The network services team at Virginia Commonwealth University forecast record traffic for the fall 2010 term. Popular video entertainment streaming threatened the performance of equally popular online video classes and meetings. Proliferation of Internet connected devices meant hundreds more always-on connections–many of them encrypted and difficult to monitor.
Internet traffic expanded exponentially in volume and complexity, with sophisticated threats and DDoS-class p2p bandwidth monopolizing applications. A 10 Gbps pipe was in the works to meet demand.
The traffic shaper VistaOne had installed years before had provided groundbreaking deep packet visibility. Now it was maxed out to the limit of its architecture. Additional bandwidth couldn’t solve all congestion problems. The SOS came in to VistaOne. Old friends described the problems they faced:
As with most large universities, the network services group essentially emulated an Internet service provider with a large subscriber base of diverse interests. While advanced education was the primary mission, administrators were keenly aware that a rich and unbounded Web experience was bare minimum for attracting top students and faculty.
There was little evidence the network traffic growth rate would abate in the foreseeable future. VCU engineers made scalability for at least three years a primary requirement for a traffic shaping replacement. Procera’s PacketLogic solution provided future-proof confidence:
Procera cut its teeth at the carrier level. Their largest unit boasts 80 Gbps throughput—four times the capacity of the closest competitor. Their hardware and applications were designed for full resilience on critical components and the availability required by Tier-1 providers.
A full end-to-end deep packet inspection (DPI) network data collector, PacketLogic actually tracks deep flows, one level deeper than DPI. The technology does a complete handshake between devices, examining all traffic.
Managers can zoom from broad view to single connection in real-time for user support. Filtering and shaping come with smart, granular controls and user and location awareness. VCU engineers appreciate PacketLogic’s intricate controls and robust reporting capabilities:
VistaOne is generous with its expertise and is not beholden to any one manufacturer or platform. Success in higher education network optimization has come from a kind of measured, academic approach, sans any hype. Examine the problems, understand the goals and match the most efficient processes for desired outcome.
The keepers of VCU’s network appreciate VistaOne’s culture of candidness and rigorous follow-through:
Ask VistaOne for an expert assessment of your DPI traffic shaping methods and mechanisms.
Determine whether Procera would be a good fit for your institution with a guided online demo.
