SD-WAN, short for Software-Defined Wide Area Network, is a modern networking technology driven by cost-effective bandwidth and the rise of cloud applications outside legacy data centers. It simplifies WAN management by decoupling control from the physical infrastructure through software. It utilizes existing Internet or private connections to create a secure, fully meshed network and intelligently directs application flows over multiple underlay networks based on policies. The benefits include simplified management, quick deployment, improved application performance, enhanced resiliency, and cost savings compared to traditional approaches. SD-WAN offers a flexible and efficient solution to meet the demands of cloud-based applications and increasing data needs, making it a popular choice for businesses seeking optimized network performance and cost-effectiveness.
With enterprises increasingly investing in open and adaptable cloud solutions, SD-WAN offers a way to achieve similar benefits in data center architecture. SD-WAN is particularly advantageous for connecting distant environments, such as main offices and branch offices. Unlike traditional WAN, SD-WAN reduces recurring network costs, provides network-wide control and visibility, and simplifies technology through zero-touch deployment and centralized management. A key aspect of SD-WAN is its ability to communicate with all network endpoints without external mechanisms or additional protocols. This grants customers the flexibility to select the most suitable underlay network for their users and environment, maximizing bandwidth utilization across available underlay networks. As cloud-based applications continue to be adopted, utilizing a flexible SD-WAN platform enables optimized application performance and efficiency beyond the capabilities of traditional hub-and-spoke networks.