Preface

Preface

This preface describes who should read the Cisco Wide Area Application Services Configuration Guide, how it is organized, and its document conventions. It contains the following sections:

Audience

This guide is for experienced network administrators who are responsible for configuring and maintaining the Cisco Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) network.

You should be familiar with the basic concepts and terminology used in internetworking, and understand your network topology and the protocols that the devices in your network can use. You should also have a working knowledge of the operating systems on which you are running your WAAS network, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, or Solaris.

Document Organization

This guide is organized as follows:

 

Chapter
Title
Description

Chapter 1

Introduction to Cisco WAAS

Provides an overview of the WAAS product and its features.

Chapter 2

Planning Your WAAS Network

Provides general guidelines and preparation information you should read before installing the WAAS product in your network.

Chapter 3

Using Device Groups and Device Locations

Describes how to create groups that make it easier to manage and configure multiple devices at the same time This chapter also covers device locations.

Chapter 4

Configuring AppNav

Describes how to configure your WAAS network using the AppNav deployment model.

Chapter 5

Configuring Traffic Interception

Describes the WAAS software support for intercepting all TCP traffic in an IP-based network.

Chapter 6

Configuring Network Settings

Describes how to configure interfaces and basic network settings like DNS and CDP.

Chapter 7

Configuring Administrative Login Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting

Describes how to centrally configure administrative login authentication, authorization, and accounting for WAEs in your WAAS network.

Chapter 8

Creating and Managing Administrator User Accounts and Groups

Describes how to create device-based CLI accounts and roles-based accounts from the WAAS Central Manager GUI.

Chapter 9

Creating and Managing IP Access Control Lists for WAAS Devices

Describes how to centrally create and manage Internet Protocol (IP) access control lists (ACLs) for your WAEs.

Chapter 10

Configuring Other System Settings

Describes how to perform various other system configuration tasks such as specifying an NTP server and setting the time zone on a device.

Chapter 11

Using the WAE Device Manager GUI

Describes how to use the WAE Device Manager GUI to configure and manage individual WAEs in your network.

Chapter 12

Configuring File Services

Describes how to configure Common Internet File System (CIFS) acceleration, which allows branch office users to more efficiently access data stored at centralized data centers.

Chapter 13

Configuring Application Acceleration

Describes how to configure the application policies on your WAAS system that determine the types of application traffic that is accelerated over your WAN.

Chapter 14

Configuring Virtual Blades

Describes how to configure virtual blades, which emulate another computer in your WAAS device.

Chapter 15

Configuring the Network Analysis Module

Describes how to configure and use the Cisco Network Analysis Module (NAM) in the WAAS Central Manager.

Chapter 16

Maintaining Your WAAS System

Describes the tasks you may need to perform to maintain your WAAS system.

Chapter 17

Monitoring and Troubleshooting Your WAAS Network

Describes the monitoring and troubleshooting tools available in the WAAS Central Manager GUI that can help you identify and resolve issues with your WAAS system.

Chapter 18

Configuring SNMP Monitoring

Describes how to configure SNMP traps, recipients, community strings and group associations, user security model groups, and user access permissions.

Appendix A

Predefined Optimization Policy

Lists the predefined applications and classifiers that WAAS will either optimize or pass through based on the policies that are provided with the system.

Appendix B

Transaction Log Format

Describes the transaction log format.

Document Conventions

Command descriptions use these conventions:

 

boldface font

Commands and keywords are in boldface.

italic font

Arguments for which you supply values are in italics.

[ ]

Elements in square brackets are optional.

[ x | y | z ]

Optional alternative keywords are grouped in brackets and separated by vertical bars.

Screen examples use these conventions:

 

screen font

Terminal sessions and information the switch displays are in screen font.

boldface screen font

Information you must enter is in boldface screen font.

italic screen font

Arguments for which you supply values are in italic screen font.

< >

Nonprinting characters, such as passwords, are in angle brackets.

[ ]

Default responses to system prompts are in square brackets.

!, #

An exclamation point (!) or a pound sign (#) at the beginning of a line of code indicates a comment line.

This document uses the following conventions:


Note Means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to material not covered in the manual.



Caution Means reader be careful. In this situation, you might do something that could result in equipment damage or loss of data.


Tip Means the following information will help you solve a problem. Tips might not be troubleshooting or even an action, but could help you save time.


Related Documentation

For additional information on the Cisco WAAS software and hardware, see the following documentation:

Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

For information on obtaining documentation, submitting a service request, and gathering additional information, see the monthly What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation, which also lists all new and revised Cisco technical documentation, at:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/whatsnew/whatsnew.html

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