What is SD-WAN?
Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) is a transformative technology that revolutionizes how businesses establish and manage their wide area networks. With SD-WAN service, organizations gain unparalleled control, agility, and efficiency in connecting their remote sites, branch offices, and cloud resources. By leveraging intelligent software-defined capabilities, SD-WAN solution simplifies network management, optimizes application performance, and enhances security.
OneAsia, in collaboration with Juniper Networks, served as the SD-WAN service provider to brings you a groundbreaking tunnel-free SD-WAN solution that takes network connectivity to new heights. Our innovative SD-WAN solution harnesses the power of Session Smart Router (SSR) technology, providing a tunnel-free architecture that sets a new industry benchmark for performance, security, and availability. By appointing us as your SD-WAN vendor together with our SD-WAN solution, enterprises can bid farewell to the constraints of conventional tunnel-based approaches and embrace a tunnel-free and Zero Trust architecture. This ensures unparalleled availability, best-in-class security, and a significant boost in network performance by our SD-WAN solution.
How does SD-WAN operate?
SD-WAN operates by utilizing a centralized control plane to optimize network traffic based on real-time conditions and business policies. It leverages software-defined networking principles to decouple the control plane from the hardware infrastructure, providing organizations with improved network performance and cost savings.
At the heart of SD-WAN is a centralized orchestration system that provides a comprehensive view of the network and controls traffic management. Administrators can configure policies and commands on SD-WAN controllers, which serve as the control plane. These policies dictate how traffic should be handled and routed, allowing for prioritization of critical applications and efficient utilization of available bandwidth.
Another crucial aspect of SD-WAN operation is policy-based routing. Administrators can define policies that govern how traffic is handled and routed. For instance, they can set policies to prioritize mission-critical applications over less critical traffic. These policies are pushed to the SD-WAN routers, ensuring quality of service (QoS) by allocating bandwidth based on predefined rules.
Additionally, SD-WAN employs intelligent path selection to optimize performance. It takes into account factors like latency, packet loss, available bandwidth, and application-specific requirements. By dynamically adjusting traffic distribution, it steers traffic away from congested or unreliable links and utilizes multiple paths simultaneously to maximize bandwidth utilization.
SD-WAN also prioritizes security and ensures secure data transmission by automating encryption and security measures, regardless of the transport used. It establishes a secure fabric for data transmission, ensuring regulatory compliance for security and encryption.
In summary, SD-WAN operates through a centralized control plane, policy-based routing, intelligent path selection, and secure data transmission. It optimizes network traffic, simplifies network management through centralized policies, enhances performance through intelligent traffic distribution, and ensures secure data transmission.
A leading direct selling company in the U.S wanted increased network performance and an optimized cost structure. OneAsia partnered with Juniper Networks to optimize its store network deployment by replacing traditional MPLS – VPN Network architecture with a high-performance SD-WAN network for over 200 stores of the company in China.
The solution provided the company with:
- Increased bandwidth
- Hybrid connectivity
- Cloud-based management
- High availability
- Prioritized traffic
- Direct store-to-store connections and
- Enhanced security
What are the key components of SD-WAN Architecture?
Key Components of SD-WAN Architecture:
Virtual Overlay
The architecture’s virtual overlay separates the physical network connections, enabling enterprises to retain existing WAN links while centralizing network control. This abstraction allows administrators to write rules and policies that can be deployed across the entire network at once.
Control Plane
The control plane is located centrally, often at an organization’s headquarters, to enhance network oversight and response. It separates from hardware, streamlining network management and elevating service delivery and user experience. The central SD-WAN controller dictates the function of SD-WAN appliances, reducing the need for individual gateway or router management.
SD-WAN Gateways
SD-WAN gateways, compatible with hybrid WAN, enable branch appliances to sustain multiple connections through diverse transport mechanisms such as MPLS, broadband internet, and LTE. These gateways establish a virtual private network (VPN) across each WAN connection, enhancing security.
Regarding the types of SD-WAN architecture, there are three main categories. On-Premises SD-WAN involves deploying the SD-WAN hardware on-site, providing direct and secure access and control over the network and hardware. Cloud-Enabled SD-WAN connects to a virtual cloud gateway over the internet, improving network accessibility and facilitating integration with cloud-native applications. Lastly, Cloud-Enabled with Backbone SD-WAN adds an extra layer of security by connecting the network to a nearby point of presence (PoP) such as a data center, enabling traffic to shift from the public internet to a private connection.
SD-WAN v.s. Traditional MPLS
SD-WAN and traditional MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) are two distinct approaches to wide area networking, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
SD-WAN decouples the network control plane from the physical infrastructure, providing flexibility and agility in network management. It can utilize various connection types, including broadband, LTE, and MPLS, to create a secure and optimized network.
In contrast, MPLS operates on a dedicated network infrastructure, offering predictable performance and quality of service (QoS) guarantees. MPLS networks are typically managed by service providers, and traffic is routed based on predetermined labels assigned to packets.
SD-WAN offers several advantages over traditional MPLS:
Cost
SD-WAN can be more cost-effective than MPLS, as it allows organizations to leverage less expensive broadband connections while still ensuring reliable and secure connectivity. MPLS, on the other hand, often comes with steep bandwidth costs.
Flexibility
SD-WAN provides greater flexibility in terms of connection types and network configurations. It can adapt to the dynamic nature of modern networks and support interconnectivity between branch offices more effectively than MPLS. MPLS connections tend to be fixed, lacking the ability to easily adapt to changing network requirements.
Performance
SD-WAN offers enhanced performance by recognizing and prioritizing different types of traffic. It can dynamically adjust bandwidth and provide granular load balancing between multiple connections, ensuring that latency-sensitive applications receive the necessary resources. MPLS, while reliable, may not be able to meet the performance requirements of today’s traffic, leading to underutilized bandwidth or network constraints.
Security
MPLS provides a secured and managed link between branch offices and the data center through the service provider’s internal backbone. However, SD-WAN can offer better protection by integrating security functions within the network infrastructure itself. By incorporating features like encryption and threat detection into the network fabric, SD-WAN can provide enhanced security compared to MPLS.
While SD-WAN offers numerous advantages, there are cases where MPLS may still be preferred. MPLS can be desirable for certain types of data, applications, and transactions that require a high degree of integrity and privacy. Additionally, in some markets where MPLS is expensive, organizations may opt for a cost-effective public internet connection. However, even in these cases, SD-WAN can still be run over an MPLS connection to provide added protection and functionality.
KEY BENEFITS
Enhanced Agility and Flexibility
SD-WAN provides a centralized control and management platform for your wide area network. SD-WAN solution allows for the dynamic allocation of network resources based on application requirements, traffic conditions, and business needs. This flexibility enables businesses to adapt quickly to changing demands and optimize network performance.
Improved Performance and Application Quality
SD-WAN intelligently routes traffic across multiple network paths, including MPLS, broadband internet, and cellular networks. It leverages real-time analytics and application-aware routing to optimize performance and prioritize critical applications. This ensures consistent quality of service (QoS) for mission-critical applications, resulting in enhanced user experiences and productivity.
Cost Optimization
SD-WAN enables businesses to leverage cost-effective network connectivity options, such as broadband internet, alongside traditional MPLS links. By intelligently routing traffic over the most suitable and cost-efficient paths, organizations can achieve significant cost savings compared to relying solely on expensive MPLS connections. SD-WAN solution also simplifies network management, reducing operational costs associated with provisioning, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Increased Network Security
Inherent security features in SD-WAN service provide enhanced protection for data in transit. Encryption protocols, secure tunnels, and integrated firewall capabilities ensure the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. Centralized visibility and control enable efficient security policy enforcement across the entire network, ensuring consistent security posture and reducing the risk of breaches or unauthorized access.
Simplified Network Management
SD-WAN offers a centralized management interface that simplifies network configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. IT teams can efficiently provision new sites, apply policies, and monitor network performance from a single platform. This streamlines network operations, reduces complexity, and allows IT personnel to focus on strategic initiatives rather than day-to-day network management tasks.
Scalability and Ease of Deployment
SD-WAN is highly scalable, allowing businesses to easily expand their network infrastructure as needed. New branch offices, remote locations, or cloud connections can be quickly provisioned and integrated into the SD-WAN environment. This scalability and ease of deployment make SD-WAN a suitable solution for businesses with evolving network requirements or those undergoing rapid growth.
FAQ
What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Networking, is a transformative technology that revolutionizes how businesses establish and manage their wide area networks. SD-WAN solution leverages intelligent software-defined capabilities to optimize network performance, enhance security, and simplify network management. SD-WAN enables organizations to dynamically route traffic, prioritize applications, and leverage multiple network connections, resulting in improved agility, cost savings, and enhanced user experiences.
What kind of problems do SD-WAN Solutions solve?
SD-WAN solves problems like slow network speeds, high costs, and complex management. It improves performance, reduces costs, and enhances security.
Can SD-WAN be integrated with existing network infrastructure?
Yes, as a SD-WAN service provider and SD-WAN vendor, OneAsia’s SD-WAN solution can seamlessly integrate with existing network infrastructure. Whether you have MPLS connections, broadband internet links, or a hybrid network setup, our SD-WAN solution is designed to work alongside and enhance your current network investments. Our SD-WAN solution offers flexibility in deployment options, allowing for gradual transition or overlay deployment, ensuring a smooth integration process and maximizing the benefits of SD-WAN while leveraging your existing network architecture.
Why is OneAsia's SD-WAN the best choice?
OneAsia’s SD-WAN service stands out as the best choice for several reasons. Firstly, our solution utilizes a revolutionary tunnel-free architecture, leveraging Session Smart Router (SSR) technology to deliver superior performance, security, and availability. By eliminating tunnels, we eliminate the overhead associated with traditional approaches, ensuring optimal network performance. Additionally, our SD-WAN solution embraces a Zero Trust architecture, providing robust security measures to protect your data and applications. Furthermore, OneAsia’s extensive experience and strategic partnership with Juniper Networks ensure that our SD-WAN solution is backed by industry-leading expertise and technology, guaranteeing a reliable and future-proof solution for your network connectivity needs.
