What is SD-WAN?
A Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) is a virtual WAN architecture that uses a combination of hardware, software and cloud‐based technologies to simplify the delivery of network services to different physical sites. It improves application performance, resulting in enhanced user experience, increased business productivity and reduced costs for IT.
The result is ultimate and seamless network accessibility for all team members, regardless of location.
Why SD-WAN?
Traditional WANs were never built for the cloud, and as more and more applications migrate to the cloud, geographically distributed enterprises are embracing SD-WANs at an accelerating pace because they help businesses become more agile, enhance business productivity and dramatically lower costs
Is SD-WAN a replacement for MPLS?
SD-WAN can be used as an alternative to carrier MPLS networks. SD-WAN can also integrate into a MPLS network.
Do I need to change network providers?
No you do not. SD-WAN is not a replacement for your current internet set up, but an enhancement of it. It provides an entire pool of connectivity options for your business, giving multiple choices for network access, allowing for boosted efficiency in operations, and the levels of connectivity required to meet the IT demands of a modern, multi-site business.
Will SD-WAN save my business money?
The simple answer is yes.
Switching to an SDWAN solution offers ultimate control over your network, leading to increased efficiencies and cost savings. An SD WAN solution includes all the hardware and software required for ultimate redundancy, eliminating downtime and thus increasing productivity, reducing the need for expensive hardware upgrades and the equipment costs associated with traditional networks.
What are the security implications of SD-WAN?
SD-WAN offers the same levels of robust and secure connectivity to all business applications for the employee on the road as for the team at head office. It uses standard based encryption to provide secure connectivity, thus creating a secure cloud network.
How much does SD-WAN cost?
The cost of an SD-WAN network is determined by the requirements of each business and the needs of the network, but in many cases a SD-WAN can be delivered over cheaper standard grade data links delivering cost savings when compared to carrier Fibre services.
Is SD-WAN easy to manage?
Yes. SD-WAN solutions are designed to enable ease-of-adoption, use and management, and can be easily integrated with your existing MPLS network. Its user-friendly interface ensures managing your network is simple, flexible and cost-effective. By integrating SD-WAN into your business operations you will benefit from boosted levels of control over your network via the ability to prioritise traffic and seamlessly alter traffic flows.
Can SD-WAN make our internet faster?
Yes, because a true SD-WAN like VeloCloud will bond multiple services together, giving you access to all of the available bandwidth if that is required.
For example, if you had 2 x 100/40 NBN services running (from different carriers of course) with the right VeloCloud SD-WAN subscription, you could potentially be getting close to 200Mbps download speeds and close to 80Mbps upload speeds.
Will SD-WAN save us money?
In most cases yes. Firstly, due to the redundancy an SD-WAN offers you won’t have down time in the event one of your data links drops out or goes down. Secondly instead of having to pay for an expensive carrier fibre link costing $000s, you can bond multiple lower cost links and get a similar result.
For example, think about the cost of 2 or 3 NBN services bonded together vs the cost of a fibre internet service.
Can SD-WAN make our internet more reliable?
Yes, because a SD-WAN can have up to four different internet links (most commonly two data links and a 4G connection are used), if any one link drops out the SD-WAN automatically routes all traffic over the fastest available link.
Can we put multiple NBN connections on a SD-WAN?
Yes, the VeloCloud SD-WAN edge devices from Next Telecom can take up to 4 X NBN services plus a 4/5G connection.
But won’t that effect the IP address the traffic is routing over?
No, because the IP address used by the SD-WAN is issued by the Cloud Orchestrator, it doesn’t matter which path the data packet travels over. It will always use the IP Address of the SD-WAN, even over a 4G link.
Could we use SD-WAN to get better-quality links in our offices where high-quality fibre is not available?
Yes. It’s very easy to bond multiple lower cost links such as NBN TC4 (using different NBN Carriers and 4G for additional redundancy). This will allow you to build a very high bandwidth but cost-effective connection.
How do we manage the SD-WAN?
SD-WAN provides the user with an orchestration layer giving full visibility of their network and granular information on traffic, application use & steering, security management and control of their capacity. Users can simply click through their site map from network level down to the device layer at any connected site.
What is dynamic traffic routing on a SD-WAN?
Dynamic traffic routing by the packet is managed by the SD-WAN. The SD-WAN will choose the fastest path for the data packet. You can even unplug a connection during a VoIP phone call and the callers will not notice any change, the call would simply continue over the next available path.
How do you manage security on a SD-WAN?
The VeloCloud has a built-in security layer and management capability but you can always add in a Next Generation Cloud Firewall like a ZScaler subscription for additional security.
SD-WAN allows businesses to leverage simple, ubiquitous, competitive internet connectivity for rapid deployment and considerable savings. It is suitable for any organisation that wants to reduce costs, improve performance, gain flexibility – all without losing functionality.
.png)
