Blue Coat Integrates Network Appliances

• By David Nagel
• 11/10/08

Blue Coat Systems has released a new software plugin that will integrate two of its network appliances--ProxySG and PacketShaper--to allow them to share information to improve efficiency and security.

According to Blue Coat, the new plugin expands the capabilities of the PacketShaper and ProxySG appliances to provide enterprises "with increased awareness and control of applications, content and malicious threats" on their networks. With the plugin, PacketShaper appliances can receive optimized traffic from ProxySG appliances, distinguish between classes of traffic, and prioritize them for more optimal delivery. It can distinguish between internet and enterprise applications and between back-up and real-time traffic. And it can allow PacketShaper appliances to further manage traffic that has been optimized ProxySG appliances.

"The new software integration between Blue Coat ProxySG and PacketShaper appliances represents a significant leap in the ability to understand all of the applications on the enterprise network and treat them intelligently with the appropriate security, acceleration and control," said Brian NeSmith, president and chief executive officer of Blue Coat Systems, in a statement released today. "PacketShaper and ProxySG appliances are essential in ensuring the safe and efficient flow of business processes and information."

The new software plugin is available now free of charge for ProxySG and PacketShaper appliance customers with a current maintenance agreement. Further information can be found here.