Citrix acquires Quicktree for robust and scaleable Web 2.0 delivery

Citrix says it now expects to incorporate more robust XML processing across its NetScaler, WANScaler and Access Gateway products, delivering better optimised and secure application delivery. The firm makes the point that enterprise application development and architectures are changing fast as mash-ups emerge and user interfaces become richer under AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML). It’s also the case that applications themselves are being componentised using SOA (service-oriented architectures). So while businesses get more flexibility and standardisation, there are additional challenges for IT managers trying to deliver the applications to users’ desktops. One way round the problem is to deploy standalone XML appliances in the network, but Citrix suggests that incorporate XML processing directly into a company’s existing application delivery infrastructure will be far more scalable. Klaus Oestermann, vice president and general manager for application networking at Citrix, says that the firm will accomplish this by integrating QuickTree technology into the AppExpert policy framework, used by its application networking products to configure application- and user-specific policies. “As Web 2.0 technologies for the enterprise emerge, we see the increasing need for the entire application delivery infrastructure to be more XML-fluent,” says Oestermann. “With the acquisition of QuickTree’s core technology and engineering talent, Citrix is staying ahead of that trend.” NetScaler will get the technology first, enhancing its application traffic management, attack defence and optimisation features – used by an estimated 75% of all Internet users every day.