FAQs
What is NetScaler BLX?
It is a bare metal software version of Citrix ADC that runs on Linux host as a set of processes.
Why is there a need for a bare metal version of Citrix ADC?
BLX appliances provide simplicity with no virtual machine overhead for better performance. Also, you can run a BLX appliance on your preferred server hardware.
What is the difference between NetScaler BLX, CPX and VPX appliances?
They are all software versions of Citrix ADC but NetScaler VPX is a virtual appliance and must run on a hypervisor installed on the server.
NetScaler CPX is a containerized version of Citrix ADC, which must reside in a container. BLX is a lightweight software package that runs natively on Linux systems.
When to use each?
NetScaler VPX, CPX, and BLX represent the most comprehensive, software-centric ADC lineup in the industry for supporting transition to hybrid multi-cloud. The following table gives guidance on the differences and use cases.
| Product | Use Cases | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| NetScaler VPX (over hypervisor) | Virtualization of hardware infrastructure, consolidation of workloads over common infrastructure | hardware and OS agnostic, full isolation, and support for multitenancy |
| NetScaler CPX (with container) | DevOps, micro-services, automated staging, testing, and deployment, East-West traffic | Lightweight, small footprint, API gateway functions, micro-service centric, authentication |
| BLX (on bare metal servers) | High traffic load, mission critical applications, latency sensitive workload, North-South traffic | Lightweight software package and no VM overhead |
What does the absence of a hypervisor or container mean?
With no hypervisor translation layer or container, the BLX software has more control of the underlying hardware and therefore performance is better. It also means that there are no additional costs for hypervisor software.
Can I run a BLX appliance on any server hardware?
Yes, there is no hardware compatibility list (HCL) as the hardware does not matter.
How can I install BLX appliance on a Linux server?
BLX is distributed as an .rpm file format (Red Hat Package Manager) and .deb (Debian based). These two formats are used in many Linux distributions and have become a de facto standard in the industry.
Can I automate the BLX software deployment?
Yes. Any software deployment tool in the data center that support .rpm or .deb can deploy BLX appliance. Also, Citrix Application Delivery Manager (ADM) can deploy BLX appliances.
If BLX is installed on a server with Linux OS, can I install other standard Linux packages or applications on the same server?
Yes, other standard Linux packages or applications can run alongside BLX.
How is BLX Packaged?
BLX comes in the regular Citrix ADC editions: Standard, Advanced, and Premium
How can you buy a BLX appliance?
BLX is an entitlement to Pooled Capacity and vCPU subscription pricing. In vCPU subscription, the license is applied to the software based on the number of CPUs the BLX is using. In Pooled Capacity, each BLX deployed consumes an instance in addition to the relevant processing capacity.
Can a Citrix license currently being used for a NetScaler VPX appliance be used for a BLX appliance?
Yes, a Citrix pooled license can be used for a BLX appliance as well.
Can a BLX appliance be deployed in one-arm and two-arm modes at the same time?
Yes.
Does a BLX appliance use its own network stack or use the network stack of the Linux host?
A BLX appliance in dedicated mode uses its own network stack. In shared mode, the BLX appliance uses the network stack of the Linux host.
Do BLX appliances support high availability?
High availability is supported for BLX appliances only if they are deployed in dedicated mode. For more information about high availability setup, see High Availability.
Can you set up a high availability pair between a BLX appliance in shared mode and a BLX appliance in dedicated mode?
No.
Can you set up high availability pair between a BLX appliance and a NetScaler VPX or CPX appliance?
No.
Can a BLX appliance run on a virtualized Linux virtual machine?
Yes, a BLX appliance in non-DPDK mode can be run on a virtualized Linux virtual machine.
Is a BLX appliance supported on non-x86 Linux platforms?
No, a BLX appliance is supported only on x86_64 (64-bit) Linux platforms.
What is the management IP address of a BLX appliance?
The following list shows the management IP address of the BLX appliance deployed in dedicated or shared mode:
- BLX appliance in dedicated mode: Citrix ADC IP address (NSIP)
- BLX in shared mode: Linux host IP address
The management IP address (NSIP) of a BLX appliance in dedicated mode was changed in the BLX configuration file (blx.conf) but the BLX appliance still has the old management IP address?
The management IP address of a BLX appliance in dedicated mode is always the IP address (ipaddress parameter) set in BLX configuration file (blx.conf) unless configured using one of the following ways:
-
BLX CLI: Run the
set ns configcommand in the BLX CLI, and change the management IP address. The configuration changes made are saved in the BLX saved configuration file (/nsconfig/ns.conf). -
BLX GUI: On the Configuration utility screen of the BLX GUI, click the gear icon on the top-right corner, click the NSIP address pane, and change the management IP address.
The configuration changes made are saved in the BLX saved configuration file (/nsconfig/ns.conf).
The changes in the ns.conf file always take precedence over the blx.conf file.
In this article
- What is NetScaler BLX?
- Why is there a need for a bare metal version of Citrix ADC?
- What is the difference between NetScaler BLX, CPX and VPX appliances?
- When to use each?
- What does the absence of a hypervisor or container mean?
- Can I run a BLX appliance on any server hardware?
- How can I install BLX appliance on a Linux server?
- Can I automate the BLX software deployment?
- If BLX is installed on a server with Linux OS, can I install other standard Linux packages or applications on the same server?
- How is BLX Packaged?
- How can you buy a BLX appliance?
- Can a Citrix license currently being used for a NetScaler VPX appliance be used for a BLX appliance?
- Can a BLX appliance be deployed in one-arm and two-arm modes at the same time?
- Does a BLX appliance use its own network stack or use the network stack of the Linux host?
- Do BLX appliances support high availability?
- Can you set up a high availability pair between a BLX appliance in shared mode and a BLX appliance in dedicated mode?
- Can you set up high availability pair between a BLX appliance and a NetScaler VPX or CPX appliance?
- Can a BLX appliance run on a virtualized Linux virtual machine?
- Is a BLX appliance supported on non-x86 Linux platforms?
- What is the management IP address of a BLX appliance?
- The management IP address (NSIP) of a BLX appliance in dedicated mode was changed in the BLX configuration file (blx.conf) but the BLX appliance still has the old management IP address?