What is a Software-Defined WAN
(SD-WAN)?
SD-WAN stands for software-defined wide area network. It is a virtual network, managed through software. This gives greater control over how data is routed and prioritized. IT teams can manage connectivity more flexibly and efficiently. Additionally, SD-WANs are more cost effective.
On average, roughly 70% of enterprise applications run on the cloud or with a SaaS provider.
The SD-WAN market is expected to grow from USD 3.4 billion in 2021 to USD 13.7 billion in 2026.
The growth of the global SD-WAN market from 2021 to 2026 represents a CAGR of over 31.9%.
Networks, like road trips, can be a pain. When things are going fine, it’s great, but the reality is often more like an obstacle course to ensure that users get the things they need – when they need them. Securely and reliably. So they can be effective without doing U-turns.
Everybody in an organization is affected by the network – considering that most work these days is digital.
Not surprisingly, the evaluation of an SD-WAN provider is not an overnight decision. Here’s a roadmap to go by.
Understanding
SD-WANs
Automation – Performance – Access
- Next-generation firewalls with granular global and local security zoning
- Secure Web and Email Gateways
- Worldwide secure entry points for protecting mobile users and remote facilities
- Threat detection and response
- Globally distributed and meshed security sensors
- Edge-to-core event logging, machine learning, and AI-driven threat detection
For Cloud-First and
Widely Distributed Organizations
SD-WANs (software-defined WANs) overlay the physical WAN infrastructure with an intelligent software layer. It provides simpler management for the entire network. In addition to the traditional MPLS infrastructure, SD-WANs leverage software-defined networking (SDN) to deliver services across other connections, including LTE, satellite, wireless WAN, and broadband, and can more easily and cost effectively span oceans and continents to encompass a global enterprise.
In contrast to traditional WANs, SD-WANs are dynamically managed by policies and service level agreements. Once policies are created or updated they are delivered to the WAN devices. Traffic and application performance are monitored across the entire SD-WAN network to ensure user service levels are met.
Unlike traditional WANs, the additional software layer monitors and reconfigures the network with minimal user intervention. Routing traffic is policy-driven and automatic. Traffic is no longer directed along a predetermined path but along the path that will ensure the prescribed quality of service. SD-WANs deliver the intelligence and agility needed to optimize WAN performance. Our technology overcomes the latency inherent in rigid legacy WANs to help IT professions address the growing traffic generated by cloud applications and the internet.
SD-WANs Connect,
But Do They Protect?
Basic SD-WANs significantly improve connectivity, reduce costs and network performance but don’t inherently offer robust cybersecurity. Such SD-WANs will require bolt-on security solutions and additional staff to manage, detect, and remove cyber threats and intrusions.
Leading managed SD-WAN services provide a comprehensive multi-layer suite of integrated cybersecurity technologies that function in unison and are seamlessly layered over the SD-WAN infrastructure. The SD-WAN with integrated cybersecurity is managed through a single pane of glass with 24×7 monitoring and support by security experts.
SD-WAN devices and technologies, which provide cybersecurity include:
SD-WANs (software-defined WANs) overlay the physical WAN infrastructure with an intelligent software layer. It provides simpler management for the entire network. In addition to the traditional MPLS infrastructure, SD-WANs leverage software-defined networking (SDN) to deliver services across other connections, including LTE, satellite, wireless WAN, and broadband, and can more easily and cost effectively span oceans and continents to encompass a global enterprise.
In contrast to traditional WANs, SD-WANs are dynamically managed by policies and service level agreements. Once policies are created or updated they are delivered to the WAN devices. Traffic and application performance are monitored across the entire SD-WAN network to ensure user service levels are met.
Unlike traditional WANs, the additional software layer monitors and reconfigures the network with minimal user intervention. Routing traffic is policy-driven and automatic. Traffic is no longer directed along a predetermined path but along the path that will ensure the prescribed quality of service. SD-WANs deliver the intelligence and agility needed to optimize WAN performance. Our technology overcomes the latency inherent in rigid legacy WANs to help IT professions address the growing traffic generated by cloud applications and the internet.
Basic SD-WANs significantly improve connectivity, reduce costs and network performance but don’t inherently offer robust cybersecurity. Such SD-WANs will require bolt-on security solutions and additional staff to manage, detect, and remove cyber threats and intrusions.
Leading managed SD-WAN services provide a comprehensive multi-layer suite of integrated cybersecurity technologies that function in unison and are seamlessly layered over the SD-WAN infrastructure. The SD-WAN with integrated cybersecurity is managed through a single pane of glass with 24×7 monitoring and support by security experts.
SD-WAN devices and technologies, which provide cybersecurity include:
- Next-generation firewalls with granular global and local security zoning
- Secure Web and Email Gateways
- Worldwide secure entry points for protecting mobile users and remote facilities
- Threat detection and response
- Globally distributed and meshed security sensors
- Edge-to-core event logging, machine learning, and AI-driven threat detection
Leave Complexity
Behind
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