Streamlining Citrix VDI Management: Introducing a New GUI Tool for MCS Static Catalogs

As Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) administrators, one of the ongoing tasks includes updating master images and machine catalogs. While this task is relatively straightforward for Provisioning Services (PVS), the process for Machine Creation Services (MCS) differs, particularly between dynamic and static VDIs.

MCS Dynamic VDIs

For MCS dynamic VDIs, Citrix Studio provides a convenient GUI option to update the machine catalog with the latest snapshot.

MCS Static VDIs

When it comes to MCS static VDIs, there’s a significant gap - no built-in GUI option exists. This means administrators must manually:

• Update the master image

• Create a new snapshot

• Update the catalog schema

This manual approach can lead to a dependency on team members with PowerShell expertise, potentially slowing down the update process. Recognizing this challenge, I’ve developed a new GUI tool specifically designed to simplify the update process for MCS static catalogs.

You should have permissions on Citrix DDC and VMware environment to use this tool.

Key Features of the New Tool:

• No PowerShell Knowledge Required: This tool eliminates the need for PowerShell knowledge, making it accessible to all levels of Citrix administrators.

• User-Friendly Interface: Simply input the Citrix server name, the catalog name, and the vCenter server name. Click the “Update Catalog” button to refresh your static catalog with the latest snapshot.

• Snapshot Information: Option to view existing snapshot details for your machine catalog by clicking on the “Get Existing Snapshot Details” button.

How It Works:

• Input Details: Enter the necessary server and catalog information.

• Update: With one click, the tool handles the backend process of updating the snapshot in the catalog schema.

• View: Optionally, review the snapshot details before or after the update for confirmation.

Visual Preview:

For those eager to see the tool in action, here’s a screenshot:

MCS Static Catalog Update Tool

Access the Tool:

Check out my GitHub page for the script and usage:

https://github.com/Scripts/Citrix-MCS-Static-Catalog-update-Tool

This tool aims to bridge the gap in functionality between dynamic and static VDIs in Citrix environments, ensuring that all administrators can maintain their systems efficiently and independently of deep scripting knowledge. Whether you’re a seasoned Citrix admin or someone just starting out, this tool is designed to make your job easier, faster, and more efficient.