Exinda Networks has announced a new WAN optimization appliance the company says boosts application performance for branch officeworkers using data centre applications. The Exinda 1710 classifies and prioritizes Web-based applications, provides monitoring and reporting at Layer 7 and allows control over recreational Internet access. Exinda says the 1710 can support a branch office of up to 30 users. The new version 5.0 firmware allows installation in 12 steps. The appliance can handle up to 8,000 concurrent network traffic flows at either two or 10 Mbps. Two weeks of network reports can be stored on the device; longer term reporting is available through Exinda’s Service Delivery Point WAN management software as a service. An Ethernet bypass allows traffic to pass through the device in the event it fails. The appliance allows administrators to reserve bandwidth for applications such as Citrix and voice over IP and manage quality of service. The Exinda 1710 should be available at press time for $1,290.