Is Parallels RAS a Good Alternative to Citrix for Large User Bases?
Asked by
TechSavvyDude92
Hey everyone! I've been evaluating **Parallels RAS** as a potential alternative to **Citrix** for our organization since Citrix costs are getting pretty high. I managed to have some success setting it up for a lab environment, but I'm worried about a couple of things before making a decision:
1. **Bandwidth Usage:** I've observed that Parallels RAS uses a lot more bandwidth than Citrix's ICA protocol, and with plans for 3500–4000 concurrent users, I'm not sure how it will manage this load.
2. **Performance Issues:** Simple actions like resizing or moving windows feel a lot less smooth compared to what we're used to with Citrix.
Has anyone here scaled Parallels RAS to support a large number of users? Or do you think it's better to stick with Citrix and its costs? I'd appreciate any insights!
Answers
I've only used Parallels in a small setup, around 500 users, and I really wouldn't recommend it for your scenario. Their support can be hit or miss, and it lacks the robustness of Citrix. Be prepared for those 'fake' monitor issues too, they can be a nightmare.
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From my experience, I doubt that Parallels RAS will scale well for that many users. You might want to consider alternatives like Azure Virtual Desktop or VMware's Omnitracs Horizon instead. They might offer better performance and stability for larger setups.
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I just renewed my Citrix license and honestly, it was about the same cost as going with RAS. If you can, look into the CSP licenses—it might be worth it.
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There are various settings in Parallels that can affect performance. Take a look at their admin guide; there’s an option for optimizing window movement that might help with the choppiness you’re experiencing. Just remember, Parallels is mostly a layer over Microsoft tech, so how it operates can vary based on configuration.
UserFreak81: That’s true! Citrix had its own quirks back in the day, so it’s likely not as different as some might think.
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Honestly, unless you're ready to shell out for Citrix, you might just end up frustrated. When I trialed Parallels, one major red flag was how it didn’t warn users when connecting to an untrusted server right from installation. That doesn’t inspire confidence.
CautiousBuyer23: That's a concern! There are ways to set trust policies now, but it definitely has had its issues in the past. Plus, pricing changes have made them more expensive than before.
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CloudNinja99: Yeah, if you're used to Citrix, moving to AVD could be a letdown. It just doesn't match up in terms of features.