As enterprises become more invested in cloud resources and more reliant on real-time insights into business processes, branch locations require more than connectivity to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Voice over internet protocol (VoIP), collaboration tools, and mobility are just a few of the factors contributing to a need for a more integrated approach to the enterprise network. Software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) provides a comprehensive solution that integrates the branch into the network.
Rather than simply tagging on a branch location, SD-WAN provides the means to a more complete solution. Cloud technologies bring more demanding bandwidth requirements and have also broadened the network security plane. Edge computing and mobility add to the growing reality that the network no longer has clearly defined borders. The hub-and-spoke model of networking where data is backhauled to and from a central data center is not relevant to today’s technology.
Instead, SD-WAN provides a meshed approach, while adding control over bandwidth resources. While networks have traditionally considered multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) to be the gold standard for reliability and security, its fixed nature and relatively high cost mean that enterprises need alternatives for increasing bandwidth demand.
In addition, the complexity of the network (as well as changing security concerns and a variety of performance specifications for applications) requires a high level of visibility into the network and the ability to provision network resources as needed. SD-WAN provides these benefits, but it’s important to note that with the explosion of SD-WAN being applied across enterprises, there’s also been a burst of providers supplying the technology. Not all solutions will deliver the specific features you need or want. Include the following considerations when shopping for an SD-WAN provider:
Security: Not all SD-WAN solutions include end-to-end security, and if you take an add-on approach to protecting your network and systems, you’re sure to have trouble addressing every vulnerability. Instead, look for a provider that offers SD-WAN with security baked into the solution. It should offer deep inspection of encrypted data, even at the high-speed of network transmissions, as well as next-generation firewalls, intrusion prevention, antivirus and antimalware, and advanced threat protection with tools such as sandboxing.
Connectivity: SD-WAN’s ability to recognize and map applications — and then assign network resources according to specifications and efficiency standards — is one of the key motivations for investing in the tool. It needs to identify the performance and bandwidth requirements and then choose the best pathway, all automatically and without any detection by an end user.
Traffic Prioritization: The best SD-WAN solutions offer the opportunity to move toward optimization through programmed business policies that dictate how traffic should be prioritized. This means that applications depending on real-time transmission and data availability, such as videoconferencing, will take precedence over transmissions that are not as time critical, including email.
Centralized Management: One of the keys of an effective SD-WAN solution for multi-branch enterprises is that there’s a central management dashboard that allows for granular visibility into network activity. In a time where network complexity is one of the key challenges for managing costs and the performance of applications, centralized visibility and control are priorities.
Integrating your branch connectivity is possible with the right SD-WAN option. Contact us at Enterprise Visions to leverage the best networking solution for your business priorities.