WAN optimization, also known as WAN acceleration, is a set of technologies and/or techniques applied to maximize the efficiency of data flow across a wide area network (WAN). In an enterprise WAN, the goal of optimization is to increase the data transfer speed and bandwidth regarding accesses to critical applications and information.
WAN optimization encompasses the following features:
- Traffic Shaping: traffic is prioritized and bandwidth is allotted accordingly, so that data flow can be efficiently controlled for specific applications.
- Data Deduplication: reduces the redundant data that will be transferred across a WAN for remote backups, replication, and disaster recovery. Instead, reference will be sent to replace to use of actual data.
- Compression: re-size the data pattern to essentially improve bandwidth efficiency. In fact, compression often takes place on the hardware level.
- Data Caching: frequently accessed data is stored in local caches.
- Equalizing: assumes immediate priority based on data usage while monitoring the network to detect non-essential traffic.
- Connection/Rate Policies: impose and enforce rules about Internet downloads and usages, or even denial of services to peer.
- Protocol Spoofing: bundles chatty protocols so they are, in effect, a single protocol.
Recommended Lanner Network Appliances for WAN Optimization
Lanner’s WAN optimization appliances providing network management functions covering: network optimization, application visibility, traffic control, and application acceleration. This enables organizations to see, control, accelerate, and optimize traffic on their WANs.