What Is SD-WAN? Software-Defined WAN Explained
·1 min read·155 words
SD-WAN (Software-Defined WAN) virtualizes the WAN by separating the data plane from the centralized, cloud-based control plane. Multiple Internet/MPLS/4G links are aggregated with intelligent per-application path selection. It has been widely replacing MPLS since 2020. Quick guide.
Features
- Per-application path selection (SLA-based)
- Multiple links: FTTH + MPLS + 4G/5G simultaneously
- FEC (Forward Error Correction) + Packet Duplication
- Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP)
- Multi-tenant VPN segmentation
- Cloud on-ramp (direct SaaS access without hairpinning)
Architecture
- Cloud controller: policies + orchestration
- Edge devices: FortiGate, Cisco Catalyst 8000, Meraki MX, VeloCloud
- Central hub or full mesh (ADVPN)
Vendors
- FortiGate SD-WAN: native to FortiOS, at no additional cost
- Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela): enterprise market leader
- VMware VeloCloud: cloud-first
- Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN: SASE integration
- Meraki MX: simple cloud management
- Versa Networks: independent Gartner leader
Advantages over MPLS
- Cost: 40-80% savings
- Faster deployment
- Native multicloud support
- Scalability and flexibility
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