SD WAN

What Is An SD-WAN?

The technical definition of an SD-WAN is a software-defined network used to deliver a wide area network. A software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) intelligently routes network traffic across the wide-area network. Network intelligence is provided by utilising edge SD WAN routers and an SD WAN controller. These devices operate to automatically determine the best way to route traffic over the wide area network.

What Is The Architecture Of An SD-WAN?

The SD WAN is created by implementing SD-WAN routers in the network and then managing the network using a software interface connected to the SD WAN controller.

What Are The Benefits Of An SD-WAN?

Intelligent routing

One of the main characteristics of the software defined WAN is the ability to manage data traffic over different types of network access such as DSL, Ethernet, Fibre and even 4G.

SD-WAN routers are intelligent and can choose to route traffic efficiently over multiple links. You can now utilise DSL, Ethernet and fibre to their total capacity using an SD-WAN. The SD WAN recognises the type of traffic you are transmitting and automatically selects the best path to maximise the performance of your WAN.

Reliability

You may have used MPLS connections in the past because they are highly reliable and have stringent service level agreements (SLA). DSL, EFM, FTTC and FTTP links are cheaper but not as reliable.

You can enhance reliability in an SD WAN by using multiple, more inexpensive connections with different providers and even 4G failover. By using various internet links from other providers, you enhance the resilience of your WAN and maintain the high level of reliability your Company demands, with a lower cost base.

Performance

Your SD-WAN will employ automatic failover and load-balancing, so if one of your site links fails or is congested, traffic is automatically routed across another link. As a result, you will see an increase in your application performance and latency, as well as the enhanced performance of your business applications such as VoIP, SAAS and any cloud services.

Flexibility

Adding and removing sites to your WAN is effortless with an SD WAN. No longer is there a need to visit a remote location to set up a new network access point. The SD WAN router can be shipped and remotely configured. Additionally, 4G, DSL, EFM, FTTC, FTTP, Ethernet, and Fibre can all access mediums you can use in an SD WAN. The software operating the SD WAN allows you to use any IP connection you choose. You can quickly add and reduce bandwidth as requirements evolve.

Reduced Cost

You can now use any Internet link in your wide area network. You can utilise much less expensive connections and are not limited to costly MPLS connections. Additionally, you are now able to avoid the inflexibility of long provisioning times that MPLS circuits have.

You can also make more efficient use of your WAN connections by allowing the SD WAN to utilise all available network connections to their total capacity without worrying about maintaining idle backup links. Your SD-WAN will use the Internet to create highly secure, fast virtual private network connections, eliminating the need for expensive long-distance point to point leased lines.

Enhanced Security

Your SD-WAN will automatically provide a secure encrypted WAN when it moves your data from one location to another. If you experience a security breach, the SD WAN will segment your network, protecting your Company's data integrity. Your SD WAN will also provide you with enhanced visibility of the amount and type of traffic passing over your WAN, enabling you to identify any suspicious activity quickly.

Let's Weigh Up The Differences: SD WAN vs MPLS

MPLS Advantages & Disadvantages 

If you are considering an SD WAN or an MPLS WAN, one of the first decisions you have to make is, how important is the delivery of packets in my network?

MPLS Quality Of Service - Advantage

MPLS is still the defacto when it comes to quality of service across a wide area network. If QoS and the avoidance of losing mission-critical application data packets are crucial to your management of your WAN, then MPLS may be your only option. 

MPLS allows you to label packets and, in doing so, prioritise all of your traffic by application throughout your wide area network. Some businesses need this level of control and the cost of maintaining the quality of real-time protocols, such as Voice of IP (VoIP). The ability to label packets gives you ultimate control over your network performance albeit at a high price.

MPLS Cost - Disadvantage

The major downside of MPLS is the cost of the network links. The use of bandwidth is increasing fast due to the use of VoIP, video conferencing, rich web browsing experiences such as video. MPLS network links increase in cost according to the capacity of the line. Companies can find that the high per-megabit price that MPLS demands can be out of reach. 

MPLS Flexibility - Disadvantage

Another disadvantage of MPLS is the speed of delivery. It can take 90 working days or longer if construction or way leave is required to install a line.

MPLS Management - Disadvantage

MPLS does not offer you built-in data protection. If you do not protect your MPLS and update the security patches regularly, the WAN will be open to security vulnerabilities.

What Are The Advantages & Disadvantages Of An SD WAN?

SD WAN Advantages & Disadvantages

An SD-WAN offers you several benefits over an MPLS network. SD-WAN's core value proposition is that it promises to reduce costs and management time while increasing security and flexibility.

SD-WAN Mix & Match Network Access - Advantage

Unlike MPLS, your SD-WAN can use DSL, EFM, FTTC, FTTP, Ethernet, Fibre or 4G. The flexibility of the underlying network types is probably the most significant advantage an SD-WAN offers you. You can mix and match network access types according to the kind of network traffic or priority. For example, you could allocate web browsing to DSL and VoIP to Ethernet. DSL, 4G, FTTC and FTTP cost far less than an MPLS circuit, and an SD WAN allows you to operate over those links instead of the expensive MPLS network for certain types of lower-priority traffic.

SD-WAN Flexibility & Deployment - Advantage

SD WANs offer you far more flexibility and speed than MPLS networks. You can rapidly deploy DSL, FTTC, FTTP and EFM throughout the network if you need to. The ongoing cost of operating these links is also far less than MPLS circuits. You can also upgrade these circuits quickly without having to change your infrastructure or network significantly.

SD-WAN Security - Advantage

One of the enormous benefits you get with an SD WAN is added security to your wide area network. Built into SD WAN management software is advanced security encryption that covers everything from the network to the devices accessing the network. Internet access is encrypted, and any endpoint devices such as laptops, PCs and routers use key-exchange authentication managed via the SD WAN software controller.

SD-WAN Control Of Data - Disadvantage

It is not possible to fully manage your network traffic at the packet level using an SD WAN. If you need full QOS with packet-level tagging, then MPLS is still your only option.

Who Are The Leading SD-WAN Vendors?

Velocloud

Velocloud is the market leader in SD WAN technology. Here's how Velocloud describe their business:

VeloCloud's cloud-delivered SD-WAN enables enterprises to securely support application growth, network agility, and simplified branch and endpoint implementations. At the same time, businesses benefit from high-performance, reliable access to cloud services, private data centres and SaaS-based enterprise applications.

http://www.velocloud.com/

Silver Peak

Silver Peak is one of the global leaders in SD WAN Solutions; here's how they describe themselves:

Businesses with a Silver Peak SD-WAN solution lower costs, gain business agility and maintain a competitive edge by delivering a superior experience when connecting users to applications using any combination of transport.

Unlike other vendors, we offer you a fully integrated solution that combines high-performance SD-WAN, WAN optimisation, routing and a stateful firewall to turn your WAN into a business advantage.

https://www.silver-peak.com

Aryaka

Aryaka is just behind Velocloud in the global market share of SD WAN solutions. Here's how they describe themselves:

Aryaka provides the only viable SD-WAN for global enterprises that delivers significantly better performance for cloud and on-premises applications — voice, video and data — for enterprise datacenters, branch offices and remote/mobile employees anywhere in the world.

Unlike legacy network technology, such as MPLS, which takes months to deploy, IT experts can deploy Aryaka's Global SD-WAN within days. The Aryaka SD WAN is delivered as a service, so IT organisations can consume global networking services the way they would consume SaaS applications like Salesforce and infrastructure-as-service like AWS and Azure.

http://www.aryaka.com/