At iSymplify, we understand that there’s a lot of confusion in the marketplace when it comes to SD-WAN architectures. How does it work? Which networks are a good fit? What does implementation look like? These are all common SD-WAN questions, and iSymplify is here to answer them.
What Is SD-WAN?
Understanding how software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) works offers the most straightforward entry point into clarifying how it improves network processes. A wide-area network (WAN) describes the network connections that extend beyond your local on-premise or local-area network (LAN). As such, WAN can cover anything from your internet connection to a multi-site private network across the globe.
SD-WAN builds on the idea of network interconnectivity by centralizing and consolidating network resources under one umbrella interface. That’s where the “software-defined” and cloud-based aspects of SD-WAN come into play. The software helps unify, streamline, and manage all of the network connections you may already be using. As a result, SD-WAN makes it easy to optimize network traffic, prioritize visibility, and eliminate redundant services.
Who Can Benefit From SD-WAN?
To benefit from SD-WAN, your business needs to either already have or be looking to deploy a WAN architecture. WAN networks are most frequently used to connect business networks across multiple locations. You can almost always benefit from SD-WAN integration if you support networks across two or more locations. Businesses that frequently experience success with SD-WAN include:
- Global Enterprises
- National Enterprises
- Multi-Site SMBs
But if you aren’t on that list, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore other network optimization strategies. Get in touch with the experts at iSymplify to explore alternative options.
Which Businesses Can’t Benefit From SD-WAN?
If you aren’t looking to better connect disparate networks across multiple business locations, you probably won’t gain much from SD-WAN. While small businesses and independent office buildings may not benefit from SD-WAN technology, there are still a multitude of network optimization tools worth exploring, and iSymplify can help with that, too.
What Are the Benefits of SD-WAN?
The best part about an SD-WAN architecture is that it allows you to integrate previously disparate connection types and leverage a variety of connections for different network operations. Those connections include:
- Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
- 4G/5G LTE
- DSL, xDSL, and Cable
Through leveraging different connection types across a multitude of network operations, SD-WAN allows you to minimize operating expenses by optimizing connection costs around priority. For example, you can prioritize voice and video data with high-performance (but high-cost) connections while routing low-priority traffic like email and endpoint downloads via more cost-effective connections.
Along with reducing operating expenses, balancing multiple connection types makes it easy to improve performance across network applications. That means you can ultimately improve network performance while paying less. Plus, you gain better visibility across your network with centralized management, monitoring, and optimization tools.
How Long Does Implementing SD-WAN Take?
Now, we’re getting into the trickier questions. While the answers to the above questions are relatively straightforward, the answer to how long an SD-WAN deployment takes is going to vary widely based on the technology you’re already using. Either way, SD-WAN doesn’t happen in a matter of days or weeks, so you should expect the project to take anywhere from a couple of months to half a year or more. Yet once implemented, SD-WAN makes it much easier to integrate cloud-based technology and SaaS solutions into your broader network portfolio as you scale operations.
Does SD-WAN Come With Security Risks?
SD-WAN providers will tell you that SD-WAN improves security across your network, and while that may be absolutely true, it isn’t always the case. That’s because an SD-WAN initiative often opens your network to more network entry points. As long as you’re securing and monitoring potential entry points, SD-WAN presents no increased security risks over any other network architecture. In fact, by increasing visibility and consolidating management across your network, it’s easier to identify potential threats and pinpoint suspicious traffic patterns.
Can You Deploy SD-WAN on Your Own?
You can try to design and deploy an SD-WAN architecture on your network, but that doesn’t mean you should. A successful SD-WAN initiative requires understanding what cloud services, connection types, and network devices you’re already using to clarify how they can better work together. From there, you need to understand the key differentiators SD-WAN vendors bring to the project while coordinating integration initiatives and timelines across multiple service providers. If your team has the experience to make that happen, then an SD-WAN project is something you can do on your own, but if not, iSymplify is here to help.
Have More Questions About SD-WAN?
Have any questions we missed? Understanding how SD-WAN can help your business isn’t always obvious, and the experts at iSymplify are here to provide clarity. Whether you’re ready to start planning an SD-WAN project or you need more information to make a decision, contact us today to start simplifying SD-WAN technology.
