What is SD-WAN and why should SD-Wan be used?

SD-WAN is the most frequently mentioned keyword. Let's TipsMake.com find out what SD-WAN is and useful information about SD-WAN!

1. CSU / DSU - an essential component of a WAN
2. Network knowledge: WAN hardware

The network controlled by WAN software (also known as SD-WAN) is a method to deploy a wide area network using software-controlled networks (SDN) to achieve greater flexibility. Currently, SD-WAN is occupying less than 5% of the market, but Gartner estimates that up to 25% of users will manage their WAN through software within the next 2 years. Revenue from SD-WAN suppliers will increase to 59% per year and by 2020 it is expected to become a market worth 1.3 billion USD.

One of the main features of SD-WAN is the ability to manage multiple types of connections - from MPLS to LTE broadband. It is extremely useful for Redmond (a company with many branches that need to use multiple connections to respond to headquarters).

Gabrielson bought cheap commercial Internet connections at his local branches. The SD-WAN program from VeloCloud combines at least 2 links together to create a single and strongest accompanying link. It provides local websites with enough bandwidth to use Voice over IP (VoIP) and handle credit card transactions.

SD-WAN can be considered the brother of the network controlled by SDN software (software-defined networking) that is well known. "SD-WAN is a technology in SDN network architecture that you can buy," said analyst Andrew Lerner, Gartner's SD-WAN market watcher.

Management over WAN software provides many benefits for Gabrielson. He was informed of any problems that could arise and could manage the entire WAN through a single interface. Previously, changing the network configuration at branch offices would require configuring, manually installing, and might need a technician to do it directly. "With SD-WAN, I can control the entire WAN, easy to manage and change. I can control and configure bandwidth in each central location through a map interface," Gabrielson said. (GUI) In addition, we can buy cheap bandwidth while still having good uptime quality. "

What is SD-WAN and why should SD-Wan be used? Picture 1

How to use WAN

Many businesses have complex infrastructure including routers, WAN path controllers, WAN optimizers, firewalls and other components. It is difficult to purchase, maintain and complicated in management.

SD-WAN is sold as software that runs on low-cost infrastructure or as a combination of hardware or software.

What is SD-WAN and why should SD-Wan be used? Picture 2

Lerner estimates that SD-WAN may be 2.5 times more than a traditional WAN structure. In the next 3 years, 250 WAN branches will cost 1,285,000 USD in the traditional WAN architecture, but only 452,500 USD is able to deploy SD-WAN.

Market for SD-WAN providers can be divided into several groups:

1. Routing and switching service providers are deploying SD-WAN products: Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei and Brocade.
2. WAN optimization experts expand their products to include SD-WAN: Silver Peak, Riverbed, Talari Networks.
3. SD-WAN startup organizations: VeloCloud, CloudGenix and Cato Networks
4. Suppliers selling managed SD-WAN products: AT&T, CenturyLink, Spring, Comcast Business .

Thanks to the ease of deployment and reasonable price, SD-WAN has become an attractive choice for many businesses. According to Riverbed's survey, many businesses have deployed using SD-WAN. According to Lerner, the leading SD-WAN users are retailers and financial institutions with many branch offices.

SD-WAN is so great, but it's still not popular because people often don't like sudden changes. When the hardware is ready to upgrade, Lerner expects organizations to pay attention to SD-WAN but it will take quite some time.