The old paradigm of backhauling traffic from branch offices to data centers is no longer appropriate for thorough security testing. This technique costs bandwidth and causes latency, reducing application performance. When it comes to maintaining compliance with company security requirements, there is a critical need for a more effective means of transferring traffic directly over the internet from branch locations to reputable software as a service (SaaS) and cloud-based applications.
A software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) guarantees that applications run consistently and reliably, automates traffic steering based on business requirements, improves network security, and simplifies WAN architecture. An SD-WAN can safely and intelligently channel traffic across the wide area network (WAN) and directly to trusted SaaS and IaaS providers by using a centralized control function.
How Does SD-WAN Work?
The basic purpose of software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) is to connect end users and applications concurrently, regardless of where they are located. When generating traffic, SD-WAN considers the business demands of the application. These business criteria encompass the priorities of the application, the necessary security measures, and the performance requirements of the application. Most of the time, apps that are critical to their purpose are given top attention. Networking methods may include MPLS, the internet, and 4G LTE, among others.
The software-defined wide area network (WAN) design separates control and administrative activities, applications, and WAN transport services. It includes a centralized control plane that stores and handles all application and traffic data. The centralized control plane monitors and adjusts traffic to meet the application’s requirements and provide the best possible user experience.
What’s the Difference between SD-WAN and SDN?
A software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) links several sites, which is the primary distinction between the two technologies. Software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) bolster WANs spread out across a vast geographical area, while software-defined networking (SDN) allows for the rapid creation of networks tailored to an organization’s specific requirements.
The fact that the vendor, not internal resources, controls software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) is another important difference. The vendor handles the service, so there may be less work for the network administrator using software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN).
What Problems Does SD-WAN Solve?
SD-WAN allows organizations to securely and efficiently link users to applications. With this technology solution, networking achieves new heights of agility and cost savings. Businesses often employ managed MPLS services, but one of the key SD WAN benefits is that it provides more responsive and predictable applications at a more affordable price and in less time. With IT’s increased agility, new features like site deployment in minutes, data service use of any kind, site switching in an instant, and easier migration to hybrid cloud environments are all within reach.
The goal of software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) is to achieve this by separating network operations from applications via a virtual overlay that is based on policies. Through analysis of the underlying networks’ real-time performance characteristics and the setup options, this overlay selects the optimal network for each application.
Real-World Examples of SD-WAN
A real-world example would be a restaurant chain that must accept credit cards at its point-of-sale (POS) terminals. Previously, this was typically achieved via the use of plain old telephone service (POTS) lines. The Internet is another example of modern media development. What should you do if the gateway that handles your card processing refuses to reveal itself to the public on the internet? What are your choices if you don’t want to pay for leased lines? The software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) has the potential to be an outstanding tool for easing access over any internet connection available.
Another significant use case is in the financial sector. Banks may prefer that their business applications be available over leased lines to reduce latency. However, it is feasible that they have applications hosted in the public cloud that need a secure connection to their regional public cloud via secure tunnels. Another possibility is that financial organizations will require access to online applications that should be delivered via direct internet access to lessen the strain on private lines. Furthermore, to ensure the continuity of company activities at the branch, they may have a backup cell connection that supports 4G or 5G connectivity.
Key Notes
Businesses continue to invest heavily in digital transformation to meet the demands of a mobile world and the rising number of remote workers. Many businesses are turning to solutions like software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) to ensure increased application performance and a high-quality user experience, regardless of user location, as the network edge becomes increasingly complex.