You’ve implemented a few cloud solutions into your IT environment, but you can see that at the rate of demand for bandwidth and the performance requirements of cloud applications, your network is going to need an upgrade. Software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) is being adopted to address these demands across small, mid-size, and global organizations, but you may wonder if the technology is right for your needs. Consider these five benefits you can expect with SD-WAN:
Cost Efficiency: Cost is often the first reason that organizations like yours begin to discuss the possibility of SD-WAN. The important thing to remember is that while you may experience some cost savings, you’re more likely to better manage the increasing WAN costs that go up by around 20% each year for many organizations. What SD-WAN does is allow you to prioritize mission-critical traffic for more expensive multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), while directing other traffic to less-costly links like broadband internet.
Automatic Failover: One of the benefits of utilizing a variety of links is that the SD-WAN solution is able to automatically identify a line that is likely to experience jitter or latency and reroute traffic to the next best pathway. The end user never knows that their videoconference has been redirected because the reliability and performance of the data transmission has been preserved. This is particularly critical in the event of a breach or natural disaster, but it is also helpful for everyday risks associated with dropped packets due to congestion or other issues.
Traffic Prioritization: SD-WAN allows network administrators to segment and prioritize traffic based on business policy. This means a voice call will always take precedence over a transmission that doesn’t require real-time connectivity, such as email.
Easy Deployment at Branches: The hardware appliance for SD-WAN can be shipped to the new branch location, plugged in for power and WAN connections, and then remotely configured by IT from headquarters. Compared to an MPLS-only link that may take weeks to bring a branch location online, the SD-WAN set-up is complete in minutes. Network administrators can also troubleshoot and monitor branch locations, removing the hassle and cost of traveling out to a branch location to remedy a connectivity issue.
Improved Security: In an era when threats to your network and data change by the day, SD-WAN provides end-to-end encryption and the ability to identify anomalies and isolate threats. Some solutions also offer end-point management and content filtering. Look for an SD-WAN solution that works with your existing security equipment and policies, such as your next-generation firewalls and third-party security providers.
It’s important to note that not all SD-WAN solutions are the same; the demand for network solutions to handle cloud bandwidth and performance demands means that the market has had a flood of providers.
To determine the right SD-WAN solution for your enterprise, trust the guidance of Truth Comm. We can help you filter out the solutions that won’t meet your needs or your budget and identify the best one for your organization. Contact us today for more information.
