How to Migrate from Citrix to AVD (Step-by-Step Guide)

Why Migrate from Citrix to AVD?

Organizations want migration from Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) due to a decision to shift from complex, third-party management to a native, integrated cloud experience. The various benefits of migrating from Citrix to AVD are discussed below.

• Cost-effective: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops need separate licenses and hardware. AVD eliminates this Citrix tax by utilizing existing Microsoft 365 licenses. AVD supports a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which means users can pay for the resources based on their usage.
• Simplified Infrastructure: Citrix environments need multiple components such as delivery controllers, gateways, and licensing servers. Azure Virtual Desktop manages all these with the help of Microsoft Azure. So this feature enables the IT teams to focus on other strategic initiatives.
• Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: AVD provides seamless integration with Microsoft services such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Entra ID.
• Security and Compliance: Security is an important concern to be considered when an organization delivers remote desktops. AVD uses Zero Trust Conditional Access and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which reduces the need for third-party security tools. AVD easily integrates with Microsoft Entra ID (also known as Azure AD).
• Performance: AVD connected users to the nearest Azure data center for low-latency access, supporting high-powered VMs. Since AVD provides secure access to applications and desktops from virtually any device, the overall performance is increased.

Things to Consider Before Migrating from Citrix to AVD

Citrix to AVD migration poses a lot of challenges, such as networking, user experience strategies, and licensing. The main things that need to be considered are 

• Application compatibility: Both the Citrix environment and AVD differ in their structure. Before starting with the Citrix to AVD migration, ensure critical business applications continue to perform reliably after migration. The organization should ensure that applications run smoothly in Azure Virtual Desktop.
• Licensing cost: Organizations should review the licensing requirements for Azure Virtual Desktop. Utilize Azure Hybrid Benefit and autoscale to manage costs.
• User Profiles: Unlike On-premises file servers, AVD profiles rely on Azure Files or NetApp Files. Plan FSLogix migration for user profiles, assess storage and data transfer volumes. Maintaining the user profiles is important for maintaining a consistent user experience. Proper profile management ensures that user settings, files, and preferences remain intact after the transition.
• Security and Compliance: Security checks must be performed before migration. Microsoft Azure offers built-in security features, identity management, and compliance frameworks.
• Skill gap: Citrix to AVD migration raises the need for knowledge of Microsoft Azure and cloud infrastructure management. The organization should ensure that users are properly trained on Azure platforms.

How to Migrate from Citrix to AVD (Step-by-Step)

Migration from Citrix to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) follows a structured and phased process. The steps are discussed below.

Step 1: Assessing the Existing Citrix Environment

This is the first step. Evaluate the current Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop setup, including user workloads, applications, infrastructure components, and security policies.

• License check: Ensure that you have licenses to Microsoft 365 entitlements. ‍
• Check for any dependencies: This assessment checks the bandwidth and latency between users and the target Azure region. Any dependencies and performance requirements should be noted and checked here itself.

Step 2: Set up the Azure environment

The next step is to design the architecture for Azure Virtual Desktop. That means here we will select the virtual machine sizes, define host pools, configure networks, and plan for the storage for user profiles and applications. Once the required Azure resources are created, such as virtual networks, storage accounts, and virtual machines, configure identity services using Microsoft Entra ID for secure user access.

• Microsoft Entra ID: Ensure that on-premise Active Directory is synced with ID to allow seamless user authentication. Microsoft Entra ID is configured to secure authentication and user access.

Step 3: Configure Azure Virtual Desktop

Administrators deploy and configure Azure Virtual Desktop components such as host pools, application groups, and session hosts. After the Microsoft Entra ID is synced with on-premise Active Directory, start deploying Azure File or Azure NetApp Files specifically to host FSLogix profile containers.

Step 4: Image and Application Migration

Create a golden master image using Window 10/11 multi-session with apps installed, or migrate master images to Azure compute. Start publishing the business applications previously delivered through Citrix Virtual Apps in the AVD environment. Analyze to decide which apps will be installed locally and which can be delivered via MSIX App Attach to keep the image “thin”.

Step 5: Transfer User Profiles

Migrate user profiles using FSLogix tools. This ensures user settings, preferences, and data remain the same as in the Citrix environment.

Step 6: Pilot Migration and Testing

Create a first AVD Host Pool and assign it to a small group of users for doing User Acceptance Testing. Doing a pilot test will ensure performance, application functionality, security configurations, and overall user experience. Refine configurations based on pilot feedback.

Step 7: Validation functionality

Before full deployment, organizations run both the environment and validate the data. Test critical workflows, printing, and specialized peripheral support within the AVD environment.

What to Do After You Migrate from Citrix to AVD

After a successful migration from Citrix to AVD, focus on validation, optimization, and ongoing support. The details are as follows.

• Monitor and Optimize: Organizations should review virtual machine sizes, host pool configurations, and scaling policies within Azure Virtual Desktop. Organizations should monitor the performance of session hosts, applications, and user sessions.
• Security and Governance: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and location-based access rules through Microsoft Entra ID to secure the new virtual perimeter.
• User Training and Feedback: Train the users with instructions for the AVD Web Client or the Remote Desktop app. Gather the feedback from the users.
• Decommissioning of Citrix: Once the users are stable on AVD, start the shutdown process of Citrix Cloud Connectors, StoreFront servers, and on-premises delivery controllers.

Why Choose Entrans for Your Citrix to AVD Migration

Citrix to AVD migration is essential as businesses are moving towards a cloud-first IT environment. By partnering with Entrans, organizations can ensure a smooth transition, minimal disruption, and optimized performance in the cloud environment.

• Expertise in Cloud and Azure: We provide specialized cloud engineering services that make the transition easier. Our skilled engineers carry out the migration process from virtual desktop environments to Azure Virtual Desktop with optimized performance and scalability.
• End-to-End migration services: Entrans carries out the entire migration lifecycle process from assessing the infrastructure to configuring and optimizing the cloud resources.
• AI-Driven Migration Approach: Being an AI-first engineering partner, we reduce manual effort by automating the process. We use DevOps tools, infrastructure-as-Code frameworks, and CI/CD pipelines to automate the migration process.

Want to know how we make the Citrix to AVD migration smoother? Book a consultation call.