What Is SD-WAN as a Service?

SD-WAN as a Service (Software-Defined Wide Area Network as a Service) is an advanced network management solution that leverages cloud-based technologies to enhance the efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of wide area networks. Unlike traditional WAN solutions that rely on physical hardware and complex configurations, SD-WAN as a Service offers a cloud-delivered solution that simplifies network management while providing robust performance and security features.

This model allows organizations to deploy and manage their WAN infrastructure without extensive on-premises equipment. Instead, network functions are virtualized and managed through a central platform, providing significant operational benefits.

What Are the Benefits of SD-WAN?

The transition to SD-WAN offers several key advantages over traditional WAN architectures:

• Cost Efficiency: One of the most compelling benefits of SD-WAN is its cost-effectiveness. Traditional MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) circuits can be expensive, especially for organizations with multiple branch locations. SD-WAN enables businesses to use more affordable internet connections, such as broadband and LTE, while maintaining high performance and reliability. By reducing dependence on costly MPLS circuits, organizations can achieve substantial cost savings.
• Increased Agility: SD-WAN provides greater agility compared to traditional WAN solutions. It simplifies the deployment of new branch locations and the integration of new applications. This flexibility allows businesses to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and operational needs, enhancing their overall responsiveness and competitive edge.
• Enhanced Performance: Through intelligent path control and traffic optimization, SD-WAN improves application performance. It dynamically routes traffic based on real-time conditions, application requirements, and network policies. This ensures that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency, resulting in a better user experience and increased productivity.
• Simplified Management: Traditional WAN management often involves complex configurations and manual adjustments. SD-WAN centralizes control through a unified management platform, simplifying network operations and troubleshooting. This centralized approach reduces the need for specialized IT skills and helps streamline network management tasks.
• Improved Security: SD-WAN includes built-in security features such as encryption, secure tunneling, and threat intelligence. These features enhance network security by protecting data in transit and defending against cyber threats. Additionally, SD-WAN solutions can integrate with other security tools, such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems, to provide comprehensive protection.

MPLS vs SD-WAN

When comparing MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) and SD-WAN, it’s important to understand their distinct roles and characteristics:

• MPLS: MPLS is a traditional networking technology that directs data from one node to another based on short path labels rather than long network addresses. It offers high performance, reliability, and Quality of Service (QoS) for critical applications. However, MPLS can be expensive and inflexible, particularly for businesses with a large number of branch locations or varying bandwidth needs.
• SD-WAN: In contrast, SD-WAN is a modern approach that uses software to manage and optimize WAN traffic. It supports multiple types of connections, including broadband, LTE, and MPLS, and dynamically routes traffic based on real-time network conditions and application requirements. SD-WAN provides greater cost-efficiency and flexibility compared to MPLS, making it an attractive option for many organizations.

While MPLS remains a viable option for certain use cases, SD-WAN’s ability to leverage diverse connections and provide centralized management makes it a compelling choice for businesses seeking to modernize their WAN infrastructure.

SDN vs SD-WAN

SDN (Software-Defined Networking) and SD-WAN are related concepts but serve different purposes within network management:

• SDN: SDN is a networking architecture that separates the control plane from the data plane. It allows network administrators to manage and configure network devices through a centralized controller, providing greater flexibility and programmability. SDN is typically used within data centers and enterprise networks to optimize traffic management and streamline network operations.
• SD-WAN: SD-WAN, on the other hand, applies software-defined principles to manage wide-area networks. It focuses on optimizing traffic across multiple network connections, such as broadband, LTE, and MPLS. SD-WAN provides centralized control and automation for WAN management, enhancing performance, cost-efficiency, and security.

While SDN and SD-WAN share some underlying principles, SD-WAN is specifically designed to address the challenges of managing wide-area networks, whereas SDN is more focused on network infrastructure and data center management.

SD-WAN vs. VPN

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and SD-WAN both offer secure network connections over the Internet, but they differ in scope and functionality:

• VPN: A VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between two endpoints, allowing users to access resources remotely while protecting data from eavesdropping. VPNs are often used for secure remote access and site-to-site connections. However, VPNs rely on public internet infrastructure, which can lead to variable performance and limited scalability.
• SD-WAN: SD-WAN provides a more comprehensive solution for managing WAN traffic. It uses software to optimize and control network connections, including internet links, MPLS circuits, and LTE. SD-WAN offers advanced features such as traffic shaping, application optimization, and centralized management, making it a more robust solution for enterprises with multiple locations and diverse network needs.

While VPNs are suitable for certain use cases, SD-WAN’s broader capabilities make it a better fit for managing complex WAN environments and ensuring consistent application performance across various network connections.

SD-WAN Architecture

SD-WAN architecture consists of several key components that work together to provide a unified network management solution:

• SD-WAN Edge Devices: These are physical or virtual devices installed at branch locations. They connect to the SD-WAN network and handle traffic management, including routing, optimization, and security.
• Centralized Controller: The centralized controller is the core component of the SD-WAN architecture. It manages network policies, configuration, and traffic routing. The controller provides visibility into network performance and enables administrators to make real-time adjustments to optimize traffic and ensure reliable connectivity.
• Network Orchestration: Network orchestration tools provide a centralized view of the network, allowing administrators to monitor and manage network resources, applications, and traffic flows. Orchestration tools automate network management tasks and enable dynamic adjustments based on real-time conditions.
• Cloud Gateways: Cloud gateways facilitate secure and optimized connections to cloud applications and services. They provide access to cloud-based resources while ensuring that traffic is routed efficiently and securely.
• Security Features: SD-WAN solutions incorporate various security features, such as encryption, firewalls, and threat intelligence. These features protect data in transit and safeguard against cyber threats, ensuring a secure and reliable network environment.

How Does SD-WAN as a Service Work?

SD-WAN uses a combination of technologies and principles to manage and optimize WAN traffic. Here’s how it works:

• Traffic Management: SD-WAN uses intelligent path control to route traffic based on real-time network conditions and application requirements. It can dynamically choose the best path for each application, ensuring optimal performance and minimal latency.
• Application Optimization: SD-WAN enhances application performance through techniques such as traffic shaping, load balancing, and WAN optimization. It prioritizes critical applications and adjusts bandwidth allocation based on traffic patterns and application needs.
• Centralized Control: The centralized control plane provides a unified view of the network, allowing administrators to manage policies, configurations, and traffic flows from a single interface. This simplifies network management and enables real-time adjustments to optimize performance and reliability.
• Secure Connectivity: SD-WAN includes built-in security features such as encryption, secure tunneling, and threat intelligence. It ensures that data is protected as it travels across the network and defends against potential cyber threats.
• Cloud Integration: SD-WAN integrates with cloud services and applications, providing secure and optimized access to cloud resources. It supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments, enabling seamless connectivity to various cloud platforms.

Why SD-WAN?

Organizations are increasingly adopting SD-WAN due to its numerous benefits:

• Flexibility: SD-WAN supports a variety of network connections, including broadband, LTE, and MPLS. This flexibility allows businesses to choose the best connectivity options for their needs and adapt to changing requirements.
• Scalability: SD-WAN provides scalable solutions that can grow with the organization. It supports rapid deployment of new branch locations and applications without significant additional costs or complexity.
• Performance: By optimizing traffic and managing bandwidth dynamically, SD-WAN enhances application performance and user experience. It ensures that critical applications receive the necessary resources and performs well even during peak usage periods.
• Cost Savings: SD-WAN reduces reliance on costly MPLS circuits and enables the use of more affordable internet connections. This cost savings can be substantial, especially for organizations with multiple branch locations.
• Improved Security: With integrated security features and support for secure cloud connections, SD-WAN provides enhanced protection for data and network resources. It helps safeguard against cyber threats and ensures compliance with security standards.

Basic SD-WAN vs Business-Driven Secure SD-WAN

Basic SD-WAN provides fundamental traffic management and optimization capabilities. It focuses on improving network performance and reducing costs by leveraging multiple connection types and centralized control.

Business-Driven Secure SD-WAN, on the other hand, includes additional features tailored to meet specific business needs and regulatory requirements. It offers advanced security capabilities, such as encryption, threat detection, and compliance features. Business-driven solutions are designed to address the unique challenges and requirements of various industries, providing a more comprehensive approach to network management and security.

What Are the Main Components of SD-WAN?

The main components of SD-WAN include:

• SD-WAN Edge Devices: These devices are deployed at branch locations and connect to the SD-WAN network. They handle traffic routing, optimization, and security functions.
• Centralized Controller: The centralized controller manages network policies, configurations, and traffic flows. It provides visibility into network performance and enables real-time adjustments.
• Cloud Gateways: Cloud gateways facilitate secure and optimized access to cloud applications and services. They ensure that traffic to and from cloud resources is routed efficiently and securely.
• Orchestration and Management Tools: These tools provide a unified view of the network, allowing administrators to monitor and manage network resources, applications, and traffic flows.
• Security Features: SD-WAN solutions include security features such as encryption, firewalls, and threat intelligence to protect data and network resources.

How SD-WAN Helps Today’s IoT

SD-WAN plays a crucial role in supporting the Internet of Things (IoT) by providing reliable, scalable, and secure network connectivity. Here’s how SD-WAN benefits IoT deployments:

• Reliable Connectivity: SD-WAN ensures consistent and reliable connectivity for IoT devices, even in environments with varying network conditions. It optimizes traffic and reduces latency, ensuring that IoT devices can communicate effectively.
• Scalability: As IoT deployments grow, SD-WAN provides the scalability needed to support a large number of devices and applications. It allows organizations to easily expand their network infrastructure without significant additional costs.
• Enhanced Security: With built-in security features, SD-WAN protects IoT data and communications from potential threats. It provides encryption, secure tunneling, and threat detection to safeguard IoT devices and data.
• Traffic Management: SD-WAN optimizes traffic for IoT applications, ensuring that critical data is transmitted efficiently and without delay. It prioritizes IoT traffic and adjusts bandwidth allocation based on real-time conditions.

How Can Sangfor Help?

Sangfor offers SD-WAN as a Service tailored to meet the needs of modern businesses. Our next generation SD-WAN solutions provide a comprehensive approach to network management, combining advanced performance optimization, robust security features, and centralized control. Sangfor’s SD-WAN Services Include:

• Flexible Connectivity Options: Choose from a range of network connections, including broadband, LTE, and MPLS, to suit your organization’s needs.
• Centralized Management: Our unified management platform simplifies network operations and provides real-time visibility into performance and traffic.
• Enhanced Security: Our SD-WAN solutions include built-in security features such as encryption, secure tunneling, and threat intelligence to protect your data and network resources.
• Scalability and Agility: Easily scale your network infrastructure and deploy new branch locations or applications without significant complexity or cost.
• Support for IoT: Our SD-WAN solutions provide reliable and secure connectivity for IoT devices, ensuring optimal performance and protection.

For more information on how Sangfor can help optimize your network with SD-WAN, please contact us for a personalized consultation.

Contact Us for Business Inquiry