Tests Show Redline Networks Appliances Dramatically Boost iNotes Performance subhead
Campbell, Calif., November 24, 2003 — Deploying Redline Networks processors in an iNotes Web server environment can boost iNotes server load capacity by more than 500 percent and improve page-download times by up to 70 percent, according to recent tests.
The tests were conducted in August 2003 by eb-Qual, a Swiss company which markets quality-of-service products and services for enterprise and service-provider IP networks. The testing was commissioned by a major global biotechnology company wishing to determine the potential value of adding Redline technology into its enterprise-wide iNotes environment.
Two types of test were conducted, one focusing on response time and utilization for clear and secure transactions in an iNotes environment, the other on Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) capacity (i.e., the capacity of the iNotes server to establish multiple simultaneous SSL sessions). In each case the tests were run with and without a Redline unit in front of the iNotes server. The appliance works by offloading multiple tasks from iNotes servers, including connection management, Web I/O multiplexing, data compression and SSL encryption.
Spirent Communications' Avalanche 2500, a capacity-assessment appliance that provides high-performance stress testing, was configured to simulate virtual users connected via a 256-Kbps line.
Test Result Highlights
Among the key results of the test were:
- – Page response times improved by 60 to 70 percent with realistically-generated traffic, taking into account end-user processing latency and rendering time. The Redline system incurred no latency because of its ability to perform wire-speed compression and send the compressed data even before the server response was complete.
- – Use of the Redline unit reduced network bandwidth usage by more than half, decreasing recurring WAN costs and resulting in faster end-user performance. This result held true across all loads, with or without SSL activity.
- – When testing SSL transactions, the processor increased the iNotes server's load capacity by more than 500 percent; even under this significantly increased load, response times improved by 60 percent or more.
- – The processor provided additional security by shielding iNotes from exposure to network- and application-layer attacks (e.g., SYN-Flood DOS, packet fragment), transparently absorbing such attacks and never letting them reach the target server. Nimbda, CodeRed and higher-level attacks using illegal or malformed requests are also blocked.
Better Performance and Security With Less Cost and Complexity
Jacques Macherel, sales director at eb-Qual, said, "Though we expected to find distinct differences in capacity and response time with and without the Redline box, we were surprised at just how marked these differences were. The huge increase in server capacity can significantly reduce hardware and maintenance costs for any iNotes user, while the major reduction in bandwidth use means a material lowering of recurring WAN costs. The Redline unit also proved to be a highly effective component in a layered security solution. Companies that are Web-enabling business-critical CRM, ERP and other applications can expect to gain improved application performance and security, along with decreased cost and complexity, from Redline."
The complete eb-Qual test report can be viewed at http://www.redlinenetworks.com/pdf/eb_qual_test_report.pdf. eb-Qual markets quality-of-service products and services, including Redline Networks processors.
Server Upgrades, Compression Software Solutions Considered But Rejected
Wilson's group considered adding more servers, but realized that most would be redundant — and wasted — except during peak load times. They also considered compression software solutions, but those either lacked robustness or did not permit multiplexing of TCP connections — an important factor in reducing server loading.
Future plans call for the installation of new Web touch-screen kiosks at Tube stations, where riders can get travel updates and print out route maps that would be downloaded from Redline-accelerated servers. Besides leading to considerable savings in the cost of printing location-specific literature, the kiosks are expected to provide a highly interactive system with a very rapid response time. "The average user of our site has the patience of a London cab driver," Wilson said. "If he doesn't get what he wants in 10 seconds, he goes somewhere else. Redline is helping us keep this kind of customer happier."
About Redline Networks
Redline Networks designs and manufactures network appliances that maximize the performance, flexibility, and scalability of Web-enabled enterprise data centers. The company's family of E|X enterprise application processors, deployed at corporate data centers, and T|X Web I/O processors, used by Web sites, enable users to control and customize any HTTP-based environment while reducing infrastructure cost and complexity. Redline is a privately-held company based in Campbell, Calif. For more information on Redline and its products, visit http://www.RedlineNetworks.com.
