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What is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is an innovative approach to networking that empowers companies to harness the benefits of various transport services, such as MPLS, LTE, broadband internet, and more. By securely connecting users to applications, SD-WANs offer unparalleled flexibility, adaptability, and scalability. This cutting-edge technology ensures a seamless and high-quality user experience, making it an ideal solution for modern businesses in the era of cloud computing and digital transformation. With the right telecom consulting partner, businesses can ensure they are operating efficiently.

How SD-WAN Works

An SD-WAN relies on a centralized control function to securely and intelligently direct traffic across the WAN. This traffic control capability enables administrators to define specific policies for application traffic flows. As a result, organizations gain more visibility into and control over, network traffic.

Key SD-WAN infrastructure elements include:

Centralized control: SD-WAN controllers are deployed to oversee traffic across the distributed network. Administrators define policies that determine how traffic is prioritized and routed.
Overlay tunneling: Tunneling protocols encapsulate traffic flows between endpoints to provide secure connectivity over the Internet or other transport services.
Edge devices: Small branch or appliance-based systems steer traffic based on centralized policies. Advanced systems can also host third-party virtual services.

When combined, these key components empower IT departments to leverage various transport connectivity options, enabling secure and dependable connections between users and applications. This is achieved by implementing policies that align with the organization's business priorities, ensuring optimal performance and seamless user experiences.

How SD-WAN Benefits Businesses

SD-WANs enable businesses to reduce WAN complexity while improving application performance. Key benefits include:

Transport flexibility: SD-WANs allow companies to move away from costly MPLS links by enabling internet and LTE as WAN services.
Operational simplicity: SD-WANs are centrally configured and managed, eliminating the need for router management at every branch.
Reliable connectivity: Performance degradation due to packet loss and jitter is minimized through features like path conditioning and dynamic traffic steering.
Cloud aligned: SD-WAN overlay tunneling facilitates secure, reliable connectivity from branch locations to cloud-hosted services.
Lower costs: By adding internet and LTE as network transport options, SD-WAN reduces expenses compared to legacy WAN.

SD-WAN Performance and Optimization

A primary value proposition of SD-WANs is their ability to maintain high-quality connections that ensure excellent application performance, even over diverse transports. This is achieved through capabilities such as:

Dynamic path control: If one connection starts to degrade, traffic can be dynamically redirected to maintain performance.
Forward error correction (FEC): Lost packets can be recovered to minimize the need for retransmissions.
Data compression: Compressing traffic reduces the bandwidth needed across restricted links.
Application steering: Critical apps are detected and routed over the optimal path to ensure high performance.

Together, these features give IT powerful tools to deliver an optimized user experience for cloud and on-premises applications – whether connectivity is via MPLS, internet, or LTE. For global organizations dependent on cloud services, SD-WAN's optimization and orchestration deliver significant value. So if you are wondering “what is sd-wan?”, Vatic Outsourcing is your trusted telecom partner ensuring the best quality networking for your business.