In today’s digital world, secure connectivity is more important than ever, especially for companies with multiple branches and remote employees who rely on access to corporate applications and data. Traditional Wide Area Networks (WANs) sometimes struggle to keep up with these demands due to limitations in flexibility, speed and security. This is where SD-WAN comes in, a modern approach that redefines WAN performance using software rather than hardware alone. Keep reading to find out how SD-WAN works and the unique advantages it offers in today’s fast paced world.
What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Networking, offers a flexible, software-driven way to manage and optimise connections between a company’s network, data centres and cloud environments, particularly when its branches are spread across a wide geographical area. Traditional WAN (wide area network) connections can have limitations, relying on specific sometimes outdated routes for data to travel and having inconsistent security across different sites. These limitations make it difficult for companies to safely use cloud based services or adopt new digital tools.
SD-WAN improves on this by:
Routing data smarter: so that it doesn’t have to follow set paths, which speeds up connections and improves performance.
Strengthening security policies: so that every location in the network has the same level of protection.
How does SD-WAN work?
SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Network, enables people working in branch offices to remotely access company tools and resources from anywhere.
Traditional WANs rely on physical routers that need manual setup for each new rule or change, which can be slow and prone to errors. With SD-WAN, these connections are managed by software, allowing real time adjustments to traffic based on connection quality. This approach makes it simpler to maintain high speeds, optimise connections, and boost security, without the manual effort that traditional WANs require.
What are the main components of SD-WAN?
The main components of SD-WAN are Flexible WAN Connectivity, Secure Connectivity and Application Optimisation.
Flexible WAN connectivity
Flexible WAN connectivity enables businesses to securely access their networks from virtually any location and on any device, as long as there’s an internet connection, allowing organisations to make the most of available bandwidth by optimising performance between different locations and data centres. By reducing delays, enhancing speed, and increasing reliability through multiple connection paths, this approach helps lower operational costs.
Secure connectivity
Secure connectivity safeguards data transmitted between sites by encrypting it, preventing unauthorised access or eavesdropping. This encryption is essential, as any data sent over the internet, even an email, could potentially be intercepted. With secure connectivity, data transmitted through SD-WAN remains private and accessible only to authorised parties, even if intercepted in transit. This protection is crucial when sending sensitive information, such as credit card details or medical records, over public networks, where the risk of unauthorised access is higher.
Application optimisation
Application optimisation in SD-WAN ensures critical applications, like VoIP or video conferencing, maintain high performance by reducing issues in delay and data loss. This feature allows SD-WAN to prioritise and stabilise applications that are sensitive to connection quality, ensuring that users can work smoothly and consistently, whether they’re at home or travelling. Businesses can choose to optimise all applications or focus only on specific ones that need it most, helping to avoid connection drops and maintain workflows.
What is SD-WAN used for?
SD-WAN is used for security and has various purposes when working towards specific business outcomes.
Better application experience
SD-WAN improves connectivity for remote sites, enabling smoother access to networks, data centres, and multi-cloud environments with reduced delays, increased performance, and dependable connectivity. As applications and infrastructure are pushed to perform at greater speed and scale, providing a seamless user experience becomes essential. SD-WAN ensures that applications respond swiftly, making them better suited to meet the high expectations of today’s users.
Instant ROI benefits
While traditional technologies like MPLS can be costly and outdated, SD-WAN offers a streamlined solution that cuts bandwidth expenses significantly. It also reduces capital expenditures by consolidating networking and security functions at the edge, giving businesses greater control and improved performance without the high total cost of ownership that outdated systems often incur.
Efficient operations
As network infrastructures expand, the growing number of individual networking and security tools can create unnecessary complexity. SD-WAN simplifies connectivity across various environments- including on-premises, hybrid, and cloud setups- by utilising automation for efficient operations. With centralised management, zero touch provisioning, and built in analytics, SD-WAN enables smooth cloud integrations and optimises cloud connections through dedicated cloud on ramps.
Enhanced security posture
A SD-WAN solution needs to have integrated security. Without it, SD-WAN can become a potential vulnerability rather than a secure connectivity tool. When properly configured, secure SD-WAN facilitates private, direct internet access and ensures that security measures are consistently applied across all network edges- from flexible WAN edges to cloud endpoints. This approach strengthens the network security posture by protecting against attacks and maintaining consistent security policies across diverse access points.
What are the advantages of using SD-WAN?
Flexibility: SD-WANs offer diverse routing options, including traditional methods from legacy WANs. They can be deployed with greater ease by utilising standard hardware, allowing organisations to avoid reliance on a single networking vendor
Cost efficiency: organisations are not tied to purchasing software and hardware from the same provider, enabling them to select more affordable hardware that is cheaper to maintain. Additionally, SD- WANs can leverage standard internet connections instead of relying solely on costly multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) connections, which can be explored in greater detail when comparing SD-WANs to MPLS.
Scalability: SD-WANs provide the ability to scale operations up or down as business needs change. The flexibility of using standard internet connections makes it easier to add or remove locations and adjust bandwidth as necessary.
How can Smart CT help?
Our highly trained engineers here at Smart CT offer an SD-WAN installation service which is designed to simplify the complex process of setting up and configuring your systems. When you need smart hands in the room, you can trust Smart CT. Get in touch today to find out more.
