Increasing use of Storage Area Networks combined with server centralization, encourages more and more organizations to centralize their applications, servers and storage capacity, causing distributed offices to no longer host their own servers or storage. Through a high bandwidth connection, whether or not combined with VPN, applications can be provided from the central datacenter.
This is an excellent concept, being cost effective and boosting efficiency. The concept however does not take in to account the fact that many applications and operating systems are less suitable for use over WAN-connections with less bandwidth and higher latency than LAN.
This exactly defines the solution Riverbed Steelhead appliances offer. By placing a Steelhead at both ends of a WAN connection, restrictions caused by high latency and low bandwidth are being bypassed through techniques such as byte caching and TCP optimization.