In multi-site enterprises, where critical IP-based services and applications are being delivered to users distributed across several branch offices, the importance of a capable and high performing WAN infrastructure is clear. Given its nature, the WAN is often a traffic bottleneck and usually attracts blame when application performance does not meet end user expectations – whether it is actually culpable or not. IT leaders should recognize the practical value of employing monitoring tools to help manage both WAN performance and organizational expectations.