SD-WAN is a type of wide area network designed to provide companies with improved connectivity across different locations. Its benefits include increased security, improved operational efficiency, and increased bandwidth. However, there are a few key considerations that you should consider before deciding on different options.
Benefits of SD-WAN
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The benefits of SD-WAN systems are many and can help improve the performance of your network. For example, these systems can prioritize business-critical traffic such as VoIP and other real-time applications, steering them over the most efficient route. These systems can also help reduce latency and packet loss, resulting in increased employee productivity and morale.
SD-WAN systems can help you save money and minimize network maintenance costs. They eliminate the need for expensive on-premises hardware, which can be an issue for organizations. Additionally, they simplify the process of adding and upgrading services. Because they’re software-based, you can easily upgrade and add new features to your network.
SD-WAN systems can also help you save money by reducing the cost of MPLS circuits. This solution has many other benefits, especially for companies with a growing remote workforce. It’s best to consult with a specialist to understand how SD-WAN can help your business.
Security
Security is a key concern with SD-WAN systems. By creating segmented networks, administrators can block traffic from less secure areas and prevent malware from infecting sensitive data. SD-WAN solutions also help administrators manage segmentation policies with a single pane of glass. Furthermore, they can adapt to network changes automatically. These systems use encryption to protect traffic between locations while ensuring that users can only access trusted websites.
Secure SD-WAN provides a simplified platform for administration and management and integrates business goals with the WAN. It also ensures access control by using Active Directory integration.
A traditional WAN connects remote users to the corporate data center using dedicated carrier circuits or multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) links. Then, the network backhauls the internet traffic to the corporate data center. In addition, enterprise-class security tools protect the data center.
Cost
When implementing SD-WAN systems, it’s important to understand all the costs associated with them. Some of these costs, such as reduced MPLS utilization, can be hard and immediate. However, other soft savings include higher productivity and increased flexibility and control. A business should also consider the time spent transitioning to the new network to determine its feasibility and cost.
The cost of SD-WAN systems varies based on the number of sites and bandwidth. For example, if your company has several locations around the world, the cost of the system may be higher than for one site. For example, a single site can cost $452 per year, while several sites can cost up to $8,823 per year.
The lower cost of SD-WAN systems is largely due to reduced reliance on expensive lines and a reduced workforce, which means less maintenance and fewer problems. In addition, users don’t need to know complicated commands. Higher-tier systems often come with analytics, but the cost of this software is prohibitive. These systems may also have a high licensing cost, but you’ll save more with Vedge’s low-cost equipment.
Implementation
SD-WAN systems enable IT to implement policies more centrally and respond faster to business requirements. For example, with zero-touch provisioning, a new SD-WAN gateway can be shipped to a remote location and plugged in by an employee with minimal technical knowledge. The system also allows the IT team to apply business-aligned policies to all equipment under its management. These policies can then be automatically downloaded to all SD-WAN devices under management.
An SD-WAN system can also manage each WAN link’s health; this allows it to use dynamic path selection and differentiate different types of traffic, allowing the best connection to be reserved for the most critical traffic. Other, lower priority traffic is routed onto a less reliable connection.
An SD-WAN system may require some changes to the existing network infrastructure. Because it does not work like traditional network routers, users may have to make internal changes to ensure that their applications will continue functioning properly. For example, the new network design may require changes to the configuration of VPN tunnels. Therefore, evaluating these changes early on is important to ensure the system can support them.
