An Overview of SD-WAN SOLUTIONS Info on This Website

Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) is revolutionizing how businesses connect their locations and access cloud applications. For IT decision-makers, understanding the breadth of SD-WAN solutions and basic network designs is crucial for making informed choices that align with their organization's needs.   

Below I cover four main areas of SD WAN Solutions, each section's numbered subheading is linked to the main page for that section.  Each section page has relevant content that in turn links to additional pages. If a numbered subheading below has no link, the main section page for that item is not yet complete.  Join the newsletter on the first page to be notified as new section pages are added.

Relevancy

This website was originally constructed in 4Q of 2023. The last review and comprehensive update was 4Q of 2024. The author is Curt Burnside, The Telecom Broker.

1. SD WAN Solutions section delves into the core components of SD-WAN solutions, including:

• Centralized Management: Explore platforms that provide unified control over your entire software defined WAN, simplifying configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

• Dynamic Path Selection: Learn how SD-WAN intelligently routes traffic across multiple links (e.g., MPLS, DIA and best effort broadband circuits) based on real-time conditions, optimizing application performance.

• Security Integration: Discover how SD-WAN solutions can seamlessly integrate with security services like network-based firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and both premise based and additional cloud security platforms to safeguard your network.

2. Managed SD WAN is for organizations seeking a hands-off approach, Managed SD-WAN offers a compelling alternative, often allowing you to focus on what you need done, not what someone else should be doing at a lower cost. This section covers:

• Service Provider Options: Explore the diverse landscape of Managed SD-WAN vendors, from telecommunications companies to specialized Managed Service Providers.

• Benefits of Managed Services: Understand the advantages of outsourcing SD-WAN management, including reduced operational burden, proactive monitoring, seamless security options and expert network support.

• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Learn about the importance of clear SLAs that define performance guarantees, uptime commitments, and troubleshooting response times. Also covered are best effort circuits to compare required expectations based on a given locations’ requirements.

Navigating the SD-WAN market requires an understanding of the key players. This section provides:

• Vendor Profiles: Gain insights into leading SD-WAN vendors, their strengths, target markets, and product differentiators.

• Technology Comparisons: Compare and contrast the technologies and architectures employed by different wide area network vendors to make informed decisions.

• Analyst Reports: Access summaries of key industry analyst reports to understand market trends and vendor positioning.

This section focuses on the practical aspects of implementing SD-WAN:

• Deployment Models: Explore various SD-WAN deployment models, including fully managed SD-WAN with network-based security, customer or MSP managed CPE and possible hybrid approaches.

• Network Topology Considerations: Understand how various SD-WAN Network Designs meet specific requirements for branch connectivity, data center integration, and cloud access.

• Case Studies: View a selection of Visios to learn from real-world SD-WAN deployments meeting various customer needs to gain insights into SD-WAN Network Designs, best practices and potential challenges.