Citrix 2 7 XenDesktop origin

Compared to XenApp, XenDesktop has a much shorter history. It all started in 2008 with the very first XenDesktop 2.0, a release that was essentially a bundle of several Citrix solutions stitched together, not yet a fully integrated VDI product. Version 2.1 added support for Vista, also in 2008. In February 2009, version 3.0 brought better scalability and management, especially important for VDI workloads. Still in 2009, version 4.0 was released; it was a fairly decent release with multi-site support, failover and some additional improvements.

Key XenDesktop releases

  • XenDesktop 2.0 (2008) — first release.
  • XenDesktop 2.1 (2008) — Vista support.
  • XenDesktop 3.0 (Feb 2009) — scalability and management improvements.
  • XenDesktop 4.0 (2009) — multi-site, failover.
  • XenDesktop 5.0 (Dec 2010) — Machine Creation Services introduced alongside Provisioning Services.
  • XenDesktop 5.5 (Aug 2011) — better user experience.
  • XenDesktop 5.6 (Feb 2012) — personalization features and System Center 2012 support.
  • XenDesktop 7.0 (Jun 2013) — convergence platform with XenApp.
  • XenDesktop 7.5 (Jan 2014), XenDesktop 7.6 (Sep 2014) — the version this course focuses on.

Version 5.0 was the real game changer: with the introduction of Machine Creation Services, administrators could now choose between MCS and Provisioning Services to clone and deliver desktops. From that point on, Citrix shipped XenDesktop releases at a very fast pace, ending up with XenDesktop 7.6 as the de facto reference at the time of this course. See you in the next video.

Summary

This lesson traces the evolution of Citrix XenDesktop from its origins in 2008 through 2014, covering major version releases and their key features. The timeline demonstrates how XenDesktop evolved from its initial 2.0 release into a mature solution, with significant turning points at version 5.0 (introduction of provisioning services) and the shift toward version 7.x releases. The chronology reveals Citrix's rapid release cadence and continuous improvements in scalability, user experience, and system integration.

Key points

  • XenDesktop 2.0 (2008) was the first release, a combined solution of multiple Citrix technologies with basic functionality
  • Version 3.0 (2009) introduced improved scalability and database management capabilities
  • Version 5.0 marked a turning point with new provisioning services, offering flexibility in service deployment options
  • Version 5.6 (2012) added System Center 2012 support and included Citrix acquired technologies
  • Version 7.0 (June 2013) represented the shift to the modern 7.x architecture with releases continuing through 7.26
  • The release cycle accelerated over time, with multiple versions per year by 2013-2014

FAQ

When was XenDesktop first released and what were its initial capabilities?

XenDesktop was first released in 2008 as version 2.0. It was a composite solution combining multiple Citrix technologies, though it had limited efficiency initially. The solution provided basic functionality but required integrated enhancements to deliver better performance.

What made version 5.0 a significant milestone in XenDesktop's evolution?

Version 5.0 (released in 2010) was a game-changer because it introduced provisioning services. This gave organizations the choice to use different service deployment options, providing greater flexibility in how XenDesktop could be deployed and managed.

Which version introduced support for Windows Server 2012?

Version 5.6, released in February 2012, added support for System Center 2012. This version also marked the addition of new capabilities acquired through Citrix's technology acquisitions during that period.