1. When a target device boots from the network, DHCP sends a request to the Provisioning Server for an IP address and Scope Option settings. The Provisioning Server returns the information as requested. Additionally, DHCP also sends the TFTP server name and boot file name - ARDBP32.BIN - to the target device.
2. Using TFTP (that listens on UDP port 69), a request for the bootstrap file (ARDBP32.BIN) is sent from the target device to the Provisioning Server. The Provisioning Server downloads the boot file on the target device.
3. The target device boots the assigned vDisk image.

If the UDP port 69 is unavailable, then the target device will not be able to connect to the TFTP server; as a result, it will be unable to boot the vDisk image. Similarly, if the target device experiences any delays when downloading the bootstrap file from the Provisioning server, it is bound to adversely impact the booting process. This is why, it is important to periodically check whether/not the TFTP port is accessible from the target device and also measure how quickly the target device is able to get/download the bootstrap file from the Provisioning server. This is where the TftpTest helps!

At configured intervals, this test emulates a target device connecting to the TFTP port and downloading the bootstrap file (ARDBP32.BIN) from the Provisioning server. In the process, the test reports the following:

• Is the TFTP server (on UDP port 69) accessible over the network?
• How much time does it take to download/get the bootstrap file?

This way, the test promptly alerts administrators to the unavailability and poor responsiveness of TFTP, and thus helps them troubleshoot a target device not booting into a vDisk.

• The TEST PERIOD list box helps the user to decide how often this test needs to be executed.

• In the HOST text box, the host name of the Citrix Provisioning server has to be specified.

• The PORT text box, indicates the port at which the Citrix Provisioning server is listening.

• By default, 69 will be displayed against TFTP PORT. This is the port on which the TFTP server listens, by default. If the server listens on a different port in your environment, then change the value of this parameter.

• In the REMOTE FILE text box, ARDBP32.BIN will be displayed by default. This is the name of the bootstrap file, which this test will attempt to download from the Provisioning server.

• Confirm the password by retyping it in the CONFIRM PASSWORD text box. 

• By default, the LOCAL FILE parameter will be set to none. In this case, the bootstrap file will be downloaded from the Provisioning server and into the EG_AGENT_INSTALL_DIR\agent\logs directory on system hosting the eG external agent that executes this test. If you want the file to be downloaded into a different location on the eG agent host, then change the value of this parameter.

• By default, the CMD parameter is set to GET. Accordingly, this test, by default emulates a GET request to the Citrix Provisioning server.

• The TIMEOUT textbox, indicates the maximum time (in seconds) that the client will wait for a response from the server.

• If multiple components of the same component type are awaiting configuration, then an APPLY TO OTHER COMPONENTS check box will appear in this page. Clicking on this check box will allow you to apply the configuration to all/selected components of that type.

• Once the necessary values have been provided, clicking on the Update button will register the changes made.

When changing default configurations of tests, the values with “$” indicate variables that will be replaced by the eG system according to the specific server being managed - for instance, $hostName is the host/nickname of the target host, $port is the port number of the server being monitored. e.g., for a server xyz:80, $hostName will be changed automatically by the eG manager to “xyz” and $port will be changed to “80” when configuring a test.