SD-WAN: The Pros and Cons of Software-Defined Wide Area Networks

SD-WAN technology is one of the most talked-about topics in the networking world today. But what is SD-WAN, and why should you care?

If you're running a business, then you know that having a reliable and efficient Wide Area Network (WAN) is essential. A WAN links different parts of a company's network, allowing employees to access data and applications from anywhere in the world. In recent years, there has been a new type of WAN technology called Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN). SD-WAN is an improvement over traditional WAN technologies because it allows for more flexibility and scalability.

In this blog post, we'll take a look at the benefits of SD-WAN so that you can decide if this technology is right for your business.

What is SD-WAN?

Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) is a new type of Wide Area Network (WAN) technology that allows for more flexibility and scalability. SD-WAN works by using software to control the routing of traffic across a network. This means that businesses can use any type of internet connection, including broadband, cable, or even mobile data, to connect their locations together.

SD-WAN also makes it easy to add new connections or locations to a network. With traditional WANs, adding a new site can be a complex and expensive process. But with SD-WAN, businesses can simply add a new router and configure it remotely using the software. This makes it much easier and less expensive to expand a network.

In addition, SD-WAN provides better security and performance than traditional WANs. This is because SD-WAN uses advanced encryption methods to protect data in transit. And because SD-WAN can dynamically route traffic across different types of connections, it can automatically find the best path for each individual packet of data. This results in faster speeds and lower latency.

How does SD-WAN Work?

Let's take a closer look at how SD-WAN works. As we mentioned before, SD-WAN uses software to control the routing of traffic across a network. This software is typically deployed on dedicated hardware devices called SD-WAN routers.

These routers are connected to each other and to the internet using a variety of different types of connections, including broadband, cable, or even mobile data. The software then uses algorithms to determine the best path for each individual packet of data. This ensures that data is routed through the fastest and most reliable connection available.

However, not all SD-WAN solutions are created equal. Some vendors offer proprietary hardware and software, while others allow businesses to use commodity hardware and open-source software.

Proprietary SD-WAN solutions often require businesses to purchase expensive equipment from the vendor. And because the vendor controls both the hardware and software, businesses may be locked into using that vendor's products and services.

In contrast, open-source SD-WAN solutions give businesses more choice in terms of both hardware and software. Businesses can choose any type of router they want, as long as it's compatible with the SD-WAN software. And because the SD-WAN software is open source, businesses can get it for free or pay a service provider to manage it for them.

This flexibility can be a major advantage for businesses, particularly those that are growing quickly or have complex networking needs.

What are the Benefits of SD-WAN?

Now that we've seen how SD-WAN works, let's take a look at some of the benefits it can offer businesses.

• Improved Edge-to-Edge Security:

SD-WAN provides improved security for businesses by encrypting data in transit and using advanced algorithms to dynamically route traffic across different types of connections. This makes it more difficult for hackers to intercept data or disrupt service. It also contains in-built security protocols that further protect data.

• Increased Agility and Flexibility:

SD-WAN makes it easy to add new connections or locations to a network. With traditional WANs, adding a new site can be a complex and expensive process. But with SD-WAN, businesses can simply add a new router and configure it remotely using the software. This makes it much easier and less expensive to expand a network.

• Improved Performance:

SD-WANs provide better security and performance than traditional WANs. This is because SD-WAN uses advanced encryption methods to protect data in transit. And because SD-WAN can dynamically route traffic across different types of connections, it can automatically find the best path for each individual packet of data. This results in faster speeds and lower latency.

• Upgrade Business’s Connectivity with Traffic Prioritization:

One of the significant advantages that SD-WAN has over a traditional WAN is its ability to prioritize traffic. By allocating different priorities to different types of data, businesses can ensure that mission-critical applications always have the bandwidth they need, even during peak times. This can be a major advantage for businesses that rely on real-time applications, such as VoIP or video conferencing.

• Simplified Management and Reduced Costs:

Another benefit of SD-WAN is that it simplifies network management. With traditional WANs, businesses often need to hire expensive consultants to manage their networks. But with SD-WAN, businesses can manage their networks remotely using the software. This can save businesses a lot of money in the long run.

• Increased Reliability and Responsiveness:

SD-WAN is also more reliable than traditional WANs. This is because SD-WAN uses multiple connections to create a single virtual network. If one connection goes down, traffic will automatically be routed over the other connections. This provides businesses with a more reliable and responsive network.

• Enhanced Provisioning Times:

One of the main benefits of SD-WAN is that it can be quickly deployed. This is because businesses don't need to purchase expensive equipment from a vendor. And because the software is open source, businesses can get it for free or pay a service provider to manage it for them. This means that businesses can have their networks up and running in a matter of days rather than weeks or months.

• Higher Quality Data Transfer:

Since not all applications are created equal, some require more bandwidth than others. SD-WAN can help businesses to ensure that critical applications always have the bandwidth they need by allocating the most appropriate routes to different types of data. This results in higher quality data transfer and improved application performance.

• Inclusion of IoT Technology:

The benefits of SD-WAN are not just limited to businesses. The technology can also be used in the home to connect devices such as smart TVs, thermostats, and security cameras. This is because SD-WAN uses a mesh network topology which means that each device can act as a repeater for the other devices. This results in a more reliable and responsive network.

• Centralized Management:

One of the key benefits of SD-WAN is that it offers centralized management. This means that businesses can manage all of their devices from a single interface. This makes it much easier to keep track of all the devices on a network and to make changes when necessary.

What are Some of the Shortcomings of SD-WAN?

Despite the many benefits of SD-WAN, there are also some potential weaknesses that businesses should be aware of. These include:

Lack of Standardization: One potential weakness of SD-WAN is that it lacks standardization. This means that there is no one size fits all solution for businesses. Each business will need to carefully evaluate its needs and choose a solution that is right for them.

High Upfront Costs: One of the main drawbacks of SD-WAN is that it can be expensive to implement. This is because businesses need to purchase expensive equipment from a vendor and pay for a service provider to manage it for them.

Potential Vendor Lock-in: Another potential drawback of SD-WAN is that it can lead to vendor lock-in. This means that businesses are reliant on a single vendor for their SD-WAN solution. This can be a problem if the vendor goes out of business or if they raise their prices.

Interference: One of the significant problems with SD-WAN is that it can be susceptible to interference. This is because the technology uses a mesh network topology which means that each device can act as a repeater for the other devices. This can cause problems if there is interference from another device on the network.

Technical Issues: SD-WAN can be complex to implement. This is because businesses need to purchase expensive equipment from a vendor and pay for a service provider to manage it for them. This can lead to technical issues if the business does not have the expertise to properly manage the network.

SD-WAN Security Considerations

When implementing SD-WAN, businesses need to be aware of the potential security risks. These include:

• Data Leakage: One of the main concerns with SD-WAN is that it can lead to data leakage. This is because the technology uses a mesh network topology which means that each device can act as a repeater for the other devices. This can allow sensitive data to be leaked if one of the devices on the network is compromised.
• Man in the Middle Attacks: Another concern with SD-WAN is that it can be susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. This is because the technology uses a mesh network topology which means that each device can act as a repeater for the other devices. This can allow an attacker to intercept data as it is being transferred between devices on the network.
• Denial of Service Attacks: One of the potential risks of SD-WAN is that it can be susceptible to denial of service attacks. This is because the technology uses a mesh network topology which means that each device can act as a repeater for the other devices. This can allow an attacker to overload the network and prevent legitimate users from accessing it.

Conclusion

Businesses need to carefully consider these risks when deciding whether or not to implement SD-WAN. They should weigh the benefits against the potential risks and decide if the technology is right for their business.