The NetEqualizer appliance line are network traffic shaping appliances available supporting throughput levels of 2 Mb/sec through 350 Mb/sec. For higher traffic or high availability needs, two NetEqualizers can be deployed in parallel, with the device's Linux-based OS able to implement its Spanning Tree Protocol, automatically configuring one unit as a master and the other as a slave such that if the master fails the slave can serve as a backup. The devices are deployed between the organization's Internet access point and the LAN, and are targeted both to businesses and service providers.

The primary purpose of the NetEqualizer appliance is to continuously and automatically adjust traffic flows so that high-bandwidth uses such as heavy file downloads or p2p traffic are limited, leaving more bandwidth available to other business uses such as Web browsing, VoIP, or E-mail usage. NetEqualizer does this via its built-in "fairness" rules, which are operational out of the box and require no rules-based setup on the part of administrators. The device implements these rules by examining all traffic on an Internet segment and maintaining an internal database of individual user traffic metrics. Every half-second the device determines those users that are utilizing excessive bandwidth and, as peak utilization is approached, these high traffic users are slowed as needed to relieve bandwidth congestion.

To throttle a user's connection, the device explicitly delays the client's requests. According to the vendor, the fairness rules result in less performance complaints from customers and/or network users, since the throttling tends to be applied only to high-traffic uses such as file downloads where it is less noticeable than it would be for more immediately utilized traffic.

Administrators are not entirely without configuration options. In addition to the fairness rules described above, Bandwidth limits can be applied to specific hosts (up to 4,000 limits are supported), ports, MAC addresses, VLANs, and subnets. Further, system-wide connection limits can be employed by the administrator at any time.

The NetEqualizer appliances are available now. Pricing starts at $1,950 for the 2 Mb/sec appliance, and ranges to $7,900 for the 350 Mb/sec appliance; with six other models (and price levels) between the two. A one year hardware warranty can be separately purchased for $100; and an additional software subscription (1 year) ranges from $200 to $600, depending on model.

New to the vendor's product line is the optional Network Access Control (NAC) module for the NetEqualizer. This module adds the ability to enforce user logins and then shape traffic based on the login itself; providing bandwidth shaping services by user login and usage tracking for bill-back purposes. The NAC module is separately priced starting at $2,500; but the vendor notes that already existing customers with a software subscription will qualify for a full credit. A 10 Mb/sec or higher appliance is required for the NAC module.

Visit the APconnections Web site for further information.