What is SD-WAN?

Software-Defined Wide-Area Networking also known as SD-WAN, or software-defined wide area network, is a technique that uses software to establish connections for wide area (WAN) networks, helping they become smarter and more flexible.

Typically, SD-WAN begins with establishing WAN connections between branches through commercial broadband internet connections instead of using leased lines (often based on old, expensive technology. called MPLS). In addition, SD-WAN access policies and configurations can be centrally managed for all branches without the need to manually administer individual WAN devices.

Secure SD WAN

Why is SD-WAN important?

Digital transformation makes the use of modern applications and technologies based on cloud computing increasingly popular. Its purpose is to set the stage for new ways of doing business that are causing changes in all areas of economics and life.

The first challenge of digital transformation lies in the fact that organizations and enterprises need to ensure that their increasingly distributed workforce has access to the system securely, quickly, anytime, anywhere. . Unfortunately, the traditional methods of connection often distracting offices and branches, hindering the need for digital transformation.

The traditional “hub-and-spoke” WAN model built on private leased channels can quickly be overwhelmed by the growing popularity of applications like Office 365, video training and TV affair. In such environments, the IT department faces a huge challenge how to optimize network performance without getting caught in the endless turmoil of increasing investment costs in the road. transmit, upgrade hardware and reconfigure the network many times.

Today, organizations and businesses need to have agile, flexible and cost-effective IT solutions if they want to compete effectively. They need solutions that are easy to implement, highly scalable, and meet the growing and changing needs of every day. Additionally, in a world where downtime can have a huge impact on both reputation and business results, businesses need to be sure that the network solutions they choose are available at all times. place.

SD-WAN is considered as a solution that can solve this problem harmoniously. In particular, these new methods also bring businesses benefits such as flexible scalability and increased security for the system. That is why SD-WAN is and will become one of the most popular networking solutions today.

Difference between traditional WAN and SD-WAN

Just a few years ago, Organizations and Enterprises began racing to improve their existing networks by investing heavily in special leased transmission channels, dedicated network equipment and experts. operate in the establishment of WAN networks. Years later, they often have trouble spending days and even weeks configuring the device to work properly on their network.

SD-WAN is born as a new technology with a different mechanism of operation. It allows companies to use commercial broadband internet connections from any of the available service providers (ISPs) at each branch, instead of renting out special, expensive channels like MPLS lines from telecom providers. Some SD-WAN solutions even intelligently mix and combine different connection technologies and ISPs, increasing the overall performance of the network at each branch.

Configuration of all devices at branches can be centrally managed, eliminating the need to manually edit settings on a device-by-device basis. Existing administrators can view the state of the entire system fully, on a single administration interface without having to access individual WAN routers. So they get an overview of current events and respond more quickly to problems and potential risks of system unsafety.

The benefits that SD-WAN brings

  • Many businesses or Government Agencies turn to SD-WAN to reduce or eliminate their dependence on costly MPLS channels. However, that is just the beginning of what SD-WAN can bring to organizations and businesses:
  • Save on investment costs: SD-WAN can minimize ongoing operating costs by switching from expensive MPLS channels to commercial broadband internet connections like FTTH, DSL, or even other cellular wave technology.
    Enhanced performance for cloud applications: With SD-WAN, new connections can be added quickly and easily to branches that need more bandwidth. And by connecting branches directly to the internet, SD-WAN reduces the bottlenecks and latency often encountered with older WAN networks.
  • Utilize multiple connections simultaneously: Traditional WAN environments often use a single network connection that goes into each branch. With SD-WAN, multiple connections from different ISPs can be used concurrently for mutual redundancy, eliminating the risk of losing connection when one line fails.
  • Increased flexibility: When businesses expand a new office or branch, time is money. SD-WAN allows you to set up a reliable and secure WAN in the shortest time using any internet connection from any of the most suitable ISPs.
  • Optimized resource usage: SD-WAN allows businesses to intelligently allocate connections to key applications with a variety of connections, including internal routes as well as Internet connections. , and also set different quality of service (QoS) control for each connection. This allows Enterprises to use the right resources in each specific situation to maximize efficiency and productivity while ensuring the need to cut costs.

 

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