Cisco pushes into the application acceleration game

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DENISE DUBIE ON NETWORK OPTIMIZATION
10/18/05
Today's focus: Cisco pushes into the application acceleration
game

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Cisco continues its acceleration efforts with products from
its FineGround buy
* Links related to Network Optimization
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by HP
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IETF EFFORT PROMISES FEWER NET FAILURES

Shortcomings in current ways of configuring network devices has
the IETF working to standardize a network configuration protocol
known as NetConf. The thrust behind NetConf, which could be
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involved in automating device configuration. But is adoption by
major vendors likely? Click here for more:
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=117693
_______________________________________________________________

Today's focus: Cisco pushes into the application acceleration
game

By Denise Dubie

Cisco last week introduced application acceleration and branch
office products that the network giant says will help bring
faster application response times to remote users. The new wares
are the result of Cisco's acquisition of FineGround this past
summer <http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop2323>.

Among the releases are the Cisco Application Velocity System
(AVS), which the vendor describes as a family of application
acceleration, security and monitoring appliances for the data
center. Also new is the Cisco Wide-area Application Engine
(WAE), another family of appliances that Cisco says are designed
to accelerate application delivery. The WAE could provide file
and rich media access to branch offices, Cisco says.

Cisco AVS and Cisco WAE are available immediately. Cisco AVS
3120 is priced at $34,995, while Cisco AVS 3180 management
station is priced at $14,995. Pricing for Cisco WAE begins at
$5,500.

The product news marks Cisco's pursuit of some application
acceleration dollars <http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop8808>
in this fast-growing market, which Forrester Research estimates
will reach $2 billion this year. Cisco's entry into the market
both validates it and causes much speculation across the
industry. Does it make sense for Cisco to provide these
technologies in addition to its traditional wares? And can niche
players - now fewer than ever considering the multiple
acquisitions - compete with a networking heavyweight and
industry veteran like Cisco?

And acceleration isn't the only area Cisco is attempting to
broaden itself beyond being an equipment provider. Cisco's
application-oriented networking (AON) initiative is a move to
position itself higher up in the IT stack. And acquisitions like
that of Sheer Networks <http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop8809>
announced in August, will equip the vendor with more management
capabilities that could be put to use to enable further data
center automation, industry watchers say.

"Cisco will ultimately migrate FineGround's functionality into
its Catalyst switches. This will give Cisco the ability to do
Ethernet switching, server load balancing, firewalling, and
application acceleration - all in one chassis," states a report
by Forrester Research.

What are your thoughts? Should Cisco be advancing in the
application acceleration and data center automation markets?
Would you prefer to get these technologies from an established
gear vendor or an innovative software player? Let me know your
thoughts at <mailto:ddubie@nww.com>.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Cisco finally brings security push to LAN
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop8994>
2. Exploit code discovered for new Microsoft flaw
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop8995>
3. You won't find this book on Oprah's list
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop8509>
4. HP recalls thousands of laptop battery packs
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop8996>
5. Skype: Hazardous to network health?
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop7866>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Denise Dubie

Senior Editor Denise Dubie covers network and systems management
for Network World. Reach her at <mailto:ddubie@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by HP
FROM THE NETWORK CORE TO THE NETWORK EDGE

Traffic management becomes critical as your network
infrastructure expands to support different types of traffic and
users. Most traffic management solutions have serious
limitations: too expensive, difficult to use, and overly taxing
on bandwidth. However ProCurve Networking by HP addresses these
requirements, overcomes the limitations of other solutions, and
gives you valuable insight into LAN performance. Click here to
download HP's Traffic Management Whitepaper
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=117664
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the Network Optimization newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/accel/index.html
_______________________________________________________________
FEATURED READER RESOURCE

Network World Technology Insider on Security: Is Encryption the
Perspective?

Encryption won't solve all your security issues but these days
there is no excuse for not safeguarding your organization's
sensitive data. From Clear Choice product coverage to new
regulations and high-profile breaches, this Technology Insider
on Security covers it all. Click here to read now:

<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnetop7501>
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