Citrix VDI integration - 8x8 Work for Desktop & Web

Clients

• Citrix has two main ways to deliver clients on Windows:
  • Workspace app for Windows Current Release (CR): 2019 or above from here
  • Workspace app for Windows Long Term Service Release (LTSR): 22.03 or above from here
• Citrix Workspace app 2109 or later for Mac
• Citrix Workspace app 2109 or later for Linux

Server

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service (XenApp & XenDesktop service) version 19.12 or above.

Whitelisting the Applications

Inside the virtual desktop, IT admins must add the following registry key in order to whitelist the 8x8 Work app or the supported browser for Work web app to leverage the Citrix optimization:

Key Path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Citrix\WebSocketService

Key Name: ProcessWhitelist

Key Type: REG_MULTI_SZ

Key Value: 8x8 Work.exe
                   chrome.exe

(Chrome.exe is needed when using VDI optimization through https://work.8x8.com)

Network firewall changes

Thin clients or the endpoints used to connect to the Citrix sessions require a network environment that doesn't block the traffic to the 8x8 data centers, as with the optimization, the voice path is offloaded to the endpoints. Please follow our default network recommendations.

Network Traffic and Routing

• RTP (voice traffic) will egress from the local machine when VDI optimization is enabled, not the Citrix Server.
• DNS Queries will be performed on the Citrix Server, as this is where the application is homed. Please verify/take this into account when troubleshooting. Because the DNS Queries take place on the Citrix Server there may be a discrepancy in the 8x8 Global Reach Traffic Routing due to where the Client is physically located vs the Citrix Server.

Local audio devices

Within the app, check Call using dialog and assert Computer - VDI is showing.

Citrix optimization process

On the local machine (thin client) check the following process to be running parallel to 8x8 work.exe:

Windows: ​​HdxTeams.exe

Mac: HdxRtcEngine

Why am I not being heard or can't record VM greetings?

It may happen that the Operating System microphone permission prevents the 8x8 Work Desktop app from accessing the microphone. Check this article on how to ensure the app has mic permissions.

Can I use 8x8 Work in multiple VDI sessions simultaneously?

When the app runs inside Citrix VDI and there's a device conflict (same Citrix user is logged on multiple machines and within 8x8 with the same user), the 'This is not the main browser tab of 8x8 Work for Web app. Only the main tab of the app can receive incoming calls.' is shown. This will be replaced with 'The 8x8 Work app is opened in other VDI instances with the same user credentials. Calls can be received in only one instance.' Calls will be received where the user selects 'Receive calls here'.

Should I use this optimization setup if I plan to make calls using a desk phone instead of the 8x8 Work app?

No, this Citrix optimization is not needed when calling using a desk phone, and the 8x8 Work app is just in CTI mode. The optimization is only required for audio calls that use the 8x8 Work app.

How to make 8x8 Work ‘Highlight to Dial’ feature work inside Citrix?

For 'Highlight to Dial' to work in a Citrix environment you need to enable the bidirectional content redirection policy. 'Highlight to Dial' allows you to quickly place a call to a phone number that is currently highlighted in another app (such as in a spreadsheet, a notepad, etc) by using the  Ctrl+Shift+8 or your own shortcut. If you have not highlighted a number, use the shortcut to open the dial pad to place a call. 

Citrix offers host-to-client redirection and Local App Access for the client to URL redirection. However, we recommend that you use bidirectional content redirection for domain-joined Windows clients. For more details please go to docs.citrix.com.