Browser content redirection
Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) for Browser Content Redirection
In releases earlier to Version 1912, BCR used a WebkitGTK+ based overlay to render the content. However, on thin clients, there were performance issues. Starting with Version 1912, BCR uses a CEF-based overlay. This functionality enriches the user experience for BCR. It helps offload network usage, page processing, and graphics rendering to the endpoint.
Starting with Version 2106, CEF-based browser content redirection is fully functional. The feature is enabled by default.
If needed, you can replace the libffmpeg.so file provided in the Workspace app package with a suitable libffmpeg.so file that has the required codecs, in the $ICAROOT/bcr/libffmpeg.so path.
Note:
This feature isn’t supported on the ARMHF platform.
Starting with the 2408 version, the version of the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) is upgraded to 128.0.6613.120. This upgraded version includes fixes for known security vulnerabilities.
Enabling CEF-based BCR
To enable CEF-based BCR:
- Navigate to the
$ICAROOT/config/All_Regions.inifile where, $ICAROOT is the default installation directory of Citrix Workspace app. -
Go to the
[Client Engine\WebPageRedirection]section and set the following entry:UseCefBrowser=True
Limitation:
- Web apps that use pop-ups might not work when BCR is used.
Known issues:
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When you access web applications, such as Google Meet, through Chromium Embedded Framework-based Browser Content Redirection, certain UI elements might not respond to interactions. As a workaround, refresh the page to restore UI element functionality. [HDX-94506]
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When you set the
UseCefBrowseroption to True in the~/.ICAClient/All_Regions.ini, the Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), and Korean IME might not work in the input fields. Citrix Workspace app for Linux does not support the Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), and Korean IME when using Secure SaaS with Citrix Embedded Browser. -
When you attempt to access a SharePoint URL using CEF-based BCR, you might receive an unknown certificate error. You can resolve this issue by verifying that the external client trusts the proxy’s SSL certificate. [CVADHELP-24141]
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When you attempt to launch a webpage redirection using CEF-based BCR, you might receive an unknown certificate error. The issue occurs on Citrix Workspace app version 2106 and later. You can resolve this issue by ensuring that the root certificate trust for the website is imported to the linux
pkistore. For more information, see How to import self-signed certificate intonssdb?.
For information about BCR, see Browser content redirection in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops documentation.
Configure path for Browser Content Redirection overlay Browser temp data storage
Starting with the Citrix Workspace app 2303 version, configure the temp data storage path for the CEF based browser. To configure the path, do the following:
- Navigate to the
$ICAROOT/config/All_Regions.inifile where,$ICAROOTis the default installation directory of Citrix Workspace app. -
Go to the
[Client Engline\WebPageRedirection]section and add the following entry:CefCachePath=<folder for CEF based BCR tmp files> <!--NeedCopy-->
Hardware acceleration in Browser Content Redirection
Starting with the Citrix Workspace app for Linux 2508 version, the hardware acceleration is now enabled by default in Browser Content Redirection (BCR). This feature provides the following benefits:
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Faster graphics rendering - BCR leverages client-side GPU to delegate graphics-related tasks to the Graphics Processing Unit, delivering a more fluid and immersive user experience.
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Reduced CPU load - When the GPU handles hardware acceleration, it relieves the CPU of graphics-intensive tasks. The CPU can focus on other processes, improving overall system performance and multitasking efficiency.
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Enhanced video playbook - Hardware acceleration enables video playback to use dedicated rendering engines in modern GPUs, which process high-bitrate videos more efficiently.
This feature requires the following system requirements:
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GPU must support OpenGL version 2.0 or later, or DirectX version 9 or later
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Compatible GPUs include NVIDIA GeForce series, AMD Radeon GPUs, Intel Xe GPU Family, and similar hardware.