SD-WAN is the next generation of WAN technology. It is the next evolution from T1 to ATM, Frame Relay to MPLS, and from EPL/EVPL links. In this day and age, enterprises need to be flexible with their WAN topology and be able to move traffic to the cloud services they need. Currently, enterprises are using MPLS networks, which are expensive and take a long time to deploy. Additionally, MPLS networks do not provide local redundancy, a crucial feature for an enterprise’s WAN.
SD-WAN is easier to manage
SD-WAN is a flexible network solution that uses software-defined networks to separate the control plane from the data plane. This approach helps improve the performance of an existing WAN and reduces costs. It also offers application visibility and intelligent dynamic routing. With this approach, businesses can also decommission their MPLS network.
MPLS requires the configuration of multiple appliances and can be cumbersome for large enterprises. In addition, as enterprises scale, they develop more complex WAN management needs. Using various instruments to manage different sites also results in maintenance and monitoring issues. Cloud-based SD-WAN solutions offer centralized visibility and can be ordered at scale.
One of the advantages of SD-WAN is that it allows companies to manage all network functions from a single point. In addition, unlike MPLS, SD-WAN can be configured at the branch level, enabling direct Internet access for branch locations. However, SD-WAN has not been widely adopted yet and is not as widely used as MPLS.
It is faster
Sometimes, SD-WAN can be faster than MPLS, mainly when used with public internet links. However, MPLS bandwidth can be expensive, and SD-WAN allows businesses to leverage cost-effective and reliable internet bandwidth instead. It also offers failover, high availability, and the ability to manage network-wide configuration changes more quickly than with MPLS WAN.
In terms of security, MPLS is not more secure than SD-WAN, but it does offer additional security, unlike SD-WAN, which uses the public Internet. However, businesses should remember that MPLS does not use encryption by default. Security is a big concern for any business, and SD-WAN’s security features can help enterprises keep their data more secure.
Although MPLS offers more security and reliability, it is also more expensive. In addition, it must be configured by a specialist and is not suitable for all companies. MPLS is a good option for businesses requiring high security and reliability levels. However, not every company needs it, and SD-WAN is the way for most businesses.
It is cheaper
SD-WAN is a cost-effective alternative to MPLS, but there are some disadvantages. For one, MPLS circuits are costly. Fortunately, it can be configured to use other types of connectivity, such as broadband and LTE. Furthermore, it offers high availability and active-active failover capabilities.
SD-WAN is more flexible and allows enterprises to choose the best transport method based on traffic requirements. This flexibility means they can get the most out of their bandwidth investments and take advantage of the public Internet when necessary. MPLS has traditionally been justified by reliability and performance. However, these arguments are still valid when compared to SD-WAN and SD-WaaS.
Another benefit of SD-WAN is that it provides bandwidth aggregation and real-time monitoring of WAN links. In addition, it can also support 4G and 5G networks when they become available. This means that it can be used for public-facing applications and can scale to support high-bandwidth traffic. SD-WAN offers granular reporting and management services, application performance training, and security. These features can make it an excellent choice for businesses that need high-end bandwidth without the cost and hassle of MPLS.
It is more secure
An SD-WAN is a type of network infrastructure that enables the use of multiple underlying connections within a single network. This hardware and software abstraction allows for simplified provisioning, easy failover, and significant operational flexibility. Additionally, it offers superior application visibility and advanced network performance monitoring. This gives it a distinct advantage over other network architectures.
SD-WAN protects your network investment and prepares your organization for future cloud-based secure networking. MPLS requires the use of physical connections that are inflexible and expensive. Additionally, as more employees and customers work from remote locations, the cost of MPLS connections will continue to rise. By contrast, SD-WAN can enable reliable, higher-quality links, enabling bandwidth-intensive real-time applications.
You can customize and prioritize your network connections according to traffic needs with an SD-WAN. For example, you can set priorities for low-priority and high-priority traffic. This flexibility allows you to manage a wide variety of traffic, from video to data. Unlike MPLS, SD-WAN prioritizes low-priority and high-priority traffic.
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