Certification Objective 1.02: Understanding Digital Independence

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Digital Independence is the marketing term Citrix uses to describe the concept of being able to run any application, on any device, over any network connection, wireless to Web. Attaining 'Digital Independence' means being freed from the traditional restrictions and intricacies of technology so everything can compute. Citrix MetaFrame helps organizations effectively compete in the digital age by allowing users to access their applications freely, without restraint to a particular platform or connection. Digital Independence enables Web browsers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and network appliances to access applications regardless of the method of connection. Whether they use LAN, broadband Internet, wireless, or public Web browser kiosk, Digital Independence gets users connected to their data.

Browsers

Web browsers allow users to access Citrix NFuse sites where they receive the same applications that would be provided by a full Program Neighborhood client. The users can then launch their applications using either an ActiveX-, Netscape Plug-In-, or Java-based ICA client. These Web clients are installed on demand and reduce the administrative burden of distributing the client to users. Now, almost any platform that can support a Web browser can provide users with Program Neighborhood functionality. This freedom empowers users to access company data anywhere they can log on to a Web browser. So, whether they are aboard a cruise ship or shopping at the mall, clients can retrieve company information easily and securely.

Mobile Devices

Mobile devices and mobile Internet access is quickly becoming mainstream and, as it does, Citrix will be there to bring ICA clients to mobile devices. Today, with wireless service providers like Ricochet, Omnisky, and AT&T, more and more people are using the Internet without wires. Motorola has a new service called iDen that allows 64Kb connections from your laptop via your mobile phone. Ricochet, meanwhile, enables laptop and Windows CE users to utilize PC Card-based modems to access the Internet at up to 128 Kbps in most major cities. These networks are constantly being expanded to service more users and will eventually cover the entire country. New technologies like Bluetooth and 802.11b are also being brought into use with higher bandwidth or specialized applications.

Net Appliances

Net appliances are becoming more and more popular as companies begin to find the right niche and price-point. Net appliances typically come with a keyboard, mouse, and small screen, but no hard drive. The OS is usually embedded in ROM (read-only memory) or FLASH and no files are stored locally. The low power of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) prevents the appliance from running mainstream applications natively, but with the use of an ICA client, the appliance can run any application the server can provide. Most net appliances provide a parallel or USB (Universal Serial Bus) port for a printer, so documents created in an ICA session can be printed locally.

Exercise 1-2: Adding a Network Appliance to Your Network

Adding a network appliance to your network is extremely easy. In this exercise, we will step through the procedure to add a generic network appliance.

1. Unpack the net appliance and verify that all parts are present.

2. Set up the device by plugging in the power, keyboard, and mouse.

3. Connect the network cable and power on the device.

4. Follow the instructions in the device manual to enter the setup of the device.

5. If no DHCP server is available, assign the device an IP address.

6. In the browser configuration, enter the DNS alias for the data collector and port for the XML service.

7. Depending on the device, select a published application to connect to.

8. If the device has a local browser, the start page could be set to the NFuse server.

9. Save the configuration and reboot the device.

10. Test the configuration by connecting to the MetaFrame server.

As yet, net appliances have not seen the success of PDAs; their manufacturers are still trying to fine-tune the target market of consumers and corporate users that will benefit most from their unique capabilities. As more and more net appliances become available and their features and capabilities are enhanced and refined, more corporations may find they present an easy and inexpensive way to allow users to connect from home.

Exam Watch 

Digital Independence is any app, any connection, and any device.

Now that you know about Digital Independence, review these points for the exam.

Scenario & Solutions

What is NFuse?	Browser-based access to Program Neighborhood features.
What are net appliances?	Inexpensive diskless workstations, great for running ICA clients.
What is Digital Independence?	Any application, on any device, over any connection.

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