There are many facets to consider when implementing a software-based wide-area network. From simplifying management and improving security to replacing MPLS pathways, SD-WAN is an excellent choice for the needs of modern businesses. Learn more about this new approach to wide-area network management in this article.
SD-WAN is a Software-Based Approach to Managing the Wide-Area Network
Software-defined wide-area networks, or SD-WAN, connect end-users to applications and route traffic according to business requirements. These requirements include application priority, security policies, and performance. While SD-WAN networking approaches vary based on the type of network, they all have one thing in common: a centralized control plane that monitors and adapts traffic according to application demands.
SD-WAN edge-platform solutions provide many benefits for organizations. For example, they improve network efficiency and help businesses increase return on investment on network architectures. They also enable better use of mobile and fixed computing capacity. In addition, SD-WAN reduces network administrators’ workload and manual network management.
SD-WAN is becoming increasingly popular for accessing cloud and data centers. The number of enterprises using SD-WAN is growing rapidly. With cloud services and private data centers becoming more widely available, it will make it easier for companies to access different data sources.
It Replaces MPLS Pathways with Broadband Internet
As the costs of private MPLS circuits rise, SD-WAN is a great alternative. This technology combines the benefits of broadband internet and application performance with access and security. SD-WAN reduces costs and complexity by removing the need for expensive routing hardware. In addition, companies can easily add additional bandwidth with SD-WAN.
Currently, CenturyLink and AT&T are extending their SD-WAN footprint into 30 countries. However, they use various technologies to meet customers’ demands and goals. CenturyLink reports that 90 percent of its customers have adopted SD-WAN.
MPLS circuits are a private network that accommodates a wide range of networking technologies. They are typically delivered by a service provider and provide high performance and reliability for traffic. However, unlike broadband internet, MPLS is more expensive per Mbps. In addition, businesses must choose between a service that offers reliable network connectivity and one that is affordable.
SD-WAN also enables companies to choose a more flexible routing solution. It is compatible with various connectivity options and can failover between them in the event of a network failure. In addition, SD-WAN can integrate with the cloud. Although MPLS can be used for cloud connectivity, it requires a direct route to the cloud provider’s infrastructure.
It Simplifies Management
In addition to allowing businesses to scale, SD-WAN can simplify management and reduce operational costs. Modern businesses need to handle increased bandwidth consumption, large file backups, and video streaming, and SD-WAN makes these tasks easier. It also offers centralized management and zero-touch provisioning. Regardless of how many devices are connected to the WAN, an SD-WAN will provide a unified management dashboard.
SD-WAN also reduces complexity by decoupling networking hardware from the network control plane. This allows administrators to easily configure network bandwidth without knowing the ins and outs of each device. Instead of manually setting up and maintaining connections to all locations, the SD-WAN controller automatically selects the best transport for each application. The result is a simpler, more robust network, which improves security and performance.
By centralizing the management of security policies across a single platform, SD-WAN is ideal for enterprises with multiple branch locations. This means they can enforce security policies without worrying about securing all of their systems. By contrast, traditional enterprise networking solutions must funnel traffic through the headquarters, which is inefficient for cloud applications and can compromise end-user performance.
It Improves Security
With the help of SD-WAN, businesses can automate security assurance. They can define policies based on applications, cloud-based services, and real-time traffic. They can also manage segmentation policies from one single point of control. As network configurations change, SD-WAN will automatically adjust. In addition, SD-WAN protects the traffic between locations by encrypting it with strong encryption. It also helps prevent user access to virus-filled websites.
SD-WAN also works with any internet connection, allowing businesses to utilize multiple internet service providers. It eliminates the need for backhauling traffic, giving workers access to business-critical applications from any location. It also offers increased security and prevents data loss due to network intrusions. Moreover, it works seamlessly with cloud applications.
Another advantage of SD-WAN is that it helps network teams implement security patches and improve efficiency. They can instantly connect new applications and control network resources. Additionally, they can implement security measures by segmenting traffic.
