Monitoring Xml Serviceall About Citrix
Explaining and Changing the Citrix XML Service Port
This article explains the XML Service.
The first step in Citrix performance monitoring is the monitoring of the host. Issues with virtual machines often lie in their underlying hardware. With the PRTG Citrix XenServer Host Sensor you can monitor all the important data of your host. Citrix monitoring tools from SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor include out-of-the-box templates to monitor Citrix XenApp performance counters for core WMI, ICA session, and presentation server. Citrix monitoring tools from SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor include out-of-the-box templates to monitor Citrix XenApp performance counters for core WMI, ICA session, and presentation server and services from one dashboard. Citrix monitoring tools from SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor include out-of-the-box templates to monitor Citrix XenApp performance counters for core WMI, ICA session, and presentation server and services from one dashboard. The Citrix NetScaler has a specific monitor for the XML traffic. In this monitor an actual request is send, so the service is fully checked. StoreFront doesn’t do this check in advance, so using the NetScaler optimized this a bit more.
The Citrix XML Service was introduced with MetaFrame 1.8 Service Pack 2 and a Feature Release 1 license needed to be installed. MetaFrame XP and later incorporates the Citrix XML Service as a standard feature.
When MetaFrame 1.8 Service Pack 2 or later is installed and the server rebooted, the Citrix XML Service binaries are placed on the system whether the Citrix XML Service was or was not installed. All that must be done to complete the Citrix XML Service installation is to register the XML Service itself by running thectxxmlss command.
Unlike MetaFrame XP or later, MetaFrame 1.8 does not allow for the sharing of port 80 with IIS.
Default IIS port number is 80. By Default Presentation server uses port 80 for the XML Service, meaning that it is sharing with IIS – or more correctly IIS is hosting the XML Service. This would allow us to have greater control over the XML Traffic in the network (i.e. the traffic can be monitored, controlled, or blocked by firewalls, if desired. In troubleshooting it is easier to identify XML traffic from the HTTP traffic).
CTXXMLSS.EXE Command Line Usage
The command-line syntax below applies to all MetaFrame environments:
Syntax:
CTXXMLSS [switches] [/Rnnnn] [/Knnn] [/U] [/?]
Parameters:
/Rnnnn – Registers the service on port number nnnn
/Knnn – Keep-Alive nnn seconds (default 9).
/U – Unregisters the service.
/? (help) – Displays the syntax for the utility and information about the utilities options.
After the Citrix XML Service is registered, a new service appears in the Services Applet and registry entries are created. Ensure this service is started.
To determine which port is being used, either look in the Citrix Management Console (MetaFrame XP and later) and/or locate the following registry key (assuming IIS port sharing is not being used):
Caution! This procedure requires you to edit the registry. Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that might require you to reinstall your operating system. Citrix cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. Back up the registry before you edit it.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesCtxHttp
Value: “TcpPort” If the value is listed in hex, change to a decimal notation.
If Microsoft IIS is installed, the administrator of the MetaFrame XP installation is given the option to install the Citrix XML Service and share a port with IIS.
In fact, no separate XML Service is running. IIS serves the XML data using an ISAPI filter named Wpnbr.dll located in the InetpubScripts folder. To remove the Citrix XML Service functionality from your MetaFrame server, simply rename or delete the Wpnbr.dll file.
Lastly, once the XML Service port is changed on the MetaFrame Servers, change NFuse or Web InterFace, MetaFrame Secure Access Manager, or the Program Neighborhood Client to use the new port.
Unregistering the XML Service
- Run ctxxmlss /u (This command unregisters the Citrix XML Service and marks it for deletion).
Registering the XML Service on a port other than sharing with IIS
- Unregister the service using the previous instructions.
- Run ctxxmlss /r[Port Number] (Notice that there is no space between the switch “/r” and the port number.
- Open the service control manager and manually start the Citrix XML Service.
Note: During the unregister/register process you might see the below error message. There is no need to reboot the server. Just run the Unregister command again, go to services and attempt to start the service then Reregister the service.
Could not start the Citrix XML Service service on Local Computer.
Monitoring Xml Service All About Citrix Cloud
Error 1060: The specified service does not exist as an installed service.
Monitoring Xml Service All About Citrix Portal
Click HERE to see how to configure XML with IIS 5.0,6.0 and 7.0 along with testing the service.
Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) is a popular solution for virtual application delivery which provides secure andremote access to Windows applications and desktops from any device. The biggest challenge foran admin is to exactly pinpoint the source of slowness in an application running on a CitrixVirtual Apps server. Applications Manager helps in quickly drilling down to the root cause of aproblem in Virtual Apps, resolve slowness in applications, providing a better user experience.
Proactively monitor Virtual Apps server performance
View critical performance metrics of the Virtual Apps server, by monitoring the number of failed database connections, busy XML threads and also by tracking growth of Virtual Apps servers, license servers and web interface counters.
Determine any slowdown in launching applications
Track transaction time, number of requests processed and determine the load on XML brokers todetermine any bottlenecks in processing transactions like obtaining user information, validating user credentials, changing a password, requesting a ticket, etc. for quicker troubleshooting, before it impacts end users.
Detect any interruption in Virtual Apps services
Determine whether Citrix Virtual Apps services ( Configuration Service, StoreFront, Licensing, etc.) are running properly and monitor their state to detect any outages. Configure thresholds to receive alerts, if the health of the service is down.
Track end user experience of applications deployed on Virtual Apps server
In virtual environments, tracking user profiles is critical to ensure users get a consistent experience every time they log in, to provide a seamless user experience. Monitor important parameters in the Citrix EUEM service which include time taken for authenticating a user and application load on servers to determine any possible delay.
Measure any network latency experienced by users
Detect any latency between the client and the Virtual Apps Server, while interacting with an application hosted in a session on a Virtual Apps server, by monitoring the roundtrip time, available bandwidth and determine any network delay in transmitting the data between the client and server.
Proactively detect issues in real time using event logs
Manage logs across servers and application to diagnose issues like server overload, invalid user login, unavailability of resources, connections rejected, invalid session configuration files and more. View important metrics to automate incident detection, and monitor the availability and functionality of your Virtual Apps environment to avoid any unplanned downtime.
Note: Citrix Virtual Apps monitoring does not include Citrix Desktop monitoring.