SD-WAN is a networking technology that helps ensure consistent application performance and resiliency. It also improves security by automating traffic steering based on business intent. Unlike traditional WAN architecture, SD-WAN uses a centralized control function to steer traffic securely and intelligently to trusted SaaS providers. This ensures a superior user experience and improves business productivity while reducing IT costs.

Easy Scalability

SD-WAN, or software-defined wide area network, is an increasingly popular network solution for organizations that need a reliable, secure internet connection. This new technology enables companies to scale and customize their network, making meeting the needs of different departments and locations easy. It also helps reduce costs by utilizing low-cost internet connections and cloud services. As a result, this solution offers many advantages to businesses.

An SD-WAN edge platform helps organizations adopt cloud computing strategies by allowing them to connect to public, hybrid, and private cloud infrastructures. It allows organizations to virtualize their networks, load-share over multiple links of any type, and integrate new network services. It also enables direct Internet access from any location. With SD-WAN, business operations can grow without worrying about the cost.

SD-WAN also offers opportunities for today’s businesses to address changing workforce trends. For example, it can provide a more flexible and scalable infrastructure to support the growth of virtual office infrastructure. According to Global Workplace Analytics, virtual office infrastructure is up 115 percent over the last decade, and regular telecommuting is growing 10 times faster than the overall workforce. To support this growth, businesses need to integrate several components. However, adding more components increases the network’s complexity and the risk associated with the deployment. SD-WAN provides a unified network architecture for businesses to control several connections without additional cost or risk.

Cloud-Based Delivery

Cloud-based SD-WAN delivery can greatly reduce the burden on in-house IT resources, particularly for larger organizations. A managed service provider can provide the necessary infrastructure and support for SD-WAN, removing all deployment, maintenance, and support challenges. However, a managed service provider should provide full transparency and not take away total control of the migration process.

Cloud-based SD-WAN can deliver worldwide coverage by connecting users to a nearby cloud-based point of presence (PoP). A cloud-based SD-WAN can also be built with integrated security functionality, removing the need for separate networking appliances. Furthermore, centralized networking and security visibility can improve performance.

Cloud-based SD-WAN delivery can save money because it can leverage multiple carriers, reducing connectivity costs. Additionally, SD-WAN can provide peace of mind by enabling organizations to reduce bandwidth usage and packet loss.

Security

Today’s businesses must consider security before implementing SD-WAN. It is important to have policies protecting data, preventing unauthorized access, and securing access to cloud-based applications. SD-WAN allows you to create and manage these policies through a single pane of glass. It also adapts to network changes automatically. For example, SD-WAN protects the traffic between locations using strong encryption. It can also implement virtual firewalls that limit access to certain websites.

To increase the security of SD-WAN, organizations should consider the SASE (secure access service edge) capabilities. These capabilities allow enterprises to secure access to cloud-based applications without the need to backhaul traffic through data centers. In addition, some vendors have partnered with Integrators and Partners to provide security for SD-WAN.