IOS 4.2 Update is over 600 MB and will aggressively consume network bandwidth. Networking expert Nigel Hawthorn, VP EMEA Marketing, Blue Coat Systems shares his thoughts & tips on the latest software update for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

On Monday, November 22, 2010 Apple released a new software update for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The new software offers a number of important fixes, security enhancements and interesting features. Typically, Apple software updates are large (100-150 Megabytes), but IOS 4.2 is gigantic at over 600 Megabytes. In addition, the software download will generally try to consume all available bandwidth to complete the downloading process as soon as possible.

While great for Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users, the software update can cause major issues for corporate networks, especially Internet connection points and Wide Area Network (WAN) links to branch offices.

The impact is two-fold. First, a download of over 600 megabytes is substantial for any Internet gateway or WAN link. When multiplied by the demands of numerous users, for example 20 or 60 in a single office, the network effect can be monumental. Second, since the download process is aggressive, it only takes one or several users to completely consume a company's Internet gateway connection or WAN link and prevent anything else from operating. A company's ability to access the Internet or use applications that need Internet access would be greatly diminished or curtailed. Similarly, a company's ability to access mission-critical applications and conduct communication across the WAN would be severely restricted or stopped.

Some strategies companies can use to prevent such software updates from clogging Internet gateway connections and WAN links:

1. Ask employees to be vigilant and try to avoid updates to iPhones or iPads from taking place while at work, but rather defer them for when they are connected at home. This may not be a feasible solution, as the updates may occur automatically.

2. Employ an appliance with advanced proxy cache technology, such as the Blue Coat ProxySG appliance,  that can cache the software update at the company's Internet gateway and also at branch offices so that the update need only be downloaded one time to serve the needs of the entire company or branch office.

3. Employ an application visibility and control solution, such as Blue Coat PacketShaper appliance, to control how much bandwidth can be used for software downloads or at what kind of day they can be performed. In addition, such a solution can ensure that mission-critical applications can get the amount of bandwidth they need regardless of what other applications try to consume.

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About Blue Coat Systems
Blue Coat Systems is the technology leader in Application Delivery Networking.  Blue Coat offers an Application Delivery Network Infrastructure that provides the visibility, acceleration and security required to optimize and secure the flow of information to any user, on any network, anywhere.  This application intelligence enables enterprises to tightly align network investments with business requirements, speed decision making and secure business applications for long-term competitive advantage.  Blue Coat also offers service provider solutions for managed security and WAN optimization, as well as carrier-grade caching solutions to save on bandwidth and boost the end-user Web experience.  For additional information, please visit www.bluecoat.com .

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Blue Coat Systems' expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and including statements regarding the capabilities and expected performance of Blue Coat Systems' products. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to Blue Coat Systems as of the date hereof, and Blue Coat Systems assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These and other risks relating to Blue Coat Systems' business are set forth in the Securities and Exchange Commission reports filed by Blue Coat Systems, including but not limited to the risks described in the most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors."

Blue Coat, ProxySG and the Blue Coat logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Blue Coat Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

For more information, please contact:
Manal Abi Rafeh
Regional Marketing Manager ME & Turkey
Blue Coat Systems ME
Telephone: +971 4  3911620
Fax: +971 4 3911635
Email: manal.abirafeh@bluecoat.com

Media Contact:
Colin Saldanha
PR Consultant
PROCRE8
Dubai - UAE
GSM: +971 (50) 6400762
Email: colin@procre8.biz

© Press Release 2010