Successful businesses on Earth today rely on speed and efficiency, and as a result, traditional wide area networks (WANs) are being gradually substituted with more innovative solutions. One solution is the Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) – a network that enhances connection. It is more like a medium, where data moves effortlessly through a well-coordinated network, designed to provide the best possible performance. In this article, we will explore the complexities of SD-WAN architecture, delving into its main elements, functionality, and transformative effects on modern business operations within a constantly changing digital era.
SD-WAN Architecture
SD-WAN Architecture is a simplified way to build a WAN between applications and sites that can reside anywhere while leveraging on any type of connectivity. It enables quicker, trustworthy, and safe entry to applications through various connection choices like Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). SD-WAN’s structure streamlines network administration, consolidates control, and enhances traffic routing for a more effective and dependable network.
Types of SD-WAN Architectures
On-Prem SD-WAN
This particular SD-WAN is a simple option for companies that depend only on internal applications and do not require cloud services. This category of SD-WAN functions similar to an intelligent router at every location, overseeing traffic and enhancing efficiency within your internal network. It remains self-contained by not connecting to an external cloud gateway. In case of one connection failure, the SD-WAN can automatically reroute traffic to another connection, reducing interruptions and improving disaster recovery capabilities.
Cloud Enabled SD-WAN
For businesses that heavily rely on cloud applications, a cloud-enabled SD-WAN architecture offers significant advantages. This approach builds upon the core benefits of on-prem SD-WAN (traffic shaping, multi-circuit balancing) by adding a cloud gateway to the mix.
The cloud gateway acts as a direct connection point between on-site SD-WAN box and major cloud providers. This significantly improves the performance and reliability of cloud. The direct link to cloud providers reduces latency and improves overall cloud application performance and the cloud gateway can maintain active cloud sessions even if your internet connection experiences temporary disruptions. This architecture is ideal for companies that are heavily invested in cloud-based applications and services. A common configuration involves using a separate MPLS network for real-time applications like video conferencing, while everything else runs on the public internet managed by the SD-WAN. This allows for optimized performance for both real-time and cloud-based applications.
Cloud Enabled with Backbone SD-WAN
For businesses seeking the ultimate in network performance and reliability, a cloud-enabled SD-WAN architecture with a backbone offers the best of both worlds. This advanced approach adds a private, fiber-optic backbone provided by the SD-WAN vendor to the cloud-enabled SD-WAN setup.
This design is ideal for businesses dependent on real-time applications and looking to avoid costly MPLS networks. These companies can avoid performance problems by using their private backbone instead of relying only on the public internet for real-time traffic, and still benefit from cloud gateways for enhanced cloud application performance and reliability
Components of SD-WAN Architecture
Given that your network is a high-performance machine. An SD-WAN architecture functions like the brain and brawn of this machine, working together to deliver intelligent, dynamic, and efficient network management. There are four components of SD-WAN namely; SD-WAN edge, Orchestrator, Controller and Nodes.
SD-WAN Edge
The outermost points of your network, which include offices, and cloud platforms, are known as the SD-WAN edge. These places serve as the starting and ending points for your network traffic, ultimately controlling the direction of data within your entire system.
SD-WAN Orchestrator
The SD-WAN Orchestrator automates numerous network operations, minimizing the requirement for manual setup and problem-solving. It monitors the movement of traffic, enforces rules established by administrators, and offers a unified perspective of your whole network. This leads to improved efficiency, reduced errors, and a smoother network management process.
SD-WAN Controller
The SD-WAN controller serves as the central command center for the network. It offers a consolidated perspective of the whole network, enabling administrators to oversee branch office connections and cloud resources. This centralized view removes the necessity of managing multiple consoles and streamlines network administration.
The traffic flow is not directly managed by the SD-WAN controller. Instead of that, it enables administrators to establish network rules, like giving priority to video calls or setting aside bandwidth for certain programs. These rules are then relayed to the SD-WAN Orchestrator, which converts them into immediate actions to enhance network performance.
SD-WAN Nodes
Traditional WANs can sometimes lack the flexibility and power needed for today’s demanding applications. SD-WAN nodes address this challenge by acting as enhancements to your existing network. These nodes can be physical appliances or even virtual software, seamlessly integrating with current infrastructure.
The beauty of SD-WAN nodes lies in their ability to add extra muscle to your network. They can provide additional features or simply increase overall capacity, resulting in a more robust and responsive network environment. This translates to a smoother user experience and improved performance for critical applications.
The Future of SD-WAN Architecture
SD-WAN will become smarter, automated, secure, and flexible to meet evolving business demands. Expect it to integrate with cloud security for simpler management and better protection. Security will be a priority with zero-trust principles built-in, and SD-WAN will adapt to handle complex multi-cloud and edge computing environments.
