Reference Architecture

Nutanix and Citrix Desktop as a Service: Windows Desktops on AMD

June 7, 2024

In this reference architecture, Nutanix provides an in-depth analysis of deploying Citrix Desktop as a Service (DaaS) on Windows Desktops, with a particular emphasis on performance optimization. It details the architecture, installation procedures, and best practices for configuring the system to enhance performance. Key focus areas include advanced performance tuning, security considerations, and troubleshooting techniques designed to ensure a robust and efficient virtual desktop environment. This document particularly focuses on differences in capacity and performance between Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as MCS and PVS. The guide aims to help administrators achieve maximum system performance and reliability through meticulous setup and continuous optimization.

On Nutanix, available host CPU resources drive Citrix DaaS user density, rather than any I/O or resource bottlenecks for virtual desktops. Login Enterprise test results showed densities at 150 sessions per node for virtual workloads running the Login Enterprise knowledge worker workload. Nutanix offers a pay-as-you grow model that works like public cloud.