The traditional WAN function was connecting users at the branch or campus to applications hosted on servers in the data center. Typically, dedicated MPLS circuits were used to help ensure security and reliable connectivity. This no longer works in a cloud-centric world where flexibility, visibility and own control are prefered.

The new WAN. There is a new kind of WAN to address these challenges: SD-WAN. Software-defined WAN is a new approach to network connectivity that lowers operational costs and improves resource usage for multisite deployments. Network administrators can use bandwidth more efficiently and can help ensure the highest level of performance for critical applications without sacrificing security or data privacy.

The benefits of SD-WAN.

• Simplify management. As a centralized, cloud-delivered WAN architecture, SD-WAN makes it easy to scale across thousands of endpoints, whether they are in the branch, campus, or cloud. IT has the ability to automate zero-touch deployment globally, using a single management interface.
• Improve the user experience. WAN optimization delivers optimal cloud application performance from multiple clouds to users anywhere. In the event of link failure or link degradation, application-aware routing can dynamically route traffic between dedicated circuits and secure Internet connections to drive constant delivery of business-critical applications. Additionally, businesses realize OpEx improvements by offloading expensive MPLS services with more economical and flexible broadband (including secure VPN connections).
• Increase security. Threat prevention is enforced at the right place. SD-WAN architecture features distributed security at the branch level. Data does not have to travel back to the headquarters or data center for advanced security protection (such as a firewall, DNS enforcement, or intrusion prevention).

Why Cisco SD-WAN?

When connecting sites together over an uncontrolled network like the public internet, it is essential that your solution is not only leading with SD-WAN features but also with security. By choosing for a solution from Cisco, you choose for a solution leading in both fields.

Want to know more?

Download our SD-Wan Guide.