Netli, a start-up based in Palo Alto, California, launched its NetLightning service to provide high availability, secure, transparent access to Web applications with global sub-second response times. The service is designed address the problems of performance and reliability for HTTP and SSL based Web applications. The service speeds up response times for Web applications while enabling consolidation to a single data center for global access. The implementation is completely transparent to the application provider and their customers. No changes to server software, applications, or clients are required.
The NetLightning service is implemented through Netli’s Reliable Application Platform for Instant Delivery (RAPID) service architecture. The platform is comprised of 13 globally distributed Virtual Data Centers (VDCs), global DNS redirection and IP address mapping system, a proprietary high-performance long-haul transport protocol and content optimization software. NetLightning customers delegate the DNS processing for a Web application to Netli. When an end user accesses an application, the browser is transparently redirected to the nearest Virtual Data Center, where it is converted from TCP to Netli’s long-haul optimized transport protocol. Netli software at an Application Access Point (AAP) converts the optimized protocols back to standard HTTP for the final, short connection to the customer’s Web application servers. AAPs are 1U Linux boxes that can be installed anywhere, including Netli’s own VDCs, specific POPs, or ideally in the customer’s own data center. The returned data stream is optimized by the AAP software and is then transported across the Internet to the Virtual Data Center closest to the end user. HP, Nielsen//NetRatings and Millipore are already customers of the service, which typically costs between $10,000 – $15,000 per month per application. Netli is targeting enterprises with global data applications as well as service providers that could use its technology as an embedded system for network performance enhancement.
http://www.netli.com
- Since its founding in 1999, Netli has raised over $21 million in equity financing from leading venture capital firms including Morgenthaler Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Alta Partners, Nokia Venture Partners, and Leapfrog Ventures. The company raised it last round in May 2002.
Netli has 42 employees.
Netli is led by CEO John K. Peters, who was previously the founding CEO of Sigma Networks, a provider of metropolitan area broadband network services. Prior to Sigma Networks, Mr. Peters was Executive VP for Concentric Network Corporation.
