Citrix XenApp Sessions

Citrix allows you to connect to a Windows server with Citrix XenApp to access applications not available on your local workstation.

ActivClient provides smart card-based authentication to Citrix XenApp for increased security.

You need to install ActivClient on the Citrix XenApp server in order to provide smart card services within the remote session, and server-based authentication services.

You usually also need to install ActivClient on the Citrix client, as most XenApp configurations require client-based authentication.

How you log on to a Citrix session depends on your configuration.

Note:

  • Smart card management operations such as certificate download operations are not available within the Citrix session.

  • For further information on Citrix configurations, see the Citrix XenApp Configuration.

Access a Citrix Published Application via Web Interface

Prerequisites:

  • You have installed the Citrix Online plug-in (full) or the Citrix Online plug-in – Web on your workstation.

  • You have a smart card and a smart card reader up and running and connected to your workstation.

If Citrix is configured with the “smart card” authentication mode:

  1. Log on to your workstation with your smart card.

  2. Access the Citrix published application and enter your PIN code when prompted.

    This is required to authenticate to the Citrix session and access the Citrix-published application.

    If the application itself can leverage your smart card (for example Microsoft Outlook to sign or encrypt emails), it will automatically communicate with your smart card that is connected locally to your computer.

    When you remove your smart card, the behavior depends on your Citrix configuration:

    • The Citrix session will disconnect; you can resume using your applications next time you log on to Citrix.

    • You log off from the session; your applications are then closed.

If Citrix is configured with the “Pass-through with smart card” authentication mode:

  1. Log on to your workstation with your smart card.

  2. Access the Citrix published application.

    Authentication is performed automatically. The PIN prompt does not appear.

    If the application itself can leverage your smart card (for example Microsoft Outlook to sign or encrypt emails), it will automatically communicate with your smart card that is connected locally to your computer.

    When you remove your smart card, the behavior depends on your Citrix configuration:

    • The Citrix session will disconnect; you can resume using your applications next time you log on to Citrix.

    • You log off from the session; your applications are then closed.

Access an Application With the Citrix Online Plug-In for Windows

Prerequisites:

  • You have installed the Citrix Online plug-in (full) on your workstation.

  • You have a smart card and a smart card reader up and running and connected to your workstation.

If Citrix is configured with the “smart card” authentication mode:

  1. Log on to your workstation with your smart card.

  2. Access the Citrix published application and enter your PIN code when prompted.

    This is required to authenticate to the Citrix session and access the Citrix-published application.

    If the application itself can leverage your smart card (for example Microsoft Outlook to sign or encrypt emails), it will automatically communicate with your smart card that is connected locally to your computer.

    When you remove your smart card, the behavior depends on your Citrix configuration:

    • The Citrix session will disconnect; you can resume using your applications next time you log on to Citrix.

    • You logoff from the session; your applications are then closed.

If Citrix is configured with the “Pass-through with smart card” authentication mode:

  1. Log on to your workstation with your smart card.

  2. Access the Citrix published application.

    Authentication is performed automatically. The PIN prompt does not appear.

    If the application itself can leverage your smart card (for example Microsoft Outlook to sign or encrypt emails), it will automatically communicate with your smart card that is connected locally to your computer.

    When you remove your smart card, the behavior depends on your Citrix configuration:

    • The Citrix session will disconnect; you can resume using your applications next time you log on to Citrix.

    • You log off from the session; your applications are then closed.