SD WAN Advantages and Disadvantages – In the internet network or extensive data transmission, of course there must be a way how to connect from one place to another. Simply put, if you have a large company and you also run a business in various branch companies, of course it must be connected, not with your company at the center? Therefore, you need an SD WAN.
In the world of SD WANs, there is actually such a thing as the term SD WAN advantages and disadvantages. Actually what is the difference between the two? and what exactly is the key to SD WAN capability? Let’s discuss!
Table of Contents
What is SD WAN?
Before heading to the SD WAN advantages and disadvantages, it’s a good idea to first know what is called an SD WAN.
Software-Defined Wide-Area-Network (SD-WAN) is defined as a virtual WAN architecture that enables enterprises to securely and efficiently connect users to applications. This technology solution brings unmatched agility and cost savings to the network. With SD-WAN, organizations can deliver more responsive and more predictable applications at lower costs in less time than the managed MPLS services that enterprises typically use.
SD-WAN does this by separating applications from underlying network services with policy-based virtual overlays. This overlay monitors the real-time performance characteristics of the underlying network and selects the optimal network for each application based on configuration policies.
Recognizing Elements in an SD-WAN Solution
For those of you who want to implement SD WAN in your company, there needs to be consideration of these four important elements, including:
Support for Business Critical Applications
The most critical or the most important function of SD WAN is where this hardware is very useful in terms of the breadth of connectivity. This also includes prioritizing applications based on business criticality, including the ability to set separate policies within sub-applications.
Dynamically Adaptable Policies
The purpose of dynamically adaptable policies is that SD WANs are able to modify WAN policies according to such things as application criticality and performance requirements, including security policies that automatically follow circumstances when network configuration and resource changes.
Fully Integrated Security
It is certain that the element in an SD WAN solution is a security issue. SD WAN can dynamically adjust the connection to ensure consistent performance, using protection using traditional static security tools, especially when applied as an overlay solution, is problematic.
Centralized Management
One of the most frequently overlooked requirements of SD-WAN is that it cannot be separated from the rest of the network. To make the potential for computerization transformation real, the new network edge needs to function as a single, integrated system. And that includes building a concentrated visibility and control strategy that spans the distributed network.
SD Wan Advantages
Perhaps the most difficult aspect when understanding this product is actually the marketing of the service provider. First of all, we will discuss the advantages of the SD WAN first.
- Businesses can manage their own WAN using the GUI provided by the software defined service.
- Easy-to-read in-depth statistics provide a level of insight that helps understand user and app flows.
- There are possible cost savings but beware of vendors suggesting the Internet is a total replacement for MPLS.
- SD WAN offers fast/temporary connectivity by securing 3G/4G/5G or Broadband cellular connectivity.
- With application flow and state-based technology, disaster recovery is easier to achieve, especially across cloud-based applications.
- Security is often marketed as a simple aspect of SD WAN deployments but careful consideration must be made against all areas of the business.
- There are more advantages than disadvantages expected with the new disruptive technology.
SD Wan Disadvantages
If asked again, what are the disadvantages of an SD WAN? Of course there are, among others are:
- SD-WAN is not yet fully in general use. Today’s business people still rely on old connections to keep their internal and external operations running. This is compensated by adopting a hybrid solution.
- No security function in place. Security standards still need to be implemented to ensure that your network remains protected and is not exposed to external threats. One simple data breach can put an entire company at risk.
- Staf IT harus sangat diandalkan untuk menerapkan dan memelihara solusi teknis ini. Jika mereka tidak dapat melakukannya, memanggil bantuan dari luar akan menjadi usaha yang mahal.
- SD WAN networks are immune to slow performance.
- There is no true end of end QoS if only using SD-WAN provisions only.
- SD WAN vendors tend to vary and often don’t meet what was originally envisioned for a software-based network.
- SD WAN forwarding equipment offers an Ethernet connection to interact with your WAN and LAN, but not with traditional WAN circuits. If a time-sharing multiplexer is required to support your network, you should maintain your existing WAN router to support your SD architecture.
Two Keys to SD-WAN Capabilities
Actually, if we have read about the advantages and disadvantages of SD WAN, of course, there are still many debates. However, what you need to know is that there are two key capabilities of SD WAN that you need to know so that this can be the point where you can adopt this SD WAN for your business or not.
Centralized Configuration
The most important of the capabilities of SD WAN is where the configuration can be done centrally. This means it can have an impact on application performance as well as security policies. Thus, companies are able to significantly cut WAN operating costs.
Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP)
The intent of ZTP is that configurations and policies are programmed once and supplied to all branch locations without having to manually program each device individually to implement the CLI. This eliminates the need to send dedicated IT resources to branch locations each time a new application is added or a policy is changed.
This minimizes human error which results in consistent work throughout the company.
Conclusion
Are there more SD WAN advantages or disadvantages?
It depends. With any new technology, services are designed to iterate and improve. In many ways, the downside of SD-WAN revolves around the hype. With marketing suggesting a single device can do everything needed with almost no deployment involved, there’s a risk that IT teams will fall into the belief that there’s no need to spend money on MPLS or dedicated Firewall security.
Are you still confused about SD WAN advantages and disadvantages? And you may be interested in adopting SD WAN in your business? NetData can be the best solution you can rely on.
