Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) 1912 Long Term Service Release (LTSR) is nearing its End of Life (EoL) date, set for Dec. 18, 2024. At the time of writing, that’s four months from now. It is therefore necessary to start planning to upgrade to a newer version.
What are the options?
Citrix offers two types of channels: Current Release (CR) and Long Term Service Release (LTSR). Both channels have different lifecycles. The CR channel is supported for only six months, with a new version appearing every three months with bug and security updates, as well as new features. The LTSR channel has five years of support from the time of availability, with Cumulative Updates (CUs) released regularly. These CUs contain only bug and security updates, but no new features. Read more about the lifecycle difference here .
Which is best?
The answer to this question depends on the specific environment in which it is used. Below are some examples:
- LTSR:
- An environment used only for limited functionality may well be upgraded to a more recent LTSR version to stay within support.
- An environment supporting an application on an outdated operating system may benefit from upgrading to a more recent LTSR version.
- CR:
- For end users who primarily work remotely and use the latest technologies (such as Windows 11, Server 2022), and who want an optimal user experience, the Current Release channel is best suited. The user then gets access to new features every three months.
- In environments using graphics cards (GPUs), the HDX protocol is of great importance. By continuously updating with the CR channel, users can benefit from an ever-improving experience.
The above examples are just a few of the many situations in which an environment may choose to use the LTSR or CR channel.
Start planning
Upgrading to a new version of CVAD can have an impact on production. Therefore, it is important to plan this upgrade carefully. Below are some things to consider:
- Operating system support:
CVAD 1912 LTSR is the latest version to support Windows Server 2012 R2. CVAD 2203 and 2402 support Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, as well as Windows 10 and 11. CVAD 2402 is the last version to support Server 2016; as of CVAD 2407, it is no longer supported. - Support SQL:
CVAD 2203 and 2402 support SQL version 2016 SP2 through 2022. If an outdated version of SQL is in use, it must be upgraded first. View the complete overview here . - Hypervisor support:
CVAD 2203 and 2402 support all supported versions of VMware, XenServer, SCVMM and Nutanix. If the environment is still using an outdated hypervisor, it must first be updated to a more recent version. View the complete overview here . - Support Citrix Workspace App:
While there is no matrix indicating the minimum version of the Workspace App required, it is always best to use a supported version of the Citrix Workspace App. Past experience has shown that an outdated Workspace App, or even Receiver, can lead to a poorer user experience. Make sure all clients are updated to the latest version supported by the operating system. View the list of supported Citrix Workspace Apps here . - Removed Features:
Since CVAD 1912 LTSR, many new features have been added, but also features have been removed or replaced. A complete list of all removed features can be found here.
Conclusion
Upgrading to a newer version can have significant impact within the organization. Therefore, it is important to consider the above points when making a plan. Need help or have questions? Please feel free to get in touch.