SD-WAN is a flexible network infrastructure that utilizes smart routing to optimize each application’s bandwidth. It facilitates the migration of applications to the cloud while reducing traffic from the data center. In addition, it helps ensure efficient branch connections. These are just some of the advantages of SD-WAN. There are many more, so read on to learn more. 

Improves IT agility

Today’s competitive environment demands a high level of agility from IT. While the performance demands of customer-facing systems are growing faster than those of internal systems, IT is struggling to keep pace. SD-WAN solutions help improve agility by providing centralized network control, comprehensive visibility into network resources, and task automation to streamline network operations. Moreover, SD-WAN solutions allow for better network planning, allowing IT to focus on other aspects of the business.

You can create a virtual WAN infrastructure and automate network management with an SD-WAN. This solution supports cloud resources and NFV. It can also manage inherent deficiencies in wireless or internet connections, such as packet loss and jitter. It is beneficial to learn about SD-WAN as it reduces expenses and improves IT agility. With MPLS router-based architecture, cost and lead times for branch expansion are long and expensive, and no visibility is available into the branch environment. It can also make it difficult to enforce security policies in branch offices.

Improves performance

SD-WAN is a network optimization technology that allows companies to optimize their network traffic. With SD-WAN, network engineers can create a set of directions for each application, steering critical data packets on paths with maximum bandwidth and minimum holdup while routing less-important data packets on lower-priority paths. This way, all network users are provided with an optimal browsing experience. Here are two ways that SD-WAN can help you improve your business’s performance.

First, SD-WAN can improve your branch’s bandwidth. VoIP and rich applications eat up a significant portion of branch bandwidth. By implementing an SD-WAN management and control overlay, businesses can improve the performance of WAN communications while doubling their bandwidth. Second, SD-WAN makes it easier for companies to add a second transport for WAN communications, thus doubling their bandwidth. With SD-WAN, these benefits are much easier to achieve than without it.

Reduces costs

There are two types of savings resulting from SD-WAN: hard and soft savings. The former type involves savings that are hard to quantify and can be challenging to use as justification for an SD-WAN investment. Soft savings are benefits that cannot be quantified but are nonetheless significant. According to some estimates, SD-WAN can save up to 1.5% of the total cost of WAN infrastructure. But hard savings do exist.

SD-WAN must be used in conjunction with the right type of network infrastructure to be effective. For example, a company that connects to its internet services through a Layer 3 MPLS network will be able to save a great deal of money by using an SD-WAN instead of an MPLS connection. However, it is crucial to consider the performance of the network architecture before switching. In addition, providers may market their capabilities as cost savings compared to MPLS. SD-WAN costs are also variable and can increase with the number of controllers and encryption at each site.

Improves IoT integration

SD-WAN solutions are designed to help businesses run a more flexible network that supports a diverse range of connectivity needs, including IPv6 and the latest wireless technology, like 5G. Today’s IoT devices use a variety of protocols, speeds, and media types. Many of these devices use low-power technologies and Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or in-building power-line communication networks. The challenge of operating a diverse and scattered IoT network is complicated because some of them rely on radios and other low-power technology. SD-WAN is a powerful solution for simplifying the management of a sprawling network of IoT devices.

Another key advantage of SD-WAN is its ability to improve security. While traditional WAN setups require manual configuration at each location, SD-WAN allows organizations to implement fine-grained WAN segmentation and virtualize security services for IoT devices. It also helps prevent data breaches from exploiting the IoT network, reducing the risk of security breaches. Further, SD-WAN enables enterprises to isolate IoT devices from other parts of the network.