eG Monitoring
 

Measures reported by CtxFarmUserTest

A Citrix environment is a shared environment in which multiple users connect to a Citrix server/server farm and access a wide variety of applications. When the resources of a server zone are shared, excessive resource utilization by a single user could impact the performance for other users. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the activities of each and every user on the farm is critical. Towards this end, the CitrixFarmUser test assesses the traffic between the user terminal and the Citrix zone, and also monitors the resources taken up by a user's session on the zone. The results of this test can be used in troubleshooting and proactive monitoring. For example, when a user reports a performance problem, an administrator can quickly check the bandwidth usage of the user's session, the CPU/memory/disk usage of this user's session as well as the resource usage of other user sessions. The administrator also has access to details on what processes/applications the user is accessing and their individual resource usage. This information can be used to spot any offending processes/ applications.

Measurement Description Measurement Unit Interpretation
No_of_sessions Represents the current number of sessions for a particular user Number A value of 0 indicates that the user is not currently connected to the Citrix farm.
Latency_last Represents the average client latency for the last request from a user. The value reported is the average of the last latencies for all the current sessions of a user. Secs A consistently high latency may be indicative of performance degradations with the Citrix farms. Possible reasons for an increase in latency could be increased network delays, network congestion, Citrix farm slow-down, too many simultaneous users on the Citrix farm etc.
Latency_avg Represents the average client latency for a user. The value reported is the average of the latencies for all the current sessions of a user. Secs  
Latency_devn The latency deviation represents the difference between the minimum and maximum measured latency values for a session. The value reported is the average of the latency deviations for all the current sessions of a user. Secs Ideally, the deviation in latencies over a session should be minimum so as to provide a consistent experience for the user.
Mem_util This value represents the ratio of the resident set size of the memory utilized by the user to the physical memory of the host system, expressed as a percentage. If a user is connected via multiple sessions, the value reported is the sum of all memory utilizations across all the sessions. Percent This value indicates the percentage of memory resources that are used up by a specific user. By comparing this value across users, an administrator can identify the most heavy users of the Citrix farm. Check the detailed diagnosis to view the offending processes/applications.
Cpu_util The CPU utilization for a session is the percentage of time that all of the threads/processes of a user session used the processor to execute instructions. If a user is connected via multiple sessions, the value reported is the sum of all CPUutilizations across all the sessions. Percent This value indicates the percentage of Cpu resources that are used by a specific user. Excessive CPU usage by a user can impact performance for other users. Check the detailed diagnosis to view the offending processes/applications.
Input_bandwidth Indicates the average bandwidth used for client to server communications for all the sessions of a user KB/Sec  
Output_bandwidth Indicates the average bandwidth used for server to client communications for all the sessions of a user KB/Sec  
Input_line_speed Indicates the average line speed from the client to the server for all the sessions of a user KB/Sec  
Output_line_speed Indicates the average line speed from the server to the client for all the sessions of a user KB/Sec  
Input_compression Indicates the average compression ratio for client to server traffic for all the sessions of a user Number  
Output_compression Indicates the average compression ratio for server to client traffic for all the sessions of a user Number  
IO_reads Indicates the rate of I/O reads done by all processes being run by a user. Kbps These metrics measure the collective I/O activity (which includes file, network and device I/O's) generated by all the processes being executed by a user. When viewed along with the system I/O metrics reported by the DiskActivity test, these measures help you determine the network I/O. Comparison across users helps identify the user who is running the most I/O-intensive processes. Check the detailed diagnosis for the offending processes/applications.
IO_writes Indicates the rate of I/O writes done by all processes being run by a user. Kbps
Page_faults Indicates the rate of page faults seen by all processes being run by a user. Faults/Sec Page Faults occur in the threads executing in a process. A page fault occurs when a thread refers to a virtual memory page that is not in its working set in main memory. If the page is on the standby list and hence already in main memory, or if the page is in use by another process with whom the page is shared, then the page fault will not cause the page to be fetched from disk. Excessive page faults could result in decreased performance. Compare values across users to figure out which user is causing most page faults.
Virtual_memory Indicates the total virtual memory being used by all processes being run by a user. MB Comparison across users reveals the user who is being a drain on the virtual memory space.
Handles Indicates the total number of handles being currently held by all processes of a user. Number A consistent increase in the handle count over a period of time is indicative of malfunctioning of programs. Compare this value across users to see which user is using a lot of handles. Check detailed diagnosis for further information.
Input_audio_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used while transmitting sound/audio to this user. Kbps Comparing these values across users will reveal which user is sending/receiving bandwidth-intensive sound/audio files over the ICA channel.

To minimize bandwidth consumption, you may want to consider disabling client audio mapping.
Output_audio_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used while receiving sound/audio from this user. Kbps
Input_com_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used when sending data to this user's COM port. Kbps Comparing these values across users will reveal which user’s COM port is sending/receiving bandwidth-intensive data over the ICA channel.
Output_com_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used when receiving data from this user's COM port. Kbps
Input_drive_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used when this user performs file operations on the mapped drive on the virtual desktop. Kbps Comparing the values of these measures across users will reveal which user is performing bandwidth-intensive file operations over the ICA channel.

If bandwidth consumption is too high, you may want to consider disabling client drive mapping on the client device. Client drive mapping allows users logged on to a virtual desktop from a client device to access their local drives transparently from the ICA session. Alternatively, you can conserve bandwidth by even refraining from accessing large files with client drive mapping over the ICA connection.
Output_drive_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used when the virtual desktop performs file operations on the client's drive. Kbps
Input_printer_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used when this user prints to a desktop printer over the ICA channel. Kbps Comparing the values of these measures across users will reveal which user is issuing bandwidth-intensive print commands over the ICA channel.

If bandwidth consumption is too high, you may want to consider disabling printing. Alternatively, you can avoid printing large documents over the ICA connection.
Output_printer_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used when the desktop responds to print jobs issued by this user. Kbps
Input_speedscreen_data_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from this user to the virtual desktop for data channel traffic. Kbps Comparing the values of these measures across users will reveal which user has been transmitting/receiving bandwidth-intensive data channel traffic.
Output_speedscreen_data_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from virtual desktop to this user for data channel traffic. Kbps
Input_speedscreen_multi_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from this user to virtual desktop for multimedia traffic. Kbps Comparing the values of these measures across users will reveal which user has been transmitting/receiving bandwidth-intensive multimedia traffic.
Output_speedscreen_multi_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from the virtual desktop to this user for multimedia traffic. Kbps
Input_hdx_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from this user to virtual desktop for flash data traffic. Kbps Comparing the values of these measures across users will reveal which user has been transmitting/receiving bandwidth-intensive flash data.
Output_hdx_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from the virtual desktop to this user for flash data traffic. Kbps  
Input_usb_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from this user to the virtual desktop for the USB port-related traffic. Kbps Comparing the values of these measures across users will reveal which user has been transmitting/receiving bandwidth-intensive USB traffic.
Output_usb_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from the virtual desktop to this user for the USB port-related traffic. Kbps
Bandwidth_usage Indicates the percentage HDX bandwidth consumption of this user. Percent Compare the value of this measure across users to know which user is consuming the maximum HDX bandwidth.
Input_thinwire_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from client to server for ThinWire traffic. Kbps Typically, ICA traffic is comprised of many small packets, as well as a some large packets. Large packets are commonly generated for initial session screen paints and printing jobs, whereas the ongoing user session is principally comprised of many small packets. For the most part, these small packets are the highest priority ICA data called Thinwire. Thinwire incorporates mouse movements and keystrokes.

Compare the value of these measures across users to know which user's keystrokes and mouse movements are generating bandwidth-intensive traffic.

These measures will be reported only if the COLLECT EXTENDED METRICS flag is set to ‘Yes’.

Output_thinwire_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from server to client for ThinWire traffic. Kbps
Input_seamless_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from client to server for published applications that are not embedded in a session window. Kbps Compare the value of these measures across users to know which user is accessing bandwidth-intensive applications that are not in a session window.

These measures will be reported only if the COLLECT EXTENDED METRICS flag is set to ‘Yes’.

Output_seamless_bandwidth Indicates the bandwidth used from server to client for published applications that are not embedded in a session window. Kbps
Resource_shares Indicates the total number of resource shares used by this user. Number By comparing the value of this measure across users, you can identify the user who is hogging the resources.

This measure will be reported only if the COLLECT EXTENDED METRICS flag is set to ‘Yes’.
Cpu_util_time Indicates the percentage of time, across all processors, this user hogged the CPU. Percent The CPU usage for user's processes measure averages out the total CPU usage of a user on the basis of the number of processors. For instance, if your Citrix server is using an 8-core processor and the total CPU usage of a user across all his/her sessions amounts to 80%, then the value of the CPU usage for user's processes measure for that user will be 10 % (80/8 processors = 10). This accurately denotes the extent of CPU usage in an environment where load is uniformly balanced across multiple processors. However, in environments where load is not well-balanced, the CPU usage for user's processes measure may not be an accurate indicator of CPU usage per user. For instance, if a single processor is used nearly 80% of the time by a user, and other 7 processors in the 8-core processor environment are idle, the CPU usage for user's processes measure will still report CPU usage as 10%. This may cause administrators to miss out on the fact that the user is actually hogging a particular processor! In such environments therefore, its best to use the CPU time used by user's sessions measure! By reporting the total CPU usage of a user across all his/her sessions and across all the processors the target Citrix server supports, this measure serves as the true indicator of the level of CPU usage by a user in dynamic environments. For instance, in the example above, the CPU time used by user's sessions of the user will be 80% (and not 10%, as in the case of the CPU usage for user's processes measure). A high value or a consistent increase in the value of this measure is hence serious and demands immediate attention. In such situations, use the detailed diagnosis of the CPU usage for user's processes measure to know what CPU-intensive activities are being performed by the user.
Total_session_duration Indicates the time that has elapsed since this user logged in. Minutes Compare the value of this measure across users to know which user has been logged in for the longest time.
Idle_time_measureprd Indicates the percentage of time in the last measurement period during which this user actively used the server. Percent Ideally, the value of this measure should be 100%.

A low value for this measure denotes a high level of inactivity recently.
Idle_time_duration Indicates the time that has elapsed since this user performed an action on the server. Minutes A high value for this measure indicates that the user has been idle for a long time. Compare the value of this measure across users to know which user has been idle for the longest time.
Total_idle_duration Indicates the total time for which this user was idle during the session. Minutes If the value of this measure is the same as the value of the Total_session_duration measure for a user, it means that the user has been idle throughout the session.

If the value of this measure is close to the value of the Total time in session measure for a user, it implies that the user has been idle for a long time.

If the value of this measure is much lesser than the value of the Total_session_duration measure for a user, it means that the user has been active for most part of the session.

Total_bandwidth Indicates the total bandwidth usage of this user. Kbps Compare the value of this measure across users to know which user is consuming the maximum bandwidth.