Stories about: Orbital Data

Whether they're in branch offices or home offices, workers are increasingly telecommuting instead of working in a traditional centralized office environment.

Citrix Systems has bought QuickTree, a software developer focused on improving security and performance for XML and Web services.

Riverbed has begun shipping a PC client for its Steelhead WAN acceleration devices that does away with the need for a Steelhead at both ends of the link.

Citrix's announcement that it would acquire XenSource demonstrates the company's plans to support the most relevant application delivery technologies possible, company officials say. The software, according to Citrix Chief Strategy Officer Wes Wasson, will not only enhance Citrix's desktop and server products, but also be put to use in the company's application-networking tools also acquired with NetScaler and Orbital Data. Network World Senior Editor Denise Dubie talked with Wasson yesterday to learn more about why Citrix made this move now and what it means to corporate IT customers.

To optimize performance, net execs must manage an application throughout its life cycle, from predeployment to the user desktop. The following technologies can help.

Citrix made its name with a specialized software product, Citrix MetaFrame, now called Presentation Server. It was used by a blue chip list of Fortune 500 companies to run Windows applications on servers, accessed by PCs via Citrix's communications protocol ICA. For several years, Citrix has been positioning its product line around a theme that company executives recite like a refrain: application access management. John Cox speaks with Michael Cristinziano, Citrix vice president of strategic development and finds out what keeps him busy.

Microsoft and Citrix Systems plan to co-develop a new line of branch office appliances that will combine Microsoft's Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server with Citrix's upcoming WANScaler network acceleration technology.

Citrix is expected to add WAN optimization to its products with the planned purchase of Orbital Data for US$50 million.