NetScaler for Apps and Desktops (CNS-222)

Request a Quote for this class

About this Course

Designed for students with little or no previous NetScaler, NetScaler Gateway or Unified Gateway experience, this course is best suited for individuals who will be deploying or managing NetScaler, NetScaler Gateway, or Unified Gateway environments.

What’s New:
The course has been completely redeveloped and improves upon CNS-207: Implementing Citrix NetScaler 11 for App and Desktop Solutions via the following:

  • Improved course structure and flow to focus on NetScaler essentials for the first 3 days, and NetScaler Gateway and Unified Gateway features for the remaining 2.
  • A new lab environment, redesigned and built for enhanced performance.
  • Incorporated course feedback that has been gathered over the last year.
  • New content introduced throughout the course.

Audience Profile

Students interested in learning how to implement and manage the advanced NetScaler features using
leading practices. Specifically:

  • Administrators
  • Implementers / Engineers
  • Architects

Prerequisites

Citrix recommends students prepare for this course by taking the following course:

  • CNS-102 NetScaler Overview

It is also recommended to gain a basic understanding of the following concepts and technologies:

  • Basic Networking
  • Windows and Linux Server administration
  • Experience with Citrix virtualization technologies, such as XenDesktop and XenApp
  • Experience with Microsoft SQL Server or enterprise database servers
  • Experience with Active Directory and Group Policy
  • Basic understanding of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services
  • Basic understanding of VPN concepts, including SSL encryption and certificates

Course Outline

Part 1

1. Getting Started

  • Introduction to the NetScaler System
  • TriScale
  • NetScaler Use Cases
  • NetScaler Functionality
  • NetScaler Overview
  • Product Features
  • NetScaler Operating System Overview
  • nCore Configuration Architecture
  • NetScaler File system
  • Deployment Scenarios
  • Logging in to the NetScaler System
  • NetScaler Licenses

2. Basic Networking

  • OSI Networking Model
  • NetScaler Architecture Overview
  • NetScaler-Owned IP Addresses
  • Network Topology
  • NetScaler Network Interfaces
  • Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs)
  • IP Routing
  • Determining the Source IP Address
  • Packet Forwarding
  • Use Source IP Mode
  • Client-IP HTTP Header Insertion
  • Path MTU Discovery
  • Link Aggregation
  • Access Control Lists
  • Network Address Translation (NAT)

3. NetScaler Platforms

  • Architecture and General Concepts
  • Hardware Platforms
  • Hardware Components
  • MPX Overview
  • VPX Overview
  • CPX Overview
  • SDX Overview
  • Identify the unique capabilities and functionality of the NetScaler SDX platform
  • Identify the networking characteristics of the NetScaler SDX platform
  • Explain the process of provisioning and administration of NetScaler VPX instances on a NetScaler SDX appliance

4. High Availability

  • High Availability Functionality
  • High Availability Node Configuration
  • Propagation and Synchronization
  • Failover, Route Monitors, Fail Safe
  • Propagation, Synchronization
  • High Availability Management
  • Performing an Upgrade
  • Troubleshooting
  • Upgrading HA pair

5. Load Balancing

  • Local Load Balancing concepts
  • Naming conventions
  • Persistence
  • Service Types
  • LB Methods
  • Disabling Entities
  • Diagnostics/Troubleshooting
  • L4 vs L7 for TCP services
  • UDP ping vs L7
  • Monitor attributes
  • Built in L7 monitors
  • Monitors from Scripts
  • EAV Monitors
  • ECV Monitors
  • DataStream

6. SSL Offload

  • SSL and TLS
  • SSL Session Process
  • SSL Administration
  • SSL Offload Overview
  • SSL Attacks Overview
  • SSL Troubleshooting
  • Cipher Suites
  • Certificate Management
  • Feature and Benefits
  • Offload Performance
  • Deployment Scenarios
  • Citrix Recommendations for SSL

7. Securing the NetScaler

  • NetScaler Communication Ports
  • Overview of AAA
  • Authentication on the NetScaler
  • NetScaler Users
  • Command Policies
  • Admin Partitions

8. Monitoring, Management, and Troubleshooting

  • Monitoring Needs
  • NetScaler Log Management
  • Simple Network Management Protocol
  • AppFlow on the NetScaler System
  • NetScaler Insight Overview
  • NetScaler Command Center Overview
  • Network Traffic Capture using NSTRACE
  • Troubleshooting with Filter Expressions
  • Decoding SSL Traffic with Wireshark
  • Display NetScaler System Information

Part 2

9. Authentication and Authorization

  • System and AAA Users Groups
  • External Authentication
  • Authentication Actions and Policies
  • Authentication Configuration
  • Supported Authentication Types

10. Access Policies

  • Endpoint Analysis
  • Policy, Profiles, and Expressions
  • Pre-Authentication Policies and Profiles
  • Post-Authentication Policies
  • Endpoint Analysis Troubleshooting

11. End-User Access and Experience

  • Connection Methods
  • Endpoint Session Policies Settings
  • Timeout Settings
  • RDP Proxy
  • Clientless Access
  • VLAN Options

12. Gateway Services Load Balancing

  • SSL Offload Overview
  • Traffic Types
  • Ldap, HDX, StoreFront Load Balancing
  • Extended Content Verification (ECV) Monitoring

13. Integrating NetScaler with XenApp and XenDesktop

  • Required Firewall Rules
  • Web Interface or StoreFront Integration with NetScaler Gateway
  • WebFront Overview
  • Session Policies

14. Unified Gateway

  • NetScaler Unified Gateway Overview
  • NetScaler Unified Gateway Reference Architecture Review
  • Unified Gateway Key Features
  • Unified Gateway Topologies