SD-WAN Explained
Like many things IT, SD-WAN suffers from being an acronym. To people outside of the IT world, the term “SD-WAN” sounds important, and it seems to be an important part of IT, so it must serve a critical business function. The reality is, SD-WAN is very important. It’s one piece of technology that provides tangible value every workday, and is an indispensable tool to modern businesses of all sizes.
The problem is, it’s difficult to find information about SD-WAN without sifting through a lot of jargon. This blog will serve to explain what SD-WAN does, how it’s an improvement over older network technologies, and the value that a secure, professionally managed SD-WAN brings business.
What Is SD-WAN?
Let’s break the acronym down into easy parts. “WAN” stands for Wide Area Network, which is made up of several computer networks that are all connected through the Internet. Many are specifically built for a particular company or organization and are private. WANs have been around in some form for as long as the Internet has been around. What changes is the technology used to connect these networks and the hardware and software that keeps them safe. WANs interconnect largely static network environments such as production facilities, logistics centers, and corporate offices.
The “SD” part means “software-defined,” and it represents a significant improvement. Unlike previous WAN technology, a Software-Defined Wide Area Network is controlled by a centralized software application. It takes geography out of the equation and connects the diverse branch offices and worksites to create a safe, secure network that is centrally configured and easily managed.
Does Your Business Need it?
The simple answer is that if all businesses need technology to help them innovate and grow, then all businesses need two things: secure computer networks and a way for those networks to communicate with each other. The case for SD-WAN technology goes a little further. To make the most out of it, you should ask:
- Will a better-performing network help employees work more efficiently and effectively?
- How many remote employees do you support now, and how will that number change in the future?
- Do your users ever have issues with speed and stability?
- How important is network security?
- How does your business use cloud computing?
The future of SD-WAN technology lies in its ability to be flexible and agile enough to accommodate changing business needs, provide better user experiences, operate at higher security standards, all at a lower cost.
How Your Business Benefits From SD-WAN
Intelligent Networking
For many businesses, SD-WAN is a game-changer. It streamlines the connection between geographically diverse networks, gets them communicating, and allows them to link in real-time without dropouts and outages. Here’s an example of how this works. Say you are running a conference call, and one member of the call is on a network that experiences a sudden spike in traffic. Instead of dropping the member, an SD-WAN solution will identify this right as it happens and switch to a more reliable connection. It does this automatically, and most users won’t even notice any interruption at all.
Lower Costs
Lower costs are always good news for any business, especially when it comes to lowering capital expenditures. SD-WAN optimizes the use of fiber technology and other mobile connections compared to other network technologies. Businesses choose SD-WAN over MPLS technology because it enables more employees to work remotely.
Improved Security
SD-WAN adds two important factors to your overall cyber security strategy. End-to-end encryption and endpoint authentication protects data that travels between networks. In-depth traffic data also empowers cloud-based network administrators with the ability to identify and mitigate cyber-attacks in real-time.
Partner With RealCom
At RealCom, our goal is to bring the latest technologies to your business. We begin with a free technology analysis to gain better insight into your IT, so we can match an SD-WAN package that meets your current infrastructure needs, your overall business goals, and your budget. We offer complete project management and long-term support to make sure your network meets your specifications. By combining other RealCom services like managed cloud and colocation services, your business will be ready for anything.
