London Underground Deploys Redline Web I/O Processor to Take Stress Off Web Site During Traffic Spikes subhead
Campbell, Calif., December 2, 2003 — London's Underground subway system (the "Tube") has deployed Web I/O acceleration technology from Redline Networks to speed user access to its Web site (www.tfl.gov.uk/tube) and ease the pain of intermittent extreme spikes in online traffic.
Since the Redline T|X 2200 Web I/O Processor was installed earlier this year, not only have user page-download times improved significantly, but the organization has cut its bandwidth usage by 50 percent, seen a server capacity increase of 25 percent, and realized a 50 percent reduction in CPU usage.
Peter Wilson, programme manager for the Tube Web site, said the Redline solution is of critical value during traffic spikes caused by unusual events, such as a train derailment that occurred soon after the unit was installed. One of the Underground's busiest lines was shut down for several weeks.
Redline Keeps Tube Web Site Robust During Time of Crisis
"Not only did commuters need to find alternative routes to work, but we also had season ticket holders wanting their refunds," Wilson said. "Our customer service center couldn't keep up with the huge number of emails it was receiving — 15,000 in the first week alone. Our site was able to divert some of the pressure by creating a Web form that would let people claim their refunds online. More than 100,000 users took advantage of this, and Redline was a major factor in keeping the system robust during this period."
The Underground's Redline T|X 2200, purchased through London-based systems integrator Hydra plc (www.hydranet.co.uk), boosts Web site performance using an operating environment and software architecture optimized specifically for Web-based I/O functions. Outbound traffic payloads are compressed and optimized in real time, speeding transmission of content to modem and broadband users, and at the same time reducing bandwidth usage and increasing server capacity.
"The dramatic drop in bandwidth consumption has considerably reduced our telecommunications bills — enough so that we recouped our investment in the Redline devices in a very short period of time," Maigre said. "We have also seen major improvements in client connection quality; now even the largest pages can be downloaded in less than 10 seconds. This deployment has been a real success for voyages-sncf.com and our joint venture partner, Expedia."
"The Redline units manage all HTTP session requests from the client, dramatically reducing server overhead," Anders said. "This has not only improved our Web site performance, but it will also lead to major savings on the amount of bandwidth GTA has to purchase in the future. This will future-proof GTA against anticipated bandwidth demand, and ensure that customers in our key markets enjoy quicker upload and download speeds so they can complete bookings and other online transactions quickly and efficiently."
About Redline Networks
Redline Networks designs and manufactures network appliances that maximize the performance, flexibility, and scalability of Web-enabled enterprise data centers. The company's family of E|X enterprise application processors, deployed at corporate data centers, and T|X Web I/O processors, used by Web sites, enable users to control and customize any HTTP-based environment while reducing infrastructure cost and complexity. Redline is a privately-held company based in Campbell, Calif. For more information on Redline and its products, visit http://www.RedlineNetworks.com.
