WAN optimization signals next wave of network convergence

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Just as the convergence of voice and data traffic onto a single network transformed the way enterprise IT functions, businesses are increasingly looking to WAN optimization to address common bandwidth, latency and congestion challenges, according to one IT expert.

In a recent Data Center Knowledge article, Silver Peak Vice President Jeff Aaron explored how advances in WAN optimization are bringing about a new wave of network convergence.

Aaron asserted WAN optimization is having a profound impact on businesses and data centers by giving them access to more cost-effective resources to handle remote backup and data replication traffic, as well as file, email, web, virtual desktop infrastructure and a plethora of other business-critical applications.

When a business converges its networks, it is often hampered by challenges with congestion, latency and scarce bandwidth. However, through WAN optimization, businesses can maximize their application performance while minimizing IT expenditures, Aaron stated.

"This is a huge transformation within many companies as it affects the most strategic enterprise applications," Aaron wrote. "In addition, it has an enormous impact on costs by enabling enterprises to save over 50 percent in ongoing IT expenditures."

The WAN optimization market is rapidly growing and is expected to maintain a high growth rate for the next few years. According to a report released in June by Infonetics Research, the WAN optimization appliance network will grow by 29 percent over the next four years, from $1.2 billion in 2010 to $1.5 billion in 2014.