The Cisco ACE Module achieves these goals through a broad set of intelligent Layer 4 load balancing and Layer 7 content switching technologies integrated with leading edge acceleration and security capabilities. A key design element of Cisco ACEand a differentiator, versus other solutions in the marketplace, is its ability to leverage virtualized architecture and role-based administration to streamline and reduce the cost of operations involved with rolling out, scaling, accelerating and protecting applications.To maximize application availability, the Cisco ACE module leverages best-in-class application switching algorithms coupled with highly available system software and hardware.The Cisco ACE Module provides best-in-industry scalability and throughput for managing application traffic, up to 16Gbps in a single module and 64Gbps with four modules in a single Catalyst 6500 switch chassis, upgradeable via software licenses or new module additions, thus providing IT with long-term investment protection and scalability. Additionally, via its unique virtualization capabilities, Cisco ACE enables IT to provision and deliver a broad range of multiple applications from a single Cisco ACE module or appliance, bringing increased scalability for application provisioning to the data center.The Cisco ACE Module greatly improves server efficiency through both highly flexible application traffic management, as well as offloading CPU-intensive tasks such as SSL encryption/decryption processing and TCP session management.Cisco ACE is designed to serve as a last line of defense for servers and applications in data centers. The Cisco ACE Module performs deep packet inspection and blocks malicious attacks. An integrated firewall enables IT professionals to comprehensively secure high-value applications in the data center and facilitates consolidation in data center.