Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solutions offer benefits over traditional WANs, such as increased bandwidth, reduced costs, and simplified management.
Let’s explore popular SD-WAN architectures and discuss key considerations and features to help identify the right solution for your business needs.
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How to choose an SD-WAN solution?
We can help you enhance reliability, security, and scalability with SD-WAN solutions. Schedule a free consultation today to see how we can help you find the right solution for your needs.
What Is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN is a next-generation connectivity solution designed to enhance traditional WAN architectures. SD-WAN solutions simplify operations and reduce costs compared to legacy multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) networks.
An SD-WAN is defined by its ability to:
- Utilize commodity internet in addition to private links such as MPLS
- Intelligent software abstracts the network from specific hardware into a unified overlay
- Centralize control for efficient management and visibility
- Automate network functionality for agility and scalability
- Integrate security such as next-gen firewalls and VPNs
- Optimize connectivity and performance for cloud-based apps
SD-WAN delivers a modern, software-defined approach to networking that handles today’s digital demands. It allows organizations to cost-effectively support cloud connectivity and strategic initiatives.
The four main types of SD-WAN are:
- Self-managed
- Fully-managed
- Hybrid
- SD-WAN as a service
Let’s take a look at how they work and what makes them different.
Self-Managed SD-WAN
With a self-managed model, organizations deploy an SD-WAN themselves and retain full control.
How It Works
Organizations purchase SD-WAN appliances and install them in existing branch offices and data centers.
The company’s IT team manages the SD-WAN directly, including maintenance, installing software updates, and adding new features.
Key Benefits
The benefits of self-managed SD-WAN solutions are:
- Full administrative control over the SD-WAN deployment
- The ability to customize the configuration to match business needs
- The agility to make network changes without relying on a service provider
- Cost savings from direct internet breakout at remote sites
- Optimized connectivity to public and private clouds to support cloud-based applications and services
- Improved application performance and user experience for business-critical real-time applications
Potential Challenges
Some of the potential drawbacks of a self-managed SD-WAN may include:
- Trained internal staff with SD-WAN expertise are required to manage the environment
- IT must have time and resources to handle monitoring, troubleshooting, and feature updates
- Staff with SD-WAN and network security expertise are needed to properly configure security policies and manage operations
- The burden of realizing SD-WAN ROI relies on the organization’s staff
A self-managed SD-WAN solution best fits:
- Large enterprises with substantial existing IT resources
- Companies that prioritize customization and infrastructure integration
- Businesses that want to leverage SD-WAN without outsourcing management
Fully Managed SD-WAN
With a fully managed model, organizations outsource SD-WAN implementation and management to a third-party provider.
How It Works
Organizations subscribe to an SD-WAN service from a provider. Then the provider installs the SD-WAN hardware onsite, remotely configures it, and fully manages the infrastructure.
With a fully managed SD-WAN, daily operations such as monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting are handled by the provider.
Key Benefits
Managed SD-WAN services offer:
- No need to develop in-house SD-WAN expertise
- Reduced burden on internal IT staff and resources
- Turnkey deployment and simplified operations
- Optimal network configurations due to provider experience
- Flexibility to scale network bandwidth and sites on-demand
Potential Challenges
The potential challenges your business may face are:
- Loss of fine-grained administrative control
- Provider reliance for hardware lifecycle management
- Added cost of outsourcing management and operations
- Reduced ability to manually customize the network
Fully managed solutions tend to work best for:
- Small and medium organizations lacking dedicated networking teams
- Companies that want the simplicity of SD-WAN without the operational burden
- Businesses that seek OpEx-based services with on-demand flexibility
- Organizations that lack experience deploying newer network technologies
Hybrid SD-WAN
A hybrid model combines aspects of self-managed and fully managed SD-WANs.
How It Works
Organizations purchase SD-WAN hardware and install it in branch offices and data centers. Then a service provider co-manages the SD-WAN software, provides cloud connectivity, and handles some operations.
Internal IT staff maintain some control and manage the on-premise infrastructure.
Key Benefits
A hybrid SD-WAN model offers:
- Centralized network visibility and control across MPLS, internet, and LTE connections
- Optimized cloud connectivity and application performance
- Tight security integration protecting branch internet breakouts
- Leveraged provider expertise while retaining IT control
- Flexibility to switch between self-managed and managed
Potential Challenges
The potential drawbacks of a hybrid SD-WAN include:
- Potential conflicts with balancing internal and external management
- Unclear delineation of responsibilities
- High coordination between parties is essential
This hybrid model is an excellent solution for:
- Companies that want a hybrid blend of internal and outsourced management
- Organizations that lack resources to entirely self-manage
- Firms that need assistance managing security across many sites
SD-WAN as a Service
SD-WAN as a service delivers SD-WAN capabilities as a cloud-based offering.
How It Works
Organizations subscribe to a cloud-hosted SD-WAN service from a provider such as VMware, Cisco, or Silver Peak. The SD-WAN software runs on the provider’s cloud platform, eliminating the need for on-premise appliances.
Virtualized SD-WAN edges are spun up to connect remote offices and data centers.
Key Benefits
SD-WAN as a service offers:
- Fully outsourced management by the cloud-based SD-WAN provider
- Flexibility to spin up/down virtual appliances on demand
- Usage-based pricing that aligns with business requirements
- Direct breakout to major cloud providers
- Fast deployment of optimized SaaS application performance
Potential Challenges
Some drawbacks of an SD-WAN as a service include :
- Limited customer control over some config and management
- Reliance on provider’s cloud platform availability/reliability
- Loss of hardware ownership and control
An SD-WAN as a service is the best option for:
- Organizations highly invested in cloud-based applications/services
- Companies that want an expenditure model with maximum flexibility
- Firms seeking a fast, low-touch SD-WAN deployment
- Businesses that lack the resources to deploy physical infrastructure
What is the difference between WAN and SD-WAN?
The primary difference between WAN and SD-WAN is that SD-WAN utilizes intelligent software abstraction to simplify multi-site connectivity and gain agility, versus legacy WANs that rely on hardware routers and manual changes. SD-WAN overlays enable single-pane orchestration. SD-WAN improves cost, performance, visibility, security, and more.
How do I Choose the Right SD-WAN Solution?
The right SD-WAN solution should align with your business needs both now and in the future.
Consider the following before you make your final decision:
- Evaluate business needs. Analyze the current WAN environment and pain points. Identify must-have SD-WAN use cases and applications. Set network performance goals such as uptime, latency, and jitter.
- Compare architectures. Review all models. Consider appliance versus virtual deployment options. Assess the impact on IT resources and staffing needs.
- Assess features. Review routing, orchestration, and network optimization capabilities. Evaluate analytics and security integration differentiators. Ensure all must-have features are supported.
- Consider scalability. Evaluate the ability to scale additional sites and bandwidth in the future. Confirm hardware and software can scale as needs grow. Review the ability to spin up virtual appliances.
- Test reliability. Verify uptime commitments and the reliability track record. Review carrier integrations and connectivity diversity. Validate whether failover and redundancy meet requirements.
- Examine vendor support. Compare training options and account services. Review hardware replacement policies and maintenance terms. Confirm whether service level agreements meet standards.
Symplicity Communications specializes in helping organizations find the perfect SD-WAN solution for their needs. Contact us for a free consultation.
SD-WAN Features
SD-WAN solutions provide a variety of capabilities that aim to improve wide-area network connectivity, application performance, advanced security, and ease of management compared to traditional WAN approaches.
Some core SD-WAN features include:
- Application recognition and steering. SD-WAN identifies applications traversing the network and automatically route traffic based on business priority, link performance characteristics, and policies.
- Path selection and load balancing. Leveraging underlying MPLS, internet, and LTE links, SD-WAN measures path conditions in real-time and shifts traffic away from congestion.
- Quality of service. Granular control over application priority tiers and bandwidth allocation allows policy-based QoS configurations to guarantee the performance of sensitive apps and traffic types.
- Built-in security. Leading SD-WAN platforms offer native security tools such as next-gen firewalls, IDS/IPS, antivirus, web filtering, and VPN capabilities to protect all branch traffic.
- Zero-touch deployment. Devices can be dropped at locations and automatically configured through centralized zero-touch provisioning, simplifying rollouts.
- Analytics and monitoring. Robust analytics give holistic visibility into application, network, and device performance. Centralized monitoring eases troubleshooting.
SD-WAN Architecture
SD-WAN architecture represents a transition away from hardware-centric networking approaches to an intelligent, software-driven model. Key capabilities derive from the architecture’s intelligent controls and overlay abstractions.
Network Infrastructure
Rather than conventional branch routers, SD-WAN architecture utilizes lightweight edge devices installed at branch offices. These edge routers connect over broadband internet, MPLS, LTE, and other transport mediums. They form a networking overlay, replacing the need to backhaul traffic through traditional branch routers.
Edge routers enable secure internet connectivity and optimized access to cloud-hosted applications. This is achieved via features such as next-gen firewalls, WAN optimization, and dynamic path selection. The devices also integrate seamlessly with the larger corporate infrastructure comprised of data centers, campuses, and branches.
Connection Types
Importantly, an SD-WAN utilizes multiple internet connections concurrently (such as broadband, MPLS, and wireless 4G/LTE). This multi-transport architecture boosts reliability. If one connection fails, traffic is seamlessly directed over an alternate link.
Traffic shaping and steering policies dictate which applications use each link. For instance, latency-sensitive videoconferencing traffic may traverse the MPLS circuit. Less urgent web browsing leverages cheaper broadband connections.
Quality of Service
SD-WAN enables granular control of application traffic with quality-of-service policies that prioritize business-critical applications. This safeguards performance and consistent user experience across the network. SD-WAN continuously monitors network conditions and congestion status. It automatically redirects application traffic over less congested paths in real time.
Packet Loss
The SD-WAN overlay uses techniques such as forward error correction, retransmissions, and packet duplication to secure reliability over all connection types, preventing packet loss across public internet links and private networks.
Secure Connections
SD-WAN platforms integrate core security capabilities such as next-generation firewalls, IPS/IDS, URL filtering, antivirus, and more. These protect network traffic across the entire WAN. SD-WAN also automates secure connectivity between locations, cloud-based services, and internal networks.
Reliable Connectivity
The SD-WAN overlay fabric leverages multiple active links concurrently. This delivers resilient, high-availability connections. Automated sub-second failover quickly redirects traffic to alternate links if an outage occurs. This maintains continuous uptime for business-critical cloud services and applications.
If you want to experience the benefits of SD-WAN architecture for yourself, contact us. We will help you implement the optimal SD-WAN solution for your needs.
About Symplicity
Consider us your trusted partners in the realm of SD-WAN services. Our specialization lies in delivering comprehensive solutions that can transform the way you manage your network and optimize your connectivity.
Here’s how we can help ensure your SD-WAN success:
- Our top priority is establishing a robust and dependable SD-WAN network connection. This guarantees constant accessibility to your critical data and applications, ensuring uninterrupted network performance and support for your business operations.
- We are dedicated to providing you with a flexible and scalable SD-WAN environment. As your network requirements evolve, our services effortlessly adapt to accommodate increased demand, eliminating concerns about network limitations.
- We recognize the importance of efficient communication in SD-WAN operations. Our solutions are thoughtfully designed to foster collaboration among your network administrators and partners, facilitating smoother network management workflows and decision-making processes.
Our commitment is to offer you the expertise, guidance, and ongoing support needed to ensure a seamless implementation of your SD-WAN strategy. With our services, you can trust that your SD-WAN will be efficient, reliable, and equipped with the capabilities necessary for your business to excel in the world of network management.
In addition to contact center services, we also excel in managed IT, cybersecurity, and business intelligence solutions. Explore our solutions page for a comprehensive overview of the services we provide.
SD-WAN FAQ
What are SD-WAN products?
SD-WAN products refer to the hardware and software packages offered by SD-WAN technology vendors that enable organizations to implement functionality. They provide an integrated solution consisting of edge devices, orchestration software, centralized control, and tools to deliver the next-gen SD-WAN capabilities.
What are the best SD-WAN vendors?
Leading vendors in the SD-WAN market are:
- VMware
- Cisco
- Fortinet
- Versa Networks
- Silver Peak
- Citrix
- Aryaka
- Infovista
- Nuage Networks/Nokia
The optimal vendor depends on needs, but these providers lead in capabilities such as application intelligence, web security, application optimization, routing automation, and network analytics.
What are the three transport methods that can be used to support an SD-WAN?
The three primary transport services that are used to create the underlying SD-WAN network are:
- MPLS private links
- Public internet connections
- Wireless 4G and 5G services
SD-WAN solutions aggregate these links to form a secure, high-bandwidth overlay network connecting locations. Intelligent software determines the optimal path for each application.
What problems does SD-WAN solve?
SD-WAN solves issues such as rising MPLS costs, poor cloud application performance, cumbersome network management, and lack of visibility. It reduces expenses by adding cheap internet to the branch connectivity mix.
Intelligent steering improves SaaS app responsiveness. Centralized management and automation radically simplify configuration while dashboards provide rich analytics.
Which tool is used to manage SD-WAN?
A central SD-WAN controller is used to manage policies, configurations, and device images and perform monitoring and analytics.
Examples include Cisco’s vManage, VMware’s Orchestrator, Silver Peak Unity Orchestrator, and Versa Director. These enable simplified point-and-click orchestration of the entire SD-WAN environment.
