NetEqualizer News Blog

Over the past few months, we’ve kept you updated on our upcoming NetEqualizer YouTube caching feature. We’re now excited to announce the availability of a beta testing trial.While we have sanity and load-tested our YouTube caching systems, and there is very little risk of lockup or failure, we’re offering the beta trial to obtain more real-world data from live networks. This will help us as we set expectations for our general release.

The beta trial is available to all existing NetEqualizer customers and will be offered with complementary set-up support. (A $500 fee will apply for the general release.) However, to qualify, interested trial participants must meet the following requirements:

• Must have a current NetEqualizer Software Subscription (NSS)
• Must have the ability to provide remote access to the NetEqualizer
• Trial requires a memory upgrade to eight gigabits
• Must be using a two-Ethernet port system (not three)
• NetEqualizer must have Internet access (We assume you will handle the security and access requirements through your firewall.)
• NetEqualizer requires a flash upgrade (no charge for beta customers)

There are only a limited number of spaces in the trial available, so be sure to let us know if you’re interested at 1-800-918-2763 or admin@apconnections.net. For more information on YouTube caching, visit our new FAQ article on the NetEqualizer News Blog.

For those of you who plan on waiting for the general release of the NetEqualizer YouTube caching feature, here are some additional details to give you a better idea of what to expect.For best results, we’re going to strongly suggest you have a NE3000-class or above NetEqualizer system. However, we will honor caching server systems on NE2000-class NetEqualizers purchased in the last three months.

A current NetEqualizer Software Subscription will also be needed to install the feature along with a one-time $500 set-up charge to cover the installation and check-up of your caching system.

YouTube caching will require a minimum of eight gigabits of memory, but systems having only four gigabits can still be used with an additional highly reliable disk drive device, which is also available to boost performance for the eight-gigabit units.

As is, eight gigabits of memory will support between 150 and 250 YouTube videos depending on their average length. It is estimated that about 10 to 20 percent of your YouTube traffic will come from the cache, which will make a significant impact in average video speed and quality as well as the reduction of overall bandwidth usage. The disk drive version is estimated to cache approximately 4,000 of the most popular YouTube videos, likely increasing hit rates for videos to nearly 50 percent.

In addition to improved video quality and access for the customer, the YouTube caching feature will offer administrators and ISPs an even more effective way to optimize their networks while respecting user privacy and net neutrality. For more information on the benefits of caching for net neutrality, click here.

To learn more about the upcoming NetEqualizer YouTube caching feature general release, contact us at 1-800-918-2763 or sales@apconnections.net.

As we begin a new year, we’re making some minor changes to the NetEqualizer product line. To start, we’re introducing the new-look NetEqualizer console (see unit to left). Of course, the quality of our product hasn’t changed, but we thought it was time for a little updating.Also, starting this month, we’ll be offering both the NE3000-100 and NE3000-150 NetEqualizer systems. This will allow customers to even better customize the NetEqualizer to their individual needs. Furthermore, we’ll be changing the NE2000-45 NetEqualizer model to the NE2000-50.

Finally, in addition to these changes, we’re also releasing our 2011 NetEqualizer price list. The full list can be viewed here without registration for a limited time. Current quotes will not be affected by the pricing updates and will be honored for 90 days from the date the quote was originally given.

In the past, we’ve published several articles on our blog to help customers better understand the NetEqualizer’s potential return on investment (ROI). Obviously, we do this because we think we offer a compelling ROI proposition for most bandwidth-shaping decisions. Why? Primarily because we provide the benefits of bandwidth shaping at a a very low cost – both initially and even more so over time. (Click here for the NetEqualizer ROI calculator.)

But, we also want to provide potential customers with the questions that need to be considered before a product is purchased, regardless of whether or not the answers lead to the NetEqualizer. With that said, this article will break down these questions, addressing many issues that may not be obvious at first glance, but are nonetheless integral when determining what bandwidth shaping product is best for you.

First, let’s discuss basic ROI. As a simple example, if an investment cost $100, and if in one year that investment returned $120, the ROI is 20 percent. Simple enough. But what if your investment horizon is five years or longer? It gets a little more complicated, but suffice it to say you would perform a similar calculation for each year while adjusting these returns for time and cost.

The important point is that this technique is a well-known calculation for evaluating whether one thing is a better investment than another – be it bandwidth shaping products or real estate. Naturally and obviously the best financial decision will be determined by the greatest return for the smallest cost.

The hard part is determining what questions to ask in order to accurately determine the ROI. A missed cost or benefit here or there could dramatically alter the outcome, potentially leading to significant unforeseen losses.

For the remainder of this article, I’ll discuss many of the potential costs and returns associated with bandwidth shaping products, with some being more obscure than others. In the end, it should better prepare you to address the most important questions and issues and ultimately lead to a more accurate ROI assessment.

Let’s start by looking at the largest components of bandwidth shaping product “costs” and whether they are one-time or ongoing. We’ll then consider the returns.