Riverbed has launched Virtual Steelhead, a virtual version of its Steelhead wide area network (WAN) optimisation appliance, which enables customers to deploy WAN optimisation offerings in a wider range of environments.

The company the new offering enables customers to deploy WAN optimisation offerings in environments that may have specialised requirements, such as environments with space limitations, and ruggedised environments or data centres that have been heavily virtualised.

According to Riverbed, service providers and systems integrators that deliver managed services based on Riverbed WAN optimisation, can now have the option to deliver a virtualised offering.

The company claims that to meet the demand for more deployment options, the new WAN optimisation offering has been developed with mobile, physical and virtual form factors.

The company said that the Virtual Steelhead is expected to be generally available in Q3 2010.