4) |
|
CCIA for Citrix Presentation Server 4 |
CCIA for Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4) |
|
CTX-1259AI Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Administration |
CTX-1259AI Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4.5): Administration |
|
CTX-1264AI Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Support |
CTX-1264AI Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4.5): Support |
|
1Y0-259 Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Administration |
1Y0-259 Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4.5): Administration |
|
1Y0-264 Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Support |
1Y0-264 Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4.5): Support |
|
CTX-4100AI Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Skills Update |
CTX-4100AI Citrix XenApp (Presentation Server 4.5): Skills Update |
New Courseware from Citrix 9 March, 2008
Posted by Melvin Porter in Certification, Project Delaware, XenApp/Presentation Server.Tags: Citrix, Project Delaware
add a comment
Citrix have invited CCI’s (Citrix Certified Instructors) to feed in their comments regarding up and coming courseware for Project Delaware. I would love to tell you all about it but it is all subject to NDA’s (Non Disclosure Agreements).
All I can say is… “It’s pretty cool.” I am really looking forward to the new product.
Heh heh heh! - that whet your appetitie, didn’t it.
Cheers
Melvin
How to create a Virtual PC environment 9 March, 2008
Posted by Melvin Porter in Certification.Tags: Virtual PC
add a comment
This isn’t strictly a Citrix article but it is useful nevertheless. My students often ask me how we create the virtual images that we use in class. I use both VMWare Player and Virtual PC 2007. Many students have used Microsoft’s Virtual PC 2007, but not many have actually set it up themselves. This is an excellent way of setting up some computers to assist you with your studies.
I will admit, I never compiled this little document – I lifted it from Trevor’s blog at www.grounding.co.za.
Thanks Trevor.
Download VPC2007 from Microsoft – it is free – get it here.
Install VPC2007. Be sure to have sufficient resources (CPU, memory etc.) on your computer to host the guest operating systems.
After you have installed Virtual PC on your machine, now is the time to create a VPC, follow the steps below:
Creating a Virtual Machine
To create a custom virtual machine
- Open Virtual PC Console.
- In Virtual PC Console, click New.
- In the New Virtual Machine Wizard dialog box, click Next.
- In the Options dialog box, click Create a virtual machine, and then click Next.
- In the Virtual Machine Name and Location dialog box, type a name for the new virtual machine, and then click Next.
By default, the wizard creates a new virtual machine configuration file (.vmc) and a new folder, both with the same name, in the My Virtual Machines subfolder of the My Documents folder. If you want to store the new folder and configuration file in a different location, type the full path for this location or click Browse to find it. - In the Operating System dialog box, in the Operating system list, select the operating system that you want to run on this virtual machine, or click Other if the operating system is not listed, and then click Next.
- In the Memory dialog box, do one of the following:
- To accept the recommended memory allocation, click Using the recommended RAM, and then click Next.
- To modify the recommended memory allocation, click Adjusting the RAM, change the setting by moving the slider or by typing the number of megabytes, and then click Next.
- In the Virtual Hard Disk dialog box, do one of the following:To use a previously created virtual hard disk
- Click An existing virtual hard disk, and then click Next.
- In the Virtual Hard Disk Location dialog box, type the name of an existing virtual hard disk file (.vhd).
- Select or clear the Enable undo disks check box, and then click Next.By default, the wizard looks for the virtual hard disk file in the My Documents folder. If the file that you want to use is in a different folder, type the full path for this folder or click Browse to find it.
To create a virtual hard disk for this virtual machine
-
- Click A new virtual hard disk, and then click Next.
- In the Virtual Hard Disk Location dialog box, type a name for the new virtual hard disk file, and then click Next.
By default, the wizard creates a new virtual hard disk file in the same folder as the virtual machine file. If you want to create the new file in a different location, type the full path for this location or click Browse to find it.
- Click A new virtual hard disk, and then click Next.
- In the Completing the New Virtual Machine Wizard dialog box, click Finish.
Install your operating system and software
- Open Virtual PC Console,
- In the list of virtual machines, click the virtual machine that you want to run, and then click Start.
- In the CD menu, choose Use Physical Drive D:.
You may use either physical drives or ISO images, if you use the ISO, choose Capture ISO image from the CD menu and specify the path to the ISO file
- Proceed to install your Operating System, register it and install service packs.
- Shut down your operating system and Commit Changes to disk.
Whoo hoo ! Passed the beta exam for Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Support (264) 9 March, 2008
Posted by Melvin Porter in Certification, XenApp/Presentation Server.Tags: 1Y0-264, CCEA, CCIA, Citrix, Citrix Certification
add a comment
I recently got word from Prometric that I passed the beta exam for Citrix Presentation Server 4.5: Support exam (264).
THe CTX1264 course (1Y0-264 exam) is the replacement for the CTX 1258 course (1Y0-258 exam). The 1Y0-264 is a requirement for CCEA (Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator)
The CTX1264 course is an ILT (Instructor Led Training) course which introduces the tools used to monitor the Presentation Server farm, record farm activity and generate reports. This course provides learners with the skills necessary to maintain data and server integrity and to scale, optimize and troubleshoot the Presentation Server farm.
It is a three day course
