What is a software-defined WAN?

In today's business landscape, organizations are increasingly reliant on cloud applications and services to drive growth, collaboration, and innovation. But despite their growing popularity, cloud technologies create new challenges for network management.

Traditional WANs simply were not designed to handle the traffic patterns, security requirements, and performance demands of modern cloud-based applications. They use expensive hardware devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls to connect branch locations to the central data center, which can be challenging to manage for large companies.

So it likely comes as no surprise that more business leaders are switching to software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solutions to overcome these new networking difficulties. Finding a solution that meets your company's needs now can help you stay ahead of the competition.

What is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN technology allows businesses to build a WAN using software-based network virtualization techniques.

The idea behind SD-WAN is to create a software layer that abstracts the underlying network infrastructure. This enables an SD-WAN controller to dynamically manage network traffic based on policies and priorities.

How does SD-WAN work?

SD-WAN deployment involves setting up network-connected devices throughout an organization's branch offices and data centers. The devices establish secure connections with each other and the SD-WAN controller, which dynamically routes traffic over the most optimal network path.

A few ways SD-WAN differs from traditional WANs include:

Secure connectivity

SD-WAN devices provide end-to-end encryption and advanced security features like firewalls, intrusion detection, and content filtering to protect against cyber attacks. Traditional WAN solutions require network administrators to add security devices at each location for protection.

Application optimization

SD-WAN uses real-time traffic analysis and algorithms to route WAN traffic over network paths based on pre-defined policies. Traditional WAN architecture typically relies on static routing protocols and manually configured network devices.

Carrier-independent WAN

SD-WAN architecture can connect to the corporate network via links from multiple carriers, including broadband internet, LTE, and MPLS. Traditional WAN relies on dedicated hardware devices and carriers to connect multiple locations.

Centralized management

SD-WAN appliances offer centralized management, simplifying network administration and reducing the risk of human error. Traditional WAN connectivity requires a more complex and distributed management model.

How does SD-WAN solve modern IT network challenges?

Modern businesses face several IT network challenges, including:

Network performance

Today's businesses require reliable, high-performing networks to support critical applications and services.

Cyber security threats

Cyber security attacks are becoming more sophisticated, and businesses need to protect their networks and sensitive data from a wide range of threats.

Remote and hybrid workforces

With the increased popularity of remote and hybrid work environments, businesses must ensure their networks can support fast, secure remote access to corporate resources.

Cloud connectivity

Businesses are increasingly dependent on cloud applications and SaaS services. For optimal performance, networks must support direct connectivity to these services with low latency.

Increased data

Businesses need to ensure their network functions well with the increasing volume of traffic, provide efficient storage, and quickly restore lost data.

How SD-WAN solves these challenges

As networks become more complex, businesses need to manage them efficiently and cost-effectively while reducing the risk of downtime.

SD-WAN architecture is built to reduce latency, packet loss, and jitter, so companies can experience better network performance overall. And because these tools provide automatic failover and redundancy, they help to reroute application traffic to backup links in case of outages or disruptions.

Ultimately, SD-WAN technology addresses these network challenges by giving businesses more flexibility, agility, and control over their wide area network.

What are the benefits of SD-WAN?

SD-WAN solutions simplify network management while offering businesses a wide range of benefits. Some of the biggest SD-WAN benefits include:

Improved performance

Because SD-WAN uses real-time traffic analysis and dynamic routing algorithms, it can send network traffic over the best connection at any given time. This results in improved application performance, less latency, and a better overall user experience.

Lower costs

Since SD-WANs can send traffic over multiple connection types, businesses can save money by leveraging lower-cost network links alongside more expensive options. Low-priority activity like internet browsing can be routed over broadband internet, while bandwidth-intensive activities like video conferencing can be routed over MPLS.

Advanced security

SD-WAN offers built-in security features, such as end-to-end encryption and firewalls. These tools provide better protection against cyber threats, which is particularly important for public cloud services.

Increased agility

SD-WAN allows for faster deployment of new locations, applications, and services, so businesses can more quickly respond to the changing market or meet new customer demands. And because it is a cloud-based service, SD-WAN easily scales up and down as needed to grow alongside the business.

Better cloud connectivity

SD-WAN reduces latency and improves performance by directly connecting to cloud applications and services. This allows traffic to bypass the traditional backhaul to a data center, which often results in slower connectivity during peak usage times.

Secure SD-WAN software, which combines the benefits of SD-WAN technology with advanced security features, typically includes:

• Encrypted traffic, to protect data transfers between multiple locations and prevent interception.
• Firewall, to protect against unauthorized network and data access.
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems, to monitor for and prevent unauthorized access, malware, and other cyber threats.
• Secure web gateway, to filter web traffic and prevent users from accessing harmful websites.
• Anti-virus and anti-malware, to protect against viruses, ransomware, and other types of malware.
• Network segmentation, to isolate different parts of the network and prevent lateral attacks in the event of a breach.

What are SD-WAN use cases?

Businesses can use SD-WAN in various scenarios to address different needs and challenges. Here are some of the most common SD-WAN use cases:

Branch offices

SD-WAN can be used to securely connect remote branch offices to a central network. This can help to provide a consistent user experience and WAN optimization.

Cloud applications

Organizations can use SD-WAN to connect directly to cloud-based services, improving app performance, reducing latency, and eliminating traffic backhauls.

Data centers

SD-WAN can connect multiple data center sites and provide secure WAN connectivity between them. This can help to provide a more resilient network and improve disaster recovery.

Remote workers

Businesses can use SD-WAN to provide secure connectivity for hybrid and remote workers, enabling them to access the corporate network from any location. This can improve productivity and reduce security risks associated with remote access.

How does SD-WAN compare to other networking solutions?

SD-WAN offers several advantages over other networking solutions, such as software-defined networking (SDN), multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), or virtual private networks (VPN).

SD-WAN vs SDN

• Scope. SDN is a broad term that refers to using software to manage network infrastructure, including both local area networks and wide area networks. SD-WAN is a specific use case of software-defined networking focused on WAN optimization.
• Functionality. SDN typically involves a centralized controller that manages and controls traffic, while SD-WAN focuses on optimizing traffic routes over the network.
• Deployment. SDN is typically used in large, centralized data center environments, while SD-WAN is more commonly used by businesses with distributed branch offices that need to connect to a centralized network.
• Benefits. Both offer improved network flexibility, management, and security, but the specific benefits vary depending on the solution.

SD-WAN vs MPLS

• Cost. MPLS is typically more expensive than SD-WAN because businesses must install dedicated physical circuits between data centers and each branch office. SD-WAN uses a mix of public and private networks to connect sites, which can significantly reduce costs.
• Flexibility. SD-WAN allows organizations to easily add or remove sites without infrastructure changes. MPLS often requires changing the physical infrastructure to add new sites.
• Bandwidth. MPLS usually offers more predictable and reliable bandwidth, but SD-WAN can aggregate multiple connections to provide high-speed connectivity to remote sites.
• Management. SD-WAN offers centralized management and visibility, which can be easier for IT staff to manage than the complex management of MPLS networks.

SD-WAN vs VPN

• Functionality. SD-WAN is designed to optimize the routing and management of traffic over a WAN. VPN is designed to provide secure remote access to network functions over the internet.
• Performance. SD-WAN can prioritize application traffic, improving performance and reducing latency. VPN typically suffers from application performance issues due to the public internet's limitations.
• Security. Both provide secure connections but use different methods. VPNs typically use encryption to secure traffic between remote users and the central network, while SD-WAN may use additional security services such as firewalls.
• Deployment. VPN is often easier to deploy, as IT teams can set it up on individual devices. SD-WAN requires more infrastructure and network configuration, but it is still straightforward to deploy and configure.

How can businesses deploy SD-WAN?

Deploying SD-WAN company-wide involves several steps. The process might vary depending on your organization's specific needs.

Planning

Identify your needs and goals for the network. This may include improving performance, reducing costs, or increasing security. You should also evaluate your company's current network infrastructure and identify any limitations.

Design

Determine the number and location of SD-WAN devices, the connectivity options you will use, and the required security functions.

Implementation

Install and configure SD-WAN devices, set up connectivity options, and configure network policies and security settings.

Testing

Thoroughly test the solution to ensure it meets your business's needs. This can involve testing performance, security, and reliability.

Ongoing management

Every SD-WAN solution requires ongoing management and maintenance, including monitoring performance, changing network policies, and upgrading hardware and software as needed.

Optimize your networking technology with Momentum

If you are ready to experience SD-WAN for your business, Momentum can help. Our managed SD-WAN service helps organizations overcome modern WAN challenges, boost bandwidth, and increase agility.

Powered by Juniper Networks, it offers several advantages over other solutions:

• Scalable hardware that enables high-speed networking, out-of-band LTE management, and full visibility.
• The ability to connect failover sites across multiple networks and cut bandwidth costs with Juniper's proprietary secure vector routing.
• Security features designed to help you build a powerful zero trust network access solution for your organization.
• Streamlined operations, easy monitoring and reporting, and automated troubleshooting to free up your team's resources.