Traditional routing, SD-WAN gives you a reminder

The advantages of SD-WAN are obvious. It can realize the economic application of bandwidth, application priority and centralized management, and is rapidly reshaping the branch network architecture. SD-WAN is becoming mainstream because many branches can use abundant Internet bandwidth, prioritize access to key applications and easily achieve centralized management.

Leading IT organizations are deploying SD-WAN solutions and software-based routing to replace traditional branch router architectures. Over time, Doyle Research predicts that SD-WAN will become the dominant platform and have a significant impact on the branch routing market.

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New traffic patterns and the rise of cloud applications

Traffic from SaaS-based applications, hybrid cloud deployments, and ubiquitous mobility is driving a shift in WAN traffic patterns. In addition to the increasing demand for WAN bandwidth (20% annually), traffic constraints are flowing directly from branch offices to cloud-based applications. This has reduced the reliance on traditional MPLS that connects branch offices and centralized data centers to a certain extent, and the Internet-bound traffic that returns from branch offices to headquarters and then to the Internet to access SaaS or Web applications is very inefficient in connecting dispersed employees to the cloud.

The rise of SD-WAN

SD-WAN solutions enable enterprises to introduce economical broadband to enhance MPLS, guide business according to application needs and centrally manage. Organizations with branch offices quickly implement SD-WAN to meet their growing bandwidth needs and provide high-performance access to SaaS-based applications. SD-WAN technology continues to improve its security and routing capabilities, and can intelligently guide traffic based on application-driven policies.

Replace branch router

The SD-WAN architecture has fundamentally changed the branch network architecture. SD-WAN can provide the routes required to connect branch offices to appropriate WAN networks, including MPLS, Ethernet, Internet broadband, cable TV, and 4G LTE, allowing IT organizations to replace existing branch routers. Replacing branch routing can simplify branch network operations. There is no need to manually rewrite each router when traffic patterns, application QoS, or security policies change. SD-WAN centralized control simplifies the management system and can easily deploy and automatically control application traffic. SD-WAN supports other functions for branches, including WAN optimization and stateful firewalls. It eliminates the need for separate WAN optimization devices and provides IT organizations with the choice of distributed or centralized branch network security.

Recommendations for IT experts

With the improvement of bandwidth economy, application prioritization and centralized management, the popularity of SD-WAN has increased and is rapidly reshaping the branch network architecture. Distributed organizations can now implement application-driven WAN edge architecture, providing a flexible branch network deployment model. IT leaders should choose the right SD-WAN technology to achieve the transition to a streamlined branch network architecture while being fully compatible with existing routers and firewalls, without the need to continue to use traditional routers or firewalls. The new WAN edge architecture will provide consistent application performance, strong security and high levels of operational efficiency. In the next few years, Doyle Research expects SD-WAN to dominate branch network conversations and gradually replace traditional routers and provide network security for branches.