- Topics Mentioned
- Certification(s):
- Citrix Certifications
- Exam(s):
- Citrix Exams
Citrix products are used all over the world by large and small businesses alike. With more and more organizations jumping on the cloud and minimizing costs through virtualization, Citrix applications are likely to spread even faster than before. Not to mention many companies, who may not use Citrix virtualization offerings, may still be using (or may start using) applications such as the GoTo series to collaborate and train employees.
The best thing to do for yourself as an IT professional working in an environment where Citrix is either used or could be used in the future, is to make sure you stay on board with training in Citrix applications, and secure your position (or future positions) by looking into and eventually earning a Citrix certification.
In this article, I’ll briefly go over each Citrix product and Citrix certification to give you an idea of what is available. Should you choose to pursue a Citrix certification in the future, you’ll know what to look for.
Citrix Products
Let’s start by familiarize ourselves with Citrix products before looking into Citrix certifications. Here is the current lineup of Citrix products, as listed on the Citrix website:
Citrix Desktop Products
- XenDesktop (Desktop virtualization and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.)
- XenApp (Virtualization for Windows applications.)
- XenClient (Create, deploy, and run virtual machines.)
- Citrix Receiver (Universal client for accessing desktops, applications, and services.)
- GoToMyPC (Remote desktop client.)
Citrix Server Products
- XenServer (Enterprise class, “cloud proven” server virtualization.)
- Essentials for Hyper-V (Advanced server virtualization management for Microsoft Hyper-V.)
Citrix Network Products
- NetScaler (Makes web applications run faster.)
- Access Gateway (Secure access to virtual desktops and applications.)
- Branch Repeater (Accelerates branch application delivery while reducing bandwidth costs.)
Citrix Cloud Product
- OpenCloud (Service delivery infrastructure for hosting, managing, and delivering cloud-based computing services.)
Citrix Collaboration Products
- GoToMeeting (Online meeting application.)
- GoToWebinar (Online webinar application.)
- GoToTraining (Virtualized online training.)
- GoView (Screencast recording and editing.)
- HiDef Corperate (High quality conferencing.)
- GoToAssist (Remote support software.)
Citrix Certifications
Now that we know what products Citrix offers, let’s get into the certifications available around them. I’ll sort them by job role first, and then go into some details about the individual certifications under each job role. Note that job roles are categorized based on Citrix specifications.
Citrix Administrator Series Certifications
The focus of the Administrator Series is to validate your ability to implement, administer and troubleshoot Citrix products. There are currently two certifications in the Administrator Series:
- Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA)
- Citrix Certified Advanced Administrator (CCAA)
The Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) certification validates the skills needed to implement certain products from start to finish. This certification is available for many different Citrix products.
The CCA Platinum is similar to the CCA, except that it is awarded to those who gain CCAs in many different Citrix products.
The latest Administrator Series certification is the Citrix Certified Advanced Administrator (CCAA). This certification goes further than the CCA in that it validates your ability to implement advanced features and functions in XenApp 5. You’ll also be tested on your ability to monitor, optimize, and troubleshoot XenApp 5.
Citrix Engineer Series Certifications
The Engineer Series certifications include one old (legacy) certification aimed at XenApp 4, and one new Engineer certification aimed at Virtualization.
The Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA) for Citrix XenApp Presentation Server 4 is a legacy certification that is still offered by Citrix (but will be discontinued on December 31st, 2010). This certification would be valuable to those working in an environment where XenApp 4 is still being used. If you currently have or will acquire this certification, you’ll have the opportunity to update the certification to XenApp 5 through a new exam.
The XenApp 5 version of this certification is the Citrix Certified Enterprise Engineer (CCEE) for Virtualization (Previously “for Citrix XenApp 5”.) This certification validates an engineer’s abilities and roles in planning and integrating aspects of the delivery and virtualization infrastructure.
Architect Series Certifications
The Architect Series is the highest level of Citrix certifications and encompasses everything from analyzing, designing, and building IT environments to solve key business and technical challenges. IT professionals that hold the Architect Series certifications would be most valuable to large corporations and those looking to create a brand new Citrix environment.
The first certification in the Architect Series is the Citrix Certified Integration Architect (CCIA) for Citrix XenApp Server 4. Similar to the CCEA, this certification is defined as a legacy certification and will be discontinued on December 31st, 2010. Certification holders will be given the chance to upgrade to the XenApp 5 version of this certification through a separate exam.
The newest Architect certification is the CCIA for Virtualization (Previously “for Citrix XenApp 5”.) This certification was created to validate real-world skills and the ability to solve a wide range of technical challenges, as well as design new approaches to application and workload delivery through virtualization.
Conclusion
The above certifications are (mostly) overviews of many application-specific certifications. For example, you can get CCA certifications in a variety of different products, much like Microsoft’s MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) certification line. For specific Citrix applications you should view the Citrix Certifications Search page. And keep an eye out for more in-depth coverage of specific Citrix certifications coming soon.
Have any questions about specific Citrix certifications? Feel free to ask in the comments section below.
Hi mike,
That was great info on Citrix. where do you believe a beginner should start in citrix. for example i would like to do desktop and server Virtualization for small companies. With citrix having so many levels what would be a good starting point?
Thanks
Demetrius
Mike,
First of all, you look like some kind of gangster in your picture about to do a drive through…….. :p
Secondly, awesome write up. Very clear with “normal” descriptions straight to the point.
Glad I came across this,
Thanks,
G.
Hi Demetrius,
I would definitely start with a CCA certification. Citrix is pretty streamlined, starting at the product level and going all the way up to the Architect series. Start off with a few products you are familiar with to get CCAs for. Eventually, you’ll earn your CCA Platinum, and CCAA. How many and what specific certifications you earn is up to you (and the businesses you are applying for.)
After that, the sky is the limit!
Hey Gabi,
I’m glad you liked the write up. I try to be as clear as possible while still getting all the important points across in all of my articles. I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
Hi,
i am working as a enterprise support technician and we use the citrix as a part of our process for performing troubleshooting.
is the citrix certification career perfect and what jobs will it offer me.
what certifications should i take.
Hi mike,
i want to do the cca i live in Ottawa,Canada.can u suggest me which is the best institute to teach this or do u think it will learned by self study.if there is no good centers in Canada i would come to us for the study can u suggest me which are good and is there any experience required to do this course ?