SD-WAN technology is not a new term in this technological world. You must have heard about WAN technology that was based on physical networking devices. Now, the need for networking has grown tremendously. This need has outgrown at a rapid pace after the pandemic in 2020. Since 2020, almost every enterprise has been valuing the role of fast and secure networking among remote workstations. And, so, the physical networking model cannot do any good in this case. Today, networking devices are required to be based on software programming, and this has caused the advent of SD-WAN solutions.
In this article, we will learn about the significance and benefits of SD-WAN tools on an enterprise level. Additionally, this article will clear everything you want to know about SD-WAN technology.
What is SD-WAN technology?
SD-WAN is the modern adaptation of the traditional WAN technology. WAN stands for Wide Area Networks and it is a hardware-dependent networking architecture. The significant drawbacks of WAN networking architecture were its limited scalability and high costs. WAN architecture could only utilize MPLS network lines for data transmission. MPLS networks can become highly expensive for large enterprises. In addition, you cannot easily add new networking devices at distributed workstations as setting up a lot of new hardware is required.
Here, SD-WAN comes to the rescue. SD-WAN gives the flexibility to set up new networking devices at remote workstations if they are located in different locations and time zones. In addition, you can use a wide array of networks including MPLS, 5G, VoLTE, broadband, etc as per your business application requirements. The flexibility of using the combination of different network types or any of those makes it highly cost-efficient in comparison to traditional WAN architecture.
Benefits of SD-WAN technology in enterprises
In this section, we will learn about some of the major benefits of SD-WAN technology:
High performance
SD-WAN architecture has the ability to select the highest-performing network lines according to the enterprise application requirements. In addition, it can use the combination of MPLS, 5G, satellite, etc as per the demand of the application. So, this feature enhances the performance of SD-WAN solutions and the data packets can move from one workstation to another at a fast pace.
Tightened security
SD-WAN solutions protect user data and networks using next-generation firewalls(NGFs), and modern IP security protocols. Moreover, the data and networks are safeguarded using encryption tools to maintain confidentiality. Further, the use of AI and ML tools adds real-time cyber security features to the SD-WAN infrastructures.
Ease of deployment
SD-WAN tools are easy to deploy. As SD-WAN is a software-based networking architecture, you do not need to worry about carrying or purchasing new hardware-based networking devices. Instead, the software-based networking tools are easily deployable along with your existing networking infrastructure. You don’t need to buy new networking tools to deploy SD-WAN technology at your enterprise premises.
Easily scalable
The present era belongs to cloud computing. Almost every enterprise is utilizing the remote work culture through cloud devices. SD-WAN provides enterprises the flexibility to use cloud devices seamlessly without any interruption in connectivity. So, using SD-WAN tools, you can set up new networking devices at any location irrespective of the distance between them.
Cost-effectiveness
One of the most important benefits of using SD-WAN solutions is its cost-effectiveness. The feature of SD-WAN to use any or the combination of 5G, broadband, satellite, and many more network lines, enhances the cost-effectiveness. Now, you have to pay less and get higher performance when you leverage SD-WAN infrastructure.
Significance of SD-WAN technology
It was the post-pandemic period that taught the real value of innovative technologies like SD-WAN. SD-WAN is a great resource for connecting workstations in different places and countries. You get high performance, easy scalability, and easy deployment in one go when you use SD-WAN solutions as a networking infrastructure for your enterprise.
Every kind of industry, whether it is a retail store chain, financial sector, healthcare sector, or any other, is now utilizing the prime benefits of SD-WAN technology. You get easy access to data, whenever you require. You observe fast and secure financial transactions. And, you are free from fear of data leakage due to real-time monitoring of network activities. These are nothing, but the significant features of SD-WAN technology.
Future outlook
Enterprise-specific algorithms, network encryption protocols, AI, ML, and various other innovative techniques can be integrated with SD-WAN solutions. The integration of these modern concepts resolves the problems that come in the way of seamless and secure transmission of data. AI and ML tools help the SD-WAN solutions to be smart enough to tackle cyber security attacks and threats in real time. Further, NGFs, encryption protocols, VoIP, IPSec, etc, also act as great help in protecting enterprise data and network lines effectively. In addition, SD-WAN tools clear the network paths and prevent bottlenecks, ensuring a smooth and fast data transaction.
Summary
With the changing dynamics in networking technologies, you can believe that the current era belongs to using innovative networking concepts like SD-WAN. SD-WAN provides enterprises the flexibility for better, faster, and more reliable connections. In addition, when compared to other techniques, SD-WAN solutions are way more secure and affordable. You can get them deployed by hiring reliable and reputed SD-WAN vendors at reasonable charges.
FAQs:
- What is SD-WAN technology?
SD-WAN technology is the modern and advanced adaptation of the traditional WAN architecture. It gives you the flexibility to use various network lines together as per the enterprise application requirements. Further, it is a software-dependent networking architecture. So, it is easily deployable and accessible at remote workstations.
- What are the major benefits of SD-WAN solutions?
SD-WAN solutions are economical, scalable, flexible, secure, and easily deployable as compared to any other advanced networking solutions.
- How is an SD-WAN solution easily deployable?
SD-WAN solutions are software-based networking solutions. Plus, you can deploy them along with your existing networking architecture. And, there is no to buy an excessive set of networking devices to deploy it. These features make it easy and simple to deploy.