SD-WAN Use Cases
SD-WANs are gradually gaining widespread use within organizations. Customers deployed their networks within minutes whereas normally it would’ve taken a prolonged period of time to set up network infrastructure. They have also reported an easier and simpler user experience compared to when using applications within traditional WANs.
Here are some cases in which businesses can use SD-WANs to their advantage:
- Security: Due to the size and scope of the networks operated, and because partners are heavily interconnected with one another, some information that is highly sensitive is best left segmented from other data pools. SD-WANs address this by provisioning sites utilizing a LAN + WAN zoning concept to keep sites secure. Policies are global and instantaneous, which is enforced via network segmentation rules and hybrid networking capability.
- The Simplicity of IT Management: IT network systems are highly complex to manage. Introducing the software-defined approach would lessen the burden staffs would go through with the use of applications that handle traffic management and monitoring functions normally done with traditional switches and routers.
- Cloud-first Connectivity Strategy: For cost and efficiency reasons, customers are encouraged to utilize SaaS applications that are hosted within the cloud.
- 100% Cloud Approach: Branch routing and security, formerly the domain of CLIs, are replaced with policy-based management that is centralized. This makes provisioning a simpler affair. In addition, multi-mesh VPN simplifies management of IPsec backhaul.
When planning to execute upgrades from your business legacy WAN to software-defined WAN, follow these three steps:
- Determine what WAN connectivity options are available for each remote and local location.
- Make a decision on how to implement WAN technology. You’ll want to look at the headquarters or corporate side along with the remote side of the WAN.
- Validate routing protocols. Routing protocols at the local or remote location should match with that of the corporate/headquarters branch.
Improved WAN Resiliency, Availability and Capacity
The ability of the SD architecture allows links to withstand interruptions of service and switch over to redundant carrier links, offering minimal downtime. It also takes advantage of connecting to existing networks, including 3G/4G LTE and MPLS paths. The hybridization capability of SD-WANs allows them to be free of dependence on terrestrial connections, and leverage the internet to connect users without capping network resources.
Affordable Global Connectivity for Branch Offices and Mobile Users
Companies having dedicated MPLS circuits and maintaining them have proven to be expensive in recent years. SD-WANs cut network operation costs between 30-90%. They come with the added benefit of providing connectivity for users regionally and globally.
Securely Extending the Enterprise WAN to the Cloud
SD-WANs extends the security envelope by utilizing the branch edge router to provide a defense against malicious traffic through the use of a centralized control scheme for network and security functions. This enables the protection of data as they are migrated back and forth between cloud platforms and systems housed within the central business headquarters.
Setting Up Hybrid WAN Topologies That Connect Enterprise Sites
The hybrid option of the software-defined approach allows companies to utilize both applications in conjunction with traditional MPLS circuits to ensure that services are kept running. Distance will no longer be a factor as applications make it easier to deploy branch and remote networks at a moment’s notice.
