Citrix Load and Performance test or End-to-End Monitoring Session is stuck with logon errors

When running a Citrix load test, you might encounter messages such as:

• Logon failed,
• CitrixEvents: Server retrieved successfully.

In the LoadGen Agent logs, you can see:

2024-10-08 16:00:45,017 - ERROR - {4860} DUAFSendMessageInternal: ERROR: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
2024-10-08 16:00:45,017 - ERROR - {4860} DUAFSendMessageInternal: ERROR: at (Object , String )

In the individual Citrix session logs, similar errors might appear:

2024-10-09 13:24:18,706 - DEBUG - {24717.Loadgen01 - 4932} ctxInternalHandler_OnConnect: ERROR: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
2024-10-09 13:24:23,424 - DEBUG - {24717.Loadgen01 - 4932} ctxInternalHandler_OnLogon: ERROR: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

Resolution

The LoadGen Agent requires specific Citrix registry settings to function correctly. Upon start-up, it should create the following DWORD registry keys:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Citrix\ICA Client\CCM\AllowLiveMonitoring with a value of 1
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Citrix\ICA Client\CCM\AllowSimulationAPI with a value of 1

If these registry keys are not present, it could be due to permission issues or a group policy that prevents their creation. To resolve this:

1. Manually Create the Registry Keys:

   • Open the Windows Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
   • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Citrix\ICA Client\CCM.
   • If the path does not exist, create it by right-clicking the Citrix folder, selecting New > Key, and naming it ICA Client. Inside ICA Client, repeat this process to create the CCM subfolder.
   • Right-click inside the CCM folder, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name the first one AllowLiveMonitoring.
   • Set the Value Data of AllowLiveMonitoring to 1.
   • Repeat these steps for AllowSimulationAPI.

2. Disable Active Policy:

   • If policies prevent these keys from being created, consult with your IT administrator to adjust or disable these specific policies, at least during testing, to allow LoadGen Agent functionality.