Understanding the New Certification Category on the XenServer HCL
If you are evaluating a deployment of XenServer but only to find your hardware isn’t on the official Hardware Compatibility List (hcl.xenserver.com), that means your hardware vendor has not validated their kit for use with XenServer. That means the vendor has not certified the hardware with XenServer. Usually, that means reaching out to your vendor, waiting for their lab cycles, and hoping for a certification that might take months.
But things just got a lot more flexible. Citrix XenServer has introduced a new category called “Supported by Citrix,” and it’s a game-changer for those of us who need to move faster than a vendor’s certification roadmap.
What is “Supported by Citrix”?
Think of this as a “bridging the gap” in the hardware compatibility support of XenServer. It’s a new HCL category for hardware configurations that have been tested and verified by Citrix itself rather than waiting on the hardware vendor.
When you see this label, it means Citrix has confirmed the setup works with XenServer and will provide software-level support. It’s not a “purchasing recommendation,” but it is a green light that Citrix has your back on the software side.
Why this matters
- No more vendor bottlenecks: No more waiting for a vendor to find the time or resources to certify specific hardware.
- Faster deployment: If you’ve tested the hardware and Citrix verifies those results, you’re officially in the “supported” zone with software-level support from Citrix.
- Bridging the gap: It provides a formal support structure while the vendor goes through their standard (and often slower) certification process.
How the Support Works
It is important to understand the boundaries here so there are no surprises during an incident:
- The Scope: Support is specific to the exact hardware model, firmware version, and driver version used in the test.
- Software Only: Citrix provides support for the Citrix software stack. Citrix doesn’t replace your hardware vendor; if a fan dies or a motherboard fries, you still talk to the manufacturer.
- The “Vendor Loop”: While hardware is listed under “Supported by Citrix,” the vendor will be informed of the results to see if they can support the hardware. If the vendor gives the thumbs up, your hardware gets promoted to the full “Vendor Support” category.
How to Get Your Hardware Listed
If you’ve got a configuration you need supported, you can kick off the process yourself. Here is the workflow:
- Report: Report missing hardware at https://forms.office.com/r/0gWwNFveqx. You must provide your Citrix contact (either ATS or PM) and specify the missing hardware in the form.
- Test: If the Citrix team reaches out to you, you will be provided with a Citrix XenServer certification kit and asked to run the tests on your hardware.
- Submit: Send the generated test report file to your Citrix contact.
- Ticket: Your Citrix contact will create a new ticket in the Supported by Citrix Hardware Compatibility List project with the work type “HCL Submission.”
- Verify: The XenServer team will review your results. Once approved, the hardware will appear on the public HCL under the new category. You will be notified by your Citrix contact when the hardware has been approved.
Pro Tip: When you look at the HCL, keep an eye out for the new “Supported Scope” field. It links directly to a support article explaining exactly what’s covered for that specific piece of gear.
Thoughts at the end
The “Supported by Citrix” category provides a pragmatic solution to the challenges of the XenServer HCL. It enables validation of hardware configurations and access to software support from Citrix—without being constrained by vendor timelines. Refer to CTX696248 for more information.