E-guide

SD-WAN Explained:
The Ultimate Guide to
SD-WAN Architecture
 E-guide

In this e-guide
SD-WAN explained: The ultimate guide to
Introduction to SD-WAN
SD-WAN architecture
How SD-WAN technology works
Sandra Gittlen, Editor at Large
SD-WAN benefits
The software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) is a quickly maturing
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs technology widely adopted by enterprises and organizations as a cost-
effective way to connect branch offices to their own data centers and to
SD-WAN vs. MPLS
SaaS and other cloud-based applications.
SD-WAN challenges
This guide to SD-WAN links you to articles that will walk you through all
SD-WAN market and providers things SD-WAN. The collection explains the basics of SD-WAN technology,
how it works, buying options, planning for implementation, best practices
How to buy SD-WAN
and troubleshooting advice. This guide also offers insight into how SD-WAN
SD-WAN uses architecture will evolve over the next few years.

Deploying SD-WAN Articles in this guide cut through the confusion the range of SD-WAN
options might present and help enterprises make informed decisions about
SD-WAN security
how SD-WAN fits into the organization's network environment. Don't forget
The future of SD-WAN to click on the links throughout this article to learn even more about SD-
WAN technology.
Further reading

Page 1 of 24
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In this e-guide
Introduction to SD-WAN
Introduction to SD-WAN
The wide area network (WAN) has always posed significant challenges for
How SD-WAN technology works organizations with distributed workforces. The need for fast and reliable
application performance, the high cost of dedicated network circuits and the
SD-WAN benefits complexities of day-to-day tasks such as configuration, monitoring and
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
management are all magnified across a WAN. Whether an organization
grows organically or through mergers and acquisitions, it can be challenging
SD-WAN vs. MPLS for IT teams to deploy edge gear quickly to connect users to business
applications.
SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

While advances in WAN optimization and traffic shaping certainly help
improve IT's ability to move traffic across the WAN, they don't resolve all the
How to buy SD-WAN problems at the network edge. Dedicated circuits are still cost-prohibitive
and can take months to deploy. Additional staff can also be required to
SD-WAN uses
manage devices at branch offices and remote locations.
Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 2 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide

Introduction to SD-WAN

How SD-WAN technology works

SD-WAN benefits

SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

How to buy SD-WAN

SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 3 of 24
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Enter SD-WAN. The technology centralizes network control by abstracting

In this e-guide and automating the tasks traditionally programmed manually on each edge
device. SD-WAN architecture creates a network overlay that enables IT to
Introduction to SD-WAN
remotely configure, manage, monitor and secure most aspects of the WAN,
How SD-WAN technology works including edge devices and traffic flows. By abstracting the transport layer
from hardware to software, SD-WAN facilitates traffic prioritization, enabling
SD-WAN benefits IT to use lower-cost public and private links such as broadband and wireless
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
alongside more expensive Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
connections. The automation, centralization and flexibility afforded by SD-
SD-WAN vs. MPLS WAN result in a more agile WAN environment for midsize to large
businesses.
SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

Gartner, in a 2019 Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure, said that
although fewer than 20% of enterprises implemented SD-WAN in 2019, 60%
How to buy SD-WAN will have implemented the technology by 2024.
SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN How SD-WAN technology works

SD-WAN security Following the introduction of SD-WAN -- and the myriad variations of SD-
WAN offerings -- many organizations have been confused about what
The future of SD-WAN
exactly it is and is not.
Further reading

Page 4 of 24
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SD-WAN products and services have the following common capabilities:

In this e-guide virtualization of the WAN connection, centralized policy oversight,
orchestration and the ability to dynamically manage traffic.
Introduction to SD-WAN

Vendors sometimes claim to offer SD-WAN products when, in fact, they

How SD-WAN technology works
offer only a fraction of the technology's typical capabilities, a practice called
SD-WAN benefits SD-WAN washing. As networking expert John Fruehe emphasizes in this
SD-WAN washing article, a product is not truly SD-WAN if any of the key
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
functionality is absent.
SD-WAN vs. MPLS
Much of an IT professional's understanding of SD-WAN architecture will
SD-WAN challenges come from getting familiar with the terms most often used in conjunction
with the technology. One such term is controller, which is a hardware or
SD-WAN market and providers
software client that directs data flows between two points and distributes
How to buy SD-WAN network and security policies to connected devices. Another key SD-WAN
term, as explained above, is overlay, which describes how the SD-WAN
SD-WAN uses
architecture sits above the network. This glossary of SD-WAN terms
Deploying SD-WAN provides information about the lingo vendors and service providers use to
describe SD-WAN.
SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 5 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide

Introduction to SD-WAN

How SD-WAN technology works

SD-WAN benefits

SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

How to buy SD-WAN

SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 6 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide
SD-WAN benefits
Introduction to SD-WAN
When considering SD-WAN adoption, organizations should assess SD-
How SD-WAN technology works WAN's advantages. As IT teams check off enough benefits, the decision to
adopt the technology becomes clearer. For instance, if an organization has
SD-WAN benefits accepted the high cost of MPLS to satisfy business-critical traffic needs,
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
SD-WAN architecture enables the use of lower-cost links, such as internet
circuits.
SD-WAN vs. MPLS
SD-WAN offers redundancy among WAN connections, automatically failing
SD-WAN challenges over to a second path if the primary one fails or is unavailable. SD-WAN can
SD-WAN market and providers
use load balancing across multiple connections to improve application and
network performance, as well.
How to buy SD-WAN
As SD-WAN has matured, many vendors have added cloud-based SD-WAN
SD-WAN uses
options, where the controller sits in the cloud. Extracting the controller from
Deploying SD-WAN
the data center should enable more network flexibility and scalability, as well
as improved management, and many businesses are taking that route.
SD-WAN security
SD-WAN presents many benefits that can address issues of managing and
The future of SD-WAN
maintaining WAN configuration.
Further reading

Page 7 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide

Introduction to SD-WAN

How SD-WAN technology works

SD-WAN benefits

SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

How to buy SD-WAN

SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 8 of 24
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In this e-guide
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
Introduction to SD-WAN
Traditional WANs have many capabilities that SD-WAN also has built-in,
How SD-WAN technology works such as load balancing and disaster recovery features. In traditional WANs,
however, adding on these capabilities can be time-consuming, complex and
SD-WAN benefits kludgy. SD-WANs enable real-time, automated and standardized
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
configuration changes, reducing the opportunity for human error that often
occurs through the manual programming required by traditional WANs.
SD-WAN vs. MPLS
SD-WAN architecture relies on virtualized overlays that make it easier to
SD-WAN challenges shift and replicate policies among distributed edge devices. As an
SD-WAN market and providers
organization grows, for example, it can use a location's existing WAN
connections with the SD-WAN device, and IT can remotely manage the site
How to buy SD-WAN policies via the centralized controller. This agility offered by virtualization is
essential to meeting business demands.
SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN
When putting SD-WANs up against VPNs, the differences are noticeable.
For instance, typical VPNs work well for businesses with a single IP
SD-WAN security backbone, but that architecture breaks down when introducing voice and
video or when congestion impedes the network.
The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 9 of 24
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SD-WAN's granular level of support makes it far more advanced when it

In this e-guide comes to quality of service (QoS) compared to basic internet VPNs. It is also
important to note that VPNs can't always provide the internet connectivity
Introduction to SD-WAN
with optimization and advanced security that cloud-based services require.
How SD-WAN technology works
Perhaps most importantly, SD-WAN automatically detects network
SD-WAN benefits conditions and provides visibility into the network, creating a predictable
level of performance.
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN vs. MPLS
SD-WAN challenges
MPLS has been a trusted go-to connectivity option for organizations for
SD-WAN market and providers
decades, but it is also costly and somewhat inflexible. SD-WAN architecture
How to buy SD-WAN enables organizations to continue the use of MPLS circuits but gain more
efficiency and cost savings by adding alternate, less costly links, such as
SD-WAN uses
broadband or wireless.
Deploying SD-WAN
MPLS still has the advantage of being a private connection that offers end-
SD-WAN security to-end QoS. MPLS providers also can deliver more comprehensive service-
level agreements than providers that offer connectivity over public links.
The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 10 of 24
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Moving away from a largely MPLS environment requires some savvy

In this e-guide migration techniques. Companies that decide to transition to SD-WAN
should ask their providers for a copy of their MPLS contracts. Items such as
Introduction to SD-WAN
termination charges and minimum commitment clauses should be taken into
How SD-WAN technology works consideration in the cost-benefit analysis of a migration. Organizations
should also order internet connections right away because they can take a
SD-WAN benefits while to be installed.
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

How to buy SD-WAN

SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 11 of 24
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In this e-guide
SD-WAN challenges
Introduction to SD-WAN
While the advantages of SD-WAN are plentiful, its disadvantages must be
How SD-WAN technology works taken into account. For instance, while SD-WAN should decrease
connectivity costs in the long term, the cost to license SD-WAN software is
SD-WAN benefits a near-term consideration.
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
Adding a layer to the WAN could introduce an opportunity for new
SD-WAN vs. MPLS vulnerabilities that must be closely monitored and managed. SD-WAN will
likely require companies to procure connectivity from multiple providers,
SD-WAN challenges which could add to IT's portfolio of service contracts they need to manage.
SD-WAN market and providers
Organizations can't overlook the expertise needed to deploy and manage
How to buy SD-WAN SD-WAN technology properly, despite the fact that many vendors describe
SD-WAN as a do-it-yourself technology. While vendors have tried to simplify
SD-WAN uses
most processes surrounding SD-WAN, IT teams still must think carefully
Deploying SD-WAN
about requirements for each feature they want to roll out, as well as plans
for overall security.
SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 12 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide
SD-WAN market and providers
Introduction to SD-WAN
The SD-WAN market is growing rapidly and is projected to reach $5.25
How SD-WAN technology works billion in 2023, according to IDC. Still, it can be difficult to discern exactly
what is included in each vendor's or service provider's offering. This SD-
SD-WAN benefits WAN vendor comparison chart can help organizations of all sizes determine
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
which products or services best fit their network and business requirements.

SD-WAN vs. MPLS Beyond what sounds good on a product data sheet, businesses also want to
know how easy these SD-WAN offerings are to deploy and provision --
SD-WAN challenges questions that can only be answered by the vendors and real-world
SD-WAN market and providers
references. For example, if a vendor claims its product or service has zero-
touch provisioning, potential users should put that question to one of the
How to buy SD-WAN vendor's customer references. Organizations also want to know whether
SD-WAN software can work on any edge device or if it requires specific,
SD-WAN uses
proprietary equipment.
Deploying SD-WAN
A critical question to ask is what partnerships the vendors or managed
SD-WAN security service providers (MSPs) have in place to provide security and other key
functionality. Insight into their preferred providers helps potential customers
The future of SD-WAN
extract the most benefit from SD-WAN deployments.
Further reading

Page 13 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide

Introduction to SD-WAN

How SD-WAN technology works

SD-WAN benefits

SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

How to buy SD-WAN

Companies concerned about the level of expertise required to run SD-WAN
SD-WAN uses
in-house and deal with the complexity of managing multiple service
providers can alleviate those concerns by outsourcing SD-WAN to an MSP.
Deploying SD-WAN
Handing off internet service provider management challenges to a third
SD-WAN security party could provide greater choice in connectivity and enable in-house IT to
focus on tasks more critical to the business.
The future of SD-WAN An SD-WAN MSP should be able to support current network infrastructure
and ensure WAN connectivity options that span an organization's entire
Further reading
geographic footprint. Users also need to know how easy it is to scale the
SD-WAN deployment because delays in service can be costly.

Page 14 of 24
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In this e-guide
How to buy SD-WAN
Introduction to SD-WAN
SD-WAN buying is not an easy exercise -- it requires a significant amount of
How SD-WAN technology works research and preparation. However, experts said to worry less about vendor
lock-in -- which might be inevitable -- and more about picking a product or
SD-WAN benefits service well matched to the organization.
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
Although SD-WAN is an overlay technology, which makes it a bit easier to
SD-WAN vs. MPLS course-correct, changes in network infrastructure and policies can delay the
goal of getting better application performance and centralized management.
SD-WAN challenges
One way to start to get a handle on what the organization needs from SD-
SD-WAN market and providers
WAN is to create an SD-WAN request for proposal. IT teams can use this
How to buy SD-WAN RFP to outline the technology requirements -- including dynamic path
selection, link steering and remediation, and network functions virtualization
SD-WAN uses
-- and how the vendor would handle them.
Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 15 of 24
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The SD-WAN provider will be instrumental in how well customers achieve

In this e-guide QoS, including identifying and classifying traffic, and analyzing the decisions
in real time. Customers need to understand a provider's expertise in QoS
Introduction to SD-WAN
and how it will help fulfill the organization's performance goals. Potential
How SD-WAN technology works customers will also want to assess the usability of the vendor's console,
especially the metrics they consider most important and how easily the
SD-WAN benefits console can be customized. One of SD-WAN's selling points is its network
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
visibility, so the console should convey the ability to both see and control
what is happening across the whole network.
SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

How to buy SD-WAN

SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 16 of 24
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In this e-guide
SD-WAN uses
Introduction to SD-WAN
As SD-WAN matures, IT teams are finding more uses for the technology,
How SD-WAN technology works including deploying applications that would be too costly or have too high of
volume for dedicated circuits alone. Among the scenarios shared in this
SD-WAN benefits article, an automotive software developer and cockpit electronics
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
manufacturer used SD-WAN architecture to migrate old on-premises apps
to SaaS and to give the company's remote developers local egress to the
SD-WAN vs. MPLS internet and cloud applications. Also, a biotech firm explained its use of SD-
WAN to address its fast-paced growth, enabling new sites to come online at
SD-WAN challenges
a significantly faster pace than via the existing VPN.
SD-WAN market and providers
SD-WAN pioneers recommend working with a proof of concept and
How to buy SD-WAN encouraging IT teams to experiment with the new technology. Those users
stressed the importance of knowing what you need compared to what the
SD-WAN uses
vendors want to sell you. They also expressed the need to align business
Deploying SD-WAN goals with SD-WAN's capabilities. Technology teams should be ready to
explain to their executives why SD-WAN would be a good investment if the
SD-WAN security
network is already performing well.
The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 17 of 24
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For example, network pros can demonstrate the performance hit their WAN
In this e-guide would take during an Office 365 rollout without SD-WAN. IT can also sell the
idea of SD-WAN technology if the growth rate of new branch offices or
Introduction to SD-WAN
remote locations will soon outpace the budget for WAN bandwidth -- a
How SD-WAN technology works problem potentially solved with more connectivity choices.

SD-WAN benefits Multi-cloud deployments offer another appealing use for SD-WAN. The
technology's ability to apply appropriate business policies and steer traffic
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
enables IT to connect users to private cloud, IaaS and SaaS platforms. SD-
SD-WAN vs. MPLS WAN also supports microsegmentation, a way to isolate certain traffic flows,
which increases security in a multi-cloud environment.
SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

Deploying SD-WAN
How to buy SD-WAN
Once an organization has settled on a vendor and is ready to bring SD-WAN
SD-WAN uses
into the network, it's necessary to prepare the network infrastructure for
Deploying SD-WAN
implementation.

SD-WAN security SD-WAN adopters should examine their existing networks and determine if
their hardware can support SD-WAN as-is or if they need to upgrade or buy
The future of SD-WAN
new equipment. Some companies might need to purchase hardware-based
Further reading appliances or virtual server software.

Page 18 of 24
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The prep work can involve diving deep into details, such as which routing
In this e-guide protocol will work best in each location. Not every protocol works well
everywhere, so businesses must carefully consider the choices.
Introduction to SD-WAN

Before deploying SD-WAN technology, users should conduct proof-of-

How SD-WAN technology works
concept testing that measures important metrics -- such as how fast failover
SD-WAN benefits is from a failed link to an operational path, the segregation of traffic types to
different links and how throughput increases by using multiple parallel links.
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
Here's a nine-step testing process to help organizations stay out of the
SD-WAN vs. MPLS weeds during the process.

SD-WAN challenges As important as it is to test ahead of SD-WAN deployment, it's equally

critical to develop a steadfast troubleshooting and monitoring strategy.
SD-WAN market and providers
Networking teams need to account for event handling, active path testing,
How to buy SD-WAN physical status and topology, all of which are essential for troubleshooting.
These tips serve as a guide to establish policies for monitoring and
SD-WAN uses
troubleshooting SD-WAN architecture.
Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 19 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide

Introduction to SD-WAN

How SD-WAN technology works

SD-WAN benefits

SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

How to buy SD-WAN

SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 20 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide
SD-WAN security
Introduction to SD-WAN
While security is not touted as a main reason to adopt SD-WAN, vendors
How SD-WAN technology works and providers have addressed security concerns by supporting IP security
standards and partnering with top security vendors to integrate protection
SD-WAN benefits into their products and services.
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
One essential capability organizations want to see in an SD-WAN product or
SD-WAN vs. MPLS service is a process to safely integrate new devices into the SD-WAN to
prevent rogue devices from gaining access to their WAN traffic. Other
SD-WAN challenges desired capabilities are data plane encryption and control plane encryption.
SD-WAN market and providers
Organizations should find out the specifics of the SD-WAN vendor's or
How to buy SD-WAN provider's security strategy and make sure it aligns with the needs of the
business. For instance, evaluate whether the SD-WAN software chronicles
SD-WAN uses
invalid connection attempts or warns admins about unauthorized access or
Deploying SD-WAN
malware. Journaling of this type, according to networking consultant Tom
Nolle, could detect and prevent denial-of-service attacks.
SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 21 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide

Introduction to SD-WAN

How SD-WAN technology works

SD-WAN benefits

SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

How to buy SD-WAN

SD-WAN uses

Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 22 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide
The future of SD-WAN
Introduction to SD-WAN
SD-WAN is a technology that will likely pair well with both 5G, or fifth-
How SD-WAN technology works generation wireless, and the internet of things (IoT). While IoT is gaining
traction, 5G services and equipment are not yet widely available, but their
SD-WAN benefits potential looks promising.
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs
With lower latency than 4G wireless, 5G will create faster and better
SD-WAN vs. MPLS connections, and reach areas that currently don't have wireless access. SD-
WAN is expected to intelligently streamline communications from IoT edge
SD-WAN challenges devices to a centralized data center, especially when paired with 5G's lower
SD-WAN market and providers
latency.

How to buy SD-WAN SD-WAN's future is set to flourish as newer technologies emerge that can
benefit from its use. IT professionals should take the time now to weigh
SD-WAN uses
whether SD-WAN makes sense in their corporate setting.
Deploying SD-WAN

SD-WAN security Next Article

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

Page 23 of 24
 E-guide

In this e-guide
About SearchNetworking
Introduction to SD-WAN
SearchNetworking.com is one of the largest and most active online
How SD-WAN technology works communities dedicated to the enterprise network.

SD-WAN benefits IT professionals in almost every industry rely on SearchNetworking.com for

industry news, technical tips and valuable best practices on topics like routing,
SD-WAN vs. traditional WANs switching, network security, network/systems management, convergence/VoIP
and wireless LANs, so they can keep their networks up to date and cope with
SD-WAN vs. MPLS constant change.

SD-WAN challenges

SD-WAN market and providers

For further reading, visit us at
www.SearchNetworking.com
How to buy SD-WAN
Images; Fotalia
SD-WAN uses
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Deploying SD-WAN without written permission from the publisher.

SD-WAN security

The future of SD-WAN

Further reading

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