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IntroductionIn the previous article of our series, we discussed how to reduce latency across multi-cloud deployments. If you missed it, you can catch up here. Today, we’re going to discuss a crucial topic: finding the top alternative to Citrix Netscaler. As you all know, Citrix has recently undergone significant changes in management and strategy, focusing on simplifying its product offerings. This shift has brought numerous concerns, including increased support overhead and a lack of support for medium and small customers. Additionally, changes in the licensing model have introduced extra costs for contract renewals, adding to the overall financial burden on organizations.In this context, it’s essential to explore robust alternatives that can offer reliable performance, security, and cost efficiency. One such alternative is Thinfinity Workspace. This article will delve into why Thinfinity Workspace stands out as the top alternative to Citrix Netscaler.Let’s get into the meat of this real quick. Imagine a bustling corporate environment where the IT infrastructure must support hundreds of employees accessing critical applications simultaneously. The performance and reliability of these applications can make or break productivity. This is where Thinfinity® Workspace steps in, offering a robust and flexible solution that addresses the unique challenges faced by large organizations. We’ll delve into the features and benefits of Thinfinity Workspace and see why it stands out as the top alternative to Citrix Netscaler.Understanding Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs)ADCs, or Application Delivery Controllers, play a pivotal role in managing, optimizing, and securing the delivery of applications across networks. They ensure that applications are delivered swiftly, securely, and efficiently to end-users, thus maintaining business continuity and enhancing user experience.Definition and Core Functions of ADCsAn ADC is a device or software appliance positioned between the client and server to manage application traffic. ADCs perform essential functions such as load balancing, traffic optimization, and application acceleration. By distributing client requests across multiple servers, ADCs prevent any single server from becoming a bottleneck, thereby enhancing the performance and availability of applications. Think of an ADC as a traffic cop at a busy intersection, skillfully directing vehicles to different lanes to prevent congestion and ensure a smooth flow of traffic. Similarly, ADCs manage data traffic, directing it efficiently to maintain optimal performance.The Role of ADCs in Modern IT InfrastructureIn the era of cloud computing and distributed applications, ADCs have become indispensable. They not only balance loads but also provide crucial security features such as SSL offloading, Web Application Firewall (WAF) capabilities, and DDoS protection. This comprehensive approach ensures that applications are not only fast but also secure from various cyber threats. Picture an ADC as a skilled conductor leading an orchestra, ensuring each instrument plays harmoniously and at the right time while also safeguarding the entire

NavigationChange LogCitrix ADC Firewall RulesCitrix ADM Firewall RulesCitrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Firewall RulesCitrix Provisioning Firewall RulesSee CTX101810 Communication Ports Used by Citrix Technologies💡 = Recently UpdatedChange Log2020 Nov 13 – CTX286215 How to change Logstream source IP to NSIP on ADC.2020 Oct 17 – ADM – added 443/8443 from ADM Agents to ADM2018 June 11 – MAS Firewall – added MAS Floating IP and MAS Agents2018 June 9 – StoreFront to Domain Controllers in Trusted Domains – added rules from Citrix Discussions2018 June 6 – added NSIP firewall rules for NetScaler MAS Pooled Licensing2018 May 24 – updated Director->HDX Insight firewall rules to indicate Director as the source (Source = Luke in the comments)Citrix ADC Firewall RulesFromToProtocol / PortPurposeAdministrator machinesNSIPs (and/or SNIPs)TCP 22TCP 80TCP 443TCP 3010TCP 3008SSH and HTTP/SSL access to NetScaler configuration GUI. TCP 3008/3010 is Java and 3008 is used if traffic is encrypted. Java not needed in 10.5 build 57 and newer.Administrator machinesNetScaler SDX SVM, XenServerTCP 22TCP 80TCP 443To administer NetScaler SDXAdministrator machinesNetScaler Lights Out ModuleTCP 443TCP 623TCP 5900CTX200367NSIPSNIPDNS serversPingUDP 53TCP 53Ping is used for monitoring. Can be turned off by load balancing on the same appliance.NSIPsSNIPNetScaler MASTCP 27000TCP 7279Pooled LicensingNSIPsSNIPNTP serversUDP 123NTPNSIPsSNIPSyslog serverUDP 514SyslogNSIPscallhome.citrix.comcis.citrix.comtaas.citrix.comTCP 443Call HomeNSIPs (default)SNIPLDAP Servers(Domain Controllers)TCP 389 (Start TLS)TCP 636 (Secure LDAP)Secure LDAP requires certificates on the Domain Controllers. Secure LDAP enables password changes when they expire.SNIP if Load Balanced on same applianceNSIPsLDAP ServersTCP 389TCP 636Monitor Domain ControllersNSIPs (default)SNIPRADIUS serversUDP 1812RADIUS is used for two-factor authentication. SNIP if Load Balanced on same applianceSNIPRADIUS serversUDP 1812PingMonitor RADIUS serversNetScaler SDX Service virtual machineNSIPsPingTCP 22TCP 80TCP 443Only if NetScaler VPX runs as a virtual machine on top of NetScaler SDXLocal GSLB Site IPSNIPGSLB Site IP (public IP) in other datacenterTCP 3009TCP 3011GSLB Metric Exchange Protocol between appliance pairsNSIPsGSLB Site IP (public IP) in other datacenterTCP 22TCP 3008TCP 3010GSLB Configuration SyncLocal GSLB Site IPSNIPAll InternetPingUDP 53TCP (high ports)RTT to DNS Servers for Dynamic Proximity determinationSNIPStoreFront Load Balancing VIPTCP 443NetScaler Gateway communicates with StoreFrontSNIPStoreFront serversTCP 80TCP 443TCP 808StoreFront Load BalancingNSIPsStoreFront serversTCP 80TCP 443Monitor StoreFront serversStoreFront serversNetScaler Gateway VIP (DMZ IP)TCP 443Authentication callback from StoreFront server to NetScaler Gateway.SNIPEach individual Delivery Controller in every datacenterTCP 80TCP 443Secure Ticket Authorities. This cannot be load balanced.TCP 443 only if certificates are installed on the Delivery Controllers.SNIPAll internal virtual desktops and session hosts (subnet rule?)TCP 1494TCP 2598UDP 1494UDP 2598UDP 16500-16509HDX ICAEnlightened Data TransportSession ReliabilityUDP AudioAll InternetAll internal usersNetScaler Gateway VIP (public

IP)TCP 80TCP 443UDP 443Connections from browsers and native ReceiversDTLS for UDP AudioAll InternetAll internal DNS serversSNIP ADNS Listener (Public IP)UDP 53TCP 53ADNS (for GSLB)Web logging serverNSIPsTCP 3010Web logging polls the NetScalers.NSIPsNetScaler MAS or other SNMP Trap DestinationUDP 161UDP 162SNMP TrapsNSIPsSNIPNetScaler MAS or other AppFlow CollectorUDP 4739TCP 5557, 5558TCP 5563AppFlow (IPFIX, Logstream, and Metrics)NSIPmfa.cloud.comtrust.citrixworkspacesapi.netTCP 443Native OTP Push (DNS required)Authentication traffic uses NSIPs by default. This can be changed by creating a local Load Balancing Virtual Server on the same appliance and sending authentication traffic through the Load Balancing VIP.Several of the Load Balancing monitors run as Perl scripts, which are sourced from the NSIPs, not SNIP. But actual load balancing traffic uses SNIP as the source IP.DNS Name Servers use ping for monitoring. This can be disabled by creating a local Load Balancing Virtual Server on the same appliance and sending DNS traffic through the load balancer.In a ADC with a dedicated management network and default route on a different data network, configure Policy Based Routes (PBRs) to send NSIP-sourced traffic through a router on the NSIP subnet.Logstream defaults to SNIP as source but can be changed to NSIP. See CTX286215.Citrix ADM Firewall RulesCitrix Application Delivery Management (ADM) monitors and manages the ADC appliances.FromToProtocol / PortPurposeADM Floating IPADM AgentNSIPsPingTCP 22TCP 80TCP 443Discovery and configuration of ADC devicesNSIPsADM Floating IPADM AgentTCP 80TCP 443NitroADM (Primary, Secondary)NSIPsUDP 161SNMPADM AgentsADM Floating IPTCP 443TCP 7443TCP 8443Agent CommunicationNSIPsADM Floating IPADM AgentUDP 4739AppFlowSNIPADM Floating IPADM AgentTCP 5563Metrics CollectorNSIPsSNIPADM Floating IPADM AgentTCP 5557, 5558Logstream (ULFD)NSIPsADM Floating IPADM AgentUDP 161UDP 162SNMP TrapsNSIPsADM Floating IPADM AgentUDP 514SyslogCPX NSIPsVPX NSIPsADM Floating IPADM AgentTCP 27000TCP 7279Pooled LicensingAdministrator MachinesADM Floating IPADM AgentTCP 22TCP 80TCP 443Web-based GUIDirector ServersADM Floating IPTCP 80TCP 443Insight Integration with DirectorADMLDAP(S)LDAP(S) VIPTCP 389TCP 636LDAP authenticationADMMail ServerTCP 25Email alertsADMNTP ServerUDP 123NTPADMSyslog ServerUDP 514SyslogCitrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Firewall RulesFromToProtocol / PortPurposeAdministrator machinesDelivery ControllersTCP 80/443TCP 3389PowerShellRDPDelivery ControllersSQL ServerTCP 1433UDP 1434Other static portSQL databaseDelivery ControllersvCenterTCP 443vCenterDelivery ControllersSCVMM (Hyper-V)TCP 8100SCVMMDelivery ControllersCitrix LicensingTCP 27000TCP 7279TCP 8082-8083Citrix LicensingStoreFront serversDelivery ControllersTCP 80TCP 443XMLSecure Ticket AuthorityStoreFront serversStoreFront serversTCP 808Subscription ReplicationStoreFront serversDomain Controllers in Trusted DomainsTCP 88TCP 135TCP 445TCP 389/636TCP 49151-65535RPCDiscussionsAdministrator machinesStoreFront serversTCP 3389RDPAdministrator machinesCitrix LicensingTCP 8082-8083TCP 3389Web-based administration GUIRDPDelivery ControllersAll VDAsTCP 80BrokeringAll VDAsDelivery ControllersTCP 80RegistrationAll VDAsGlobal Catalogs(Domain Controllers)TCP 3268RegistrationAll Server OS VDAsRemote Desktop Licensing ServerRPC and SMBRemote Desktop LicensingAll Workspace apps(Internal)StoreFront SSL Load Balancing VIPTCP 80TCP 443Internal access to StoreFrontAll Workspace appsCitrix Gateway VIPTCP 80TCP 443External (or internal) access to Citrix GatewayAll Workspace apps(Internal)All VDAsTCP 1494UDP 1494TCP 2598UDP 2598UDP