What is application aware routing and does Cato support it?

Application-aware routing is an innovative routing capability that enables the intelligent distribution of network traffic based on specific application requirements. By leveraging network rules, Cato empowers organizations to route their applications over preferred Wide Area Network (WAN) links, optimizing performance and enhancing user experience.

One notable use case for application-aware routing is the optimization of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) traffic. Cato’s solution ensures that SaaS traffic is directed toward a Point of Presence (PoP) or a customer-assigned IP address, both strategically positioned close to the physical location of the SaaS application. By leveraging Cato’s private and guaranteed network infrastructure, organizations can achieve optimal performance for their SaaS applications.

For instance, imagine a scenario where a specific SaaS application is exclusively hosted in a Cloud Data Center near New York City, USA. In such a case, Cato allows the definition of a network rule that ensures the traffic for this application is routed through the Internet via the New York Cato PoP. This approach guarantees that the organization can employ a specific customer-assigned IP address for whitelisting purposes, providing an additional layer of security. By restricting access to the SaaS application to only the designated IP address, the organization can enhance security measures and minimize potential vulnerabilities.

With application-aware routing, Cato empowers businesses to take full control of their network traffic, ensuring that applications are directed along the most optimal paths. By leveraging this feature, organizations can maximize the performance of their critical applications, such as SaaS tools, by routing them through the closest PoP or customer-assigned IP address. This not only improves user experience but also enhances security by allowing the implementation of whitelisting measures. Cato’s application-aware routing feature offers a robust solution for organizations seeking to optimize their network infrastructure and deliver superior application performance while maintaining stringent security protocols.