Today’s networks demand fast, reliable connectivity to support digital technologies that improve productivity. In addition, work-from-home movements and BYOD have increased remote access needs.
To meet these demands, IT teams are embracing SD-WAN architecture. The solution creates a network overlay, decoupling network software services from hardware-provided WAN links such as MPLS, fiber, broadband, and LTE.
Cost-Effective
A traditional WAN requires extensive manual configurations to differentiate and segment traffic. The process is complex and time-consuming. And it takes IT staff away from deploying and troubleshooting new hardware. In contrast, SD-WAN automates many of these tasks and allows for the efficient management of network policies from a central location. This frees up resources that can be dedicated to other business initiatives.
SD-WAN also helps lower IT costs. It enables organizations to reduce their dependency on expensive MPLS circuits by sending low-priority data over cheaper public internet connections and reserving private links for mission-critical or latency-sensitive applications. The result is higher application performance and reduced IT spending on bandwidth.
SD-WAN explained to be eliminating the need for costly routers in branch offices. Typically, this will result in short-term savings on upfront costs and long-term savings on ongoing operational costs. This is particularly true if the SD-WAN solution can retire legacy routers at the end of life or when it’s time for a WAN refresh.
In addition, an SD-WAN solution can be unified under a single pane of glass to simplify network management. This will reduce the number of software and hardware tools IT staff need to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot, making the operation more efficient. It will also help streamline security and compliance. This will allow IT teams to focus on new, high-impact business projects that can drive innovation and growth.
Flexible
SD-WAN technology creates a logical overlay network that dictates how data is transmitted across the underlying physical infrastructure. This enables organizations to reduce reliance on expensive MPLS connections, using low-cost Internet and cellular links. It also optimizes applications and prioritizes critical business applications to ensure bandwidth availability, stability, and performance.
Unlike traditional WANs, which require costly hardware to manage networks, SD-WAN is software-based and virtualized. This allows it to run on existing customer-premises equipment and eliminates the need for onsite installation and maintenance. It’s also a flexible platform hosting a wide range of enterprise-managed services.
SD-WAN also delivers enhanced flexibility with a single management interface that enables you to connect branch offices easily, add new locations, and perform software and firmware updates with a click of a button. It also offers centralized control over the entire network, which reduces complexity and operational costs.
Finally, SD-WAN can help you deliver enhanced application performance, reducing latency and optimizing bandwidth with intelligent routing. This includes identifying and classifying applications and automatically steering them to designated network slices based on their unique requirements. For example, a policy could recognize Microsoft Teams traffic and steer it to a dedicated slice with higher performance and lower latency. This also lets you minimize reliance on expensive MPLS links by sending lower-priority data over cheaper internet connections and reserving private links for high-performance, mission-critical applications.
Simplified
Traditionally, IT specialists had to manually configure connectivity for new or relocated branch offices using complicated MPLS routers. The new SD-WAN technology, based on Network Function Virtualization (NFV), simplifies this process. It offers an easy-to-use management interface that allows IT teams to set paths to applications, upgrade firmware and software, and flex bandwidth based on real-time performance data. This reduces IT overhead and improves security.
The technology enables employees to access centralized apps and services without impacting the network performance of local devices at remote locations, which helps to boost productivity. Additionally, it enables secure connections for IoT and other connected devices. And since the technology encrypts data in transit, it ensures that even if an employee’s device is compromised, the company’s data remains protected.
In addition, it enables small business owners to control their networks and reduce dependency on telcos, which may lower IT expenditures. The solution also helps them save on equipment, office space, and rent, as employees can work remotely from home. Moreover, it eliminates the need for onsite IT specialists and reduces the time to resolve issues. Moreover, IT staff can focus on more high-level tasks, contributing to organizational growth and success. SD-WAN is the perfect choice for small businesses looking to cut costs and improve performance.
Secure
SD-WAN uses software optimization instead of traditional hardware infrastructure to control network operations. It replaces multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and frame relay with secure connections between remote locations and a central data center using broadband links and other existing Internet services.
SD-WAN eliminates expensive MPLS circuits and reduces OPEX by enabling branch offices to connect to cloud applications over the Internet, Wi-Fi, or LTE. This increases bandwidth efficiency and improves application performance without sacrificing security and compliance.
Unlike MPLS, which requires expensive equipment at each site, an SD-WAN solution utilizes virtual appliances in the cloud to provide advanced security. It can establish a VPN connection to cloud applications over standard broadband, providing redundancy and flexibility. It also prevents data from being exposed to malicious actors on the Internet by encrypting information, making it difficult for anyone to intercept it, including hackers and nation-states.
Ronald is a business editor who writes about various topics such as technology, health and finance. He works along with the colourful folks that build a nation through tech startups. He is also a professional football player and video games enthusiast.
