Optimising networks will bring about great cost savings for the company – but it’s important to ensure acceleration is maintained on an on going basis.

“Network performance is dependent on a variety of elements and one bad link can compromise the  entire chain,” explains Tertia Labuschagne, business development manager: network integration at  Dimension Data. “And these days an optimally performing network is more than a luxury, it has become a necessity.” Network optimisation is a science that allows an organisation to apply rules and intelligence to its network traffic and derive optimum value from network investment.

At their most simple defi nition, performance optimisation technologies are designed to extract the  maximum capability from existing IT resources, typically by speeding up the delivery of applications to end users. The technologies fall under the broad categories of WAN optimisation and application acceleration and delivery. WAN optimisation features compression, data reduction and caching, traffic  management and load balancing techniques, which improve link and bandwidth utilisation.

Acceleration techniques improve the performance of applications by addressing the shortcomings of  protocols and adapting the way data is delivered.

THE BEST WAY

According to Labuschagne, there are five important steps to follow when optimising a network for the  long run. “To realise true value for money and return on investment, it is ideal for companies to not only make use of acceleration technologies, but to ensure they are kept relevant on an ongoing basis,”  explains Labuschagne.

The most important step, according to Labuschagne, is the initial assessment. “Figure out what traffic  the network is actually carrying,” she says. “Review the initiatives you have put in place in your IT environment in the last 18 months - could they have impacted your network’s performance?

Are you planning to undertake any new projects?” Once a detailed assessment has been carried out,  defi nitive structure needs to be put in place. “Put in place tools, technologies and policies to structure the traffi c that you carry on your network,” says Labuschagne. “Are SAP updates business-critical? If so,  consider dedicating a certain portion of capacity to them.”

After specific rules have been assigned, the company can focus on acceleration. Says Labuschagne,  “Now that you’ve got control of your network traffic, fi gure out which applications need an extra boost of  performance. Is it your IP Telephony? Use some of the newer optimisation technologies to accelerate  specific traffic.” Once these techniques have been identified, it is time to commence operation.

“Begin and maintain the iterative process of monitoring traffic and adjusting your performance  optimisation strategy accordingly,” advises Labuschagne. “Remember the golden rule of good business:  what gets measured, gets managed and gets done. So start reporting on network  performance and assign people to be accountable.” Finally, Labuschagne recommends a company’s  focus must be on the issue of scale. “Extend your optimisation approach across your entire environment  so you can reap the full benefi ts - and watch as your network improves and users experience better  performance and their productivity jumps.”

Although it takes around three months for return on investment to be seen, implementing acceleration  techniques in the network has long-term benefits. “This is why it is so important to continually assess  network performance and to review acceleration techniques on an on going basis,” says Labuschagne.

“Ideally, this should be done every three to six months.” Adhering to the above network performance best  practices can instantly speed up a network’s performance anywhere from 200-400%.