Expand Solutions

OPTIMIZE MPLS WANS

The Mandate

Do More with Less – Intelligence and Lower Cost

Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks allow service providers to offer differentiated services to their customers by sending business critical traffic over the guaranteed shortest distance and lowest latency path. Higher performance and guaranteed service for business critical applications mean improved productivity for the business. MPLS also gives the service providers unprecedented efficiency, lowering their costs, which in turn is passed on to their customers. The flexibility of service, potential for higher performance guaranteed, and the lowered costs all play to the mandates for business to do more with less.

The Challenge

Other WAN Optimizations Collide

While MPLS can reduce application performance loss over a service provider’s network, most of the overall performance loss occurs before traffic reaches their network. The point where the very high bandwidth LAN traffic must be shoe-horned into the bandwidth constricted WAN is the biggest source of performance loss. MPLS does not address this issue, and must be managed through traditional WAN Optimizations. The problem is that these traditional WAN Optimizations create ‘optimization tunnels’ between themselves. These tunnels mask the original packets’ IP headers, preventing MPLS networks from providing differentiated services. This usually means choosing between traditional WAN Optimization and the differentiated services of MPLS – it is not possible using traditional practices to enjoy the benefits of both.

Expand's Optimized MPLS Solution

Designed with the whole network and application infrastructure in mind, Expand offers a Transparency Mode that allows traditional WAN Optimization to coexist with the MPLS differentiated services requirement – the best of both worlds, and the realization of maximum performance for applications and productivity for users.

WAN Optimization

Traditional WAN Optimization compression techniques create tunnels between appliances for efficient transport and appliance synchronization. These tunnels wrap the optimized traffic in a way that obscures the IP header. When the tunnel masks the original IP header, the MPLS gear cannot differentiate which packets will receive premium service. Expand’s patent-pending Transparency Mode will optimize traffic, while retaining the original IP headers, allowing full use of MPLS differentiated services. The combination of Expand’s WAN Optimization with all the benefits of MPLS sets the standard for high performance applications.

Management & Visibility

Although the full cost of MPLS is often lower than traditional services, the cost of using the shortest distance and lowest latency paths can be high. With Layer 7 visibility and sophisticated packet marking, it is possible to ensure that only the most critical traffic is taking the expensive path. Using automatic discovery and reporting of all applications running on the network, Expand reports on the level of service received with MPLS. Combining the refined packet marking with complete application visibility, Expand makes sure optimal value is derived with MPLS.

Datasheets:

• Expand ss mpls lowres

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