Barracuda Networks Optimizes SD-WAN Traffic With Patented Erasure Correction Technology From Steinwurf

California-based Barracuda Networks and Denmark-based Steinwurf ApS announce an OEM relationship to use Steinwurf’s Kodo Software libraries to add Erasure Correcting Codes (ECC) with the Barracuda CloudGen Firewall.

The network world is transitioning from the use of dedicated leased lines like MPLS toward SD-WAN with uplinks provided by shared broadband lines. Analyst firm Gartner predicts that 60 percent of all companies will have adopted SD-WAN technology by 2024.¹ Widespread acceptance of SD-WAN creates new network challenges.

Even as providers increase bandwidth, companies using SD-WAN on broadband compete for the best slices of the public internet in fierce competition with other adopters of SD-WAN, webinar providers, increased work-from-home traffic, and the emergence of new streaming services.

Where packet loss causes retransmissions, and retransmissions cause latency spikes and bottlenecks in broadband lines, currently the SD-WAN solution may automatically switch traffic to MPLS. So even as customers move to SD-WAN, they often keep MPLS as part of the internet uplink mix, as a reliability backstop.

To overcome these limitations, Barracuda CloudGen Firewall uses Kodo to enable patented erasure correction technology provided by Steinwurf. This breakthrough technology is based on a new set of algorithms in the category of random linear network codes (RLNC) designed for high-speed networking across lossy lines such as internet broadband. Kodo’s algorithms based on RLNC codes react much faster to losses and remediate these faster on the fly, practically eliminating retransmissions using only a minimum amount of correction overhead in the networking equipment.

Benefits

• Barracuda chose to use Steinwurf’s Kodo solution because of the following advantages:
• End user experience is greatly enhanced across lossy lines in the SD-WAN compound
• The technology adapts to changing network conditions very quickly and largely eliminates the need to retransmit network packages
• Latency minimization with increased reliability in SD-WAN
• Small footprint requirements on the CloudGen Firewall devices
• Generally imperceptible performance overhead
• Available for all form factors from small home office desktops to large commercial headquarters devices as well as all virtual and cloud editions
• Fast and straightforward integration of the technology into networking stack and Barracuda’s security modules

About Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
Firewalls today provide security, uninterrupted network availability and robust access to cloud-hosted applications from anywhere.

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall is a family of physical, virtual, and cloud-based appliances that combine full uplink and bandwidth optimization provided by SD-WAN technology with multiple protection levels expected of a next-generation firewall in one easy-to-manage solution.

About Steinwurf’s Kodo Software Libraries
The Kodo software libraries provide fully tested, easy-to-integrate, and high-performance algorithms for transport and storage systems to adopt fast, dynamic, and lightweight next- generation erasure coding implementing Random Linear Network Coding (RLNC).

As implemented for the Barracuda CloudGen Firewall, Kodo avoids packet retransmissions by estimating losses and interleaving ECC repair packets in the data stream to be used by the receiver to recover lost packets on the fly. Unlike competitor codes, Kodo simultaneously increases reliability and dramatically decreases worst-case latency, and as a result improves user quality of experience (QoE).

Steinwurf’s products are currently deployed in connected cars, multimedia distribution, underwater communications, and cloud solutions.

About Barracuda
At Barracuda we strive to make the world a safer place. We believe every business deserves access to cloud-enabled, enterprise-grade security solutions that are easy to buy, deploy, and use. We protect email, networks, data and applications with innovative solutions that grow and adapt with our customers’ journey. More than 200,000 organizations worldwide trust Barracuda to protect them — in ways they may not even know they are at risk — so they can focus on taking their business to the next level. For more information, visit barracuda.com. 

Barracuda Networks, Barracuda and the Barracuda Networks logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Barracuda Networks, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.

About Steinwurf
Steinwurf is the leading developer and integrator of high-performance erasure correcting codes (ECC) for critical products. Through the Kodo Software Library, Steinwurf provides patented algorithms for low-latency communication, reliable multicast, and scalable OTA distribution of

large files. In addition, Steinwurf offers off-the-shelf traditional ECC algorithms for integration in products where standard compliance or backward compatibility is required.

Steinwurf ensures their ECC components put customers ahead of the competition with all the support, help, and reliability expected from a next-generation software solution. For more information, visit www.steinwurf.com.

¹ https://www.sdxcentral.com/articles/news/sd-wan-to-clip-wan-edge-growth-gartner-predicts/2019/12/