SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network)

A technology that virtualizes WAN connections, enabling centralized control, intelligent traffic routing, and the use of multiple transport types.

What is SD-WAN?

Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) is an approach to WAN architecture that uses software to intelligently direct traffic across multiple connection types. It decouples the networking hardware from the control mechanism, enabling centralized management and dynamic path selection.

How SD-WAN Works

SD-WAN overlays traditional WAN connections (MPLS, broadband, LTE) with a software layer that:

Monitors link quality in real-time
Routes traffic based on application requirements
Provides centralized policy management
Enables secure connectivity between sites

Key Features

Application-Aware Routing: Routes traffic based on app requirements
Transport Agnostic: Uses any available connection type
Centralized Management: Single pane of glass for all sites
Zero-Touch Provisioning: Automated deployment of new sites
Built-in Security: Encryption, firewalling, segmentation

Benefits Over Traditional WAN

Reduced costs by using broadband alongside MPLS
Improved application performance
Simplified management and faster deployment
Better visibility into traffic and performance
Enhanced security with encryption