In a world of advancing technology, it’s important to stay connected. As our networks begin to evolve and organizations look to expand their borders – mostly across actual borders – it’s also important to have the technology that can keep up with those growing demands. This is where Wide Area Network optimization comes into play.
What Is a Wide Area Network?
Typically, you will have a single system that connects all the devices in that place under a local area network – or LAN. This is like your phone, laptop, and printer all being under the Wi-Fi’s local area network.
Now, on a larger scale, a wide area network - or WAN - is a large network that connects all the smaller local area networks under one umbrella. WANs get their name from their wide reach across large geographical areas. With a wide area network, you can connect your offices, data centers, cloud systems, and entire network across multiple physical locations.
Wide area networks allow your company to share one network even if it has branches in different cities, countries, or even continents. WAN enables easier connection and resource usage across your network. In the age of remote and hybrid working environments, wide area networks also help employees gain access to the same data and storage files wherever they are.
The internet is the world’s largest example of a wide area network as it allows networks around the world to connect under it. WAN connections are made in several different ways - including leased lines, VPNs, or IP tunnels.
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The Origin of Wide-Area Networking
The first WAN was developed by the U.S. Air Force in the late 1950s to connect sites within the SAGE radar defense system. It utilized dedicated phone lines and modems.
How WAN Works:
- Connectivity: WANs connect multiple local area networks (LANs) over large geographical areas.
- Technologies: WANs utilize various technologies including:
- Leased lines: Direct network connections between LAN endpoints rented from large providers.
- Tunneling: Encrypts data packets over the public internet to form a virtual private network (VPN).
- Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS): Routes data traffic based on predetermined labels, optimizing network performance.
- Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN): Abstracts network functions into a software layer, operating over commodity broadband internet connections.
- Purpose: WANs facilitate interconnection between offices, data centers, and cloud systems across different locations, supporting collaboration and resource sharing.
What Is the Role of a WAN Connection?
The role of a WAN connection in modern enterprise includes facilitating communication via voice and video, enabling resource sharing among employees and customers, providing access to data storage and facilitating remote backups, connecting to cloud-based applications, and supporting internal application hosting. WAN technology advancements ensure secure, fast, and reliable access to information, enhancing business productivity and continuity.
WAN Protocols and Technologies
Wide area network protocols provide the structure and rules of communication. These protocols help to ensure that the network relays information efficiently across large spaces. A few examples of WAN protocols include:
Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
This is a WAN technology that improves the speed and efficiency of data transmission over a network. It adds predefined labels to each packet of data transmitted over the network which helps route data faster without having to perform the time-consuming task of looking up a full IP address for each packet.
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
PPP is a data link protocol used to create a direct connection between two network nodes. While it’s commonly used to connect a computer to the Internet through a dial-up connection, it can also be used for other types of point-to-point connections - such as connecting two routers.
Frame Relay
This packet-switching protocol works on layers 1 and 2 of the OSI model and is used to connect remote locations to a central network. Frame relay is an older WAN technology that packages data into frames to transmit it through a shared frame relay network.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
ISDN is used to transmit voice, data, and video over digital telephone networks. This is also an older form of WAN technology that was commonly used for reliable, high-speed video conferencing, teleconferencing, and real-time data transfers.
Packet over SONET/SDH (POS)
SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) and SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) are high-speed communication protocols that were developed to support the digital transmission of voice, data, and video signals over optical fiber networks. POS enables communication across point-to-point links when using optical fiber.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
This is an older cell-switching technique that helps to transmit large amounts of data at high speeds and is often used by ISPs for backbone networks. The complex technology uses time-division multiplexing that converts digital signals into fixed-sized cells of 53 bytes, transmits them, and then reassembles them at their destination.
The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
This technology consists of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP) which work together to form the foundation of the Internet. It’s a critical protocol that defines end-to-end communication by specifying how data should be packetized, addressed, transmitted, routed, and received.
Packet Switching
Packet Switching breaks messages into packets sent independently over efficient routes. Each packet contains a payload and identifying header. Packets are sent in triplicate for error-checking, prompting retransmission upon failed verifications.
Key Practices for Effective WAN Implementation and Management
- Wireless Connectivity: Ensure wireless support for hybrid work and IoT with strategic access points and cloud-based management.
- "Hardware-lite" Architecture: Opt for software-based components to reduce hardware sprawl and increase flexibility.
- Choose WAN Providers Wisely: Assess options like hardware suppliers, managed providers, and telecom carriers based on resources and needs.
- Implement Failsafe Mechanisms: Set up backup infrastructure with diverse technologies to minimize downtime.
- SD-WAN for Carrier-Agnostic Networks: Gradually reduce carrier dependence with SD-WAN technology.
- Comprehensive Security Strategy: Strengthen security measures and access control for WAN environments.
- WAN Optimization Technologies: Utilize compression, deduplication, and Wi-Fi analyzers for enhanced performance.
- Support Multi-Cloud Environments: Efficiently allocate bandwidth for various cloud applications.
- Balance Leased Lines and SD-WAN: Reserve leased lines for critical applications while using SD-WAN for others.
- Regularly Review and Upgrade: Stay updated with emerging Wide Area Network solutions and technologies for optimization.
Pros and Cons of WAN
Pros:
- Global Connectivity: WANs connect geographically dispersed locations, enabling seamless communication and resource sharing.
- Centralized Resources: Organizations centralize data storage, applications, and servers, facilitating efficient management and access.
- Scalability: WANs scale to accommodate growing needs, allowing for the addition of new sites, users, and applications.
- Flexibility: WANs offer flexibility in network design and configuration to meet specific business requirements.
Cons:
- Cost: Setting up and maintaining WAN infrastructure can be expensive due to equipment, software, and ongoing maintenance.
- Complexity: WANs require specialized knowledge and expertise in networking technologies for design and management.
- Security Risks: WANs are susceptible to security threats such as data breaches and malware attacks, especially over public networks.
- Reliability: WANs depend on external service providers and network connections, which may experience disruptions or outages.
What Is WAN Optimization (WANO)?
Wide Area Network Optimization – or WANO - is the use of techniques and solutions that will improve data transmission across wide-area networks. The ultimate goal of WAN optimization is to reduce resources used by applications and data transfers while ensuring that data is transmitted quickly, efficiently, and reliably.
A few WAN optimization techniques include:
- Deduplication
- Data Compression
- Protocol Optimization
- Traffic Shaping or Traffic Flow Management
- Local Caching
- Quality of Service (QoS) Prioritization
These techniques improve packet delivery, reduce latency, control traffic, and ensure optimal resource usage and peak performance. WAN optimization solutions also reduce bandwidth expenses, improve user productivity, and enhance user experience.
What Is SD-WAN?
While wide-area networks are an improvement, they do have drawbacks in terms of security and complexity. Therefore, a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) was created. This is a virtualized approach to the WAN infrastructure.
SD-WAN is a more flexible, efficient, and user-friendly architecture that relies on application-level policies, overlay networks, and onsite SD-WAN devices and software platforms. It reduces the costs of a traditional WAN setup and drastically improves network visibility.
SD-WAN are also key components of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions that work to combine networking and security functions into a single, cloud-based service.
WAN vs LAN WAN
(Wide Area Network) and LAN (Local Area Network) have distinct networking purposes. LAN operates within a confined geographic area, facilitating local data sharing. Conversely, WAN spans larger areas, connecting multiple LANs across cities or countries. LAN prioritizes high-speed data transfer within a limited area, while WAN extends connectivity over vast distances.
How Sangfor Can Help – Wide Area Network Solutions
Sangfor prides itself on creating products and platforms that engage our clients and stretch to meet their growing needs.
Sangfor's WANO solutions offer simplified connectivity and optimization that lets you enjoy the speed of a Local Area Network on your Wide Area Network. The platform offers reliable and secure path selection for your network while reducing bandwidth consumption and network congestion. Boost your network’s data efficiency and application speeds through a flexible and user-friendly interface with Sangfor.
Additionally, Sangfor's SD-WAN uses Sangfor's leading VPN technology to integrate security, WAN optimization, and superior virtualization technology. The service is designed to build a 5S branch access network. The technology makes IT architecture simple, secure, and scalable while increasing productivity, reducing costs, and speeding up digital transformation. This platform is an invaluable tool for multi-branch enterprises and multi-level organizations. View the Sangfor SD-WAN brochure for more information, or watch the whiteboard video below to learn how it can help your organization increase its business productivity, boost its security and reduce its bandwidth costs.
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.
- PT Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (BKI) is an Indonesian state-owned enterprise. Sangfor offered the SD-WAN solution to address its network challenges.
Sangfor WAN Optimization Solution
Sangfor's WAN Optimization solution enhances data transmission efficiency across wide-area networks, offering simplified connectivity and optimized performance comparable to a Local Area Network. It ensures reliable and secure path selection, reducing bandwidth consumption and network congestion.
- Enhanced Performance: Sangfor WAN Optimization maximizes resource usage and peak performance through techniques like deduplication, data compression, protocol optimization, traffic shaping, local caching, and Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization.
- Cost Savings: Reduce bandwidth expenses and enhance user productivity with Sangfor's WAN Optimization solution, optimizing data transmission and improving application speeds.
- User-Friendly Interface: Benefit from a flexible and user-friendly interface designed to streamline network management tasks and improve the overall user experience
- Seamless Integration: Sangfor's WAN Optimization seamlessly integrates into existing network infrastructure, delivering immediate benefits without disruptive changes or complex setup procedures.
Make Sangfor Technologies your partner of choice when seeking out dependable, affordable, and effective cyber solutions. For more information on Sangfor’s cyber security and cloud computing solutions, visit www.sangfor.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Implementing a Wide Area Network (WAN) offers scalability, centralized management, improved communication, and enhanced access to resources.
WAN security works by implementing various measures such as encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, virtual private networks (VPNs), and access controls to protect data transmitted over wide-area networks from unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber threats.
WAN Optimization (WANO) improves application performance through techniques like data deduplication, compression, protocol optimization, traffic shaping, and Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization. These methods streamline data transmission, reduce latency, and enhance bandwidth usage, resulting in faster application response times and improved user experience.
