Cisco wide Area Application Services (WAAS)

I know this is a little off topic, but I don't want to waste the chance to discuss this a bit. =)

Cisco WAAS system is a set of devices called Wide Area Application Engines (WAEs) that work together to optimize TCP traffic over your wide area network (WAN). If you have client/server applications that wants to communicate to each other, and they happen to be between a WAN connection, the traffic will be intercepted and redirected to the WAEs. The WAEs will then act on behalf of the clients and servers. The WAEs examine the traffic and use application policies to determine whether to optimize the traffic or allow it to pass through your network unoptimized.

Just like in a Unified Wireless setup (LWAPP/WLC/WCS), a WAAS Central Manager can centrally configure and monitor the WAEs and application policies thru GUI. Application policies can also be created/configured for less common or less known applications that needs to pass thru a WAN link.

Cisco WAAS has the following benefits to enterprise networks:

• Provide remote location (or branch office) users with LAN-like access to information and applications across a geographically distributed network (WAN).
  
• Migrate and centrally manage application/file servers from remote locations to data centers or headquarters.
  
• Efficiently use WAN link bandwidth through the use of advanced compression algorithms.
  
• Virtualize print and other services to remote location users. Cisco WAAS allows you to configure a WAE with Windows in a virtual blade. This removes the need to have dedicated server to provide local services on remote location networks.
  
• Improve application performance over the WAN by addressing the following common issues:
  

1.     Low data rates (constrained bandwidth)
   
2.     Slow delivery of frames (high network latency)
   
3.     Higher rates of packet loss (low reliability)

For more info about Cisco WAAS, you can go to www.cisco.com/go/waas. Also, you maybe interested on this video from TechWise (install WAAS in 15mins or less!!).