By moving intelligent switching to the edge of an enterprise network, PowerLink and ShieldLink provide network administrators with a new level of control. Administrators can dynamically direct traffic based on service provider availability, line capacity, performance, and other user-defined policies.

PowerLink and ShieldLink are deployed in-line between gateway routers and firewalls. To monitor WAN connectivity status, they perform transparent health and performance checks to evaluate the quality and reliability for each ISP link. Using this information, PowerLink and ShieldLink intercept both inbound and outbound traffic, automatically directing users to the optimal WAN links.

Advanced algorithms determine which WAN links receive traffic, taking into account elements such as bandwidth utilization, QoS policies and other criteria. Network administrators set policies defining how traffic should be directed to service provider links in order to best leverage their bandwidth investments. PowerLink and ShieldLink prioritize traffic to achieve optimal application delivery. For example, the IT department can make decisions whether to prevent (or limit) the download of YouTube content, and other non-business related Internet browsing on the WAN network during business hours; or, they can setup higher bandwidth priorities for mission-critical applications such as VoIP. To control external user access to a datacenter, and manage internal corporate users accessing the Internet, PowerLink uses different methods for directing inbound and outbound traffic flows.

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