If you leave the office every evening with a sad melody stuck in your head, the culprit could be your MPLS WAN.
With quicker-than-ever industry shifts in technology and more businesses moving on up to the Cloud, a legacy infrastructure may not be the most efficient network setup for your company.
If MPLS frustrations have got you buying harmonicas and writing stanzas full of latency blues, jitter sorrows and poor man’s heartache, maybe it’s time to consider an SD-WAN solution.
Software-Defined WAN is the newest technology in WAN capability. It was designed to help prevent the dead end frustrations of yesteryear’s MPLS and AMP architectures by:
All of this may be enough to have your mental beat changing a note, but before hopping on the SD-WAN bandwagon, there are some things you and your team will need to consider.
1. Cost
We put cost first because this is usually the top concern for many of our CTC Technology clients looking into new network capabilities, and it’s a buzzword that typically surrounds SD-WAN conversations.
And the buzz on Technology Street is true: One of the top benefits of SD-WAN integration that companies see is OPEX and CAPEX savings.
Why would you see mega savings quickly when adopting SD-WAN onto your current MPLS network?
Simply put: Broadband is cheaper.
SLA’s are the advantage of MPLS, but many features of an in-house data center are outdated when so many apps are moving to the Cloud, and this type of network is costly.
You may pay $2,000 for a 10 Mb MPLS link when you could get 100 Mb/sec Broadband Internet access for less than $100.
All those savings sound nice, don’t they? Let’s take a look at other considerations to see if this is the right shift for you or if The Notorious B.I.G.’s famous words “Mo Money, Mo Problems” ring true in the SD-WAN world.
2. Security
Runner up to cost? Security.
In our modern connected world, hacks are seemingly constant, and the last thing you want is for your employees’ or customers’ sensitive information to be leaked.
Security is also a top concern for many business leaders looking into SD-WAN. Taking information out of the data center and moving it off-premise, say to the Cloud, is a bit unnerving.
We understand your hesitation, but we’ve got good news.
Adopting an SD-WAN solution (full or hybrid) is actually proven to be more secure than sticking with MPLS solely. This is because SD-WAN allows your IT team to extend the security perimeter of your WAN from your branch to the Cloud and back.
To see the full range of how your network security will improve under an SD-WAN, read our previous post “How Secure is Software-Defined WAN?”
Here’s a quick rundown of how this new architecture will increase your security:
3. Reliability & Control
SD-WAN, though currently experiencing its largest and quickest growth ever, has been around for a bit. Some problems outlined with the new technology are decreased app performance due to increasing Cloud traffic and decreased control of IT teams into applications.
As innovation is ever-present in the tech industry, new software has come out that is designed to combat these issues, but you want to be aware and understand that some shortcomings may exist with SD-WAN, as they do with any network.
Because moving your applications to a host means that a third-party is taking over many administrative tasks (for public Cloud migration), your IT team may lose some of its total control over the application.
Depending on geographic location and traffic in the Cloud, app performance can suffer at times, though this is always improving. But, you can do your part by holding your Cloud provider accountable on its end.
Consider incorporating an SLA into your negotiations to make sure that your host is held responsible if it doesn’t follow-through on promises, and be sure to do everything on your end to keep up with performance and end-user satisfaction.
4. Current Infrastructure
Transferring to a private or hybrid SD-WAN shouldn’t necessarily be done just because the market is growing tremendously.
If the hurtin’ column stacks up strongly against the helpin’, then it may be time to consider new network solutions. However, if there doesn’t seem to be much complaint about your current architecture, consider leaving it alone.
If you do decide SD-WAN is the way that your company needs to go, take a look at your applications to see if they qualify for Cloud migration. Consider the following:
Due to compliance standards and other considerations, not all applications are suitable for public Cloud migration. However, you can consider a private or hybrid Cloud solution to reap financial and security benefits without having to move to the public sector.
5. Integration
SD-WAN acts as a virtual overlay on top of your existing MPLS network. This allows you the flexibility to enjoy the spoils of Broadband without uprooting your entire network. You can build it any way you’d like.
This means that you can decide to fully rely on SD-WAN or create a hybrid architecture, using an MPLS connection for some data traffic and an SD-WAN for others.
This, again, will depend on your current infrastructure, your company’s unique setup and your end goals.
The great news here is that a virtual SD-WAN allows you the flexibility to build your network for optimal connection while setting parameters that make you feel comfortable and secure.
6. Effects
Lastly, if all other considerations have pointed you to a “yes” vote for SD-WAN, consider what a migration will look like for your employees and end users.
As with any technology shift, there can be unforeseen costs and effects, and it may well take a little time to get used to any changes that take place.
An SD-WAN solution will take effect immediately and the software is easy to install so there should virtually be no big, altering events. But, it is smart to get a migration strategy in place just in case.
Analyze and decide how you would handle problems, such as:
At CTC Technologies, we specialize in curing your MPLS blues. Ditch the harmonica, and change your tune today by learning more about the great SD-WAN options available for your company.
A switch to or integration with SD-WAN can increase your network’s effectiveness, performance and security while cutting operational and capital costs on your end.
Our WAN experts would be happy to help you find the right network solution. Feel free to get in touch with us.
