Riverbed Technology announced that it has licensed Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for integration on the Riverbed Steelhead appliance through the Riverbed Services Platform (RSP). The RSP is a virtualized partition within the Steelhead appliance that allows customers to deploy applications critical to the branch office as virtualized services on the appliance, enabling them to further consolidate their IT infrastructure.

This agreement further strengthens Riverbed's relationship with Microsoft. In August 2008, Riverbed joined the Microsoft Protocol Optimization Licensing Program (POLP). Through this protocol implementation agreement, Microsoft gives Riverbed access to its intellectual property so that Riverbed can build on its expertise and success accelerating and optimizing Windows-based applications over the wide area network (WAN). Participation in POLP, combined with Riverbed's licensing of Windows Server 2008, gives enterprises that have standardized on Microsoft a proven platform for IT consolidation.

Riverbed will offer the optional Windows Server 2008 operating system pre-installed on the RSP, allowing customers to leverage this open platform to run Windows server. The Windows Server 2008 services that will be offered on the Steelhead appliances initially include Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Active Directory, Windows streaming and print services.

Riverbed has joined Microsoft's Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP) and successfully validated its Steelhead appliance to facilitate joint support for customers running Windows Server 2008 on the RSP. In addition, Riverbed is promoting awareness of the integrated solution among channel resellers and customers by offering business frameworks and marketing programs.

With the combination of Windows Server 2008 infrastructure services and the Riverbed Steelhead appliances, mutual customers can simplify their branch office infrastructure, while ensuring application performance for end users.