For reasons of cost, bandwidth and space, data centers and enterprises have been slowly moving from expensive hardware to software solutions for wide area network (WAN) optimization. But, now it seems that the new trend is toward virtualization.

Expand Networks (News - Alert) has been at the front of the pack when it comes to embracing virtualization. Its WAN optimization solutions enable accelerated delivery and guaranteed performance of business critical applications and services within virtualized WAN environments and across distributed enterprise infrastructures.

But there are other companies involved in the race – such as Riverbed (News - Alert) Technology. Consequently, the company has introduced a virtual version of its Steelhead appliance. Called Virtual Steelhead, the system is built for the VMware vSphere platform with the idea that users will be able to deploy acceleration in a wider range of environments. In fact, according to Riverbed, organizations now have the flexibility to provide anywhere access for employees from a comprehensive set of solutions that meets the needs of customers in any environment, including those with specialized requirements or space limitations.

According to the maker, enterprises and governments now have a choice --physical Steelhead appliances, Steelhead Mobile software and Virtual Steelhead –that best fits their locations. Consequently, service providers and systems integrators that deliver managed services based on Riverbed WAN optimization have the option to deliver a virtualized solution, said the supplier.

Furthermore, Riverbed said that with the Virtual Steelhead, a virtualized WAN optimization solution can now be deployed in virtualized data centers, as well as on hardened military or first responder equipment, news vans and construction trailers that are in rugged environments or where a Steelhead appliance won’t fit due to physical space limitations.

In a statement, Zeus Kerravala (News - Alert), distinguished research fellow at Yankee Group, commented, “As organizations continue to migrate toward consolidated and virtualized data centers, enterprises are turning to WAN optimization to maximize IT performance and keep end users connected to their data and applications. With the launch of Virtual Steelhead, Riverbed is providing customers with a new option that extends the reach and flexibility of its WAN optimization to new environments that often have specialized physical requirements.”

He added, “The Virtual Steelhead enables organizations to overcome performance challenges in a variety of environments, including military zones, emergency scenarios with first responders and transient worksites.”

A global law firm, whose server infrastructure is 80 percent virtualized, is extending virtualization to WAN optimization based on Steelhead appliance. The law firm Paul Hastings’ (News - Alert) director of engineering, Searl Tate, commented, “It will enable our continued effort to reduce our IT hardware footprint. Virtualization is an innovative way to handle consolidation, cost-control measures, and even green initiatives.”