For quite some time now MPLS has been used as a means to manage geographically distributed networks of single organisations, but in recent years WAN technologies have evolved and a new software-defined approach to enterprise WAN connectivity has emerged, providing an unmatched combination of cost-efficiency, agility, cloud-friendliness, and reliability to network infrastructures.
What makes it necessary to take advantage of SD-WAN solutions is indeed the increasing use of cloud-based applications, of mobile workers, and the need to implement policies that allow the secure use of personal devices to access corporate networks. Also, more and more mobile, cloud, and video-based applications increase bandwidth demand and are very sensitive to quality and latency problems of WAN services.
Automation of data delivery processes
Unlike the traditional router-centric WAN architecture, the concept of SD-WAN implies leveraging on multiple access technologies across hybrid WAN, LAN/WLAN, and cloud networks, to provide bandwidth on demand and dynamic routing services to business-critical applications. Be it the load balancing over several Internet lines, their aggregation, or the possibility to allocate bandwidth per protocol or application, users enjoy the highest flexibility as these settings can be modified in real-time according to their actual needs. This is how SD-WAN dramatically improves the automation of data delivery processes: thanks to customisable algorithms adding “intelligence” to the network it is possible to differentiate between data with a lower priority level from high priority data traffic and route them through different connections by delivering secure and quality of service (QoS) controlled Internet networks with the best cost-to-bandwidth ratio.
Centralised orchestration
Equipped with a centralized orchestration function, SD-WAN also provides the needed convergence of heterogeneous network infrastructures thanks to the high abstraction from underlying hardware (if any) or virtualised components, which are integrated into a new WAN ecosystem defined by software. As such, SD-WAN Orchestrators streamline the management and maintenance of plenty of otherwise incompatible devices, like firewalls, Unified Threat Management (UTM) platforms, Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions, Wi-Fi controllers, switches, routers and load balancers present in some parts of the network, thanks to specific API libraries. Furthermore, they allow a “one-click” configuration of policies to be applied to the whole network regardless of the branches’ location, the connected devices, and the resources to grant access to.
Multi-tenant architecture
nacXwan SD-WAN platform for Network Operators and MSPs features on top multi-tenant functionalities, allowing the centralized monitoring and configuration tool for whole fleets of deployed CPEs (physical or virtual) at an illimited number of customers. nacXwan SD-WAN Orchestrator is cloud-based, fully dynamic, and allows specific network design and reporting for an unlimited number of clients, who enjoy a fully customised and secure access to their infrastructure. Through different dashboards, it also delivers detailed, real-time information about the state of the network components and connectivity, based on several types of indicators and statistics. The unique traffic shaping features embedded in nacXwan’s routers allow Network Service Providers to also implement customised prioritization strategies, regardless of the type of WAN-link.
Adding on top the “as a Service” white label formula at no initial costs is a reason more for Network Operators to take advantage of software-defined next-generation networks and share their benefits with their customers.
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