SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) technology continues to evolve according to Gartner analysts. This is a big deal because SD-WAN represents the future of networking, offering a number of benefits that traditional WANs can’t match. In this article, we’ll explore what SD-WAN is, why it matters, and how it is evolving.
What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN is a type of networking technology that allows businesses to connect remote networks together over the internet. It does this by creating a virtual WAN that uses multiple internet connections (broadband, LTE, etc.) and applies intelligent routing to optimize traffic flows. This can offer faster and more reliable network performance than traditional WANs, which often rely on expensive dedicated circuits.
Why does SD-WAN matter?
SD-WAN matters because it offers a number of benefits that traditional WANs can’t match. These include:
– Cost savings: Since SD-WAN can use multiple internet connections, it can often be less expensive than traditional WANs that rely on dedicated circuits.
– Increased flexibility: SD-WAN allows businesses to easily add or remove connections as needed, making it easier to scale and adapt to changing requirements.
– Improved performance: SD-WAN uses intelligent routing to optimize traffic flows, which can result in faster and more reliable network performance.
How is SD-WAN evolving?
According to Gartner analysts, SD-WAN is continuing to evolve in a number of ways. Here are some of the key trends to watch:
– Increased security: As SD-WAN adoption grows, security will become an increasingly important consideration. SD-WAN vendors are already starting to offer more advanced security features, including built-in firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
– Enhanced analytics: SD-WAN provides a wealth of data about network performance and traffic flows. As such, vendors are investing in analytics tools that can help businesses make better use of this data. For example, analytics can be used to identify network bottlenecks and optimize traffic flows.
– Cloud integration: As more businesses move applications and infrastructure to the cloud, SD-WAN vendors are responding by offering better integration with cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure. This can help businesses optimize traffic flows to and from the cloud.
The bottom line
SD-WAN technology is continuing to evolve, offering businesses even more benefits than before. As security, analytics, and cloud integration continue to improve, SD-WAN is likely to become an even more important networking technology for businesses of all sizes.