Citrix builds WAN optimisation into NetScaler SDX appliance

Citrix has added WAN optimisation tools to its NetScaler SDX appliance in a move to extend the reach of its XenDesktop virtualisation platform to branch offices and remote locations.

The company said the Branch Repeater optimisation tools would dramatically improve performance speeds for XenDesktop deployments, allowing virtualised desktops to reach speeds of up to 1Gbit/s.

Greg Smith, senior director of cloud product marketing for the Citrix cloud network group, told V3 the Branch Repeater tools would create an appliance specially designed to optimise virtual desktop traffic.

Unlike with conventional WAN optimisation appliances, the Branch Repeater components in the NetScaler SDX box will be tooled for XenDesktop, which in turn means the appliance will allow administrators to extend hosted desktop services to branch offices.

"Because we are running it on NetScaler we can hit unprecedented levels of performance," Smith said.

"This is a platform that sets a new standard in the industry to deliver virtual desktops to branch and remote offices."

The Branch Repeater components build on Citrix's strategy to consolidate networking infrastructure with the XenDesktop appliance. The company sees the platform as helping companies combine multiple network services within a single appliance in what Smith described as a "flattening" of the conventional network model.

"You cannot do that efficiently without virtualisation," Smith explained.

"The industry is moving in that direction where you have this consolidated service delivery platform."

Citrix has posted multiple updates to the NetScaler appliance in recent months. Among the updates were the addition of SQL support, improved handling of secured connections and the AppFlow consumerisation platform.