WAN Optimization Techniques

WANs are simply networks that span large geographical locations. For example, corporations use these types of networks to transfer large amounts of information from office to office, between staff, clients, and to work with suppliers in remote or distant locations. WAN Optimization Techniques include methods and protocols for increasing data transfer efficiency rates across these wide-area networks or WANs. The most common measures of TCP data-transfer efficiencies (or optimization) are throughput, bandwidth requirements, latency, protocol optimization, and congestion – as manifested in packet loss (commonly referred to as dropped packets). The WAN optimization market is currently a $1 billion industry, annually.

According to Wikipedia, several methods can be used to optimize WAN transfer speeds but are not commonly known. We discuss the most popular methods here –

TCP Data-Transfer Efficiencies Explained –

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI underpins a new patented technology that combines efficiencies in process intelligence, reduce latency and mitigate packet loss – commonly referred to as Bridgework’s PORTrockIT.
• Latency optimization – Can include TCP refinements such as window-size scaling, selective acknowledgements, Layer 3 congestion control algorithms, and even co-location strategies in which the application is placed in near proximity to the endpoint to reduce latency. In some implementations, the local WAN optimizer will answer the requests of the client locally instead of forwarding the request to the remote server in order to leverage write-behind and read-ahead mechanisms to reduce WAN latency.
• Deduplication – Eliminates the transfer of redundant data across the WAN by sending references instead of the actual data. By working at the byte level, benefits are achieved across IP applications.
• Caching/proxy – Staging data in local caches; Relies on human behavior, accessing the same data over and over.
• Forward error correction – Mitigates packet loss by adding another loss-recovery packet for every “N” packets that are sent, and this would reduce the need for retransmissions in error-prone and congested WAN links.
• Compression – Relies on data patterns that can be represented more efficiently. Essentially compression techniques similar to ZIP, RAR, ARJ etc. are applied on-the-fly to data passing through hardware (or virtual machine) based WAN acceleration appliances.
• Protocol spoofing – Bundles multiple requests from chatty applications into one. May also include stream-lining protocols such as CIFS.
• Equalizing – Makes assumptions on what needs immediate priority based on the data usage. Usage examples for equalizing may include wide open unregulated Internet connections and clogged VPN tunnels.
• Connection limits – Prevents access gridlock in and to denial of service or to peer. Best suited for wide open Internet access links, can also be used links.
• Traffic shaping – Controls data flow for specific applications. Giving flexibility to network operators/network admins to decide which applications take precedence over the WAN. A common use case of traffic shaping would be to prevent one protocol or application from hogging or flooding a link over other protocols deemed more important by the business/administrator. Some WAN acceleration devices are able to traffic shape with granularity far beyond traditional network devices. Such as shaping traffic on a per user AND per application basis simultaneously.
• Simple rate limits – Prevents one user from getting more than a fixed amount of data. Best suited as a stop gap first effort for remediating a congested Internet connection or WAN link.

Why Is WAN Optimization So Important?

Globally, companies are facing increased pressure on their Wide Area Networks. From increased use of cloud computing, applications, and other network-wide technologies – these issues are real. These increases will continue to grow as demands from businesses for more data skyrocket. These increases (or demand) are making WAN optimization or efficiencies more important.

Slow networks are silent killers. Even simple actions such as employees accessing files, can become unacceptably slow and cripple productivity. If your network is dragging, its likely optimization protocols need to be employed.

Bridgeworks Has Removed The Bottleneck

Bridgeworks patented AI Technology addresses and resolves many key issues faced by companies current data infrastructure. By removing unacceptable time lags that risk failure, delay or presents major costs to your business – we can boost your environment and make the most of your IT investment.

Bridgeworks’ expertise in optimization of data performance stretches back over 35 years. Bridgeworks industry defining Data Acceleration Technology is re-defining Wide Area Networks enabling organizations to reach transfer speeds up to 200x faster, with large volumes, encrypted and/or media files. Using Automated, AI technology – Bridgeworks can dramatically alleviate the effects of latency and packet loss. Simply put – your data can now get to where it needs to go – quicker. We help maximize business data performance with dramatic ROI.

At RDT, our goal is simple – to ensure your enterprise achieves liberation of your data from wherever it may be, to wherever it needs to be, when it needs to be there. Put another way, there has been a war raging for a very long time. The struggle to move data over distance has long been a battle that has been fought in the IT trenches. With the data deluge that is now upon us, this war is only set to continue unless the issue is flipped on its head and approached in a radically different manner. Bridgeworks has removed these bottlenecks. At RDT, we can now help liberate your company from its data troubles by engineering a solution that’s right for your organization using this technology.

Because WAN Optimization Techniques Work – They Remove the Bottlenecks Your IT Department Encounter. Discuss your network issues today with a WAN Optimization expert and start utilizing your entire data pipe – (800) 278-3480.