Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS - Preview

This documentation describes the features and configuration of Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS 2408. This version is the preview for the latest version of Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS.

Early Adopter Release (EAR) build for 2408 is available on:

• Chrome Web Store

• Citrix Downloads

EAR build is for the purpose of testing or validation with the intent to make organizations ready for the upcoming release and is NOT advised to be deployed in production environments.

For more information on how to install the EAR build, see To access the EAR build.

What’s new

HDX adaptive throughput

Starting with the 2408 version, HDX adaptive throughput is supported. This feature intelligently fine-tunes the peak throughput of the ICA session by adjusting output buffers. The number of output buffers is initially set at a high value. This high value allows data to be transmitted to the client more quickly and efficiently, especially in high-latency networks.

This feature provides better interactivity, faster file transfers, smoother video playback, and a higher frame rate and resolution resulting in an enhanced user experience.

Session interactivity is constantly measured to determine whether any data streams within the ICA session adversely affect interactivity. If that occurs, the throughput is decreased to reduce the impact of the large data stream on the session and allow interactivity to recover.

Note:

This feature is enabled by default.

Enhancements to service continuity

The following are the enhancements:

• Previously, during store sign-in, the connection lease files download was delayed by 10 minutes. Starting with the 2408 release, downloading connection lease files happen immediately after sign-in.
• Connection lease files sync up happens when you click the reload button.
• Added the support for the Maintain Leases on Sign-Out feature from the Workspace configuration. When this feature is enabled, the connection leases remain on the end user’s device when they sign out of Workspace.

For more information, see Service continuity in the Workspace documentation.

Enhancements to Chrome HDX SDK APIs

Previously, external apps with the HDX SDK for ChromeOS integration lacked visibility into sessions that were started through methods other than the SDK.

Starting with the 2408 version, the new enhancements to the Chrome HDX SDK provide the ability to identify all active sessions, disconnect specific sessions, disconnect all active sessions, and log out the user from all stores in the Citrix Workspace app (only on-premises stores).

For more information on using APIs, see Enumerate sessions.

Support to share app window during screen sharing Technical Preview

Previously, the optimized Microsoft Teams call didn’t support sharing an app window running on the virtual session.

Starting from the 2408 version, optimized Microsoft Teams supports screen sharing of specific apps running in the virtual session rather than the entire desktop, which reduces the exposure of information.

For more information about how to share a specific app, feature limitations and more, see App sharing in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops documentation.

Notes:

• This feature is disabled by default.
• To enable the feature, follow the configuration steps.
• To provide feedback about this feature, click the Google form.
• The minimum VDA version must be at least 2109.

Feature limitations

• This feature might not work in kiosk multi-monitor mode.
• This feature is not supported in legacy graphics mode.

Configuration

You can configure the feature in the following way.

Google Admin Policy

For managed devices and users, administrators can enable the feature using the Google Admin Policy as follows:

1. Sign in to the Google Admin Policy.
2. Go to Device management > Chrome Management > User Settings.

3. Add the following strings to the policy.txt file under the engine_settings key. Ensure you set the attribute appSharing to true.

   The following is an example of JSON data:

   {
     "settings": {
       "Value": {
         "settings_version": "1.0",
             "engine_settings": {
               "features": {
                 "msTeamsOptimization":
                             {
                               "appSharing": true 
                             }
                           }
                       }
                   }
               }
   }
   <!--NeedCopy-->
   

4. Save the changes.

Note:

You can apply this configuration on the following as well:

• Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Users and browsers > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
• Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Kiosks > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
• Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Managed guest sessions > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.

Scanner redirection support Technical Preview

Starting with the 2405 version, you can connect a scanning device to your local machine and redirect the scanner to a virtual session. This feature enables you to access the scanned files within a Citrix Workspace app session and easily upload the documents to any other app accessible through Citrix Workspace app.

Notes:

• This feature is disabled by default.
• To enable the feature, follow the steps provided in the following Prerequisites section.
• This feature supports Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops version 2407 and later.

Feature supportability

Currently, you can connect only one scanner, specifically Fujitsu (fi-7160).

Scanner redirection prerequisites

Enable the SANE redirection policy in DDC as follows:

1. Sign in to the Desktop Delivery Controller (DDC) machine, and open Citrix Studio.

2. Click Policies > Create Policy. The Create Policy dialog box appears.

   

3. Search for SANE scanner redirection as shown.

   

4. Select the SANE scanner redirection option. The Edit Settings dialog box appears. Select the Allowed option.

   

5. Click OK.

Feature limitations

• If a session is using the scanner and a scan is in progress, attempting to use the scanner from a second session causes the first session’s scan operation to fail abruptly.
• The Silent scanning option that is used to allow document scanning without user approval isn’t available in Kiosk settings from the Google Admin Console. For more information, see the partner ticket.

Configurations

For managed users, to allow document scanning without user approval, admins can enable the Silent scanning option from the Google admin console.

To enable silent scanning:

1. Navigate to Devices > Chrome > Apps and Extensions.
2. Choose the Citrix Workspace app ID.

3. Enable the Silent scanning option available on the right panel.

   

4. Save the changes.

Secure HDX Technical Preview

Secure HDX is an Application Level Encryption (ALE) solution that prevents any network elements in the traffic path from being able to inspect the HDX traffic. It does this function by providing true End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) at the application level between the Citrix Workspace app (client) and the VDA (session host) using AES-256-GCM encryption.

Prerequisites

The minimum VDA version must be 2402 for this feature to function.

Notes:

• Secure HDX is currently in technical preview.
• This feature isn’t recommended for use in production environments.
• To request access for this feature, fill out this form.

Configurations

Secure HDX is disabled by default. You can configure this feature using the Secure HDX setting in the Citrix policy:

• Secure HDX: Defines whether to enable the feature for all sessions, only for direct connections, or disable it.

For more information, see Secure HDX in the Citrix DaaS documentation.

Fixed issues

• When an enterprise configures store URLs based on the internal or external beacons, the store URL fails to load if the end user switches from the corporate network to an external network. [RFHTMCRM-13257]

• When you sign out or disconnect from the VDI session, the following error message might appear:

  “Citrix Workspace app cannot connect to the server”. [CVADHELP-25825]

• When you sign in to a service continuity-enabled store and start a session in the offline mode, the Citrix Workspace app icon appears instead of the desktop or the app icon on the launch status UI. [RFHTMCRM-12361]

Known issues

There are no new known issues in this release.

Technical Preview

Features in the Technical Preview are available to use in non-production or limited production environments, and to give customers an opportunity to share feedback. Citrix does not accept support cases for features in technical preview but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance.

Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS - Preview feedback

You can give the EAR feedback at: https://forms.gle/ef3eFFKBk7gvTi1b6.

Important:

The Early Adopter Release (EAR) documentation is available for information purposes only. It isn’t a commitment, promise, or legal obligation to deliver any material, code, or functionality and must not be relied upon in making Citrix product purchase decisions. The development, release, and timing of any features or functionality described in the EAR documentation remain at our sole discretion and are subject to change without notice or consultation. Citrix does not accept support cases for EAR but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance.