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What steps improve throughput between data centers connected by long-distance links?
Asked on Nov 01, 2025
Answer
Improving throughput between data centers connected by long-distance links involves optimizing network configurations and protocols to reduce latency and increase data transfer rates. Techniques such as WAN optimization, traffic shaping, and protocol tuning can significantly enhance performance.
- Implement WAN optimization appliances or software to compress and deduplicate data, reducing the amount of data transmitted over the link.
- Utilize TCP window scaling and adjust TCP buffer sizes to accommodate higher latency links, allowing more data to be in transit before requiring acknowledgment.
- Configure Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize critical traffic and ensure bandwidth is allocated efficiently across the link.
- Enable Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) or Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) to optimize routing paths and improve redundancy.
- Monitor link performance using network monitoring tools to identify and address bottlenecks or congestion issues promptly.
Additional Comment:
- Consider using a dedicated high-speed link if consistent high throughput is required.
- Evaluate the use of data compression techniques to reduce the volume of data transmitted.
- Ensure that network devices along the path are configured to handle increased throughput and are not bottlenecks themselves.
- Regularly review and update network configurations to adapt to changing traffic patterns and requirements.
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