With the advent of SD-WAN, are branch routers no longer necessary?

Routing software and software-defined WAN technologies have the potential to replace traditional router devices in branch offices. Many organizations are now migrating to integrated SD-WAN alternatives that provide bandwidth prioritization and centralized management capabilities for remote WAN sites.

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Traditional branch routers are designed around custom application-specific integrated circuits and dedicated network processors to provide optimal WAN performance. A typical branch office site often contains many incompatible WAN devices such as routers, firewalls, WAN optimization, VPNs, and more recently, SD-WAN.

Cisco currently provides mainly multi-protocol branch routers, which connect branch office sites to centralized data centers using managed WAN services (usually MPLS). Other branch router suppliers include Juniper Networks, Huawei and Adtran.

Improved hardware support for software-based routing

Moore's Law continues to drive performance improvements in standard server platforms, typically Intel processors, although ARM processors are also an option, combined with improved packet processing software, such as data plane development kits, etc. Software-based routing is becoming a viable option with good pricing and performance.

Software-based routing offers many advantages in terms of flexibility, as it can be deployed anywhere and can be easily combined with other WAN functions to form a complete package, an example of which is the virtual network function model. Server platforms now have enough I/O processing power to handle multiple VNFs.

SD-WAN expands routing capabilities

SD-WAN services have matured over the past few years. Most vendors now integrate a wide range of network functions into their SD-WAN devices, including WAN optimization, routing, and basic security.

SD-WAN support for Border Gateway Protocol is critical for hybrid WAN services that use MPLS and internet connections. Many IT departments are now deploying SD-WAN options without physical branch routers, replacing Cisco (ISR) branch routers with SD-WAN appliances that have routing capabilities.

Branch routing requirements

Future branch networks will have most of the following routing requirements, both in terms of hardware devices and software:

• Secure WAN communications
• reliability
• Zero-touch deployment
• Remote manageability
• Elastic scaling up and down capabilities
• Integrate with SD-WAN, security, LAN, and Wi-Fi

Customer requirements for SD-WANd vary greatly depending on branch size, number of remote sites, geography, available WAN bandwidth, branch applications, and vertical industries. In addition, connecting different IoT devices in the branch will also affect customer network requirements.

The Future of Branch Routers

As branch networks increasingly focus on application delivery, IT organizations have several options for the future of branch routers. These include:

• Keep traditional branch routers. For large branch offices with high WAN performance requirements, keeping or even upgrading their branch routers may be a good choice.
• Phase out branch routers in favor of SD-WAN technology that includes routing capabilities.
• Plans to migrate to a software-defined branch (SD-branch) service, which uses software to consolidate a range of network functions onto a single platform.

Many organizations will phase out existing branch routers in the coming years in favor of SD-WAN encapsulated routing capabilities. Some will choose to use existing routers for MPLS connections because of long-term contracts.

Customers now have the option to purchase SD-branch services to support a wider range of network functions, including SD-WAN, routing, security and Wi-Fi. For example, vendors such as Cradlepoint and Versa Networks have recently launched SD-branch products.

For organizations that choose managed SD-WAN from a service provider, the decision will be defined by the service provider. Service providers currently have multiple customer premise equipment options, including routers, SD-WAN, and virtual CPE services.

Example of SD-WAN deployment replacing branch routers

Here are some specific examples of SD-WAN deployments replacing physical branch routers:

• Aryaka, a global logistics company with hundreds of sites, is replacing Cisco equipment with Aryaka's edge devices for routing functions.
• Citrix, a large retail organization replaced Cisco ISR routers by deploying Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN (which integrates routing, firewall and WAN optimization capabilities) at more than 1,000 locations.
• Silver Peak, a real estate company with 500 branches in 80 countries, deployed Silver Peak Unity EdgeConnect to provide SD-WAN capabilities and replace Cisco ISRs at branch offices.
• Talari, financial services company Bremer Bank replaced Cisco routers in its branch offices with Talari SD-WAN.
• VMware, etc. Brooks Brothers used VeloCloud's SD-WAN technology to replace Cisco equipment in 500 of its stores.

SD-WAN paves the way for SD-branch

The rise of SaaS and cloud-based applications means that critical branch functions need to deliver a high-quality user experience. Application performance in the branch must be reliable and fast, with low latency.

As complex routing protocols become less important for branch networks, IT organizations are examining their options for the future of branch routing. The popularity of SD-WAN means that traditional branch router devices continue to shift toward software technology.

IT organizations need branch network services with zero-touch deployment, centralized management, and SD-WAN capabilities. Doyle Research believes that the long-term architecture of branch networks will be defined by converged SD-branch services.

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