What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide-Area Networking, is a hybrid wide area network (WAN) that is controlled via software to make wide area networks more intelligent and flexible. It typically begins with connecting sites directly to the internet over commodity broadband links instead of sending all traffic back to a regional office via private lines. Configurations and access policies are centrally managed and easily applied across all sites, removing the need to manual administer each WAN device individually. SD-WAN software manages the edge routers and offers more flexibility than the protocols built into standard routers. SD-WAN solutions provide a replacement for the traditional WAN routers and are agnostic to WAN transport technologies.
Why SD-WAN?
1. SD-WAN is cheaper than traditional WANs
SD-WAN offers several cost benefits over traditional WANs. SD-WAN limits hardware and personnel requirements for the network. With centralized control and virtualized edges in an SD-WAN, there is less need for IT teams to configure and maintain additional hardware at the branches.
SD-WAN also provides cost benefits by limiting the need for costly network connections. In particular, using dynamic path selection. As a result, SD-WAN is cheaper than traditional WANs.
2. Centralized Management
SD-WAN defines a policy-driven, centralized management interface that manages the traffic and monitors it. The dynamic path selection initiates- which means- that the path has been allotted to the application.
No matter, where the application is, all will be controlled and audited by the centralized management plane. It reduces complexity / difficulty & makes it easy to manage from a single zone and track the application & its performance.
3. Add Security to Organization
Security is another priority for modern businesses to consider. The implementation of SD-WANs removes the need for data to keep travelling back to the data centres as the security features are present at each endpoint.
The data encryption and advanced threat intelligence systems ensure that users, devices, and applications remain safe always.
4. Improve the user experience
Because an SD-WAN uses a central control function to direct traffic across the WAN, it increases application performance and enhances the user experience – along with increased user productivity and reduced IT costs.
SD-WANs can provide a superior cloud application performance from multiple clouds to multiple end users in multiple locations. If a link fails or there is degradation, the SD-WAN can route can dynamically route traffic between dedicated circuits and secure internet connections – without interruptions to essential applications.
How SD-WAN Works?
Many enterprises use WANs to connect branch offices to a variety of business-critical applications, including video-conferencing systems and more.
SD-WAN enables companies to create a hybrid WAN architecture that combines multiple MPLS, mobile, and broadband connections into a single, logical, virtualized application-delivery path that dynamically responds to network conditions.
And, unlike with a traditional WAN, companies can avoid upgrading network bandwidth to meet the demands of additional cloud services.
SD-WAN Managed Services
The Main feature of SD-WAN are simplified branch office connectivity, increased reliability, optimized application performance, and increased network agility. For many organizations, the fastest and most effective way to get an SD-WAN up and running is to understanding the organizational IT set up and choosing right managed services provider who specializes in setting up and managing SD-WAN architecture.
One of the most important advantages of outsourcing this service is that it allows in-house IT teams to continue focusing on high-value tasks such as developing innovative new services that will help the business to continue growing.
Partnering with a managed SD-WAN service provider ensures that organizations are able to free up the resources necessary for their technology teams to be more productive.