What Is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN solutions deliver intelligent traffic routing, reliable security, and centralized control, enabling organizations to optimize performance while reducing infrastructure costs. Discover SD-WAN’s core features and manage network technologies more effectively with this guide.

Is SD-WAN the Right Solution For You?

SD-WAN solutions provide an innovative solution for network management, offering a more efficient and safeguarded approach for organizations to streamline their infrastructure. 

If any of the following resonate with you or your organization, you should definitely consider SD-WAN:

• Improved Performance: Dynamically routes traffic based on real-time network conditions, ensuring critical applications (like VoIP, video conferencing, and SaaS) have the best performance.
• Cost Savings: Reduces reliance on expensive MPLS circuits by leveraging more affordable broadband or LTE/5G connections.
• Enhanced Security: Offers integrated security features such as encryption, segmentation, and access control.
• Centralized Management: Simplifies network operations with centralized control for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
• Scalability: Easily adapts to new locations or changing bandwidth demands without significant infrastructure changes.
• Cloud Optimization: Provides direct, secure connections to cloud applications and services, reducing latency.

Features of SD-WAN

SD-WAN architecture represents a transformative approach to network management for modern businesses. 

These solutions address critical business requirements by offering intelligent connectivity across distributed environments.

#1: Amazon Web Service Integration

Amazon Web Services and other cloud platforms benefit from SD-WAN’s unique capabilities. 

The technology provides direct cloud service connections, dramatically reducing network latency and enhancing performance for cloud-hosted applications.

#2: Built-in Security

With security protocols built directly into the platform, SD-WAN architecture provides:

• End-to-end encryption
• Secure tunneling
• Strong firewall protection

The advanced security measure is specifically designed to protect data from unauthorized access while in transit, regardless of the network type.

#3: Real-Time Insights

Administrators gain unprecedented network visibility through sophisticated analytics. 

With SD-WAN, organizations can create more responsive, efficient network infrastructures by:

• Tracking traffic
• Detecting threats
• Optimizing routes

SD-WAN Architecture vs. Traditional Networking

Digital businesses accelerating cloud migration are outgrowing traditional network solutions like MPLS and VPNs that fail to meet current business requirements. 

SD-WAN architecture offers a flexible, adaptive approach to managing and securing network traffic across modern infrastructure.

Feature	SD-WAN	MPLS	VPN
Cost	Uses affordable internet connections, reducing dedicated circuit expenses.	High costs from private lines and specialized gear.	Affordable, leveraging existing internet infrastructure.
Traffic Routing	Adaptive, real-time routing based on app needs, avoiding backhauling.	Routes through predetermined paths, causing central data center latency.	Routes over public internet with variable performance.
Scalability	Easily scales by adding affordable internet connections without major changes.	Scaling requires costly, time-consuming MPLS circuits.	Simple pricing with straightforward service.
Security	Built-in encryption and tunneling for secure network connections.	Private network lacks cloud environment protection.	Limited security with encrypted outbound traffic.

Matching SD-WAN to Your Business Requirements

Here’s how to choose a SD-WAN solution that suits your needs.

#1: Network Requirements

Begin by assessing your current network needs. Some factors to consider include:

• Number of remote manpower and offices
• Cloud application’s volume traffic
• Regularly used applications that require high bandwidth or low latency

1. Security Needs

Due to the sensitive nature of your operation, security often needs to be a top priority. 

When looking for an SD-WAN provider, ensure that they offer:

• End-to-end encryption for secure communication
• Firewall protection, secure tunneling, and early intrusion detection
• Zero Trust Network Access support (If your organization is shifting to a more distributed model)

2. Performance and Reliability

Amazon Web Services and similar cloud platforms require a solid network foundation. Select a solution that can:

• Prioritize critical application traffic
• Monitor real-time application performance and flexible path selection
• Handle redundancy and failover capabilities to ensure uptime and availability

3. Highly Scalable and Flexible

Since growth is always a possibility, choosing a provider that can easily meet your needs when the time comes should be considered. 

Look for SD-WAN options that:

• Allows for easy addition of new location and cloud services.
• Support diverse connection types for flexibility, like broadband, LTE, and more
• Offer centralized management to streamline future scaling operations

Comparing Leading SD-WAN Vendors

Selecting the right SD-WAN provider requires careful alignment with specific business requirements. Organizations must understand the unique features of leading SD-WAN providers to optimize network performance.

#1: Check Point SD-WAN

Check Point SD-WAN combines cutting-edge security with the advantage of high-performance networking, ensuring optimized connectivity and high-level protection for branch offices, remote locations, and cloud environments.

Strengths

• A combination of SD-WAN features with state-of-the-art threat prevention protocols
• Intelligent routing based on real-time application needs
• Ensures seamless connectivity with minimal downtime
• Includes an antivirus, anti-bot, URL filtering, and intrusion prevention
• Unified management via the Check Point Infinity platform for consistent policy enforcement

#2: Cisco SD-WAN

Cisco is a well-established leader in networking technology due to its proven portfolio of platforms highly recognized by the public. 

Its SD-WAN is no exception, with its strong routing, security, and capability to provide a strong network solution.

Strengths

• Integration of existing Cisco tools
• Intelligent path control with application-level visibility
• Scalable for small businesses and large enterprises

#3: VMware SD-WAN (VeloCloud)

VMware’s SD-WAN revolves around a cloud-delivered solution that focuses on delivering a secure, high performance connectivity to applications across data centers.

Strengths

• Cloud-first approach, optimizing direct cloud access and application performance
• Smooth integration with VMware’s line of software platforms
• Real-time visibility and analytics

#4: Fortinet SD-WAN

Known for its security options, Fortinet’s SD-WAN is built with a high focus on security and priority when it comes to network traffic.

Strengths

• Next-gen firewall for secure SD-WAN connections
• Advanced security features, like intrusion prevention, URL filtering, and application control
• High-performance routing

Future of SD-WAN Solutions

As Amazon Web Services continues to evolve, emerging trends promise continued innovation and advancement in network connectivity platforms.

Integration with 5G Networks

SD-WAN solutions may incorporate the speed and low latency of 5G to enhance its performance, a beneficial approach especially for real-time applications like:

• Video conferencing
• Cloud collaboration

Increased Focus on Security

SD-WAN networks are quickly adapting to modern security challenges. 

With advanced protocols like Zero Trust and SASE, these networks provide enhanced protection for hybrid and multi-cloud environments, including Amazon Web Service infrastructure.

AI-Driven Management and Automation

AI can lead the charge enabling more intelligent traffic routing, automated policy adjustments, and predictive network optimization, making the management of SD-WANs more efficient.

Maximize Security with Check Point’s SASE

Organizations need network solutions to meet complex operational demands as they accelerate their digital strategies. The SD-WAN architecture emerges as a critical technology that addresses business requirements for connectivity and security.

Combined with Check Point’s SASE, businesses can optimize and defend their networks without sacrificing performance.

For organizations looking to enhance their overall network performance, explore Check Point’s SD-WAN with SASE solutions and see how they can help you stay ahead of the curve.