SD-WAN

Software-Defined Wide Area Networking

Implement Traffic – Engineering

The ability to control where and how traffic is routed on your network to manage capacity, prioritize different services and prevent congestion.

Implement multi-service networks. The ability to deliver data transport service as well as IP Routing services across the same packet-switched network infrastructure.

Supports multiple connection types – MPLS, Internet via Fiber, Internet via Coax, LTE Wireless
Allows for load sharing across WAN connections.
Simple interface for managing WAN connections.
Support VPNs as well as 3^rd party services such as WAN optimization, controllers, firewalls, etc.
Eliminates downtime (only power outages excluded with UPS battery backup).
SD-WAN is used for both voice and data/internet redundancy.

The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is very popular in our IT community because it reflects an understandable reluctance to tamper with imperfect systems that still work. This popular view needs to be challenged at least once in a while.

Networking that connects distributed organizations, for example, may not be “broke’ however as new technologies emerge, looking back they seem expensive and cumbersome!

SD-WAN reinvents the traditional WAN using the power of virtualization. Network virtualization has been transformative because it replaces purpose built network hardware with generic compute power capable of running any application. The reinvented value proposition is so much better: Costs get lower, bandwidth gets higher: analytics get more detailed: installations become faster and availability is essentially everywhere globally. Security gets stronger and most importantly, critical applications work as expected.