What is SD-WAN? Factors to Choose SD-WAN vendor

What is SD-WAN and what are the important factors to consider when choosing an SD-WAN vendor? – Users at the branch or applications hosted on servers in the data center were often connected using the traditional WAN function. Typically, only businesses, data centers, and branches could use WAN architecture.

Nowadays, most enterprises have changed their business infrastructure to the cloud. The important factor driving businesses to switch to cloud infrastructure was the emergence of the work from culture brought by the pandemic.

When a company switches to cloud-based architecture, internet WAN solutions see a huge increase in traffic from users using apps spread out throughout the world.

Businesses today require greater bandwidth and data usage, which is why SD-WAN has developed into a crucial business component that aids in the control of bandwidth mismanagement.

What is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN stands for Software-defined Wide Area Networks, which provide a quick and affordable approach to connecting the networks of a company that operates internationally. Your LANs will be consolidated into a WAN using SD-WAN technologies.

Reducing manual and physical restrictions on administrators expands organizations’ connectivity, flexibility, and size. Companies may more effectively and securely transport data across dispersed data centers, offices, and cloud applications with SD-WAN.

According to research, by the end of 2024, 60% of businesses will have SD-WAN connectivity for their cloud-based business processes.

The importance of SD-WAN in a business

Internet WAN solutions are very important when your business scales. By using SD-WAN, you may enhance the performance of your cloud-based applications. You will understand the importance of SD-WAN in a firm after reading the explanations below.

• SD-WAN is typically simple to configure and quick to deploy.
• It offers end-to-end encryption over the whole company network.
• The voice quality is greater, and the connection is more dependable.
• SD-WAN offers network flexibility and is a cost-effective option.
• Due to the fact that SD-WAN uses existing network infrastructures, it is very cost-effective.
• It enhances network security and promotes network dependability.
• It offers assistance in mergers and acquisitions.

Important factors to consider when choosing an SD-WAN vendor

As SD-WAN plays an important role in a business, you must choose an SD-WAN vendor carefully. So, when planning to deploy an SD-WAN vendor for your business, make sure that the following factors are available.

Look at the experience of the vendor

The planning, deployment, and management of an SD-WAN system will be more impacted if the SD-WAN provider you select has a breadth and depth of knowledge.

The vendor’s experience will significantly impact your company’s future performance. The best solution will be offered depending on your business’s needs by the experts. So, look out for an experienced SD-WAN provider.

Business Security

The vendor of SD-WAN solutions must prioritize business network security because there are many opportunities for cyberattacks when operating online.

As a result, the SD-WAN solution needs security layers that include managed firewalls, 24/7 monitoring, automated threat detection, alerts & notifications, and more. Further, security should be centrally managed to maximize protection throughout the network.

Multicloud support

Support for several clouds has many advantages for a company adopting the cloud. It simplifies branch infrastructure by allowing users to embrace security solutions delivered through the cloud.

It should also be aware of the traffic going to and coming from the branches as well as their security needs. So multi-cloud support is essential in an SD-WAN solution.

The SD-WAN solution must also have the following features in addition to the ones already mentioned: end-to-end visibility and control, extensibility, central management, global orchestration, remote deployment, bandwidth needs, enterprise-grade service support, and more.

The best SD-WAN provider for your business will help you improve all business processes efficiently and securely when you take into account all these factors.