A software defined wide area network is a technology that utilizes software for the control of services, connectivity, and management between resources in the cloud, distanced offices, and data centers within a company. This technology separates the data and control planes and can be easily deployed with existing routers or virtualized customer premises equipment (vCPE) that simultaneously run software to handle policy, security, and other critical functions.
A key feature of SD-WAN is its ability to simultaneously manage and handle numerous types of connections. This technology is a much more flexible solution for deployment at multiple sites than traditional wide area networks (WAN) since data does not need to be backhauled to an organization’s central location. Since traffic on a software defined wide area network is routed along the most optimal path, the network’s performance is optimized.
In 2022, the market size for software-defined WAN was 3.515 billion. The market is projected to grow to $30.908 billion by 2030. The proliferation of this technology has largely been driven by organizations of all sizes moving from traditional WAN to software-defined WAN as they digitally transform. However, you should understand the pros and cons of deploying software-defined WAN within your Indiana organization before you make the switch.
Here are some positive aspects of SD-WAN:
Wide area network costs can be expensive because of the need to purchase and install hardware and infrastructure in each location. With software defined wide area networks, organizations can choose more cost-effective options such as LTE and broadband that can then be bonded. The combination of cost savings on circuits with uptime improvements provides a good return on investment for organizations.
This technology can also be used together with MPLS with broadband connections serving as backups. Remote workers can be provided with small appliances that work like firewalls so that they can enjoy intelligent connectivity using their LTE or home broadband connections with the same degree of monitoring and security as office workers.
Software-defined wide-area networks improve how existing wide-area networks perform by allowing for the simultaneous use of numerous links and bonding them together. This feature allows a larger traffic pipeline from which the technology will route the traffic through the most optimum link. The technology also routes data based on defined policies.
Since software-defined wide-area networks handle multiple connections simultaneously by creating configurations between active links, the system can detect failed links and reroute traffic as necessary. All types of connections can be used at the same time to maximize the capacity of the network.
A software-defined wide-area network is more secure than a broadband or MPLS network through the creation of encrypted network tunnels. This helps to protect the safety of your sensitive data as it travels across the internet.
With software-defined wide-area networks, management functions are centralized, and the network can be administered across the company from one location. This feature allows IT professionals to gain a comprehensive picture of the network and to more accurately forecast needed capacity upgrades. Compliance and security across the network can also be streamlined so that remote offices and workers can be treated with the same protocols as the organization’s primary location.
Despite the benefits of SD-WAN technology, you should also consider the following drawbacks:
With a software-defined wide-area network, your IT staff might need to configure and maintain it. This might create more work for your IT staff and network engineers. However, there are managed service providers (MSPs) that can take care of these tasks for you.
There are some alternatives to software-defined wide-area network technology that are currently emerging, including secure access service edge (SASE) that avoids some of the management challenges by being centered in the cloud. Another emerging option is secure service edge (SSE), which consolidates multiple security technologies into one and relies on the cloud more than SD-WAN. It is believed that these different technologies will converge, so your organization should eventually be able to benefit from all three of these technologies at once.
The initial cost of a deployment of SD-WAN can be high in the short term. However, the cost savings from reduced downtime, fewer disruptions, and the ability to avoid new hardware installations at remote sites can quickly make up for it. In the long run, software-defined wide-area network technology should result in cost savings.
If you would like to learn more about the pros and cons of SD-WAN for your Indianapolis organization, please contact us for more information.
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