What is XenServer?

XenServer is the new name for Citrix Hypervisor. For more information about XenServer, please visit https://www.xenserver.com/.

What does it mean if hardware isn't listed?

The HCL lists hardware that has been validated according to XenServer standards (For more details see the answer to "How can I submit new hardware to this site?" below) and which has an explicit support agreement from the OEM.  
In most cases hardware is not listed either because it has not yet been validated or because the OEM no longer wishes to support it, rather than it is incompatible. 
For hardware which is not listed on the HCL we recommend that you raise your interest directly with the OEM and your XenServer sales contact or submit your request via the XenServer HCL Submission Survey. 
Unfortunately, we are unable to proactively certify all hardware, but we will do our best to resolve all cases which are brought to our attention.  Even if the hardware is not listed, XenServer provides software support. For full details, see: https://support.citrix.com/external/article/CTX123355. 

How can I submit new hardware to this site?

For servers and storage not specifically listed on the HCL, XenServer provides a self-certification test kit and program which includes the necessary tools and instructions for validating hardware against XenServer.  Hardware vendors can use this kit to certify their own hardware to have it listed on the HCL 
It may also be possible to submit hardware certifications on behalf of a vendor.  In such cases, the hardware will initially be listed as “Supported by Citrix”. Once the vendor provides agreement, the hardware will be updated to full support. If you are unsure about the process, please contact the HCL team before starting certification. 
Completed self-certification test results can be submitted by signing up at XenServer Tracker website  

• If the submitter is the vendor: create an issue in the project “XenServer Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)” on the XenServer Tracker website. 
• If the submitter is acting on behalf of the vendor: create an issue in the project “Supported by Citrix Hardware Compatibility List” via a Citrix representative. 

In both cases, the issue type should be set to “HCL Submission.” Once reviewed and accepted by the XenServer HCL team, the hardware can be added to the HCL and become eligible for support. If you have any XenServer HCL-related questions or comments, please create an issue in the same project using the Issue Type "Enquiry". 

Where do I find the XenServer certification kits?

You can download the hardware certification kits for XenServer from here.

What does "Supported by Citrix" designation mean for hardware?

When a hardware configuration is described as “Supported by Citrix,” it means that the hardware has been certified by customers through certification testing and has been verified via the Citrix certification process. As a result, the configuration qualifies software-level support from Citrix. 
“Supported by Citrix” does not imply that the configuration has hardware vendor support, such as driver or firmware support. Hardware labeled as “Supported by Citrix” should not be used as a purchasing reference. 
For more information, please see our support article: XenServer Hardware Compatibility and "Supported by Citrix" 

What is meant by the 'Verified With' associations for components listed under the primary hardware?

All hardware listed in the XenServer Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) is supported by XenServer. When a specific component is marked as "Verified With" associations to a primary system (e.g., a server), it indicates that the hardware vendor has validated the interoperability of these two components within a XenServer environment. 
If a hardware combination is not explicitly listed as "Verified With", this does not mean the combination is unsupported. It is recommended to check the HCL for the specific hardware and consult the hardware vendor to confirm its compatibility and support status with XenServer. The "Verified With" records provide additional assurance that the specific combination has undergone formal validation to meet XenServer’s functional and performance specifications. 
The "Verified With" list is continually updated as new certifications are completed. If a combination is not listed as verified, it does not imply lack of support or failure in certification tests. 

Do you support XenServer on end-of-life hardware?

By default, XenServer will not certify end-of-life hardware unless it has strong business justification. Hardware that was certified and supported with a specific version of XenServer may reach end-of-life (EoL) with the hardware vendor before the corresponding version of XenServer reaches its own EoL. 
We recommend not installing XenServer on EoL hardware. Instead, use hardware that is actively supported by both hardware vendors and XenServer. However, if the hardware was certified with your version of XenServer before its EoL date, we will attempt to investigate any reported issues with XenServer. While investigating a reported issue, if we determine that the issue directly relates to the EoL hardware, we will not investigate the issue further. This policy applies to constituent hardware components as well as to the overall system. 
Ensure that you track the EoL dates of your hardware vendors and plan upgrades, accordingly, using hardware versions that are certified and supported with the required XenServer versions. 

How do XenServer cumulative updates impact certification?

Unless specifically mentioned, if a piece of hardware is supported for a base product release (e.g., XenServer 9), it will be fully supported by XenServer with any applied cumulative updates (e.g., XenServer 9). 

What driver versions should I use?

XenServer supports only drivers that are provided by us being installed directly in the host control domain. Drivers provided by third-party websites, including drivers with the same name or version number as those we provide, are not supported. Before installing or updating any driver, ensure that the server's firmware is compatible with the driver version. Incompatible firmware may lead to stability or functionality issues. 
The following exceptions are supported: 

• Software supplied as a supplemental pack and explicitly endorsed by us. 

• Drivers that NVIDIA provides to enable vGPU support. For more information, see NVIDIA vGPU.

Other drivers provided by NVIDIA, for example, the Mellanox drivers, are not supported with XenServer unless distributed by us. 

What Legal terms apply to participation in the XenServer HCL program?

The following Citrix Ready Partner Program Terms apply to participation in the XenServer HCL program: Citrix Ready HCL Partner Agreement