With the ability to host on a VM and use in SMB, Citrix ADC is a quality product even for small shops.
May 24, 2022
With the ability to host on a VM and use in SMB, Citrix ADC is a quality product even for small shops.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Citrix ADC (formerly NetScaler ADC)
We are an SMB so we use the Netscaler VPX version of Citrix ADC. It acts as our main firewall for application delivery operations. We host a Citrix Web Interface and application farm behind it. Having users frequently in low bandwidth situations, our Citrix ADC implementation allows us to host the apps in our data center while requiring just scene shots and mouse/keyboard clicks from the user's side. We have been running it for 6+ and have had no security issues in that time frame. It allows us to avoid the complexity of a VPN in running all data through the Netscaler.
- The GUI interface is fairly easy to learn making ramp-up time faster than some similar products.
- It is used by thousands of companies around the globe so finding free support on Google is usually quite easy.
- The virtual implementation version of the product runs on a Linux-based hypervisor install so no additional licensing is needed for the OS.
- When used in conjunction with a Citrix Web front/Storefront, the integration is very tight making the passing of packets very quick.
- Even in the lesser VPX versions, there is the ability to have a cluster of Netscalers to allow for uptime capability.
- Although the GUI is easy to use, some of the more complex situations require knowledge that is not common among the average IT person.
- The system makes it very hard to change and update SSL Certs.
- Some adjustments do require leaving the GUI and going in via Putty/telnet/SSH to use the command line.
- It mostly works well with other Citrix products.
- VPNless SSL Secure communications
- Broad support via other companies using it.
- Ability to cluster (load balance) the NetScaler for better traffic performance and less downtime.
- Ease of use via a GUI.
- It has saved a tremendous amount of money and manpower by allowing for broad support without the need for a VPN.
- The security functions within Netscaler enabled our business to pass additional IT-based audits.
- Having a full Citrix stack from front to back makes our business look more professional both to our users and outsiders.
Since we are primarily a Citrix shop, we did very little additional searching for traffic management appliances. However, we did review the possibility of using Citrix-based products, such as ASAs, via a VPN configuration to meet a similar need. Although we could have made this setup work, it was clumsy and much less stable than going with a Netscaler solution. So, as mentioned elsewhere in this review, a big piece of knowing whether the Citrix ADC is for you comes down to what you are protecting with it.
Do you think NetScaler ADC delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with NetScaler ADC's feature set?
Yes
Did NetScaler ADC live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of NetScaler ADC go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy NetScaler ADC again?
Yes