Comtech EF Data / Stampede
FX Series Administration Guide - Version 6.2.2
146
Chapter: FX Series Optimization Settings
Section: Layer 5 Application Policies
MN-FXSERIESADM6 Rev 6
7.3.6
Layer 5 Acceleration - Discussion
“Layer 5” acceleration provides optimization of communication protocols when a FX Remote is installed
at a branch in “in-line” mode. The FX Remote can then intercept and optimize the traffic with
additional capabilities such as dynamic data suppression and traffic classification/prioritization. Most
TCP based protocols can be accelerated with this solution, however there are some exceptions:
FTP can only be accelerated when it is operating in “passive” mode. By default the ftp function of
the Internet Explorer operates in “active” mode and you must adjust an advanced browser setting
in order for Layer 5 to operate. Also the standard Windows command line “ftp.exe” program only
operates in “active” mode and therefore can’t be accelerated by Layer 5.
Due to the nature of some TCP/IP based protocols; The Layer 5 acceleration techniques can
function however they do not provide significant benefit. For example:
o
The latest version of MS-Outlook/Exchange protocol is already highly compressed and also
there is an application level acknowledgement that takes place after every 17K bytes which
defeats the value of TurboStreaming. (MS-Outlook using the POP3/SMTP protocols can derive
great benefit from Layer 5 acceleration.)
o
Protocols that are encrypted (or already compressed) will not benefit from the product’s Layer
5 compression but may benefit from the TurboStreaming.
The following table depicts a list of TCP and UDP ports used by well-known applications.
Figure 7-6 FX Series TCP/UDP Ports Table
Application
TCP / UDP
Ports
CIFS
TCP
139,445
Citrix ICA
TCP/UDP
2598,1494
CVS
TCP
2401
FTP
TCP
20,21
Lotus Notes/Domino
TCP
1352
Lotus Sametime
TCP
1533
MS Remote Desktop Connection
TCP
3389
NFS
UDP
2049
Novel GroupWise
TCP
1677
POP3
TCP
110
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
TCP/UDP
5060,5061
SMTP
TCP
25
Telnet
TCP
23
VNC
TCP
5900