What Are the Benefits of SD-WAN? | Palo Alto Networks

SD-WAN benefits include:

• Operational simplicity
• Carrier-independent WAN connectivity and improved ROI
• Improved security
• Enhanced performance
• Improved connectivity and direct cloud access
• Foundation to SASE strategy

SD-WAN enables businesses to manage devices and networks programmatically instead of manually. In addition to securely connecting remote users in branch offices, SD-WAN is valuable in controlling IoT devices over global networks.

Operational Simplicity

SD-WAN simplifies network management with a centralized controller. With centralized management, network administrators have the capability to instantly power a branch network using zero-touch provisioning. This automates network and security deployment, configuration, and change management at scale across branch networks with minimal human intervention. A major SD-WAN advantage is its ability to markedly reduce the manual operations, resource needs, and planned downtime involved in establishing new sites.

Carrier-Independent WAN Connectivity & Improved ROI

SD-WAN makes it possible to use various internet service providers (ISPs) based on location or current pricing. This grants the flexibility to select a preferred ISP for every location. Consequently, if an ISP encounters connectivity issues, network stability remains uncompromised.

In addition to traditional connections, SD-WAN versatility includes support for newer WAN technologies like 5G and satellite. This allows for broader coverage and redundancy. With active-standby capabilities, SD-WAN can swiftly shift traffic from a degraded WAN link to an available and better performing one. Built-in load balancing mechanisms optimize data flow across various channels, allowing for efficient bandwidth usage and improved response times.

SD-WAN ensures WAN resiliency with high availability appliances at branches, data centers and in the cloud. When an SD-WAN device fails, the core functionality, traffic engineering, and visibility are maintained, eliminating any outages or performance degradations at the branches.

SD-WAN provides flexibility to replace MPLS with affordable broadband or internet or augment MPLS to these newer technologies. This reduces unnecessary capital expenses and optimizes network performance relative to cost. Given that SD-WAN is simpler to manage than traditional networks, adopting SD-WAN also results in fewer WAN costs for maintenance and support.

Transitioning to SD-WAN allows companies to forgo costly private circuits. The streamlined management and deployment attributes of SD-WAN enhance its cost efficiency. Often, the investment in SD-WAN recoups its cost and generates additional savings.

Improved Security

While SD-WAN inherently enhances network security through traffic prioritization and optimized connectivity, not every SD-WAN solution offers built-in comprehensive security measures. However, its architectural flexibility means that SD-WAN can be integrated seamlessly with a range of security functions.

With the surge in IoT devices, expanding the network edge to include sensors, vehicles, manufacturing machinery, and wearables, security measures are increasingly important. The expanded network footprint requires precise performance monitoring, streamlined data aggregation, and dynamic routing. SD-WAN, providing centralized oversight for such environments, becomes instrumental in securing a rapidly growing IoT ecosystem.

Many organizations now pivot to a SASE (secure access service edge) framework, converging network and security services into a unified cloud-native service. This integration can supplement SD-WAN capabilities, adding features like secure web gateways (SWG) or cloud access security brokers (CASB), which might not be part of all standalone SD-WAN solutions.

SD-WAN offers Layer 7 visibility, allowing for the enforcement of true least-privileged access. This ensures that only authorized individuals access the appropriate information and assets. Granular security provides visibility into all assets, including the burgeoning IoT ecosystem, enabling comprehensive, appropriate security controls and policies across the entire network.

Secure connectivity remains a foundational aspect of SD-WAN. It emphasizes traffic encryption between sites, minimizing risks associated with data interception. But the true potential is realized when combined with the SASE model, ensuring both optimized connectivity and a fortified security posture.

For organizations transmitting sensitive information over potentially vulnerable networks, this integrated approach ensures data integrity and protection against myriad threats. Adopting a combined SD-WAN and SASE framework streamlines both connectivity and security, delivering a robust and resilient network environment.

Enhanced Performance

SD-WAN provides automatic setup of application policies tailored to business goals. It directs network traffic smartly using service level agreements (SLAs) to guarantee consistent application performance and continuously assesses WAN efficiency. If packet loss increases or performance suffers, SD-WAN has the capability to switch to superior-performing WAN connections, ensuring that critical applications maintain optimal performance.

Furthermore, open APIs facilitate services customization and external applications integration, such as security and performance monitoring tools.

Improved Connectivity and Direct Cloud Access

Traditional WAN systems can be costly when linking branch locations to cloud applications, including access to critical SaaS applications. Traditional WAN often requires traffic to "backhaul" to the main headquarters or corporate data center through MPLS, resulting in a subpar user experience.

In stark contrast, SD-WAN offers both direct and optimized access to cloud services, negating the need to divert traffic through central hubs. Instead of depending on predetermined routes, SD-WAN utilizes dynamic pathways which adapt according to immediate network conditions. This mechanism assures a smooth flow of data or video streaming over vast distances, minimizing lags. As a result, users enjoy improved collaboration, reduced frustration, and an overall enhanced user experience

Foundation to SASE Strategy

SD-WAN, recognized for its adaptability and cost-efficiency, plays a foundational role in the development of a SASE strategy. As organizations increasingly lean toward cloud services and remote connectivity, SD-WAN offers seamless integration, overcoming the constraints of traditional networking. In the SASE framework, network security shifts to a cloud-centric model. Here, SD-WAN's capabilities ensure optimal performance, traffic management, and resilient connectivity, creating an environment conducive for the deployment of advanced cloud-based security measures intrinsic to SASE.

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