What is
SD-WAN?

Dynamic network management to optimise efficiency and drive innovation

What is SD-WAN?

Dynamic network management to optimise efficiency and drive innovation

SD-WAN is a more recent innovation that leverages the flexibility of software to manage network traffic across various methods of transport connectivity, including Fibre Broadband, Cellular, and MPLS. SD-WAN prioritises applications and dynamically routes traffic based on current network conditions, which can result in significant cost savings by using less expensive links without compromising on performance. Furthermore, the ability to manage and optimise traffic through a centralised orchestrator provides greater control and insight into network performance.

WHY SD-WAN?

This agility allows businesses to scale quickly and adapt to changing network demands. SD-WAN is therefore ideal for organisations who are looking to modernise their network infrastructure to accommodate an increasingly distributed workforce and the increasing pace of Cloud transformation, without significant investment in hardware. When additional levels of performance and reliability are required, maintaining MPLS as an underlay transport technology for SD-WAN often proves highly effective.

But while SD-WAN has revolutionised networking, it does not directly address the complex security challenges created by the geographically dispersed nature of the modern workforce, and its resulting reliance on Cloud-based solutions.

ADVANTAGES

Highly scalable and agile networking
Reduces ongoing hardware costs
Performance and availability of key applications can be optimised
Enables a holistic view and full control of the entire network

DISADVANTAGES

An MPLS underlay may still be necessary
Requires a local ISP or connection contracts
Additional security solutions (i.e. a separate branch firewall or secure web gateway) will be required
Options for branch-to-Cloud access are limited