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SD-WAN Use Cases

Streamlining Connectivity and Boosting Performance with SD-WAN: Real-World Use Cases​

SD-WAN is a technology that helps your network run better. It helps increase network speed, increase security and reduce costs. This technology is especially useful for businesses that have multiple offices in different locations or that use the cloud (a location on the Internet).In this use case, we'll talk about some of the key uses of SD-WAN, so you know how it can help your business.

Understanding the Foundation: SD-WAN Components​

Before understanding where an SD-WAN platform can be used, we need to know about its requirements:

  • Unified Management Platform: Unified management platform, providing management and configuration services for PE and CE.
  • PE (Provider Edge): Based on a cloud management platform, distributed software/hardware service gateway, deployed at POP points.
  • CE (Customer Edge): Based on the OpenVPN protocol and various tunnel optimization technologies, it connects to the customer's data center PE.
  • SD-WAN Backbone: Backbone network carrying SD-WAN networking.
  • NOC Team: The team that runs and maintains the network makes sure things run smoothly.

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Use Case 1: Flexible Network Deployment (L2 & L3)​

With the help of SD-WAN technology, customers can configure their network as either Layer 2 or Layer 3 according to their specific needs:

  • L2 Network Deployment: With Layer 2 mode, customers can connect remote locations through virtual switches, which provide a simple connection. It supports E-Line and E-LAN services, reducing the need for routing. This mode replaces traditional connections, ensuring seamless communication and helping IT departments control traffic and security.

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  • L3 Network Deployment: Virtual routers typically connect three or more locations, creating a network in which each location is directly connected to each other. Companies then connect their networks to the Internet Service Providers (ISP) network, making it easier to manage multiple locations and to use additional services such as security and cloud computing.

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Use Case 2: SaaS Acceleration & Remote Access​

SD-WAN is software that makes it easier and faster to exchange data between your computer and larger computers on the internet. It knows which path is best and helps you use cloud services.

SD-VPN is a software that is available for Mac and Windows computers. It comes with automatic cloud setup, which helps you easily connect to an SD-WAN network.

SD-WAN software provides tools to easily connect different clouds (such as Google Drive, Dropbox). This allows you to quickly access data in the cloud. This allows you to work faster and makes office work easier. SD-WAN accelerates applications (SaaS).

  • Dedicated interconnection with major cloud providers (AWS, Tencent, Alibaba, Azure).
  • Optimized network paths for SaaS traffic.
  • SD-VPN client support for Mac and Windows, seamlessly integrating with existing SD-WAN networks.
  • Automated policy deployment and cloud connection.

This results in improved user productivity through faster cloud access and a better mobile VPN experience.

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SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) connects different types of internet connections together and when one connection fails, traffic is automatically routed through another connection. This allows essential operations within the organization to continue without interruption and also reduces costs. SD-WAN makes the network more robust by using more than one internet connection. It can automatically switch from one connection to another, considering the status of each connection and the needs of the application. This feature is given below:

  • Automatic link fault detection.
  • Seamless traffic switching between links.
  • Application load balancing.

The benefits include high availability for critical applications and improved network utilization, leading to cost savings.

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Use Case 4: CE Deployment for Failover​

SD-WAN has a special feature called failover. Failover means that when your main internet connection goes down, SD-WAN automatically switches to another internet connection. This does not stop your work. SD-WAN uses two types of connections to do this: main and backup. When the main connection goes down, the backup connection is automatically started. For this, you need additional LAN/WAN hardware and HA links. You do not have to pay any extra money to use this failover feature. With this feature, you can protect your network according to your needs. You can also change the connection yourself or ask SD-WAN to change the connection automatically. Some of the features of SD-WAN failover are as follows:

  • Network protection based on business needs.
  • No license fees for the failover service.
  • Support for both manual and automatic failover.

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Use Case 5: 4G/5G Based Failover with Monitoring and Alerts​

This technology helps keep businesses running smoothly. If the main internet connection goes down, the system automatically switches to 4G/5G. This does not cause any disruption to work. The system immediately detects network disruptions and alerts you via email. Within a minute, the network reconnects to 4G, and everything returns to normal. When the main internet connection returns, the system automatically switches back to it. This technology shows you the network status in real-time and alerts you whenever there is a problem.

The main purpose of this system is to minimize disruptions in operations due to network-related issues. If the main network line stops working, this system will automatically switch to the 4G/5G backup network to continue operations. If any problem occurs, it will be notified via email so that immediate action can be taken. This system is very useful in disaster management, as it minimizes the damage caused by network failure.

SD-WAN is made even better by connecting it to a 4G/5G network, so that work continues even if the internet goes down. A special type of modem (4G-enabled optical modem) with a CE device attached behind it, immediately senses when the internet goes down and automatically switches to the 4G network. This ensures that your work does not stop even if there is any interruption in the internet.The platform also provides:

  • Real-time network status monitoring.
  • Automated email alerts within one minute of network interruption.
  • Automatic failback to the primary connection upon restoration.

This ensures business continuity and minimizes downtime, providing redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities.

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Use Case 6: Hub-and-Spoke Networking​

For large companies with many offices, it becomes difficult to connect to the main office. This increases network traffic and makes it difficult to manage the network.

SD-WAN is a network that helps companies better connect their different locations. It acts as a central control point, which sends data between different locations and the main office quickly and efficiently. Even if the different locations of the companies are in different regions, this solution helps them stay close to their cloud resources, thereby reducing the time it takes to send data. It sends traffic properly, so that applications can run quickly and efficiently. In case of a remote location or temporary location, this solution also offers 4G/5G connectivity, so that a stable internet connection can be found there too. In addition, it simplifies network management, so that companies can centrally enforce their network policies and monitor the network in real-time.

  • Centralized control minimizes the complexity of dealing with many branch connections.
  • Optimized routing and multi-region capabilities reduce latency and enhance application responsiveness.
  • The readily supports the incorporation of new branches, allowing effortless network expansion.
  • Seamless 4G/5G connectivity provides business continuity to remote sites.

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Conclusion​

SD-WAN solutions offer a variety of features to meet the changing needs of today's businesses. This solution allows you to easily configure and use the network, while also increasing the speed of SaaS applications. Even if there is a problem with the network, SD-WAN automatically finds alternative routes, so that your work does not stop. With the help of this solution, companies can run their networks better, improve performance, and always stay connected. By using these features, businesses can take full advantage of the capabilities of their networks and succeed in the digital age.