Viatel Technology Group has published a new report that aims to demystify SD-WAN, the software-defined wide area network architecture that employs software to manage network communication.
New technologies are always accompanied by a flurry of bold claims, ranging from reduced costs to enhanced security. As SD-WAN matures, the Viatel report examines how much of the initial hype has distilled into meaningful benefits to business.
Chief Technical Officer Eilish O’Connor said increased adoption of SD-WAN is driven by company workloads moving to the cloud.
“Traditional network configuration causes performance issues and terrible user experience. SD-WAN is a cost-effective way to transform traffic capacity,” O’Connor stated.
“Other benefits often cited are traffic visibility, bandwidth management, quality of service and traffic shaping.
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“These are valuable but no longer act as true differentiators for the technology. In Viatel’s years of experience, the meaningful advantages that drive decision makers to select SD-WAN are cloud adoption, network visibility, smooth and fast deployment, and enhanced security."
According to the report, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is an umbrella term that describes the architecture that combines the native security abilities of SD-WAN with cloud centric security to connect and protect users no matter where they are located.
“We see SASE’s potential in its ability to deliver on two pressing needs: the employee’s desire for flexible work and the organisation’s need for security,” said O’Connor. “Hybrid workers need and expect to be able to access the applications they use every day with no issues.”
Viatel cautions that with the exception of very large enterprises, most businesses will find it difficult to pursue a DIY approach to SD-WAN.
“Without exception, the businesses we speak to have no desire to self-deploy, and Viatel delivers a fully managed service,” said O’Connor.
Damien McCann, Director of Sales and Marketing, said Viatel has delivered over 300 SD-WAN networks since 2017, with c.1,000 devices configured, and 50,000 hours of support provided to customers across 15 countries.
McCann added: “The time felt right for us to publish Ireland’s first SD-WAN report. The pandemic moved the needle on technology and business comms, and enterprises are building for resilience and want infrastructure that is protected and reinforced, but is also agile and responsive.
“Businesses are committed to investing in their IT infrastructure in 2023 and beyond. It is crucial that they identify the technology that gives them the kind of robust flexibility they are looking for.”
With sectoral case studies and embedded videos, The 2023 Secure Connectivity and SD-WAN Report is available to download here.
