Application Delivery Networking provider Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCSI), this week announced the release of a software plug-in that will allows enterprises running its PackerShaper appliances to discover, monitor, assess and control Apple software updates.
Apple software updates, which include updates for iTunes, Safari, and iPhone, can be large and often exceed 100 Megabytes in size. Employees that have iTunes installed on computers within corporate networks are likely to require occasional Apple software updates which may download while attached to the corporate network and consume a large portion of the available bandwidth. PacketShaper appliances can now identify these specific software updates and limit the amount of bandwidth allocated to them or enforce rules over what can be downloaded, at what time of day and with what priority. The new Apple software update classification complements an existing capability to discover, monitor and control music, videos and other content downloaded from the iTunes store.
In addition to managing the bandwidth usage and priority of Apple software updates with PacketShaper appliances, companies using Blue Coat ProxySG appliances can benefit from dramatic bandwidth savings because software updates, such as those for iTunes, can be cached at the Internet gateway or branch office so that they only need to be downloaded a single time rather than for each person requiring one. For example, if there are 200 employees with iTunes installed and each needs updated software, the software can be downloaded once to address those users, rather than 200 times. PacketShaper appliances can also ensure that even a single download does not consume bandwidth needed for other critical processes.
“Companies need to manage and protect the bandwidth they have at Internet gateway points and across the WAN to ensure that critical business processes are not impaired or interrupted,” said Steve House, senior director, product marketing and management, Blue Coat Systems. “The new ability to classify Apple software updates enhances the granular application visibility and comprehensive control that PacketShaper appliances provide, enabling businesses to align network use with business requirements.”
The new software plug-in for Apple software is available immediately and is free of charge to customers with a current maintenance agreement.