Overview of Client Accelerator

The Client Accelerator solution enables you to optimize application protocols such as HTTP and MAPI and to reduce bandwidth for other protocols, providing LAN-like performance to remote users who are accessing your computer network using any type of remote access (dial-up, broadband, wireless, and so forth). Managed by a Client Accelerator, remote users employ client software to exchange optimized data with a SteelHead. The controller can be either a Client Accelerator appliance or a Client Accelerator-v.

Term	Definition
Endpoint	An endpoint is a client computing device, such as a personal computer.
Client install package	A client install package installs Client Accelerator software onto each of your endpoints. A package created on a Client Accelerator contains complete endpoint settings, including the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the Client Accelerator and a certificate that secures communication between the client and the controller. The default package that ships with the Client Accelerator contains the default (initial) policy, with complete endpoint settings. The default package is designed to be suitable for most network environments. Typically, you install and deploy Client Accelerator clients without modifying the default policy. Consider deploying the Client Accelerator client software to your endpoints using the policy defaults and modifying them only as necessary. For detailed information about the default policy settings, see the Client Accelerator User Guide.
Policy	A policy specifies computer-specific software settings for acceleration (such as protocol and SSL settings) and endpoints (such as data store size and Client Accelerator to connect to). A policy is required for optimization to occur.
Assignment	An assignment occurs when a policy is matched to a group ID.
Group ID	A group ID (GID) governs which policies and packages the Client Accelerator provides to endpoints. The GID enables you to assign policies to groups of endpoints. When you create the package, you can assign a GID to it. The GID is associated with the endpoint upon installation. The Client Accelerator subsequently uses the GID to identify the endpoint and provide assigned policies and updates. Group ID was called Deployment ID in Client Accelerator 2.x and earlier.
Demilitarized Zone	A demilitarized zone (DMZ) is a computer or small subnetwork that sits between a trusted internal network, such as a corporate private LAN, and an untrusted external network, such as the public internet. Typically, the DMZ contains devices accessible to internet traffic, such as web (HTTP) servers, FTP servers, SMTP (email) servers, and DNS servers.

• Client Accelerator Controller - The Client Accelerator Controller acts as a gateway for remote users and is installed at a data center or at the server side of the WAN, where it is accessible to users. The Client Accelerator Controller features a web-based GUI, the Management Console, that you use to centrally manage endpoints. You can also use the Management Console for endpoint software upgrades, licensing, reporting, and monitoring.

• Client Accelerator Client - The Client Accelerator client enables endpoint PCs and Macs to optimize data when connected to a Client Accelerator Controller. You distribute Client Accelerator software to endpoints using packages. You create packages using the Management Console, and you deploy them to your endpoints using the deployment tool of your choice. You can use a commercial deployment tool (for example, Microsoft SMS, Active Directory, or Altiris) to deploy packages, or you can email the link to your remote users. For detailed information about deployment options for packages, see the Client Accelerator User Guide.

When you start the Client Accelerator client, it accesses the specified Client Accelerator Controller to obtain a license and a policy. After the endpoint retrieves a license and a policy from the Client Accelerator Controller, traffic can be optimized between the Client Accelerator client and the server-side SteelHead. The Client Accelerator client performs data optimization using the same mechanisms as a client-side SteelHead. The endpoint maintains a connection with the Client Accelerator to download new policies from the Client Accelerator. This connection also enables the Client Accelerator to monitor your endpoints and to upload logs from them.

Figure 1‑1. Typical Client Accelerator deployment

Component

Software and configuration requirements

Client Accelerator Console

A Client Accelerator console is any computer (including Microsoft Surface Pro tablets) that supports a web browser with a color image display.

The Client Accelerator console has been tested Mozilla Firefox 78.0.2, Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Google Chrome 84.0.4147.89.

JavaScript and cookies must be enabled in your web browser.

If you want to encrypt your communication, you must have an SSL-capable browser.

No particular operating system is required.

Operating system	Supported versions
Windows	• Windows 8.1 (64 bit) • Windows 10 (32 bit) • Windows 10 (64 bit) • Windows Server 2012 R2 (64 bit)
Mac	• macOS 10.14 • macOS 10.15

The Cisco ASA 5500 Series (used only on the Windows platform) requires additional configuration to be compatible with the Client Accelerator. You can either configure an in-path, fixed-target rule for the Client Accelerator policy, or you can make configuration changes on the Cisco ASA. For details about configuring in-path, fixed-target rules for acceleration policies, see the Client Accelerator User Guide. For details about configuring the Cisco ASA, go to Knowledge Base article S15292.

Many countries require the safety information to be presented in their national languages. If this requirement applies to your country, consult the Safety and Compliance Guide. The guide contains the safety information in your national language. Before you install, operate, or service the Riverbed products, you must be familiar with the safety information. Refer to the guide if you don’t clearly understand the safety information provided in the documentation.

– From Riverbed Support Site - Select the target release number from the drop-down list to download a delta image directly to the appliance from the Riverbed Support site. The downloaded image includes only the incremental changes. You don’t need to download the entire image. The system downloads and installs the new image immediately after you click Install. To download and install the image later, schedule another date or time before you click Install.