What is WAN optimization?
WAN optimization improves the capacity and speed of a wide-area-network connection. Not by enlarging the connection itself, but by applying several different techniques such as TCP optimization and byte caching.
Why apply WAN optimization?
Do less, gain more: WAN optimization offers a proven recipe amongst CIO's during these economically challenging times.Clear benefits of WAN-optimization are:
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Cost efficiency by postponing investments in the extension of lines or equipment.
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Improving performance of storage centralization and virtualization.
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Enlarging user satisfaction by improving performance of applications.
Why is WAN optimization necessary?
On the one hand this is caused by the fact that networking protocols and applications in the past never were designed for or adjusted to use outside of a Local Area Network (LAN ). Using protocols, such as TCP-IP and CIFS, latency on a connection causes delay. A trans-atlantic Internetconnection of 1Gbps therefore actually offers a much lower throughput.
On the other hand, a bulk of information that hardly ever changes is being transmitted back and forth from one location to another. This causes delays effected by unnecessary data traffic.
The former will require improvement of throughput by applying TCP optimization. The latter will use byte caching in order to effect exchange of altered data exclusively.
Daily use
Not only trans-atlantically but also when using national connections WAN optimization proves to be effective. Qi ict has acquired measurements of daily operating results saving between 85 and 90%. Vendors such as Riverbed and Blue Coat (having recently incorporated Packeteer) specialize in WAN-optimization.
X-Factor
Would you like to know what possible effects WAN optimization may have on your company? We advise you to try the X-Factor Estimator. Using Google Maps, an latency estimate is calculated, giving you insights into the possible gain of speed.