Cisco Systems and Microsoft have teamed up to bring a new networking appliance for enterprises designed specifically for use in branch offices. The new product called Windows Server on WAAS (Wide Area Application Services) is now available for purchase.
Windows Server® on WAAS reduces the cost and complexity of providing IT services in branch locations with accelerated access to centralized applications and secure and reliable local Windows Server services.
Integrating Windows Server 2008 with the Cisco® Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) platform provides the flexibility to deploy corporate applications and infrastructure services across branch and data center locations.
Windows Server on WAAS integrates the infrastructure services of Windows Server 2008 on the Cisco Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) WAN optimization platform to:
- Lower branch IT management and operational costs.
- Increase branch IT architecture design and flexibility.
- Improve branch IT performance and reliability.
Solutions Architecture
Windows Server on WAAS is deployed in the branch and in the data center.
The branch appliance includes Windows Server 2008 Server Core installation on the Cisco WAAS platform, which communicates over the WAN to a Cisco WAAS appliance in the data center.
Windows® branch services include:
- Active Directory read-only domain controller
- Microsoft Domain Name System (DNS) Server
- Microsoft Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server
- Microsoft Print Services
WAN optimization functionality is managed by the Cisco WAAS Central Manager, while Windows Server can be managed remotely by Microsoft System Center.
Lower Branch IT Costs
Windows Server on WAAS reduces IT-related costs in branches and helps increase branch employee productivity. Addressing the increase in devices and services required to manage and support higher bandwidth demands, and the productivity impact of poor IT performance and availability, Windows Server on WAAS can:
- Reduce server hardware footprint. Windows Server runs on the Cisco WAAS platform, reducing the necessary server hardware and resulting in lower capital expense and lower operating expense.
- Cut complexity, not service. Deploy just the local services you need on existing network equipment, with less security exposure and downtime.
- Branch out with lower costs. Cut time and expense to open new branches with rapid enablement of Windows Server technology without server deployments.
- Make investments work smarter. Free up existing bandwidth with local placement of printing and secure logon, centrally managed with existing Microsoft System Center
- Get prepackaged convenience and world-class support. Cisco and Microsoft joint development and support ensure deployment with less effort and expense.
For More Information
- Joint Web site: Joint Cisco, Microsoft site on Windows Server on WAAS
- Analyst Paper: Strategic importance of Windows Server on WAAS to customers
- Brochure: Windows Server on WAAS benefits overview (PDF)
- White Paper: Technical review of Windows Server on WAAS (PDF)
- Platform Data sheet: New Cisco appliances that host Windows Server 2008
- Alliance Information: Cisco, Microsoft executive Q&A
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