Most companies would struggle to do business without enterprise Wide Area Networks (WANs). These are crucial components for linking computers globally to exchange information. With the use of WANs, information can be sent and shared almost instantaneously while facilitating a wide range of services - the internet being a wide area network itself is a testament to this. The WAN model has proven effective but not entirely perfect. Various shortcomings became clear with the rising prominence of cloud technologies in business operations, plus the adoption of software-as-a-service (SaaS) and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) applications in their various clouds. SD-WANs were introduced as the solution to these issues. This article will explain the details of SD-WANs - touching on what they are, how they work, the problems they combat, and what benefits they provide.
What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN, short for Software-Defined Wide Area Network, is also referred to as SD Wan and Sdwan. It is a type of enterprise-wide area network (WAN) that uses software to define and manage network connectivity. They can be typically used by a business to connect multiple locations, such as branch offices and data centers. They are also compatible with any type of network - including public and private networks.
SD-WANs have many advantages over traditional WANs - including improved performance, reduced costs, and increased flexibility, and are now becoming increasingly popular as businesses look for new ways to improve their WAN performance.
Understanding SD-WAN Architecture
SD-WAN architecture is the design of Software-Defined Wide Area Network solutions. Unlike traditional WAN setups relying on hardware routers, SD-WAN uses software for dynamic traffic management. It decouples the control plane from hardware, prioritizing critical applications and optimizing performance across networks. SD-WAN supports cloud services, securely routing traffic directly to the cloud. Overall, it offers agility, scalability, and efficiency for modern networking needs.
What is SD-WAN used for?
In the wake of cloud adoption and new business models, SD-WAN is typically used by companies looking to enhance their network connectivity across various locations in terms of speed, security, reliability, and efficiency while simplifying their overall network management. Their architecture fully supports applications hosted on clouds, SaaS services, and more, allowing for the deployment of different protocols across the same physical infrastructure. This reduces the need for conventional WAN models that need to manage all their data in a data center or central hub.
How Does an SD-WAN Work, and How Is It Different from a WAN?
Cloud-based applications host a number of benefits but can also be incredibly taxing on older network infrastructure. They send significantly more traffic than WANs are typically intended to facilitate through their dedicated but expensive MPLS routing.
Comparatively, SD-WANs can use several different forms of transmission platforms - including 4G or 5G LTE, broadband internet, and more. Through intelligent programming, SD-WANs can choose the appropriate method for traffic and present a far more efficient system for connecting, especially for cloud-first organizations looking for the best levels of application performance.
While WANs can be secured through their use of a private MPLS connection, SD-WANs utilize encryption technology to stay protected over a range of networks, as their gateways facilitate the use of hybrid WAN.
Furthermore, the traditional enterprise-wide area network model often couples its networking hardware to its control mechanism - meaning that adjustments or updates to computers have to be done individually. Any large-scale organization with operations in several offices or in multiple countries will have difficulty making these changes - which can also be time-consuming, tedious, and prone to accidents.
SD-WAN technology decouples the networking hardware and control mechanism - allowing for a more efficient approach when managing an enterprise-wide area network. Network admins are able to make changes from a single, centralized control panel.
SD-WAN Use Cases in Modern Networking
Unified WAN and Security Management: Employ a single console for SD-WAN, routing, and NGFW controls for streamlined operations.
- Secure SD-Branch Architecture: Simplify branch networks with centrally managed SD-WAN, NAC, WLAN, LAN, and LTE/4G/5G.
- Optimized Hybrid Workforce: Enhance work-from-anywhere capabilities with integrated SD-WAN and SSE solutions.
- Hybrid, Multi-Cloud Connectivity: Provide secure, seamless connectivity across multiple cloud environments.
- Predictable Application Performance: Ensure consistent performance with dynamic routing and WAN optimization.
- Operational Efficiency: Automate network tasks with a centralized platform for comprehensive visibility and management.
What problems does SD-WAN address?
Administering a traditional WAN can be very costly and rigid, involving a high level of technical complexity that may use up valuable resources to configure and manage. With SD-WAN, these problems can be combated with its adaptable nature and ability to respond to network traffic problems in real-time via intelligent best-path routing. It also boosts operational efficiency through its programmable network devices that enable remote updates, alleviating the need for on-site network management and troubleshooting.
Main Components of SD-WAN
Software-Defined WAN comprises several key components that collectively optimize network performance and security while enhancing flexibility and efficiency in connectivity. The main components include:
- Flexible WAN Connectivity: SD-WAN enables efficient utilization of bandwidth between sites and the data center by reducing latency, increasing throughput, and improving reliability through multiple routes. This flexibility minimizes costs and ensures secure access to the network from any location using any device with an internet connection.
- Secure Connectivity: Secure connectivity in SD-WAN ensures that traffic is encrypted between sites, protecting data from eavesdropping and interception. By encrypting data transmission, SD-WAN mitigates the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, especially when transmitting sensitive information over public networks.
- Application Optimization: SD-WAN optimizes the performance of latency-sensitive applications by prioritizing critical traffic and ensuring consistent performance even under varying network conditions. By selectively optimizing specific applications, it enhances user experience and productivity, particularly in scenarios where uninterrupted connectivity is essential, such as VoIP calls over the Internet.
SD-WAN vs. SASE: Understanding the Distinctions
SD-WAN and SASE represent distinct approaches to addressing the evolving needs of modern networking, each offering unique features and benefits tailored to different organizational requirements.
SD-WAN, or Software-Defined WAN, revolutionizes traditional WAN connections by separating hardware from control functions. This architectural innovation enables dynamic routing and centralized management, optimizing connectivity between remote locations. While SD-WAN enhances connection quality and flexibility, it typically requires supplementary security measures to address evolving threats effectively.
On the other hand, SASE, or Secure Access Service Edge, transcends traditional WAN services by integrating comprehensive cloud security within its framework. Operating on an identity-centric model, SASE incorporates advanced security elements such as Zero Trust Network Access and a robust global network infrastructure. Designed for today's dispersed cloud landscape, SASE ensures top-tier connectivity and stringent security measures, catering to the diverse security needs of modern enterprises.
What Are the Business Benefits of Using an SD-WAN?
The benefits of SD-WAN for organizations are plentiful, in terms of cost-effectiveness and operations. Some of them are:
- SD-WANs are designed to cope with high amounts of traffic stemming from the use of cloud-based services.
- Instead of relying solely on MPLS connection technology, SD-WANs utilize a combination of the most effective routes to reduce cost and reliance on dedicated lines.
- SD-WANs operate with reduced latency and increased speeds in comparison to WANs.
- Most SD-WAN technologies, including those offered by Sangfor, are designed with security components to keep crucial business data safe and protected against threats.
- Management of an SD-WAN is made easier with a decoupled and centralized control mechanism.
- They can be easily scaled and are ideal for growing businesses and enterprises.
Bring Digital Transformation to Your Organization - Sangfor’s Next-Generation SD-WAN
Next-Generation SD-WAN is Sangfor’s answer to more efficient cloud-based technologies and provides businesses with the ability to adapt to modern-day computing with ease. Sangfor’s Next-Generation SD-WAN is capable of analyzing the quality of links in real time to choose the best route for application traffic. This helps guarantee a stable, reliable, and highly secure user experience. Additionally, it has an automatic and imperceptible fail-over to ensure seamless operation in the event of link failure. Businesses that work with Sangfor can also manage and operate their enterprise-wide area network through a centralized management and Security Operations Centre (SOC) - which offers real-time security, VPN, and branch status updates.
Traditional enterprise-wide area network technology is becoming increasingly complicated to manage and expensive for businesses to operate. Shifting to SD-WAN empowers your organization to take full advantage of modern cloud-based applications and save both money and time. Watch this detailed whiteboard video to learn how it can help your organization increase its business productivity, boost its security and reduce its bandwidth costs.
Sangfor's Next-Generation SD-WAN solution revolutionizes network connectivity for modern enterprises. With Sangfor's solution, businesses achieve unparalleled network efficiency and security across diverse locations, ensuring seamless operations and enhanced productivity.
- Seamless Connectivity: Sangfor's SD-WAN solution seamlessly connects multiple locations, including branch offices and data centers, with optimized performance and reliability. Built on industry-leading technology, it ensures consistent network performance regardless of location or network type.
- Advanced Security: Sangfor SD-WAN employs advanced security measures to protect against evolving threats in today's digital landscape. Utilizing encryption technology and intelligent traffic routing, it safeguards critical business data and applications from malicious attacks and unauthorized access.
- Cost-Effectiveness: With Sangfor's cost-effective approach, organizations can optimize their network infrastructure while minimizing operational costs. Sangfor SD-WAN offers flexible deployment options and scalable solutions, allowing enterprises to adapt to changing business needs without compromising on performance or security.
- Active Analytics: The Sangfor SD-WAN platform integrates robust analytics capabilities to provide actionable insights into network performance and security. By leveraging real-time analytics and proactive monitoring, it enables organizations to identify and mitigate potential issues before they impact operations.
Sangfor's SD-WAN has garnered significant success, as evidenced by its broad range of case studies.
- Bundamedik Healthcare System (BMHS), is a healthcare provider in Indonesia established in 1961. It adopted Sangfor's SD-WAN platform, Sangfor Internet Access platform and Sangfor’s Next-Generation Firewall. These products deliver perimeter security protection to both head offices and each branch of Bundamedik with a separate or break-out internet connection.
- PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM), a distributor of Toyota automobiles in Indonesia, has used several Sangfor solutions such as SD-WAN, Proxy Avoidance Protection, and Bandwidth Management because Sangfor products have features that are highly sophisticated when compared to other products in the market.
Discover how Sangfor's Next-Generation SD-WAN solution can transform your organization's network infrastructure and drive business growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
SD-WAN can be defined by a few key components that set this type of technology apart from traditional WAN. Most prominently is its level of flexibility in terms of WAN connectivity, which allows organizations to access their network from any location so long as they are using a device connected to the internet. This also enables companies to connect securely, where any data sent through the SD-WAN is encrypted, effectively protecting sensitive information. Lastly, SD-WANs enable companies to optimize applications, especially those that are prone to the effects of delay and data packet loss, ensuring that all applications run smoothly without disruptions, no matter where the user is working from.
Yes, SD-WAN ensures enterprise-level encryption for all WAN links, using the highest encryption standards and periodic key refreshes to protect against interception, modification, or forging of messages between sites.
There are multiple types of SD-WAN solutions available according to different enterprise needs and network architectures. The most popular types include On-Premises SD-WAN, Cloud-Enabled SD-Wan, and Hybrid SD-WAN.
SD-WAN acts differently from traditional WAN technologies due to its centralized network management, cloud-readiness, application optimization, ability to use multiple connections at once, scalable nature, enhanced security, and cost-effectiveness.
No, while they all refer to the same technology, SD-WAN, SDWAN, and SD Wan are simply variations in how the term is written. SD-WAN is the most commonly used abbreviation, but you may encounter variations like SDWAN and SD Wan as well.
