It is a suitable setting after F5 Networks Inc. swung a deal with Ameritrade, under which the online broker will deploy the Seattle firm's iTCM products "to optimize system availability and performance for its customers managing accounts and placing agency trades over the Internet." Ameritrade is using BIG-IP, F5's local load balancing product, 3-DNS, its global load balancing product, and SEE-IT, a network management tool to enhance its website's uptime and availability through additional back-up channels to provide greater reliability.

"Our technology investment has enabled us to set the standard for speed, efficiency and outstanding customer experience," said Jim Ditmore, Ameritrade Holding Corporation's chief information officer. "F5's iTCM products will continue to play an important role in our effort to enhance the customer's trading experience through our ongoing use of best-in-class technology."

F5 Networks says it is involved in Internet Traffic and Content Management with and "award winning" integrated suite of high-performance "best of breed" products that provide an end-to-end solution for automatically and intelligently managing Internet content and traffic globally.