Support information for Microsoft software that is used with non-Microsoft WAN optimization software and hardware (920598)

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WANs help organizations that have branch offices to share, organize, and synchronize data. To better use WANs, many organizations use Microsoft and non-Microsoft WAN optimization products that include wide area file services (WAFS).

The Distributed File System (DFS) is part of the software-based WAN optimization technology that is offered by Microsoft. DFS namespaces and DFS replication are integrated with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 to help administrators manage WANs and WAN bandwidth usage. Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 is also part of the Microsoft approach to WAN optimization. ISA Server 2004 combines advanced firewall, virtual private network (VPN), and Web cache functionality to improve network security and performance.

Other companies offer WAN optimization software and hardware products that may try to manipulate the higher level protocols that are used by Microsoft products. In some cases, the manipulation may be incompatible with the way that Microsoft products are intended to work. These higher level protocols include the Common Internet File System (CIFS) and MAPI.

Microsoft does not test or support Microsoft software that is running with non-Microsoft WAN optimization software or hardware. Microsoft requires that all problems that are reported with Microsoft WAN optimization software be reproduced independently from use of the non-Microsoft WAN optimization software or hardware. Where a problem is confirmed to be unrelated to the non-Microsoft WAN optimization software or hardware, Microsoft will support its software. This support will be consistent with the support that is provided when that software is not running with non-Microsoft WAN optimization software or hardware. Where non-Microsoft WAN optimization software or hardware is the root cause of the problem, Microsoft will direct customers to the manufacturer of the WAN optimization software or hardware for technical support.