Citrix 4 3 Citrix License Server

The Citrix License Server is the first component we install in our XenDesktop environment. The reason is that when we install the Delivery Controller, it will ask us for license details, so the License Server must already be in place. For this lab a dedicated VM is created in Hyper-V, which will be turned into the License Server (hostname XDLIC).

Before installing, it is worth checking the Citrix website for the License Server prerequisites. You will need a supported version of .NET Framework and a supported hypervisor. Citrix recommends running the License Server on its own machine. To find the exact, case-sensitive hostname that the License Server will publish, open a command prompt and type:

hostname

Installation steps

  • Mount the XenDesktop ISO and double-click the autorun selection that brings up the splash screen.
  • Choose to install only the License Server (the XenApp/XenDesktop installer offers it as an essential component too — same result, different branding).
  • Accept the license agreement and click Next.
  • Acknowledge the dependency on the Web Services for License Administration console.
  • Keep the default ports or change them as needed; let the installer configure the firewall rules automatically.
  • Click Install and wait a few minutes for completion.

Once the installer finishes, click Finish: the License Server is now installed and ready to host your Citrix license files. In the next video we will manage the License Server through the console.