Raspberry Pi 4 Citrix Workspace App



You can enable the Citrix Workspace app for use with the Citrix Ready workspace hub. This easy-to-use software provides seamless and secure access to the specific workspace applications and desktops to which users are entitled. The workspace hub allows you to launch the workspace resources from multiple platforms and clients. I've recently tried to run Citrix Workspace on the Pi with poor results. 1) The chromium app: works on Pi 2 and Pi 3, but it is too slow. Impossible to use on Pi 2, but still too slow on a Pi 3 b+. Connection always happens correctly. 2) Installed Citrix Receiver (wfica) on Pi 2 and 3 in Raspbian 9. Built on the Raspberry Pi 3 platform, the Citrix Ready workspace hub provides a secure connection to authorized apps and data. Citrix Workspace app for Android supports user authentication to Citrix Ready workspace hubs as an experimental feature. This allows authenticated users to cast their sessions to a hub. The feature is disabled. Built on the Raspberry Pi 3 platform, the Citrix Ready workspace hub provides a secure connection to authorized apps and data. Citrix Workspace app for Android supports user authentication to Citrix Ready workspace hubs as an experimental feature. This allows authenticated users to cast their sessions to a hub. The feature is disabled by default.

Hey, so I thought I would just create a post on how to create a cheap Thin Client like device which can be used to access Citrix remotely. The latest version of Citrix Workspace App ( previously known as receiver / ica client ) for Linux now contains HDX for Microsoft Teams but does require a couple of dependencies.

Prep the Pi

I have tested this on both the Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 which both worked well. First, we need to do is head over to https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspberry-pi-os/ and download the desktop image.

Once downloaded, unzip and write to the MicroSD Card with your favourite tool, alternative see the instructions at https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/installation/installing-images/ for a guide on how to do it.

Next, we need to boot your new Raspberry Pi OS installation and run through the setup process. Ensure you install the latest updates and reboot as part of the wizzard!!

Once rebooted we will now need to install some bits to get the HDX, WebCam and SaaS working nicely with Citrix. Firstly open the terminal using the shortcut on the taskbar at the top of the screen.

Next, we need to use the package manager to install the required packages.

Download Citrix

Unfortunately due to Citrix's licensing structure, you will not find it in the software centre or via apt. They also make it hard to link directly to packages so we will have to do download the packages manually

Raspberry Pi 4 Citrix Workspace Apps

Go to https://www.citrix.com/en-gb/downloads/workspace-app/linux/workspace-app-for-linux-latest.html and look for 'Debian packages' under Available Downloads.

Under here select 'Web Packages Only'

And then locate the 'Citrix Workspace app for Linux Web Client (ARM HF)' and click Download file.

Optional - USB Support

If you want USB support then under 'USB Packages' download the ARM HF version as above.

Install Citrix Packages

Once downloaded you will need to open the terminal again.

Then you will need to change to your downloads directory and run the dpkg command

This will now have installed the Citrix client ( and USB support if specified ) to your PI.

Webcam & Mic

There is one last step required to enable WebCam and Microphone to be enabled in your Citrix session. Again from a terminal run

This will open the preference tools, select the 'Mic & Webcam' tab and select the option 'Use my microphone and webcam'

And there you go, you are now ready to use your Pi to access Citrix and use MS Teams with full HDX support :)

Troubleshooting

  • If HDX is not working then open a termin and run

this will check that you have all the dependencies installed and flag up any that are not.

  • I also found that using my bluetooth headset ( UpRoar Wireless Headphones ) crash the citrix session. Use a USB headset/microphone worked ok.
  • If you have issues with sound / speed then perform the usual checks
    • Kick the kids off the wifi
    • Try going hardwired instead of wifi
    • Run a speed test
    • Reboot your router

After thoughts

Great, that is good for the Pi but what about my Ubuntu Laptop/Desktop?

Well form the Citrix Debian Packages select x86_64 packages and follow the above.

You will need to install the following package versions on Ubuntu vs the Pi.

Learning has never been so easy!

This is a step-by-step how to on creating a Raspberry Pi 4 dual screen thin client. The Pi will be set up in a Kiosk mode, only able to access Citrix Reciever.

7 Steps total

Step 1: Install Raspbian

Raspberry Pi 4 Citrix Workspace App

Download the latest version of Raspbian Lite (Currently Buster):
https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/

Follow the install guide for your distribution: https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/installation/installing-images/README.md

Step 2: Change Passwords

Change the password for the pi and root user.

sudo passwd pi
sudo passwd root

App

Step 3: Set Auto Login or Wifi

use raspi-config to set pi as the auto login CLI user, and set up wifi as needed.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/raspi-config.md

Step 4: Install Window Manager

This will install a lightweight window manager, allowing GUI programs to be run. We'll also install a browser to connect to the Citrix Storefront, as well as some Citrix dependencies.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install xorg
sudo apt-get install matchbox-window-manager
sudo apt-get install chromium-browser
sudo apt-get install libwebkitgtk-1.0-0
sudo apt-get install libwebkit2gtk-4.0-37

Step 5: Set up Window Manager

Start the graphical interface on login by modifying the .profile file:
sudo nano .profile

Add the line to the bottom of this file:
startx

Exit and save the file.

App Store Citrix Workspace App

Create and edit the file .xinitrc:
sudo nano .xinitrc

Enter the following text into this file:
#!/bin/sh
xset s off
xset -dmps
xset s noblank
matchbox-window-manager -use_titlebar no &
chromium-browser

Close and save the file, then restart your device.

Step 6: Download and Install Citrix

When you restart your device a chromium window should launch when the pi user logs in. Download the latest Debian version of Citrix Workspace from https://www.citrix.com/downloads/workspace-app/linux/workspace-app-for-linux-latest.html.

Download the ARM HF versions of Full Packages (Self-service Support) and USB Support Packages.

Raspberry Pi 4 Citrix Workspace App Download

Raspberry Pi 4 Citrix Workspace App

Go to another workspace by pressing Ctrl+Alt+F2 (You can return to the browser by going to the first workspace Ctrl+Alt+F1) and log in as the root user.

Install the packages:
sudo dpkg -i /home/pi/Downloads/icaclient*
sudo dpkg -i /home/pi/Downloads/ctxusb*

If this returns an error, install the missing dependencies, then install the above again:
sudo apt-get install --fix-missing

Step 7: Finalize Setup

Modify the .xinitrc file:
sudo nano /home/pi/.xinitrc

If you wish to have the pi running in a Kiosk mode, modify the .xinitrc file to:
#!/bin/sh
xset s off
xset -dmps
xset s noblank
matchbox-window-manager -use_titlebar no &
chromium-browser --kiosk

If you wish to allow your users to be able to view other websites outside of Citrix, and reboot the device modify to:
#!/bin/sh
xset s off
xset -dmps
xset s noblank
matchbox-window-manager -use_titlebar no &
chromium-browser
sudo reboot -f

Close and save the file, then restart your device.

3 Comments

Raspberry Pi 4 Citrix Workspace Application

  • Pimiento
    spicehead-wkzqm Jan 22, 2021 at 11:19am

    So I have pretty much a straight up buster install and the latest Citrix components. But when i try to go dual monitor, workspace just snaps to one screen. Anyone have any ideas? The displays are nothing special 1280 x 1024.

  • Serrano
    Atypical_IT_Guy Jan 22, 2021 at 02:25pm

    Are you using the Matchbox window manager?

    If not:
    In other linux variants I tried with a full desktop, I had to put workspace into windowed mode, then move it so the window is within both screens. Maximizing it again usually allows it to take up both screens.

    Usually after doing this once, it will continue to do this

  • Serrano
    Atypical_IT_Guy Jan 22, 2021 at 02:30pm

    In older versions of Citrix, I had to modify the wfica file, but I'm not sure how relevant this is in Workspace: https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX209485