A Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) is a Secure-by-design Virtual Wide Area Network (WAN) architecture that allows enterprises to deploy any combination of data transactions to securely connect users to applications. In other words, a Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) is abstracted from its hardware, creating a virtualised network layer.
This IT Network type uses a centralized control function to securely direct traffic across the WAN. Business-critical applications are running over the Internet across multiple clouds, and traditional WANs that use conventional routers were not designed for the cloud. Contrarily, the SD-WAN model is designed to fully support applications hosted in on-premise data centres, SaaS services and clouds services.
Source: Silver-Peak
An SD-WAN can connect several branch locations or industrial manufacturing facilities to a central hub office, or cover multiple locations in a large facility/factory, and it has four main components:
Edge connectivity abstraction.
Elastic traffic management.
Centralized management.
Several SD-WAN solutions are basic and lack reliability, performance and scalability, hence, they don't ensure a secure and smart network experience. Contrarily, Industry-driven SD-WANs provide:
Optimal application performance under any network condition through continuous monitoring and self-learning.
Full end-to-end and live orchestration of all WAN edge functions.
Automated daily application definition and IP address updates to adapt to changes in cloud applications.
Comprehensive end-to-end security capabilities and micro-segmentation.
Learn more about SD-WAN here.
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