What is Smart WAN and How Does it Work?
Smart WAN, also known as Software-Defined Wide Area Network, is a technology that helps organizations manage and optimize connectivity between their various locations, ranging from branch offices, data centers, and cloud environments. It is a type of WAN that is software-defined, meaning it uses software instead of traditional hardware to control and manage the network.
The main advantage of Smart WAN is its ability to centralize network management and provide a more efficient and reliable connection. It uses various technologies such as virtualization, automation, and orchestration to improve network performance, increase bandwidth, and reduce costs.
How does Smart WAN work?
The traditional WAN architecture uses a hub-and-spoke model, with all network traffic routed back to a central location, typically the data center. This can cause latency issues and increase the load on the data center. Smart WAN, on the other hand, uses a more intelligent approach, where traffic is routed to the most appropriate path based on factors such as application type, quality of service, and availability of network resources.
Smart WAN relies heavily on software-defined networking (SDN) and virtualization technologies. Through the use of SDN controllers, network administrators can easily configure and manage the network from a centralized location. This allows for more flexibility and scalability as the network can be easily adapted to meet the changing needs of the organization.
The use of virtualization technology, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), also plays a crucial role in Smart WAN. VPNs allow organizations to securely connect their branches and remote locations to the central network, creating a virtual WAN that is independent of the underlying physical infrastructure.
Benefits of Smart WAN
Implementing Smart WAN offers several benefits for organizations, including:
1. Cost Savings
The use of virtualization and cloud technologies in Smart WAN can significantly reduce hardware and infrastructure costs. With SDN, organizations no longer need to invest in expensive, proprietary hardware for their network, as the intelligence and control are provided through software. Moreover, the use of public and private cloud services can also reduce the costs associated with maintaining and managing a physical data center.
2. Improved Network Performance
Traditional WANs can struggle with providing consistent performance, especially when managing multiple types of traffic and applications. Smart WAN uses advanced traffic routing algorithms to intelligently route traffic, ensuring that critical applications receive priority and are not affected by less important traffic.
3. Better Visibility and Control
With a centralized management approach, Smart WAN provides network administrators with better visibility and control over the entire network. They can easily monitor and manage the network, troubleshoot issues, and make changes as needed from a single console.
4. Increased Security
The use of VPNs and encrypted tunnels in Smart WAN ensures a secure connection between different locations. This is especially important for organizations that deal with sensitive data or operate in highly regulated industries.
Smart WAN Providers
There are several companies that offer Smart WAN solutions, each with their own unique features and capabilities. Some of the popular providers include Cisco, VMware, Silver Peak, and Riverbed.
Cisco’s SD-WAN solution, called Cisco SD-WAN, offers a large range of features such as application-aware routing, WAN optimization, and advanced security capabilities. VMware’s SD-WAN solution, VMware NSX SD-WAN, provides centralized management and policy-based control for branch networks. Silver Peak’s platform, Unity EdgeConnect, offers dynamic path control, WAN optimization, and cloud integration. And Riverbed’s SD-WAN solution, SteelConnect, offers a unified management console for managing connectivity across different types of networks.
Conclusion
Smart WAN is a revolutionary technology that is changing the way organizations manage and optimize their networks. With its use of SDN, virtualization, and automation, Smart WAN offers a more agile, cost-effective, and secure approach to managing wide area networks. As more organizations adopt cloud services and their network requirements become more complex, Smart WAN will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring a reliable and efficient connection between various locations.
