SD-WAN migration in

a connected world
Overcome implementation issues with
our top tips for SD-WAN deployment

Software-defined Not plug-and-play

networking (SDN) is at SD-WAN, however, is not a plug-and-play proposition. It needs a detailed
understanding of your organization’s existing infrastructure and applications
the forefront of today’s
for success. But there is much to be gained, because a properly implemented
networking evolution, SD-WAN gives organizations insight and control over applications, robust
allowing organizations edge-to-edge security and improved end-user performance.
to virtualize their Modern IT infrastructure is wide-ranging and complex, which means that your
network infrastructure SD-WAN project requires careful planning and integration. The solution needs
to manage multiple network access types, such as wireless, MPLS, dedicated
to provide greater agility,
and broadband internet, and route many different types of traffic securely
business flexibility and according to enterprise policies.
cost savings. SDN in SD-WAN may sound like a simple concept, but you are in fact designing
the wide area network and building a complex network that needs to be carefully executed to fulfil
expectations and provide optimum performance.
(SD-WAN) has emerged
as the optimum approach Critical steps to a smooth SD-WAN transition
for organizations looking Every organization wants to deploy SD-WAN with minimal disruption to their
to take full advantage day-to-day business operations. To help you succeed, we’ve put together
the critical steps for a frictionless SD-WAN implementation. They draw on our
of the benefits
experience of deploying the technology for many different companies across
offered by cloud and multiple sectors.
internet services.

SD-WAN solutions offer multiple benefits

over traditional WAN architecture. Moving
to SD-WAN has never been easier with NTT.

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NTT Ltd. and its affiliates are NTT DATA, Inc. companies.
SD-WAN guide | SD-WAN migration in a connected world

Analyze your IT estate to Think about how you will right size a platform for you to make more use
get ‘SD-WAN ready’ your underlay connections, whether of the public internet, but it also brings
You need to fully comprehend your you have enough valid IP addresses for risks. Using the internet could expose
IT estate and how it all works together the deployment and how you will use you to hacking or other attacks if the
This includes business applications and internet access to support applications correct protection and practices are not
associated priorities, traffic patterns with the required levels of performance. put in place. For example, effectively
and flows, cloud services in use, deploying appropriate encryption and
Ensure SD-WAN fits into
software-as-a-service models, and how containment policies is an imperative
your cloud strategy
and where to connect to all of these. step to ensure corporate data is secure.
Cloud connectivity is a critical issue.
Combining multiple poor Ensure your SD-WAN will operate in Selecting the right
access types does not make your chosen clouds such as Microsoft SD-WAN vendor
a good network Azure and Amazon Web Services. Some With a plethora of SD-WAN technology
Simply bonding together multiple SD-WAN solutions will only provide a vendors now in the market it is easy to
connections does not make for a path to public cloud providers using be confused about which one would
quality SD-WAN implementation. If they a central hub-style internet breakout, be the best fit for your organization.
are poorly thought out and executed, others only through a local internet Many vendors claim to offer SD-WAN
you will be very disappointed. You need breakout. Also, these solutions may capabilities but miss key features that
to take the quality and capability of not be optimized for either latency or might be critical to your WAN, or may
the access lines into consideration to performance, or support only a limited lack the level of global support your
ensure that application performance selection of cloud providers. You organization may need. Be careful
expectations are met. For example, should carefully consider this otherwise to analyze the different feature-sets
you might want to guarantee low- you may not realize the benefits that and support capabilities on offer from
latency access for a voice over internet SD-WAN can deliver. vendors, including appliances and uCPE
protocol (VoIP) application. In addition, options, and consider how well they
Map the connectivity flows
a higher bandwidth access type will align with the requirements you have
of your applications
be required for video broadcasting. for your WAN and its management.
Mapping the connectivity flow is
A service provider with the relevant Engage with vendors, where
essential to setting up routing policies
experience will be able to help you appropriate select your shortlist, and
for deploying SD-WAN. Establish a
right-size your network design. run tests to validate which technology
detailed design and set policies to
is the best fit for your purpose.
Look at how SD-WAN ensure that bandwidth is allocated
Focus on the business outcomes that
will integrate into your to comply with security and business
you need from your WAN and consider
current infrastructure priorities. Study your application usage
and be clear on routing, bandwidth working with a managed services
SD-WANs do not cover all of the
and performance requirements. provider (MSP) who can identify the
network functionality. You will need
Apply intelligent path control to right-fit SD-WAN solution that would be
to consider how you can integrate
create a platform that provides the consumed as a service. The right MSP
SD-WAN into your wider infrastructure
users with the best possible will tailor the solution to enable your
during the design process. This analysis
application experience. business outcomes.
should highlight application and
protocol usage to better understand In addition, an MSP with a multi-vendor
Use SD-WAN migration as an
routing and bandwidth. Application SD-WAN offering can bridge different
opportunity to update your
performance improvements are SD-WAN technologies to prevent
security policies and business
achieved by prioritizing the packets vendor lock-in and provide integration
best practices
on your network and this can only with other network features and
During the design and test phase, it
be achieved with detailed application services chaining, including security
is essential to test your application
recognition and classification. and other features.
path steering changes against current
and future corporate security and
compliance policies. SD-WAN provides

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NTT Ltd. and its affiliates are NTT DATA, Inc. companies.
SD-WAN guide | SD-WAN migration in a connected world

Near real-time streaming network analytics that refresh reports

every 60 seconds and includes DVR replay functionality.

SD-WAN solutions
offer multiple Cloud-based secure web gateway and SASE security services
activated and deactivated on-demand in minutes via a
benefits over
self-service portal.
traditional WAN
architecture.
Direct first-call access to highly skilled network engineers
Moving to SD-WAN
(no call center menus) and a 6 second average time-to-answer.
has never been
easier with NTT.
AI-ops, self-healing and predictive network analytics operations
that detect and alert 95% of issues before they impact business
health with 99% of trouble tickets proactively opened.

Consider the skills gap Those not properly trained and Carefully plan your deployment
The skills gap may be one of the most experienced in these capabilities face and consider running a pilot
significant operational challenges a potentially steep learning curve An SD-WAN isn’t simply about
for companies embarking on their as they grapple with a new software connecting points. An SD-WAN
SD-WAN journey. A network overlay defined networking environment implementation is an intrinsic part
requires expert knowledge of SD-WAN that also requires tight collaboration of the business and requires greater
policy and configuration parameters between network, application and design and planning than a traditional
including enterprise applications security teams. Consider the maturity network. Run pilots to work out
grouping, routing and prioritization of your teams, whether you have any pain points, determine that the
in a highly granular and flexible way. the right skills and operational network design supports your required
Continuous policy fine tuning is also know-how internally, or need to application priorities, and that you are
important to ensure the network engage a managed services provider utilizing the correct network access
continues to support the enterprise that will allow you to focus your types. This will help you accelerate an
applications as they evolve. This SD- resources on strategic initiatives effective SD-WAN roll out across
WAN policy life cycle management rather than operationally run your the organization.
requires skill and knowledge across new SD-WAN network.
multiple disciplines.

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NTT Ltd. and its affiliates are NTT DATA, Inc. companies.
SD-WAN guide | SD-WAN migration in a connected world

Prioritize sites and Continually monitor Ensure that you have

applications for migration your network during efficient network monitoring
Prioritize the sites and applications the deployment phase Use data collected from your SD-WAN
that will benefit most from early A verification and validation of the monitoring systems to provide full
SD-WAN migration. Think about where solution is essential to see how the visibility of your WAN and application
applications are hosted and the key network will perform under pressure. performance. The rich data it provides
locations in your network. This will Also, you should monitor the ability for allows you to tune application and
help you design your migration plan. remote branch traffic to leverage both network policies to ensure that your
For instance, regional branches can public and private connectivity in an network aligns with the priorities of
be aggregated to cloud gateways or active-active connection mode; verify your business and its needs, both now
regional breakout points to provide that business-critical traffic is being and in the future.
public cloud interconnection or secure steered across the best performing In addition to these critical steps, you
internet breakout in a cost-effective paths across your WAN, while least may want to consider taking advantage
manner. Determine which of your key important traffic makes use of the of other new emerging network
applications will most benefit from an most cost-effective routes. Having solutions, such as Network Functions
SD-WAN design and which breakout a clear and concise monitoring system Virtualization (NFV). Most SD-WAN
points create the best access to for your applications is essential to solutions today don’t support
these applications. ensure your objectives are met. compute-intensive functions such
In addition, if your business needs as gateways for remote access,
to connect with highly regulated application acceleration and security
regions such as China, then consider features (beyond VPN tunnelling).
how you will comply with
government restrictions.

Why NTT?

NTT is the only global service provider innovating and investing heavily in every layer
of network infrastructure, from mobile, internet, cloud, data center, security and SD-WAN
services. This enables us to offer comprehensive and differentiated end-to-end networking
solutions with enhanced quality of service for end-user and customer experience.

Global Tier-1 IP network and over 1,000 local ISP relationships interconnecting the
world’s biggest businesses, enabling digital collaboration and direct connectivity to
cloud and SaaS providers.

Single pane of glass and integrated network management platform for managed
SD-WAN, SD-LAN Infrastructure, VPNs, multicloud connectivity, remote access services,
private 5G networks secure web gateway and SASE services.

Learn more about NTT DATA

Find out how we can become your trusted partner in helping you move
to a smarter networking future on our website.

4 | © 2023 NTT DATA, Inc.

NTT Ltd. and its affiliates are NTT DATA, Inc. companies.