In today’s interconnected business world, organisations are constantly seeking ways to optimise their network infrastructure and improve application performance. And one technology that has gained massive traction in recent years is Software-Defined Wide Area Networking or SD WAN as a service.
It offers a more flexible and efficient approach to managing wide area networks, enabling organisations to enhance network performance, reduce costs, and simplify management. However, implementing it is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are several key considerations that organisations should keep in mind when embarking on an implementation journey.
Assess your organisation’s needs: Before implementing, it’s crucial to assess your organisation’s specific requirements. Identify the pain points and challenges you currently face with your existing infrastructure. Are you struggling with network congestion, poor application performance, or limited visibility and control? Clearly defining your company’s needs will help you align the features and capabilities of Software-Defined Wide Area Networking solutions with your requirements.
Understand your applications: Applications are the lifeblood of modern organisations, and their performance is heavily reliant on the underlying infrastructure. Different applications have varying requirements, such as latency, bandwidth, and security. As such, it’s essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of your organisation’s critical applications and their needs. This knowledge will help you design a solution that prioritises and optimises application traffic accordingly.
Consider security: With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, security should be a top priority. Traditional WAN architectures often relied on backhauling traffic to centralised data centres for security inspection. However, SD-WAN allows for direct internet access, which introduces new security challenges. So, ensure that your solution includes robust security features such as encryption, secure web gateways, next-generation firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems. Additionally, consider integrating threat intelligence and security analytics to detect and mitigate potential threats in real time.
Evaluate service provider options: Implementing Software-Defined Wide Area Networking often involves partnering with a service provider to deploy and manage the solution. And when selecting a provider, consider their expertise and experience in deploying solutions. Evaluate their track record, customer references, and the level of support they offer. Additionally, consider their network’s scalability and global reach, as well as their ability to integrate with other cloud services and applications that your business may utilise.
Plan for network redundancy and resilience: Network downtime can have severe consequences for businesses, resulting in productivity losses and potential revenue impact. Software-Defined Wide Area Networking provides enhanced redundancy and resilience opportunities by utilising multiple connections from different service providers or technologies, such as MPLS, broadband, or cellular. As such, when implementing, ensure that you have a robust failover mechanism in place to automatically switch traffic to an alternate link in the event of a primary link failure. It will minimise downtime and ensure business continuity.
Prepare for migration and integration: Migrating to Software-Defined Wide Area Networking requires careful planning and coordination. Hence, consider the impact on existing infrastructure, including routers, switches, and firewalls. Evaluate the need for hardware upgrades or replacements to support SD-WAN functionality. Additionally, consider the integration of Software-Defined Wide Area Networking with other existing systems, such as network monitoring tools, security platforms, and cloud services. Seamless integration will enable you to leverage the full benefits of SD-WAN while maintaining a unified and streamlined environment.
Training and change management: Implementing Software-Defined Wide Area Networking often involves a significant shift in network management and operations. Investing in training and change management programs is essential to ensure a smooth transition and successful adoption within your company. Provide your IT staff with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage and troubleshoot deployments. Additionally, communicate the benefits and changes to key stakeholders across the company to gain their support and minimise resistance to the new technology.
In conclusion, implementing SD WAN as a service offers numerous benefits for businesses seeking to optimise their infrastructure. However, it’s essential to approach the implementation process thoughtfully. With careful consideration of these key factors, you can unlock the full potential and drive improved performance, cost savings, and operational efficiency in your company.