Split termination for secure communication protocols

Transaction accelerators can be configured to terminate secure connections. A server-side accelerator intercepts a secure connection request that is from a client and that is directed to a server. The server-side accelerator responds to the secure connection request in place of the server, thereby establishing a secure connection between the client and the server-side accelerator. Alternatively, the server-side accelerator monitors the establishment of a secure connection between the client and the server. After the secure connection has been established, the server-side accelerator forwards security information to a client-side accelerator, enabling the client-side accelerator to assume control of the secure connection. As a result of this arrangement, the client-side accelerator is able to encrypt and decrypt data on the secure connection and accelerate it in cooperation with the server-side accelerator. In a further embodiment, the accelerated traffic between accelerators is carried across the network via another secure connection.