Citrix DaaS helps organisations deliver virtual desktops and apps securely from anywhere. Nutanix provides a powerful hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) platform to run these workloads. Many organisations combine theses powerful tools to deliver secure, high-performance virtual desktops and apps on a scalable and resilient infrastructure, simplifying management that will also enhance user experience.

To connect Citrix DaaS with Nutanix, you have two main options: using Prism Central or Prism Element. Both methods let Citrix talk to Nutanix infrastructure, but they differ in management style, setup complexity, and scalability.

Prism Central is a centralised platform that manages multiple Nutanix clusters from one place, while Prism Element is the built-in management tool for individual Nutanix clusters.

We want to explain both options, comparing their pros and cons, and show how to set each up with clear visuals to help you decide which fits your needs best.

The Two Paths – What They Are

Prism Central – The Modern Way
 This is the central command for all your Nutanix clusters.

• You connect once and see/manage everything.
• Citrix plug-in is built in — no installs.

Designed for multi-cluster and hybrid/multicloud environments.

Prism Element – The Traditional Way
 Think of this as the “local” control panel for a single Nutanix cluster.

• You work per cluster.
• You install the Citrix plug-in yourself.
• Best if you’ve only got one cluster and you’re not aiming for multi-cluster magic.

1. Prism Central (Modern Native Integration)

Prism Central is Nutanix’s multi-cluster management system. It lets you control many Nutanix clusters from a single dashboard. When Citrix DaaS connects through Prism Central, you can manage your virtual desktop machines across all clusters centrally.

Pros:

• No need to install plug-ins Citrix has native support here.
• Manage multiple clusters and share images across them.
• Simplified TLS certificate trust and advanced networking support.
• Works well for hybrid or multi-cloud setups.

Cons:

• Requires Prism Central version pc.2024.3+ and AOS 6.10+.
• Still in tech preview as of mid-2025, so some features may be evolving.
• Migration from Prism Element setups may need reconfiguration.

2. Prism Element (Traditional Cluster-Level Integration)

Prism Element is the Nutanix cluster’s local management interface. Citrix DaaS connects to each cluster individually, using a plug-in.

Pros:

• Mature and widely adopted with full control over plug-in installation.
• Supports common provisioning methods like MCS and PVS.
• Simple for environments with a single Nutanix cluster.

Cons:

• Requires manual plug-in installation and setup on all Citrix Cloud Connectors.
• No cross-cluster image sharing or multi-cluster management.
• Complex certificate trust setup and limited scalability.

Citrix DaaS with Nutanix Setup options

How to Set Up Citrix DaaS with Prism Central

1. Verify your environment has Prism Central version pc.2024.3+ and AOS 6.10+.
2. Register your Nutanix AHV clusters with Prism Central.
3. In Citrix Studio, add a host connection by selecting “Nutanix Prism Central.” Enter the connection details.
4. Confirm the TLS certificate fingerprint during setup — Citrix manages certificate trust automatically.
5. Create a machine catalogue using Prism Central templates: pick clusters, images, network, and VM specs.
6. Manage your catalogs by adding/removing VMs, updating images, monitoring health, and applying tags.

Prism Central Architecture

Shows Citrix DaaS connected to Prism Central, which manages multiple Nutanix clusters below.

Represents centralised multi-cluster management and image sharing.

How to Set Up Citrix DaaS with Prism Element

1. Download the Nutanix Prism Element plug-in from Nutanix Support Portal.
2. Install the plug-in on all Citrix Cloud Connectors.
3. Register the plug-in using PowerShell or Citrix Studio and validate the connection.
4. Add a host connection in Citrix Studio, select “Nutanix Acropolis,” and enter cluster IP and credentials.
5. Create machine catalogs with MCS or PVS provisioning, selecting the master image and VM specs.
6. Manage catalogs per cluster — add or remove machines and update master images as needed.

Prism Element Architecture

Shows Citrix DaaS connected directly to Prism Element managing one Nutanix cluster. Represents single-cluster management with local plug-in installation.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Prism Central and Prism Element offer good ways to connect Citrix DaaS with Nutanix, but your choice depends on your environment and goals.

• If you manage multiple clusters or want to scale with ease, Prism Central is the modern, centralised way to go. It simplifies management and supports advanced features.
• If you have a single cluster or want a straightforward setup, Prism Element works well with proven stability, though it’s more manual and less scalable.

Understanding these differences and knowing how to set them up helps you plan and maintain a smooth, efficient virtual desktop environment for your users.

Ready to take the next step with your Citrix + Nutanix environment? Whether you want expert help setting up Prism Central or Prism Element, or need advice on which path suits you best, Our team of Nutanix and Citrix experts are here to help achieve your organisational goals.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or request your free setup guide!

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Mindaugas Jonaitis

As a Senior Systems Engineer, Mindaugas is recognised by both customers and his peers as a professional that has strong knowledge of difference aspects of EUC. He specializes in Microsoft, Citrix and Nutanix technologies, as well as different endpoint solutions such as Intune and various thin client vendors.

 

mindaugas-jonaitis Mindaugas Jonaitis

As a Senior Systems Engineer, Mindaugas is recognised by both customers and his peers as a professional that has strong knowledge of difference aspects of EUC. He specializes in Microsoft, Citrix and Nutanix technologies, as well as different endpoint solutions such as Intune and various thin client vendors. 

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