As I was asked by a customer on what will happen for the end-user if the SQL Database will become unavailable, I decide to make some tests on my lab.
The question from the customer could be legit as most of Citrix products permit to work without DB connections.
Here following the results of my tests:
To simulate an issue with the Database, I shutdown the SQL Server.
What happen in that case???
On the Web portal admin console https://XMS-IP:4443, if you try to access another page or refresh the current page, you get a “waiting screen”:
On the XMS virtual appliance in CLI, no message indicating that the connection with the DB as been lost, however some information can be found in the log on:
On the end-user device, when you try to access the Store, you get a “waiting screen” and an error message: Your Company Network Is Not Currently Available
ShareFile MDX starts but take a long time to open.
Secure Mail starts and works.
Secure Web starts and works.
If we take as example a restore for the SQL server from a backup, I restart my server.
On the Web Portal as it was waiting, when the SQL server starts the page appear.
On the end-user device, just access the Store and it will work.
Conclusion: It seems that the impact of not having access to the DB is limited to the Web Portal and administration of the solution, the impact on the users is limited as only the store is unavailable, the installed Apps remain operational.
Note: Those information are provided based on my own experience.