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Metrics to verify before CPSM deployment

Until now, you have learned about the most obvious requirements to install CPSM; now, in the upcoming session, we will have a look at how to verify essentials for CPSM deployment.

Verification of environment prerequisites

We will look at the core components that should essentially be verified right at the outset before the installation.

The first component that needs to be verified is the Active Directory (AD) schema, which is necessary to accommodate Citrix CloudPortal Services Manager. As you are aware, the operation can be performed using the Microsoft Exchange installation tools.

The following steps need to be performed:

  1. Open the command prompt on your planned Exchange server.
  2. Then execute the following command: 
    setup /p /on:OrganizationName

The second component that needs to be cross-checked is whether DNS aliases have been configured. Citrix CloudPortal Services Manager uses DNS aliases to discover the servers where the platform modules will be positioned. For this, the following steps need to be performed:

  1. On AD, create CNAME records.
  2. There should be one record against each of your servers as shown in the following table:

    Server

    EX Name

    Database server

    CORTEXSQL

    Provisioning server

    CORTEXPROVISIONING

    Web server

    CORTEXWEB

    Reporting Services

    CORTEXREPORTS

Use the Citrix CloudPortal Services Manager Setup utility to verify the preceding items. The utility probes our settings and if it is positive, displays a green check mark next to each confirmed item. If it is negative, the Setup utility shows a Validate button, so you can execute the checks over again.

Perform the following steps:

  1. From your file cluster or from the installation media, execute Setup.exe.
  2. On the CloudPortal Services Manager splash screen, click on Get Started.
  3. On the Choice Deployment Task screen, choose Install CloudPortal Services Manager.
  4. In the CloudPortal Services Manager screen, choose check environment prerequisites.
  5. The Prepare Environment screen displays the status of the verified items.

As the next step, we will now create the system database.

The heart of the deployment is the Config.xml file, which will be useful throughout the wizard run-through.

How to deploy SQL Server and Reporting Services

For Cloud IT providers, it is recommended that they use the SQL Server deployment and Reporting Services. This should be done in a dedicated cluster for high availability, especially when providing for multiple consumers.

With regards to installation, configuration, and performance tuning of SQL Server and Reporting Services, please refer to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143219(v=sql.105).aspx.

The next step is to create the DB.

We have to perform this activity post deployment of SQL Server and SQL Server Reporting Services. The system databases are created using the Services Manager Configuration Tool, which is installed as a part of this process.

Perform the following steps:

  1. From the source location where the installation media is located, execute the Setup.exe file.
  2. On the CloudPortal Services Manager splash screen, click on Get Started.
  3. On the Choose Deployment Task screen, choose Install CloudPortal Services Manager.
  4. On the Install CloudPortal Services Manager screen, choose Deploy Server Roles & Primary Location.
  5. On the Deploy Server Roles & Primary Location screen, choose Create System Databases.
  6. Now let us install the Citrix CloudPortal Services Manager Configuration Tool:
    1. When prompted, click on Install to deploy the Configuration utility.
    2. On the License Agreement screen, read and accept the license agreement and then select commit next.
    3. On the Ready to install screen, click on Install. The setup utility installs the Configuration Tool and the prerequisites that are required as well.
    4. Now, let us click on Finish to continue creating the system databases.
  7. The next step of the installation is to create a Configuration File screen. Browse to the directory where you want to store the Config.xml file and provide a filename. Then click on Next.
  8. Now, let us go to the Create Primary Databases screen and configure the following information about the SQL Server that will store system configuration information:
    • Server address: This is used to specify the DB server using the DNS alias, IP address, or the FQDN.
    • Server port: This is used to declare the port number used by SQL Server.

      The port for a default instance of SQL Server is 1433.

    • Authentication mode: This is used to choose whether to apply Integrated Windows and SQL or SQL authentication. By default, Integrated is chosen. (Mixed Mode is recommended to be used).
    • Connect as: This is used to declare Consumer name and password of the SQL administrator Consumer (Super account). Fields are accessible when we choose the SQL authentication mode for our installation.
    • Auto-create SQL logins: This checkbox is available only if we want the required SQL Server Consumer accounts to be created automatically. If you do not choose this checkbox, we can later provide the login details manually on the Configure Database Logins screen.
  9. Run through the Test Connection to make sure the Configuration utility can make contact with the SQL Server and then click on Next.
  10. On the Configure Database Logins screen, proceed with Generate IDs chosen if you want passwords created automatically for CortexProp, OLMReports, and OLM DB accounts. Clear this choice if you want to provide the passwords for these accounts. CortexProp, OLM DB, and OLMReports accounts are formed to make sure the cross-domain right of entry is available to the server DBs.
  11. On the Summary screen, assess the DB configuration in sequence. If you want to change anything, click on Back to return to the suitable configuration screen.
  12. Upon completion of the entire configuration as per the guideline, go ahead and click on Commit. The Applying Configuration screen displays the progress.
  13. After the server DBs are effectively created, click on Finish.

After the system databases are created, you can install Provisioning Directory Web Service and the web platform server roles on the other servers.

Installation of the CPSM role using GUI

By now you would have crystal clear understanding of the system requirements for a CPSM installation. In order to start the installation using GUI, we need to perform the following activity on the server you will be using to host each server role you planned:

Deploy and configure the Reporting server role after the primary location has been configured. If you deploy Reporting Services before the primary location has been configured, configuration of Reporting Services fails.

  1. From the source location where the installation media is located, execute the Setup.exe file.
  2. On the Setup Tool splash screen, click on Get Started.
  3. On the Choose Deployment Task screen, choose Install CloudPortal Services Manager and click on Next.
  4. Now on the Install CloudPortal Services Manager screen, choose Deploy Server Roles & Primary Location and click on Next.
  5. Now on the Deploy Server Roles & Primary Location screen, choose Install Server Roles and click on Next.
  6. Now on the License Agreement screen, agree to the license agreement and then click on Next.
  7. On the Choose Server Roles screen, choose the roles to install and then click on Next.
  8. On the Review Prerequisites screen, evaluate the prerequisite objects that will be deployed and then click on Next.
  9. On the Ready to install screen, evaluate the chosen roles and prerequisites that will be deployed. Click on Install. The Deploying Server Roles screen shows the installation of the prerequisites and the chosen roles, and the outcome.
  10. On the Deployment Complete screen, click on Finish.

Summary

This article serves as a brief reference for readers to understand about the system, to verify the essentials, and install and configure CPSM using GUI and CLI.

Resources for Article:

Further resources on this subject:

Packt

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