Proficient Networks, a start-up based in San Francisco, released a new version of its Network Policy Engine (NPE) for providing inbound WAN traffic control to an enterprise data center. The company said inbound bandwidth optimization is critical for applications such as disaster recovery, storage, database transactions and customer relationship management (CRM). Proficient's Network Policy Engine (NPE) appliance directs routers to avoid end-to-end network congestion, while controlling inbound traffic based on lowest cost per bit from multiple service providers. The new Pathfinder 2.2 software allows two Proficient NPEs to "tune" to each other across the WAN. Proficient said its solution requires no alterations to router forwarding behavior, or application configuration.
http://www.proficient.net
- In September 2002, Proficient Networks raised $12.5 million in a Series B-round of financing for its network optimization software. Proficient offers a Network Policy Engine that helps companies manage multiple Internet links. The Proficient Network Policy Engine applies performance-based routing policy while intelligently distributing the remaining traffic to minimize overall costs. The new funding was co-led by Horizon Ventures and BV Capital. Other participants in the round included previous investors, Canaan Partners and El Dorado Ventures.
- Proficient Networks is headed by Chris Vargas, who previously was president of F-Secure, a global provider of centrally managed security solutions. Prior to F-Secure, Vargas spent eight years at Cisco Systems, where he was director of marketing.
