Main site with Internet link and potentially branch offices as well. Applications are hosted in the Main Site where branch offices connect to via the Internet. All platforms support this topology. This topology is used when customers need to monitor and control Internet and branch traffic to and from the main site. The Exinda can guarantee performance of critical applications such as voice, VPN and extranet; monitor Internet usage and control P2P applications.
Installation
The Exinda should be plugged in-line between the switch and router or firewall. If you have a VPN refer to “Topologies with VPNs”.
- Connect the WAN port to your router/firewall using a crossover cable.
- Connect the LAN port into the LAN switch.
It is recommended that you use a bypass capable bridge, which will provide ethernet bypass in the event of hardware failure. The bridge in use also needs to be enabled on the IP Address configuration page.
Capabilities
In this topology, the Exinda appliance can:
- Monitor all traffic utilization and all applications to/from the Internet. You can distinguish between business relevant traffic and traffic used for recreational purposes.
- Monitor usage of Internet and VPN branch traffic. e.g. How much of the link is being used by each branch network?
- Control all traffic traversing the link. Allocate some bandwidth to VPN branch offices and respective priorities for Internet applications.
Limitations
- With this topology, it is not possible to monitor and control branch traffic and their respective Internet links as each branch has direct access to the Internet.
- Application Acceleration is not possible with a single appliance.
Suggestions
- Disable direct access to the Internet for branch offices. Route all Internet traffic via the main site if possible.
- Use an Exinda appliance at each branch office to monitor and control traffic and increase WAN capacity with Exinda’s Application Acceleration.