Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (i) configuring a packet filtering policy at least in part by defining an attribute map and a set of network-packet filtering rules that use logical groupings of distinguishing attributes as input parameters, (ii) after configuring the packet filtering policy, receiving an incoming network packet, (iii) extracting distinguishing attributes from the incoming network packet, (iv) translating, based on the attribute map, the distinguishing features extracted from the incoming network packet into logical groupings associated with the network packet, and (v) applying the packet filtering policy to the incoming network packet by using the logical groupings associated with the network packet as input parameters to the filtering rules. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for optimizing secure communications. A client can use an authentication protocol, e.g., Kerberos, to authenticate with the server. Specifically, the client can obtain a service ticket from a ticket granting server, and then use the service ticket to authenticate with the server. The server can respond by providing an encrypted session key. The session key can then be used by the client and server to securely communicate with each other. A wide area network (WAN) optimization device described in this disclosure is capable of obtaining the session key without decrypting the service ticket. Specifically, the WAN optimization device can use information other than the service ticket to obtain the session key.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling optimization of communications within a networked computing environment requiring secure, authenticated client-server communication connections. Optimization is performed by a pair of intermediary network devices installed in a path of communications between the client and the server. A secure, authenticated communication connection between the client and server is split-terminated at a pair of intermediary network devices by intercepting a request from the client for a client-server connection, authenticating the client at the intermediaries, establishing a first secure, authenticated connection to the client, authenticating the client or an intermediary to the server, and establishing a second secure, authenticate connection to the server. Depending on the operative authentication protocol (e.g., NTLM, Kerberos), an intermediary may interface with a domain controller, key distribution center or other entity.