Case Study: UAE University achieves 300% reduction in registration downtime and accelerated Microsoft apps for 21,000 users with F5 Networks VIPRION

UAE University Depends on F5 to Accelerate Microsoft and Education Applications

UAE University turned to F5 Networks to address growing network and application performance problems that were impacting students and staff. As student numbers rose and the university prepared to deploy a SunGard portal and Microsoft collaboration tools (SharePoint, Exchange and Lync) for up to 21,000 users, the existing infrastructure produced slow responses and outages during peak events. To fix this, the university deployed F5 Networks Application Delivery Controllers—initially BIG-IP LTM ADCs and later upgraded to F5 VIPRION chassis and blades.

F5 Networks configured BIG-IP and VIPRION (using Microsoft iApps templates) to accelerate, load-balance and secure the university’s applications, with measurable results: an estimated >300% reduction in registration-system downtime, the registration period shortened from five weeks to three, and reliable support for more than 21,000 users. VIPRION also enables rolling maintenance without scheduled downtime and adds advanced protections (including DDoS defense), delivering faster, more available and more secure services for students and staff.

UAE University

Afraa Ali Al-Shamsi

CIO