The rapid digital transformation with remote work, apps shifting to the cloud and the rise of IoT and OT has placed immense pressure on network infrastructure. To keep pace with increasing bandwidth needs and higher network performance requirements without having to deal with exploding costs, organizations are turning to Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN) as a cornerstone of their network strategy. When deployed in a cloud-native architecture, SD-WAN becomes even more powerful, enabling more efficient operations as well as AI-driven automation and optimization.

Understanding Cloud-Based SD-WAN

A cloud-based SD-WAN leverages cloud infrastructure and management principles to deliver a flexible, scalable, and secure network solution. Unlike traditional SD-WAN solutions, which often rely on on-premises hardware appliances, cloud-based SD-WAN solutions are managed and controlled through a cloud-based platform. This approach differs from the traditional one in several aspects:

• Centralized Management: A single, unified platform for managing and monitoring the entire network.
• Rapid Deployment & Agility: Faster deployment and best-practice configuration of network services as well as network scalability - bandwidth-wise or also adding new sites or users.
• Baked-in Security: End-to-end encryption of network traffic with VPNs and consistent security policies on firewalls.

Why Cloud-Based SD-WAN?

While cloud-based SD-WAN is often associated with cloud-native applications, it's equally applicable to on-premises environments. Many organizations have a hybrid IT setup, combining on-premises infrastructure with cloud services. Cloud-based SD-WAN can seamlessly connect these disparate environments, providing:

• Enhanced Scalability: Cloud-based SD-WAN offers unparalleled scalability, allowing organizations to rapidly adapt to changing business needs.
• Centralized Operations: A cloud-based platform provides a centralized view of the entire network, simplifying management and troubleshooting.
• Unified Hybrid Network Management: A single pane of glass to manage both on-premises and cloud-based networks.
• Optimized Performance: Intelligent routing and traffic optimization to ensure optimal performance for all applications.
• Enhanced Security: Cloud-based SD-WAN solutions often incorporate security features like VPN, firewall, and threat protection, safeguarding your network.
• Reduced Complexity: Simplified network management and reduced operational overhead.
• Lower Operational Costs: By automating routine tasks and optimizing network performance, cloud-based SD-WAN can significantly reduce operational costs.

Centralized Management for More Efficient Operations

A cloud-based SD-WAN offers a centralized management platform that simplifies network operations and enables efficient management of diverse network environments. By consolidating network management tasks into a single interface, organizations can:

• Ensure Consistent Policies: Enforce standardized policies across the entire network, improving security and performance. For example consistent application prioritization - quality of service (QoS) - and routing, or firewall policies based on a central best-practice rule-set where local exceptions can be implemented.
• Accelerate Incident Response: Quickly identify and resolve network issues like connectivity outages or reduced performance due to traffic saturation with centralized monitoring and automated troubleshooting.
• Streamline Software Updates: Deploy software updates and security patches efficiently to all network devices. Usually, cloud-based SD-WAN providers keep deployments on the same software version which simplifies their software lifecycle management.
• Gain Valuable Insights: Collect and analyze network data to optimize performance and identify potential issues. These insights bring value to both, people and technology: for network engineers to resolve complex edge-case incidents but also for AI to generate benchmarks, best practices or predictive insights to take preventive measures before an incident can happen.

The Power of AI in Network Automation

When combined with AI, cloud-based SD-WAN can revolutionize network operations:

• Predictive Analytics: AI algorithms can analyze network data to predict potential issues and proactively take corrective actions. For example automated VPN tunnel restarts in case of too many failed re-keying attempts or if traffic throughput is degraded. In many cases, this solves the problem before it impacts network performance.
• Automated Troubleshooting: AI-powered tools can automate routine troubleshooting tasks, reducing downtime and improving efficiency. Some cloud-based SD-WAN providers offer useful tools that mimic real network traffic and grant a holistic view on what happens on the network layer: which application the traffic belongs to, how it is routed with all hops included as well as which firewall or internet proxy rules apply.
• Optimized Routing: AI can dynamically optimize network routes based on real-time traffic patterns and network conditions. SD-WAN technology routes traffic via the path that fits best the performance requirements of the application: if an app needs a lot of bandwidth but doesn't require real-time processing, it is routed via the path that offers most bandwidth and re-routed if a link on the path is congested. Or the other way around, if an app has low latency requirements - for example an audio call - then it is routed via the fastest path even though there might be only limited bandwidth available.
• Enhanced Security: AI-driven security solutions can detect and mitigate threats in real-time. Network anomalies such as malicious scanning activity or connection attempts to command and control servers outside the internal network can be detected and isolated or immediately blocked.

Key Benefits of Cloud-Based SD-WANs Enabling AI-Driven Network Automation:

• Improved Network Performance: AI can optimize network performance by fine-tuning routing, load balancing, and other network parameters.
• Reduced Downtime: Proactive issue detection and automated remediation can minimize network outages.
• Enhanced Security: AI-powered security solutions can identify and respond to threats more effectively.
• Increased Efficiency: Automation of routine tasks frees up network engineers to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Lower Operational Costs: Reduced manual effort and optimized resource utilization can lead to significant cost savings.

By embracing cloud-based SD-WAN with centralized management and adding AI-driven automation, organizations can build a more agile, resilient, and efficient network infrastructure.

Especially when partnering with a Managed Service Provider for network operations, it is important to check which SD-WAN technology they use and if they can manage that in a truly cloud-based approach: centralized configuration, monitoring and visibility. This will allow them to provide a more reliable and optimized network service since configurations are more consistent and incidents can be resolved quicker. And if IT network teams or MSPs really master their operational processes and the underlying SD-WAN technology, AI has great potential to take their network operations to the next level: from simple monitoring to impact analysis and preventive actions or from overwhelming DIY-configuration to best-practice and optimization recommendations.