SD-WAN is a software-defined approach to wide area network management.
Among the key benefits are the following:
- Across MPLS, 4G/5G LTE, and other connection types, cost benefits are connected with transport independence.
- Enhancing the performance and agility of applications
- Optimizing the user experience and efficiency of cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) and public cloud applications
- Automation and cloud-based administration simplify operations
Why SD-WAN Now?
WAN in Its Conventional Form
Traditionally, the WAN (wide-area network) connected users at the branch or campus to applications hosted on data center servers. Dedicated MPLS circuits were typically utilized to aid in ensuring the security and reliability of connectivity. This is incompatible with a cloud-centric world.
Today’s Information Technology Challenges
The times have evolved. As enterprises embrace SaaS and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) applications across different clouds, IT notices a lackluster user application experience. That is because WANs constructed for a previous period are unprepared for the massive increase in WAN traffic brought about by cloud adoption. This traffic adds complexity to administration, unpredictability to application performance, and data vulnerability.
Additionally, connecting the company to the Internet and the cloud introduces significant security and compliance risks. Protecting an enterprise’s critical assets is particularly difficult when applications are accessed by a broad workforce of workers, partners, contractors, vendors, and guests. Enabling broadband over the WAN exacerbates security concerns, presenting IT with a balancing act between user experience, security, and complexity.
New WAN
New business models drive the demand for a new network model.
SD-WAN is designed to handle today’s IT challenges. This new approach to network connectivity can significantly reduce operational costs and optimize resource utilization in multisite deployments. Network administrators can optimize bandwidth use and contribute to the continued high performance of mission-critical applications without jeopardizing security or data privacy.
What Are the SD-WAN Advantages?
Historically, WAN architectures were restricted to enterprise, branch, and data center environments. When a business adopts cloud-based apps in SaaS and IaaS, its WAN architecture is flooded with traffic-accessing applications distributed throughout the world.
These changes have several ramifications for information technology. Employee productivity may be compromised as a result of SaaS application performance issues. WAN costs might increase as a result of inefficient utilization of dedicated and backup circuits. IT is constantly engaged in a difficult battle to connect numerous people and devices to multiple cloud environments.
In addition to routing and threat protection, SD-WAN also allows for the effective offloading of expensive circuits and network management simplification. Among the business benefits are the following:
Enhancing the Application Experience
- For all mission-critical enterprise applications, high availability and predictable service are required.
- Numerous hybrid active-active links to accommodate all network configurations
- Through application-aware routing, application traffic is dynamically routed, assuring efficient delivery and a superior user experience.
- Reduced operating expenses by substituting less expensive and more flexible broadband for pricey Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) services (including secure VPN connections)
Increased Security
- Application-aware policies, including end-to-end segmentation and real-time access control
- Integrated threat protection that is enforced in the appropriate location
- Secure data transfer over high-speed Internet and into the cloud
- Distribute security to branch offices and remote endpoints using NGFW, DNS security, and NGAV
Connectivity to the Cloud-Optimized
- Extension of the WAN to several public clouds in a seamless manner
- Performance optimization for Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and other major SaaS applications in real time
- Optimized processes for Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure cloud platforms
Simplified Administration
- A consolidated, cloud-based management dashboard for configuring and managing wide area networks, cloud services, and security
- Provisioning based on templates and requiring no manual intervention for all locations: branch, campus, and cloud
- For business analytics and bandwidth forecasting, detailed information on application and WAN performance is required.
Conclusion
SD-WAN is covered by three Cisco certification tracks: CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE. To gain a thorough understanding of SD-WAN technology, you must participate in the SPOTO SDWAN theory course. This will keep you abreast of technological advancements. Additionally, if you plan to take the Cisco exam, you should be conversant with SD-WAN technologies. Begin today, and you will soon be an IT specialist!
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