Citrix 2-5 FMA

FMA stands for Flexcast Management Architecture and is the desktop delivery architecture introduced with XenDesktop. It was designed to deliver applications and desktops in many different ways: as a hosted shared session on a server OS, as an application hosted by a virtual machine, as a VDI desktop, or even as remote access to a physical PC. The same idea as XenApp, but instead of a single server OS hosting many users, you can also publish an application from a Windows desktop OS like XP, Windows 7 or Windows 8.

If you publish an application from a desktop OS VM, the relationship is one-to-one between that VM and the user, so to host one hundred users you must provision one hundred VMs. That can sound like a drawback, but it gives you the flexibility to move legacy applications that only run on XP or Windows 7 out of your physical fleet. Flexcast also supports delivering an entire desktop, either as a VDI or as a shared hosted desktop running on a server OS.

What FMA introduces

  • Remote PC access: users keep their physical office workstation and reach it through the same Citrix portal they already use, replacing a classic VPN.
  • Role separation: the Delivery Controller is the infrastructure piece you install on its own server, not on every XenApp box.
  • VDA (Virtual Delivery Agent): the software installed on each desktop, server or physical PC that registers with the Delivery Controller.
  • Single management plane: the Delivery Controller routes incoming users to the right resource (VDI, shared desktop, published application or remote PC).

Thanks to this clear separation of roles, FMA is far more flexible than IMA. It lays the foundation for the convergence of XenApp and XenDesktop into a single product line. In the next video we will look at what XenApp actually is.

Summary

Citrix FMA (Flexible Micro Applications) is a flexible architecture for delivering applications and virtual desktops, built on Citrix Flexcast technology. It allows organizations to publish applications from various deployment models—including virtual machines and servers—while supporting legacy operating systems like Windows XP and Windows 7 without requiring enterprise-level server installation. FMA uses role-based components, primarily the Desktop Delivery Controller and Citrix Receiver client software, to manage resource allocation and guide users to appropriate applications and desktop resources. The solution enables secure remote access and provides deployment flexibility for organizations supporting both modern and legacy applications.

Key points

  • FMA delivers applications and desktops using flexible, role-based deployment models rather than requiring dedicated enterprise servers
  • Supports legacy operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 7) by allowing applications to be hosted on virtual machines without updating the entire infrastructure
  • Built on Citrix Flexcast technology, providing multiple delivery options for applications and desktops with centralized management
  • Desktop Delivery Controller acts as the orchestration component that manages resources and directs users to available applications and desktops
  • Citrix Receiver is the client-side software required on user devices to establish connections and access published resources
  • Provides remote PC access capabilities, allowing organizations to offer users access to their physical workstations through a centralized web interface

FAQ

What is the main advantage of FMA over traditional application delivery?

FMA allows applications to be published from virtual machines rather than requiring installation on enterprise servers. This approach enables support for legacy applications (Windows XP, Windows 7) while providing deployment flexibility without needing to upgrade the entire infrastructure.

What are the key components needed to implement FMA?

The primary components are the Desktop Delivery Controller (manages resources, user connections, and directs users to appropriate applications and desktops) and Citrix Receiver (the client software installed on user devices to enable access to published applications and desktops).

Can organizations use FMA to extend the life of legacy applications?

Yes, FMA specifically supports legacy operating systems like Windows XP and Windows 7, allowing organizations to continue hosting and delivering older applications without forcing users to upgrade or maintaining separate server infrastructure.