UCS Solutions optimisation of the wide area network

Increased bandwidth usage is a consistent trend for most companies. This can be attributed to the addition of new sites to the network as well as the introduction of a multitude of new applications.

In most cases, this results in an ongoing spiral of increasing bandwidth costs, only to have the new bandwidth consumed in a short space of time, with the only solution being to increase bandwidth again.

A solution to improve performance while managing leased line operational costs is required.

UCS Solutions has a solution based on implementing WAN optimisation technologies. These are also known as compression or acceleration technologies. In determining the most appropriate solution a number of key factors were taken into account:

* The solution had to seamlessly integrate into the existing architecture without the need to modify any existing devices and/or software, either at the remote site or data centre.
* The existing network management, monitoring, troubleshooting and reporting systems and processes had to remain unchanged.
* The solution had to be able to run seamlessly across a MPLS network environment with complex quality of service (QoS) and security requirements.
* Ease of deployment and management.
* The company had to have a market presence and solid technical skills within South Africa.
* This solution should provide a comparable return on investment against the backdrop of the increasing the line rental costs for a doubling or tripling of the current bandwidth.

After extensive testing and live pilots, UCS Solutions has selected to work with Expand Networks to provide WAN optimisation services.

UCS Solutions uses the Expand device as the core of a comprehensive WAN optimisation service. The service provides for the complete life cycle, from proof to concept to final design to implementation and finally to ongoing support and maintenance. In the final design stage, UCS Solutions will compile a business case, which contrasts the deployment of the WAN optimisation services against the increased costs of upgrading the bandwidth. Experience to date has shown that the payback period for these services are measured in months when compared against the cost of the equivalent increased spend on bandwidth.

As part of the ongoing support and maintenance, services reports are provided showing the actual increased bandwidth that is being achieved. Current installations are consistently achieving between double and triple the base bandwidths. This translates to an effective throughput of between 1Mb and 1.5Mb on a standard 512Kb line.

Due to the transparent nature of this solution, UCS Solutions is able to provide this service irrespective of the existing network, be it a private network or a commercial VPN service.

UCS Solutions has recently completed the implementation of this service for a major retailer with over 100 sites. This was achieved with minimal downtime for the business and is already paying dividends with increased performance across all applications.

UCS Solutions is ideally positioned to design, implement and operate this service, given our extensive infrastructure services, which range from the desktop through the network to sophisticated server and application hosting. For a complete overview of our services see www.ucs-solutions.co.za.

If you thought you could only buy bandwidth with Telkom, then think again!

For more information, contact Shaun Houghton at shaun.houghton@ucs-solutions.co.za.