What Is SD-WAN (Software-Defined WAN) and Top 10 SD-WAN Solutions
What is SD-WAN?
Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) is a virtual network that uses software technologies, such as internet-based communication tunnels, software-driven network encryption, firewall software, and so forth. — To manage a large-scale computer network that spans multiple locations.
Software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs) use software-defined technology and infrastructure. SD-WAN separates the network hardware and the control mechanism, which simplifies the WAN’s management and operation. SD-WAN solutions are more cost-effective than private WAN connections such as MPLS and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and can be used to build a higher-performance WAN.
SD-WAN solutions allow organizations to easily manage routers and firewalls, as well as upgrade software and firmware. Remote clients can also be managed through a centralized management interface. Centralized management controls are used to securely and efficiently manage traffic across trusted providers such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) directly in the WAN. It reduces maintenance costs and lowers equipment costs, which in turn minimizes labor costs.
How does SD-WAN address them and what are the Limitations
In the beginning, WANs required traffic backhauling from branch offices to a central data center. This was where advanced security services were applied. Traffic between data centers and sources was based upon complex routing protocols like transmission control protocol, addresses, and control list table.
It leads to delays resulting in poor application performance, user experience, and high costs due to costly bandwidths. In order to install MPLS routers in each location, users had to pay additional expenses. Because of network complexity, it took longer to upgrade firmware or software. Cloud infrastructure was not supported by the network architecture. Traditional WAN limitations led to the adoption of a new SD-WAN technology, which replaced MPLS.
SD-WAN is organized in data centers and branch offices. It’s optimized for cloud infrastructure, and it associates mobile computing with cloud technology. It divides the control and data planes of the network. It provides a central management interface that allows traffic to be monitored and managed. It features a single management portal that reduces complexity and makes it easier for applications to be tracked, improving performance and operational efficiency.
An organization can make savings by providing lower-cost infrastructure or transport costs. SD-WAN offers end-to-end encryption across the entire network, providing secure connections for its users. SD-WAN also prioritizes traffic for business-critical applications and routes it through the most efficient route.
How Does SD-WAN Work?
SD-WAN’s main purpose is to connect end users and applications regardless of their location. SD-WAN generates traffic according to the application’s business requirements. These business requirements can vary depending on the application’s priority, security policies that must be enforced, or the performance of the application. Critical mission applications usually get the highest priority. There are many options for networking, including MPLS, broadband, 4G LTE and
The SD-WAN architecture is a separation of control and management functions, applications, and WAN transport services. The centralized control plane stores and manages all data about traffic and applications. It monitors traffic and adjusts it to meet the needs of the applications. This ensures the best experience.
Originally published on The Tech Trend
