As technology grows, the need to improve networking grows with it. At the center of network growth is software-defined networking or SDN. SDN enables network administrators to create virtual networks that are decoupled from their underlying hardware. This allows the network to integrate with virtual environments more readily. By virtualizing networking hardware, network administrators increase cost savings and system capabilities, while simultaneously ensuring that critical business applications remain up and running.
SDN can be beneficial for all types of networks. However, the wide area network (WAN) is an excellent place to adopt SDN. SDWAN, or software-defined WAN, allows businesses to enjoy some benefits to their network, including cost efficiency and increased agility, among others.
1. Improved Security
Security is an essential component for every company, especially businesses with sensitive data, like healthcare organizations or banks. SDWAN utilizes multiple services, including increased use of internet services and a multi-cloud environment. As a result, businesses need to ensure their security is maintained or improved upon. However, users are often happy to learn that very little is required to maintain the existing security infrastructure and in some cases, no changes are necessary at all. New security options are available with service chaining, and security measures can be enhanced with the numerous security options available from third parties that are designed for use through managed SDWAN. Third party vendors allow businesses to increase their security on a granular level, and it is often possible to stack security services with multiple providers.
2. Transport Independence
Transport independence is a crucial feature of SDWAN for San Francisco businesses. Businesses need the freedom to host applications from anywhere and have the option to customize how services are delivered fully — businesses that desire full transport flexibility should heavily consider upgrading to SDWAN, since it can utilize any transport protocol necessary. This includes but is not limited to 3G, 4G LTE, Internet, Ethernet, MPLS, Serial, or Wi-Fi. With SDWAN, businesses can gain independence from the boundaries of traditional networks that have become outdated over time and are more restrictive as to what an entity can and cannot do with the network. This overhaul in technology allows users to discover technology-forward solutions that are designed to offer complete flexibility and independence.
3. Intelligent Path Control
Businesses that want to direct traffic based on an application should consider using SDWAN. One of the most critical SDWAN benefits is its provision of intelligent path control. At the centralized controller level, traffic forwarding can be set up and then rolled out to all devices in the SDWAN. Traffic direction can be based on one or more variables, including but not limited to, IP addresses, port number, application profiles, time of day, and quality-of-service markings. This provides clarity and visibility into various applications for businesses to optimize pathways. It gives firms greater agility in an increasingly fast-paced market where competition is fiercer than ever before. When business applications rely on connectivity, SDWAN's intelligent path control is a significant game changer.
4. Easier Provisioning
Traditional WAN merely is becoming outdated as technology continues to grow. SDWAN allows business to send unconfigured devices to other branches, making provisioning exponentially less work. Once the unconfigured device is sent, policy download and crypto certificate and keys download can begin. Then, the SDWAN device automatically begins learning traffic patterns. The device receives and applies settings as soon as it is connected to the network without any action being taken. This helps to reduce costs across the board for businesses, specifically overhead and operational costs. SDWAN enables enterprises to deploy new branch provisions without the expensive manual labor that is usually associated with network upgrades.
5. Better Application Performance
Slow or offline applications can be detrimental for businesses of any kind. Slowed or broken applications reduce worker productivity, which leads to a significant drop in revenue. Essentially, the way applications run have a direct impact on the bottom line of business. SDWAN improves application performance by utilizing all of the available bandwidth in a network, versus simply choosing path A or path B. If one path fails, SDWAN automatically follows another, keeping applications up and running. Critical applications are prioritized over non-critical applications, so connectivity is maintained across applications that are essential to the core of the business. Reliable connectivity to essential applications reduces the chances for slowed or offline applications and therefore prevents unnecessary revenue loss.
On Time Tech is a top IT solutions & IT services provider for the San Francisco area. When your business needs updated, reliable technology, you can count on On Time Tech. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of SDWAN for San Francisco businesses or to set up a time for our IT experts to come to your business and provide a quote to get SDWAN set up. When you want to reap SDWAN benefits and propel your business forward through top-notch technology, On Time Tech can help. Call now at (415) 294-5250.