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Lifecycle Information for HDX RealTime Optimization Pack

Applicable Products

  • XenDesktop
  • XenApp

Information

The HDX RealTime Optimization Pack (RTOP) for Skype® for Business is a feature of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (formerly XenApp and XenDesktop), Advanced (formerly Enterprise) and Premium (formerly Platinum) editions. HDX RTOP provides optimized delivery of the Microsoft Skype for Business 2015, 2016 and 2019 clients.

HDX RTOP’s support and maintenance is tied to the lifecycle of the underlying Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (formerly XenApp and XenDesktop) and Citrix Workspace app (formerly Receiver) product in use.
HDX RTOP LTSR is compatible and supported with all actively supported Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (XenApp and XenDesktop) LTSRs and CRs and Citrix Workspace app.

Please refer to the Citrix Product Lifecycle (Product Matrix) for details.
Citrix Workspace app and Receiver Lifecycle details can be found here.

HDX RTOP is supported only on server and client Operating System versions that are supported by their manufacturer and only with Skype for Business versions that Microsoft still supports under mainstream or extended support.
 

1. Long Term Service Release

HDX RTOP 2.9 is a Long Term Service Release (LTSR). It is also the last version of RTOP that will be released and will be supported until October 14, 2025.
HDX RTOP 2.4 was also an LTSR release. This version reached EoL on December 31, 2020, and is no longer supported.
Code-level maintenance (critical defect and security fixes) is provided by updating to the most recent RTOP Cumulative Update (CU) software version.
CUs are released twice a year, aligned with the XenApp and XenDesktop / Virtual Apps and Desktops CUs in April and October when possible.
The components covered under the LTSR program are:

  • HDX RealTime Connector for Skype for Business
  • HDX RealTime Media Engine for Windows
  • HDX RealTime Media Engine for Mac
  • HDX RealTime Media Engine for Linux 
  • HDX RealTime Media Engine for Android
 
RTOP Version GA Date EoM Date EoL Date
2.4 12-19-2017 - 12-31-2020
2.4.1000 06-08-2018 - 12-31-2020
2.4.2000 10-23-2018 - 12-31-2020
2.4.3000 04-23-2019 - 12-31-2020
2.9 03-06-2020 - 10-14-2025
2.9.100 05-22-2020 12-01-2020 10-14-2025
2.9.200 12-01-2020 02-12-2021 10-14-2025
2.9.300 02-12-2021 07-09-2021 10-14-2025
2.9.400 07-09-2021 04-08-2022 10-14-2025
2.9.500 04-08-2022 01-30-2023 10-14-2025
2.9.600 01-30-2023 07-03-2023 10-14-2025
2.9.700 07-03-2023 On next CU release 10-14-2025
 

Lifecycle Phases: GA (General Availability), EOM (End of Maintenance), EOL (End of Life). For definitions of these terms, click here.

Customers must be current with Citrix Customer Success Services (CSS) for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops to obtain HDX RealTime Connector LTSR and HDX RealTime Media Engine LTSR Cumulative Updates (CUs). 

Accessing and Deploying Updates: Cumulative Updates (CUs) are software releases that provide maintenance corrections and/or fixes. CUs will be available for download from www.citrix.com for Customer Success Services (Software Maintenance) customers. 
Generally, CUs will include fixes and no new functionality. CUs are cumulative in nature, so any new CU will include all fixes released in previous CUs for that component. 
This means that all updates will include all previous updates. You will not be able to install a subset of the fixes included in a CU release.
Support is available for any LTSR version level, but code level maintenance will be provided on the latest released CU.

Admins that want to routinely point their end users to the latest version may choose to advertise a download page for the latest current release version or a download page for the latest LTSR CU version (only the RTME for Windows is covered by the LTSR program).  Those pages will be evergreen - the URLs will persist while the contents on the pages are refreshed with each release.  If you prefer to point your end users to a specific version, choose one of the pages listed here.

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 2.9.x and 2.4.x

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 2.9.x and 2.4.x are for customers using one of the following Microsoft unified communications products: Skype for Business Server 2015, Lync Server 2013, Skype for Business Online (Office 365 - restrictions apply).



2. Current Releases

As stated above, RTOP 2.9 LTSR is the last version that will be released. No additional CR versions of RTOP will be released.
 

Lifecyle Milestones for RTOP CRs
RTOP Version GA Date EoM Date EoL Date
2.0 12-29-2015 06-29-2016 05-31-2019
2.1.200 10-28-2016 04-28-2017 05-31-2019
2.2.100 03-10-2017 11-10-2017 05-31-2019
2.3 09-18-2017 04-18-2018 05-31-2019
2.5 06-05-2018 03-12-2019 12-05-2019
2.6 09-12-2018 03-12-2019 03-12-2020
2.7 12-12-2018 06-12-2019 06-12-2020
2.8 05-16-2019 11-16-2019 11-16-2020


 

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 1.8.x

HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 1.8.200 (December 2015) is the last release for customers still using Lync Server 2010.
Please note that Microsoft’s Mainstream Support End Date for Lync Server 2010 was 4/12/2016 - hence it is not supported by Citrix any longer.

 

3. Questions and Answers:

Q: What is a Current Release (CR) and how does it compare to a Long Term Service Release (LTSR)?
A:  See Servicing Options.

Q: When is the next LTSR planned?
A: RTOP 2.9 is the lastest LTSR version released and is also the last version of RTOP that will be released.

Q: Where can I find documentation for HDX RealTime Optimization Pack?
A:  Documentation for HDX RealTime Optimization Pack 2.x can be found here.

Q: Would HDX RealTime Optimization Pack work when trying to optimize Microsoft Teams?
A: No. Citrix offers Browser Content Redirection for optimized delivery of the Teams web client. In addition, Citrix developed a Teams desktop client optimization solution.

Q: Can RTOP and HDX Teams optimization coexist?
A: Yes. See here.
 

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication, but updates and revisions may be posted periodically and without notice. CITRIX DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY WARRANTIES COVERING THIS INFORMATION AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, AND SPECIAL DAMAGES, IN CONNECTION WITH THE INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE.