New functionality in BIG-IP v10--such as resource provisioning and route domains--coupled with existing administrative domain capabilities enables IT to virtualize application delivery functions across departments. Sharing the investment in a unified application delivery solution across business constituents increases the return on investment while reducing the complexity inherent in managing multiple devices.
F5 White Paper
Optimizing the Business of IT
Learn how to realize the business benefits of the ® ®F5 BIG-IP version 10 system.
by Lori MacVittieTechnical Marketing Manager, Application ServicesWhite Paper Optimizing the Business of IT
Contents
Introduction 3
The Business Value of the F5 BIG-IP Version 10 System 3Streamline Application Delivery 4Increase IT Efficiency 5Reduce Costs 5
Conclusion 6
2White Paper Optimizing the Business of IT
Introduction
IT organizations have always been "under the gun" when it comes to serving their ultimate customer: the business. Pressures from budgetary constraints and an uncertain economic future fuel the need to deliver applications and develop an infrastructure that not only addresses technical needs but provides real value to the business.
It is no longer enough that products simply solve technical problems. They must also address less tangible issues as well as the "soft costs" associated with IT, such as productivity and process management. Because companies need to configure and manage many disparate solutions in order to achieve their various technical goals, and because there is an inherent lack of connectivity and intelligence inherent in most infrastructure solutions today, these IT soft costs become a reality to most organizations.
Today's CIO is tasked with more than just implementing a secure, fast, and reliable application network over which business-critical applications can be delivered. In addition, today's CIO must also drive business value through the implementation of solutions that gain a technical advantage for the business, provide for the rapid deployment of new applications that enable the business to take advantage of new opportunities quickly, and broaden customer relationships.
But CIOs can't ignore the directive to reduce costs and increase efficiency, especially given today's economically constrained environment. Consolidation and globalization are top concerns, as is improving workforce efficiency both in business and IT.
The Business Value of the F5
BIG-IP Version 10 System ® ®The F5 BIG-IP version 10 (v10) system provides a unified application delivery solution capable of supporting the priorities of today's CIO. BIG-IP v10 enables IT to streamline application delivery-reducing costs through consolidation and optimization-and increases IT and workforce efficiency with improvements in performance, manageability, and control over the infrastructure and applications it supports.
33White Paper Optimizing the Business of IT
Streamline Application Delivery
The version 10 release of F5's BIG-IP system unifies acceleration, security, and availability services on a single platform, eliminating many of the bottlenecks inherent in an application delivery architecture comprised of disparate point solutions.
BIG-IP v10 combines WAN and LAN application delivery with security services to achieve a single, consolidated application delivery solution that not only streamlines the actual delivery process, but also optimizes the deployment and subsequent day-to-day management of the entire application delivery process. A single, consolidated interface and management system greatly simplifies the complexity that often delays application delivery processes and impedes the rapid deployment of new applications.
With the addition of WAN Application Delivery Services, BIG-IP v10 brings improved acceleration and optimization of site-to-site applications and data transfers. WAN Application Delivery Services comprises enhanced Layer 7 Rate Shaping, QoS, and a new acceleration framework with iSessionsT. iSessions enables two BIG-IP devices to communicate using a secure, optimized connection; this saves WAN bandwidth and improves the speed of data replication, backup times, and the transfer of data between data centers or geographically separated corporate locations. Integrating WAN optimization and acceleration with core BIG-IP system features-like availability and security-reduces the number of physical devices that are necessary in the data center to improve performance of WAN-delivered services and applications. Combining more a efficient use of bandwidth with compression, encryption, and layer 7 Quality of Service (QoS) features in BIG-IP v10 WAN Application Delivery Services delivers a vastly improved applicat... [download for more]
