As a decision-maker, you don’t ordinarily need to understand every technical detail behind the systems that make your organisation tick. However, with technology advancing apace, staying ahead of the curve is essential. As technology evolves, so do the options for optimising network architecture. One such option that has gained prominence is Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN).
What is SD-WAN?
To understand how SD-WAN works, we first have to understand the challenges it addresses.
Even in relatively straightforward businesses, multiple devices are connected to networks. These devices need to be configured and managed. This can result in complexity in network operations and maintenance and a less-than perfect user experience.
Network devices essentially operate on three planes: management, control, and data or forwarding. In traditional networking, each of these planes operates independently. To address the complexity that flows from this, software defined (SD) networking was developed.
In essence, a central management unit manages all the network devices. This model also allows for the automation of basic network monitoring and troubleshooting, continually aligning the network to current business needs.
Your WAN is your Wide Area Network. It consists of Local Area Networks (LANs) and other networks that must communicate with one another.
With these two concepts clarified it’s easy to see that SD-WAN automatically manages your wide area network, harmonising the devices that make it work while constantly troubleshooting and monitoring your network.
In practice, this means you can connect and coordinate users, applications, and data while constantly improving performance and network reliability through automated centralised control of your network.
However, the decision of whether to embrace SD-WAN or stick with your current network solution is not to be taken lightly.
SD-WAN vs MPLS and SD-WAN vs VPN
With a profusion of acronyms to sort through, you may be wondering how SD-WAN stacks up against MPLS or VPN-based models. When it comes to MPLS, it’s hardware-based and can’t accommodate multiple vendors. At the same time, it’s very fast, and although it’s an older technology, it might still be relevant in specific scenarios due to offering various other benefits including reliability, scalability, cost-effectiveness, efficiency and reliability.
SD-WAN is software-based and allows your people to connect using any form of connection at their disposal – including MPLS. The right solution always depends on context, and hybrids can, at times, work very well!
VPNs are all about providing a connection that prioritises privacy and security. In SD-WAN networks, they contribute to network security. However, they’re unable to manage your network infrastructure in the same way that SD-WAN or even MPLS does.
The Promise of SD-WAN
SD-WAN has captured the attention of IT professionals worldwide with its potential to reshape network operations and enhance connectivity. SD-WAN benefits can be summed up as:
- Enhanced Agility: SD-WAN introduces a dynamic approach to resource allocation, enabling your network to adapt swiftly to changing demands. This agility can lead to faster deployment of new services, applications, and sites.
- Application Performance: With intelligent traffic routing, SD-WAN ensures optimal performance by selecting the best path for data based on factors like latency and bandwidth. This can lead to improved user experiences and more reliable applications.
- Cost Efficiency: SD-WAN’s ability to combine cost-effective internet connections with traditional circuits can lead to reduced bandwidth expenses and a more flexible network infrastructure.
- Security Reinforcement: Advanced security features, including centralised control and consistent policies, make SD-WAN a robust option for enhancing your network’s defences.
How is Managed SD-WAN Implemented?
Part of the beauty of SD-WAN is that it works with just about any existing hardware. That’s because it’s a software-based solution. It’s configured to manage various types and volumes of traffic, adapting as needed while simultaneously being more reliable and secure than traditional WAN networks.
The centralised control plane routes traffic based on the rules and policies that network administrators write, keeping you in control of decision-making and resource allocation. At the same time, the need to individually manage gateways and routers is significantly reduced and often completely eliminated.
Just as SD-WAN doesn’t require specific hardware, it also manages traffic across all the vehicles used to connect, for example, MPLS, broadband, LTE, etc. In addition, virtual private networks (VPNs) are installed to bolster security across WAN connections.
With the operational parameters having been predetermined, SD-WAN networks allow for the automation of network management while gathering and analysing network activity data. This allows you to monitor activity on auto, even recognising suspicious activity without human intervention.
What Are the Risks of Implementing SD-WAN?
SD-WAN benefits may seem compelling, but is there an elephant in the room? The issues you may encounter include:
- Trying to implement SD-WAN without outside help can be very costly. There’s a need to partner with service providers to realise economies of scale and reduce implementation and management costs.
- Overlooking the need for advanced cybersecurity measures. Accepting traffic from just about every kind of network can lead to increased threat-exposure. A professional provider should have a robust approach to cybersecurity.
- Teething troubles. To implement SD-WAN, network modifications may be necessary. In addition, issues like configuration conflicts can arise. Disruption can be avoided or minimised by carefully planning for a smooth transition and ensuring that support is on hand and on high alert during initial implementation.
- Quality of service constraints. Even with effective SD-WAN, you’re relying on network service providers to provide bandwidth. This potential issue can be overcome by establishing redundant connections to fall back on.
There are certainly risks to the implementation of managed SD-WAN, but with an experienced service-provider to guide you through the process, plan and implement the transition, and be on hand for support, seamless or near-seamless transitions are possible.
Why Choose Advantex for Your Transition to SD-WAN?
With over two decades in creating bespoke enterprise solutions, we’ve been working with clients to help them make the change to SD-WAN for years. With multiple accreditations to our name, our services have benefited organisations ranging from schools to manufacturing concerns, transportation networks and more.
We know what matters to you: speed, reliability, security, and service, and our track-record and case studies show that we’re more than equal to the challenge of providing them. We believe in offering a best-fit approach – assessing your networking needs and developing your IT architecture accordingly.
Talk to us about your connectivity requirements and discover evidence-based solutions that work for you. Wondering if you need an SD-WAN system? Need specialised support for your existing networks? Our focus on positive outcomes ensures that we never offer you more – or less – than you really need. Get the Advantex advantage today.
