Windows Server 2012 includes a lot features that optimize applications over high latency WAN links. In hub and spoke network environments, a lot of branch offices are connected to the main office / data center using high latency WAN links. Spoke offices are often connected by high latency WAN links such as satellite and has very limited bandwidth. In this article I will describe solutions provided by Microsoft to optimize applications on high latency links. When these solutions are combined with 3rd party WAN optimization appliance such as Riverbed, IT departments can provide better experience for end-users.
Windows Server 2012 BranchCache
BranchCache in Widows Server 2012 allows WAN bandwidth optimization when uses access remote content. BranchCache server simply caches the remote content at the branch office. This local cache can be either stored on a local dedicated branch server or on the clients that supports branchcache such as windows 7 or windows 8. This technology allows the clients to cache remote data initially so it can be accessed again without downloading the content over the WAN. BranchCache can operate in two modes. Either distributed mode or hosted mode. Distributed mode distributes the cache data across client computers where hosted mode needs a dedicated server for the cache content.
Print Server bypass printing
Traditionally, IT departments deploy print servers in every branch office because every print job must proxy through the print server. This is not an ideal design since print server is a single point failure and enforces distributed IT infrastructure. Windows Server 2012 branch office direct printing fix this issue by allowing client to print direct to local print devices when the print server located over the WAN connection such as main office or data center. This allows IT administrators to manage printers centrally while saving WAN bandwidth.
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