10/22/2000 -- One of the hottest third-party technologies incorporated into Windows 2000 is Citrix's Terminal Server. With Terminal Server, users sit at their desks, move their mice and type on their keyboards, but invisible to them, the action is taking place on a bigger computer a block away, a mile away, or a thousand miles away. The best news of all is that you can use even the oldest of desktop systems to make this magic happen. Because all the work is really done on the server, even the most pathetic of desktops can have a new life. This is where the "thin-client" terminology is derived: Give your users less machine, and you spend less dollars. And in the same way that Microsoft dominates the desktop OS market, Citrix's technologies dominates this "thin-client" computing wave.

It's no surprise that with the popularity of Win2K certification, the desirability of Citrix certifications is growing as well, especially among MCSEs. Let's take a look at the relationship between Microsoft and Citrix, and what the Citrix Certifications have to offer.

The Microsoft Connection

Today, Microsoft has two shipping products built from that relationship: Windows NT-Terminal Server Edition 4.0 (or NT/TSE) and Windows 2000 Server, which has a Terminal Services component built right in to the product. Also available but generally not implemented any longer is Citrix's WinFrame 1.8, which is based on Windows NT 3.51 and its antiquated graphical user interface.

Citrix has been able to maintain a separate identity because of the unique technology it brings to the thin-client computing table. First, is their proprietary protocol: Independent Channel Architecture (ICA). The ‘I' in ICA is where Citrix is best known. While Microsoft's product is decent for a "Windows only" world, Citrix's ICA allows for Windows (even very old Windows), DOS, Macintosh, Linux and even Web browsers to do all their computing from the server, using as little network bandwidth as possible. This protocol is built into their flagship MetaFrame 1.8 product, which comes in two flavors: an add-on for Windows NT/TSE or an add-on for Windows 2000. Besides the ICA protocol, Citrix has developed a range of complementary add-on packages for the MetaFrame product that perform functions such as load balancing, streaming video, performance monitoring and a Web interface.

Moreover, Citrix is making headway into the Unix world. What Citrix once did for Microsoft's products, they are now doing for Sun Microsystems' Solaris operating system, and soon the open source Linux operating system.

In total, Citrix's solutions bring heavy-duty computing to small-time devices. Most of the companies in the Fortune 500 have implemented Citrix solutions for one reason or another: to quell the high cost of desktops, to provide easy to use dial-in remote access solutions, or to guarantee security of specific applications. This provides a wealth of opportunity for systems administrators and consultants to delve into the technology, deliver the solutions, and get certified.

The Certifications
Citrix's certification model is closely related to both the Microsoft and Novell certification models in separate ways.

Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA)
Like the Novell model, a candidate needs to pass but one exam to call him or herself a certified administrator--in this case, a Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA). The exam focuses on the flagship products: MetaFrame 1.8 for Windows NT/TSE, MetaFrame 1.0 for UNIX (for Solaris, AIX and UX platforms) and WinFrame 1.8. Note that while there is a MetaFrame 1.8 for Windows 2000 product there is no MetaFrame 1.8 for Windows 2000 exam. This is because essentially the MetaFrame technology works nearly identically on Windows NT/TSE as it does on Windows 2000. Candidates wishing to take the MetaFrame administration exam are encouraged, although not required, to take the associated three-day MetaFrame Administration for Windows course or the associated two-day MetaFrame Administration for UNIX course. (See the chart below for a rundown of the exam/course details.) These exams are proctored at Sylvan/Prometric testing centers, similar to the Microsoft exams. More information about the CCA program can be found at: http://www.citrix.com/training/cca_cert.htm

Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA)
Citrix's flagship certification, the Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA) is at least equitable to either the Microsoft MCSE or Novell CNE programs. After passing the Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) exam, an additional four exams are required before the CCEA is achieved. Several classes are recommended for this certification (NOT required, as mentioned in an earlier version of this article): A Citrix Resource Management Services (or RMS) one-day course, which covers the program's performance-counter and sizing abilities, and an Advanced Citrix Server Implementation two-day course, which covers some of the finer points of advanced installation and implementation.

Candidates must choose four of the following five exams to achieve the CCEA: Citrix Installation Management Services, SecureICA and Security, Load Balancing Services, Citrix Program Neighborhood and NFuse Administration (now live).

More information about the CCEA program can be found at http://www.citrix.com/training/ccea_cert.htm.

(Editor's Note: You may notice that some of the information above conflicts with the candidate's guide on Citrix's Web site. This is because those guides have yet to be updated with information on the NFuse Administration exam, as well as some other information. Citrix's press relations staff have reviewed this article, and have verified that the above information in our article is indeed correct as of 11/3/00. Citrix will be uploading the latest information onto their Web site ASAP.)

Citrix Certified Sales Professional (CCSP)
Like the Microsoft model, there is also a certified sales level--in this case, a Citrix Certified Sales Professional (CCSP). CCSPs are qualified to present Citrix solutions to customers and ferret out opportunities where Citrix products may be used. Like the administrator certification, only one exam is required, and there is a suggested but not required instructor-led or self-paced class. Candidates can only take this exam in a Web-based format. More information about the CCSP program can be found at: http://www.citrix.com/training/ccsp_cert.htm.

Citrix Certified Instructor (CCI)
Citrix also has a CCI level or Citrix Certified Instructor for its MetaFrame 1.8 product. Candidates are now required to attended the MetaFrame Administration course, as well as having passed the CCA exam. Next, the candidate must attend a three-day MetaFrame "Train the Trainer" course where the instructors learn instructional tips for course delivery. Additionally, candidates need proof of another industry trainer certification (i.e.: Microsoft's MCT, or Novell's CNI) or they need to additionally attend a (non-Citrix based) approved teaching methods course. Additionally, the candidate needs to pass the corresponding MetaFrame administration exam with a score of 80 percent or higher. More information about the CCI program can be found at: http://www.citrix.com/training/cci_cert.htm.

Courseware Information
While the CCEA and CCI designations require certain courses, Citrix also has courseware that doesn't correspond to any particular exam, but that's useful when engaging Citrix solutions. Those details are provided in the table below. Official course descriptions can be found at: http://www.citrix.com/training/courses.htm.

Note that the above exam numbers are for the English versions only. Updated on 11/3/00. More on the exams can be found at http://www.citrix.com/training/testing.htm.

Citrix is everywhere, and with a Citrix certification, you can be everywhere as well.

What's your take on the Citrix certifications? Are they the logical next step for 2000 MCSEs? Post your comments below or enter our Forums.