Citrix DaaS Flex overview
Citrix DaaS Flex is the simplest, fastest way to deliver virtual apps and desktops to any device. Delivered through Citrix Cloud, this persona-based service streamlines your operations with cloud-based management, rapid provisioning, and fully managed capacity.
Citrix DaaS Flex includes:
- Cloud‑based management and provisioning of VDAs hosted in Citrix‑managed cloud subscriptions.
- High‑definition user experience across a broad range of devices.
- Simplified image lifecycle management using Citrix‑prepared and customer‑provided images.
- Integrated monitoring and operational visibility.
- Compatibility with existing Citrix DaaS architectures.
Concepts and terminology
This section defines the terms that administrators frequently use on Citrix DaaS Flex.
Catalogs
A catalog is the combination of a host connection, machine catalog, and a delivery group in Citrix DaaS. Virtual Delivery Agents (VDAs) are provisioned in a Citrix DaaS Flex catalog. Applications and desktops that are delivered to end users are configured through the catalog. See Create a catalog for more information.
Images
Images are used as a template for provisioning VDAs to the Citrix DaaS Flex catalog. Citrix DaaS Flex provides two image options:
- You can import and use your own images from Azure. You must install the VDA software on the image before it can be used to create a catalog.
- Use Citrix prepared images. Currently supported images prepared by Citrix:
- Windows 11 Pro (single-session)
- Windows Server 2019 (multi-session)
- Windows Server 2022 (multi-session)
- Windows Server 2025 (multi-session)
- Linux Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (single-session)
- Linux Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (multi-session)
The Citrix prepared images have a current version of the Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) and Citrix Optimizer. The VDA is the communication mechanism between your users’ machines and the Citrix Cloud infrastructure. Citrix updates the available prepared images when a new VDA version is released.
Microsoft Licensing requirements
Note:
The following requirements are specific to Citrix DaaS Flex personas involving Citrix Managed Azure capacity.
- Windows 11 single-session: Requires a customer-provided license before use (Microsoft 365 E3/E5/E7, Microsoft 365 F3, Windows 11 Enterprise E3/E5, or Windows 11 VDA E3/E5).
- Windows Server multi-session: Citrix provides the required Remote Desktop Services and Server OS licensing.
Alternative deployment models
- Bring Your Own Infrastructure (BYO): In scenarios where a customer uses a Bring Your Own Infrastructure model with Citrix DaaS Flex, the standard Microsoft licensing requirements that apply to traditional Citrix DaaS applies.
- Customer-Owned Azure subscriptions: In cases where a customer uses Citrix DaaS Flex deployed on a customer-owned Azure subscription, they can leverage all of the entitlements and benefits of the Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) provider.
For more information, see Images.
Azure subscriptions
The VDAs are hosted in a Citrix DaaS Flex subscription. When Citrix Platform Flex credits are purchased, a Citrix DaaS Flex subscription is assigned to your Citrix DaaS customer subscription. To maintain the privacy of your data, the Azure subscription assigned to your customer is dedicated solely to your resources.
Network connections
When creating a catalog using a Citrix DaaS Flex subscription, you indicate if and how users can access locations and resources on their corporate on-premises network from their published desktops and apps. The available options are:
- No connectivity
- Azure virtual network peering
- Azure VPN gateway
- Azure Virtual WAN spoke
For more information, see Network connections.