Network managers coping with bandwidth intensive applications like VoIP and video are increasingly turning to network management and optimization tools, which are fast becoming a must-have category of appliance for those with large amounts of WAN traffic. But many of these systems are still difficult to manage and integrate. Also, lack of application-specific support can be a deal-breaker.

Fortunately, Wide-Area Application Services (WAAS) from Cisco, 2007's Product Leadership silver award winner, was able to play on its strengths this year to win the gold by catering to these needs. Readers raved about its performance and reliability.

Network integration and compatibility was one of WAAS's biggest edges over the competition. Eighty-three percent of our respondents gave it good or excellent marks, which should come as no surprise given Cisco's dominance throughout many enterprise network architectures.

Cisco's offering also scored well in the management and visibility category: 86% gave it high scores, based on features like its dynamic endpoint auto-discovery, which the company says helps ensure efficient deployments without the need for overlay networks.

Many readers noted that they were still trialing WAN management and optimization, but WAAS's edge in key integration factors and ease-of-use may make it the compelling choice for those getting their feet wet. "Cisco Wide-Area Application Services are absolutely amazing," one reader reported. "They are the leader again."

Michael Morisy, News Writer