Methods and apparatus for determining and displaying wan optimization attributes for individual transactions

An apparatus for associating WAN optimization attributes with performance metrics of transactions between hosts on a network includes a network management device, a processor, and a display device. The network management device monitors data traffic between hosts communicating over the network and collects WAN optimization information relating to the data traffic. The data traffic includes individual flows between the hosts, and the individual flows include individual transactions involving exchanges of packets. The processor computes at least one performance metric for individual transactions between the hosts and determines what types, if any, of WAN optimization were applied to the individual transactions. The display device displays on an individual transaction basis the performance metric in combination with either the types of WAN optimization applied to the individual transaction or an indication that no WAN optimization was applied to the individual transaction.