Best SD-WAN Solutions
SD-WAN is a hybrid application of software-defined networking (SDN) and wide area network (WAN) connectors. Companies use SD-WAN solutions to link enterprise networks across large geographic areas. Businesses can connect remote offices and employees to securely deliver applications and information. These products eliminate a fair amount of hardware and service costs required to connect services through the cloud. The tools secure internet connections between end users and cloud-based applications. Many also provide virtualization features to enhance security even more through virtual private networks (VPN). These tools can also improve the quality and security of communications tools like voice over internet protocol (VoIP), web conferencing, and audio conferencing software solutions.
SD-WAN solutions are related to a lot of other IT infrastructure software, but have a unique set of characteristics and uses that set them apart. These dynamic software tools fulfill a range of network security, application optimization, and IT administration needs.
To qualify for inclusion in the SD-WAN category, a product must:
Best SD-WAN Solutions At A Glance
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- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
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Prisma SD-WAN is an application-aware SD-WAN solution that delivers end-to-end application assurance for all applications by accurately identifying apps up to layer 7 to provide direct-to-app access,
- Computer & Network Security
- Information Technology and Services
- 37% Mid-Market
- 32% Small-Business
127,032 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Aryaka Networks is the leader in delivering Unified SASE as a Service, the only solution designed to provide performance, agility, simplicity, and security without compromise. Aryaka's platform integr
- Manufacturing
- 60% Mid-Market
- 40% Enterprise
12,245 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Complex Networks, Simplified. We've built a better way for networks and cloud to interconnect. Our planet-scale network is your Mission Control for 100Gbps connectivity globally: on-demand, contrac
- Financial Services
- Telecommunications
- 33% Mid-Market
- 32% Enterprise
2,714 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Cato provides the world’s leading single-vendor SASE platform. Cato creates a seamless and elegant customer experience that effortlessly enables threat prevention, data protection, and timely incident
- Information Technology and Services
- Financial Services
- 57% Mid-Market
- 23% Enterprise
12,187 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Bigleaf is a hybrid wan internet connectivity solution designed to help organizations optimize their network performance and maintain reliable internet access. With a focus on simplifying the complexi
- President
- Information Technology and Services
- Telecommunications
- 63% Small-Business
- 35% Mid-Market
561 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Manage your entire network from a centralized dashboard.
- IT Manager
- Network Engineer
- Information Technology and Services
- Financial Services
- 62% Mid-Market
- 20% Small-Business
729,024 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Cisco SD-WAN gives users the ability to manage connectivity across their WAN from a single dashboard that simplifies day to day monitoring and operations. Cisco SD-WAN can be cloud-managed or deployed
- Information Technology and Services
- Hospital & Health Care
- 42% Mid-Market
- 41% Enterprise
729,024 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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FortiGate SD-WAN replaces separate WAN routers, WAN optimization, and security devices with a single solution that is application-aware, offers automatic WAN path control and multi-broadband support.
- Network Engineer
- Information Technology and Services
- Insurance
- 56% Mid-Market
- 33% Enterprise
151,589 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The VEP4600 is a Universal CPE (uCPE) and is ideal for hosting SD-WAN and other VNFs (virtual network functions), with applicability for the SP Edge and Enterprise Branch.
- 40% Mid-Market
- 40% Small-Business
814,640 Twitter followers
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- Seller Details
VeloCloud provides cloud based software-defined wide area networking solutions.
- Telecommunications
- 58% Enterprise
- 25% Mid-Market
60,146 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Check Point Harmony Connect redefines SASE by making it easy to access corporate applications, SaaS and the internet for any user or branch, from any device, without compromising on security. Built to
- Information Technology and Services
- Computer & Network Security
- 44% Small-Business
- 28% Mid-Market
71,095 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
We securely connect everything to make anything possible.
- 50% Enterprise
- 25% Mid-Market
729,024 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Cradlepoint enables the freedom to connect people, places, and things that drive more experiences, more ways to work, and better business results — anywhere. The company is a pioneer in Wireless WAN,
- Information Technology and Services
- 46% Mid-Market
- 27% Enterprise
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Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN solution is designed to enable enterprises to reduce cost and complexity of WANs.
- 50% Mid-Market
- 44% Enterprise
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- User Satisfaction
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The Oracle SD-WAN delivers a reliable high performing network for business critical Services. Business outcomes are highly dependent on availability and performance of enterprise critical services tha
- 55% Enterprise
- 34% Mid-Market
822,470 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Caching web and video to save on bandwidth, reduce backhaul and accelerate content for an improved user experience
- Information Technology and Services
- 29% Enterprise
- 21% Mid-Market
60,146 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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The world’s best-connected global SD-WAN service. Build a resilient overlay, a stable underlay, and everything in-between.
- 40% Enterprise
- 40% Mid-Market
4,690 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
CenturyLink® SD-WAN solutions integrate disparate connectivity types into a seamless hybrid software-defined WAN for complete visibility and enhanced performance of your entire network ecosystem throu
- 80% Mid-Market
- 10% Enterprise
8,172 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
SteelConnect is a complete SD-WAN system for securely connecting users and business to the applications they need, wherever they reside.
- 58% Enterprise
- 25% Small-Business
24,274 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The Technology behind Wanify: Wanify leverages multiple best of breed technologies to deliver enterprise class SDWAN solutions. VeloCloud cloud-delivered SD-WAN enables you to support application gro
- 60% Mid-Market
- 20% Small-Business
9 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Versa SASE is a cloud-native, multi-tenant, multi-service software for a software defined network.
- 50% Enterprise
- 42% Mid-Market
28,166 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Fusion Connect, an industry leading cloud communications provider, removes complexity so customers can focus on running their business. We use our technical expertise and industry know-how to build th
- Non-Profit Organization Management
- 41% Mid-Market
- 41% Small-Business
1,102 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Barracuda's Cloud Generation Firewalls redefine the role of the Firewall from a perimeter security solution to a distributed network optimization solution that scales across any number of locations an
- Information Technology and Services
- 53% Mid-Market
- 18% Small-Business
15,553 Twitter followers
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Barracuda’s cloud-first SASE platform enables businesses to control access to data from any device, anytime, anywhere, and allows security inspection and policy enforcement in the cloud, at the branch
- 42% Mid-Market
- 8% Enterprise
15,553 Twitter followers
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CloudGuard Edge protects branch offices on-premise with top-rated Threat Prevention, that can be deployed in minutes, and be managed by a unified threat prevention and access platform.
- 42% Small-Business
- 42% Mid-Market
71,095 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Zenlayer offers on-demand edge cloud services in over 220 PoPs around the world, with expertise in fast-growing emerging markets like India, China, and South America. Businesses utilize Zenlayer’s glo
- 67% Mid-Market
- 17% Enterprise
10,946 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
FatPipe SD-WAN is a leading software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) solution that transforms enterprise connectivity with advanced features like dynamic path selection, load balancing, and seam
- 50% Mid-Market
- 33% Enterprise
1,063 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Automate and secure your network in a so simple way that anyone can do it
- 40% Small-Business
- 30% Enterprise
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Turnium started developing software in 2012 as Multapplied Networks. Since then, we’ve built an SD-WAN software platform that improves the customer experience for MSP, ISP, VoIP/UCaaS, CPaaS and CCaaS
- 60% Small-Business
- 40% Mid-Market
916 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Riverbed Xirrus leads the way in high-performance enterprises and commercial wireless networks that can keep up with any demand. Give users consistent, “wired-like” performance plus superior coverage
- 60% Mid-Market
- 20% Enterprise
9,513 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Adaptiv Networks provides amazingly simple, secure, and reliable cloud connectivity for customers who vaue who value simplicity, performance, and cost effectiveness. We offer a range of scalable SD-WA
- 50% Mid-Market
- 40% Small-Business
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- User Satisfaction
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PacketShaper is a highly-scalable WAN Optimization and network QoS platform.
- 50% Enterprise
- 25% Mid-Market
60,146 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Ecessa's WANworX SD-WAN solutions are designed to increase network performance and reliability by leveraging any connection.
- 50% Enterprise
- 25% Mid-Market
315 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- 50% Small-Business
- 25% Enterprise
28,166 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
A true virtualised and cost effective network and cloud access solution provider leveraging the flexibility and agility of the internet, globally.
- 67% Small-Business
- 33% Mid-Market
847 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
IT wants to minimize the costs of managing network infrastructure, but needs control of secure, high performance networking. That's why NetFoundry reinvented NaaS to remove the telco, hardware and cir
- 63% Enterprise
- 25% Small-Business
1,460 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Nuage SD-WAN is designed to drive down wide area networking and branch office IT tasks with centralized, policy-based automation.
- 67% Enterprise
- 33% Mid-Market
8,463 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Versa SD-WAN reduces cost through WAN flexibility and simplifies operations with centralized provisioning, management, policy control and application visibility. Multiple layers of security protect ag
- 67% Enterprise
- 33% Mid-Market
28,166 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- 50% Enterprise
- 50% Mid-Market
729,024 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
That’s why we’re launching our new Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN series of products. It integrates application-centric SD-WAN with our proven network security and intrusion prevention technologies
- 100% Enterprise
66,455 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Lavelle Networks solves the biggest challenges in the WAN for distributed enterprises. All users, locations and cloud applications are connected using the world’s simplest SD-WAN control panel, fastes
- 100% Mid-Market
5,373 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Microland provides flexible and scalable services to meet the needs of branch offices that unlock new levels of business productivity and end-user experience.
- 50% Mid-Market
- 50% Small-Business
2,288 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
SD-WAN Networking Solutions for your Business Enterprise Networks may Look Similar, but Business Challenges are Different
- 50% Enterprise
- 50% Mid-Market
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Sangfor is a leading provider of SD-WAN solution. Our service is based on Sangfor's leading VPN technology, integrated security, WAN optimization and superior virtualization technology. Sangfor's SD-W
- 100% Mid-Market
13,370 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The CommandLink SD-WAN uses a centralized control function to securely and intelligently connect. This increases application performance and delivers a high-quality user experience, which increases bu
- 100% Mid-Market
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VNS - SD WAN combines your public and private networks into a virtualized WAN solution that automates traffic flow and boosts bandwidth on demand. Choose from a portfolio of leading virtual solutions
- 50% Enterprise
- 50% Mid-Market
6 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- 50% Enterprise
- 50% Mid-Market
8,331 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Skylight delivers high-performance network and user experience monitoring – any application, any cloud, any network
- 57% Small-Business
- 29% Enterprise
729,024 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Big Network helps Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and Data Center Operators deploy next-generation Cloud Networks that run across any mix of internet connections e
- 100% Mid-Market
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Contrail offers intelligent automation, application security, and always-on reliability for cloud and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV).
- 100% Small-Business
105,453 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The Cybera Network Services Platform applies software-defined networking principles to modernize the Wide-Area-Network (WAN) into a unique form of SD-WAN. This approach dramatically reduces your netwo
- 100% Mid-Market
449 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Elfiq SD-WAN aims to support multiple connection types and VPNs between sites, offer dynamic and flexible WAN connectivity, reduce costs, improve network performance and provide a simple management in
- 100% Small-Business
271 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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- 50% Enterprise
- 25% Mid-Market
1,401 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Exinda's self-optimizing SD-WAN is designed to simplify network operations, improve performance and boost reliability of wide-area networks for small and medium businesses. Whereas traditional SD-WANs
- 100% Small-Business
30,010 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
lighty.io is a Software Development Kit powered by OpenDaylight to support, ease & accelerate the development of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) solutions in Java. Developed by PANTHEON.tech. I
- 100% Small-Business
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
NetFortris private MPLS network carries sensitive and regulated data for all types of enterprises. Multi-level protection, cloud-based backup and bi-directional failover ensure continuity in the event
- 100% Enterprise
10,853 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The WAN SDN controller automates the creation of traffic-engineering paths across the network, increasing network utilization and enabling a customized and programmable networking experience.
- 50% Mid-Market
- 50% Small-Business
105,453 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- 100% Mid-Market
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- User Satisfaction
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The Teldat SD-WAN solution is designed to allow customers to gradually migrate from a traditional access device to a fully operative SD-WAN network.
- 100% Mid-Market
2,293 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
We’re a cloud communications provider with over 20 years of experience. We offer SIP Trunking, Cloud PBX, IP-PRI, Data Center and Contact Center solutions.
- 100% Small-Business
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
In today’s fast-paced global economy, it’s more critical than ever that your business be able to react to market forces as quickly as possible. That’s why TenFour designed a Wide Area Network (WAN) se
- 100% Mid-Market
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The Trustgrid platform uniquely addresses the needs of SaaS application providers who rely on remote systems. By combining an SD-WAN 2.0, edge computing, and zero trust remote access into a single pla
- 33% Enterprise
- 33% Mid-Market
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Designed to make your networks edge easier to extend, manage and protect, SD Secure Branch lets you run a variety of networking functions on a single appliance. Working with experts, youll also have t
- 100% Mid-Market
6 Twitter followers
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- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Alkira offers the industry's only comprehensive, entirely virtual network infrastructure delivered as-a-service. Alkira customers enjoy unparalleled network agility, security, and operational simplici
- 100% Enterprise
1,555 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
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- 100% Enterprise
890,254 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
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With AXOS, you will benefit from a fully abstracted service layer, hardware independence, common service models and workflows, as well as a stateful, always on operational environment - all of which w
- Overview
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- User Satisfaction
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- 100% Small-Business
1,401 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
China Telecom (Americas) Corporation (CTA) provides customized, cost-effective, and integrated IT network and communication solutions to its diverse base of customers. As a leading facility-resale pri
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
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ONE platform to manage your SD-WAN, UCaaS, CaaS, firewalls, MPLS, network, switches, IP phones, installs, trouble tickets, bills, and network performance across the entire globe Complete control of y
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Provides high quality end-to-end agile SD-WAN services that empower organisations with greater flexibility and centralised control.
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Dispersive Edge Switch is a software-defined Layer 2 switch that bridges a enterprise network across the WAN in minutes.
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
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Designed to simplify and optimize the deployment and management of edge devices, Edgility offers unparalleled flexibility for large-scale edge environments. It seamlessly integrates any application, V
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
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Fast, reliable and dedicated network connections between any datacentre, cloud provider or business application provider globally. Offering multiple network topologies including MPLS, Ethernet and SD-
- Overview
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HoloWAN, a WAN emulator developed by a team from China that aims to provide solutions for many circumstances, such as data migration and satellite communication. HoloWAN is easy to use and offers a hi
- Overview
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
iboss is a leading Zero Trust Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) cloud security platform that consolidates network and security technologies into a single cloud-based service. By integrating VPN, Secur
- 47% Mid-Market
- 33% Small-Business
44 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
We started Lumina Networks to ensure that providers can use open source in critical use cases, not just experimental ones. Yet, delivering technology by itself is not enough. Our customers are learnin
914 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
We started Lumina Networks to ensure that providers can use open source in critical use cases, not just experimental ones. Yet, delivering technology by itself is not enough. Our customers are learnin
914 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Orixcom Managed Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a cloud-based framework integrating networking and security across any application, any location and any user.
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- User Satisfaction
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SD-WAN from NetFortris is a fully managed network solution which aggregates and maximizes all bandwidth resources, regardless of access type and size. Mission critical applications get the priority an
10,853 Twitter followers
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- User Satisfaction
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Nirad Networks stands as India's premier 5G-enabled SD-WAN solutions powerhouse, delivering a seamless, secure, and high-speed connectivity experience to safeguard your business from the detrimental i
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The PacketFabric Connectivity Cloud removes all the network barriers to realizing your business goals, without compromising mission-critical requirements.
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- User Satisfaction
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COSGrid's ReFleX SD-WAN is a comprehensive networking solution designed to enhance the performance, security, and flexibility of wide area networks (WANs). It offers a range of features that optimize
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- User Satisfaction
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Our SecureMesh® platform, developed specifically for smart grid applications, is a secure, multi-tier NAN/WAN communications platform, pre-engineered to work seamlessly together. Featuring high bandwi
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
TNS Secure SD-WAN is a managed network service for retailers to reduce network costs, improve app performance with cloud access, simplify operations, and embrace store digital transformation while sec
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
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With Vapour’s security-first SD-WAN architecture – powered by Fortinet – businesses can integrate endpoint and network security, with ease, for high performance and ultra-safe remote working.
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- User Satisfaction
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Verizon further enhanced its best-in-class Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) security service by acquiring PrecisionAccess solution from Vidder. Verizon's SDP service creates a network boundary that pr
- 100% Mid-Market
1,538,078 Twitter followers
Learn More About SD-WAN Solutions
What are SD-WAN Solutions?
SD-WAN is a wide area network (WAN) architecture used to connect users to applications safely and reduce network management costs. It aids in virtualizing the WAN with centralized control to deploy and manage branch-office services.
WAN functionality typically helps to establish a connection between end-users at the workstation and server-based applications in the data center. Usually, dedicated multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) circuits were used to provide a secure and reliable connection. However, on the cloud, SD-WAN technology utilizes virtual private networks (VPN), internet, and wireless services. It helps reduce costs, optimize resources for multisite implementation, and ensure optimal performance of essential applications.
What Does SD-WAN Stand For?
SD-WAN stands for software-defined wide area network (or networking). WAN
is a private telecom network that connects geographically distributed local area networks (LANs). SD-WAN solutions combine software-defined networking (SDN) with WAN connectors to help organizations connect corporate networks across vast geographic locations.
What Types of SD-WAN Solutions Exist?
The types of SD-WAN are differentiated based on their deployment. There are three types of SD-WAN:
On-premises SD-WAN solutions
An on-premises SD-WAN solution either replaces or increases the effectiveness of an existing private network. It is deployed within the organization's premises as an SD-WAN box, i.e., a plug-and-play router. The SD-WAN box helps in real-time congestion management and network performance optimization by regulating network data transfer at each site. This SD-WAN architecture connects not to a cloud gateway but to other organizational sites. Hence, it provides complete control over the SD-WAN controller environment.
This architecture helps cut down cloud-enablement costs, provides multi-circuit load-balancing functionalities, aids real-time packet or traffic shaping, enhances WAN application performance, and supports disaster recovery (DR).
MPLS-based SD-WAN solutions
Multiprotocol label switching or MPLS-based SD-WAN architecture consists of multiple appliances placed at network endpoints. These tools create a virtual internet protocol (IP) network between appliances exclusive to the vendor, providing them with end-to-end control of network packets. While SD-WANs offer higher speed and bandwidth at lower costs, some companies utilize MPLS links. This is because MPLS links are network lines dedicated to a particular organization with a low risk of a data breach.
Cloud-enabled SD-WAN solutions
A cloud-enabled SD-WAN solution has an onsite SD-WAN box connecting to a cloud gateway. This architecture provides the advantages of an on-premises SD-WAN along with enhanced speed and reliability of cloud applications. If the organization’s internet circuit fails while using a cloud-based application, the gateway helps keep the cloud session active. Additionally, if the organization has an alternate internet circuit, the cloud-enabled SD-WAN can re-route the application on the cloud immediately to the alternate circuit, thereby preventing bottlenecks during the session.
What are the Common Features of SD-WAN solutions?
The following are some core features within SD-WAN software that can help users make the most of them:
Zero-touch provisioning: Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) is a standard feature on most SD-WAN devices. It automatically configures the device using a switch feature that helps IT teams efficiently deploy network devices in a large-scale environment. It eliminates the time, error, and cost of configuring the devices manually. All that is needed is an internet connection so the device can connect and auto-configure quickly, efficiently, and in a standardized manner. This happens through the use of predefined templates.
Data analytics: Organizations want their SD-WAN architecture to provide real-time network analytics. This helps provide visibility into the applications running on the corporate network and assists in the timely detection of issues. Some solutions also offer historical logs, which help in diagnosing problems easily. It provides all information and control from a centralized dashboard.
Application-aware routing: Cloud-based SD-WANs can bring high degrees of application intelligence. This is achieved through application-aware routing that outlines the paths applications need to take for better app monitoring and management. It enhances application reliability and consistency. SD-WAN solutions can be configured to emphasize business-critical applications and services and direct them via the most efficient route. Application-aware routing helps reduce bandwidth costs by efficiently balancing traffic among diverse circuits. Traffic is automatically directed to WAN links with the necessary network functionalities and path conditions to run these applications in real-time.
What are the Benefits of SD-WAN Solutions?
With organizations increasingly undergoing digital transformation, traditional network frameworks fall short while accommodating the complexities of most digital transformation initiatives. In such scenarios, SD-WAN benefits businesses in multiple ways, as listed below:
High-security level: SD-WAN technology provides a robust connection with full-fledged security. It has built-in security features and encryption capabilities to ensure secure and authorized access to applications on a corporate network. In some instances, the functionality of SD-WAN can be extended to LAN connections of the branch office to enable its security features to protect locally deployed devices and secure direct connections to online resources.
Centralized management: SD-WAN provides a policy-driven interface that centrally manages and audits all applications, irrespective of location. It simplifies the management of applications and their performance from a single point. Cloud-based SD-WAN offers integrated and centralized monitoring capabilities to manage and scale networks.
Automation: Automation and self-managed protocols of SD-WAN come in handy, especially for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs), as it helps scale down the requirement for an external technical team. It offers automation capabilities, allowing network managers to configure and generate responses to dynamic network traffic conditions. For example, during instances of a dip in the voltage level of the electrical line, the inability of the network to switch over to a reliable backup system, or network congestion, SD-WAN facilitates the automatic switching of applications from one link to another.
Cloud connectivity: The SD-WAN tool is beneficial in connecting the branch office traffic to the cloud. It allows employees direct access to cloud applications regardless of location without additional traffic burden to the core network. When using IaaS, a virtual instance of the SD-WAN router can be configured within the cloud service provider’s domain to give IT admins visibility into cloud applications.
Cost reduction: With increased movement of applications and services to the cloud, SD-WAN helps in lowering bandwidth costs by efficiently balancing traffic among the diverse circuits
Who Uses SD-WAN Solutions?
The following personas most commonly use SD-WAN solutions.
Finance teams: Companies that offer financial services rely heavily on secure and trustworthy network connections. Despite increasing cybersecurity risks, such organizations' network infrastructure is often compromised due to budget and other constraints. Multiple organizations flounder with outmoded VPN connections and complex, aging MPLS networks that no longer provide secure access to cloud-native applications. Modern SD-WAN solutions leverage internet broadband and 5G or LTE connections at a lower cost than expensive MPLS lines while providing the same benefits. The software also shields financial institutions against the loss of financial data by securely backing it up.
Manufacturers: With digitalization, companies in the manufacturing sector are adopting smart manufacturing strategies, which necessitate manufacturers to migrate from traditional WAN to SD-WAN. A manufacturing business comprises warehouses, factories, and branch offices in diverse geographic locations. Manufacturers must be connected to suppliers and distributors to manage the supply chain. The SD-WAN technology adoption helps manufacturers scale quickly to meet business connectivity requirements. It enforces centralized management via an orchestration engine that ensures the optimum allocation of network resources and balances workloads.
Retailers: Companies in the retail space have multiple branches in diverse locations that require connecting those locations into a singular network. It is imperative to ensure optimal performance and a high level of security of this network. Retail organizations transmit confidential data, such as customers' credit card details, which must be encrypted and protected. Retailers can use SD-WAN to improve the security of internal networks while also improving performance and speed.
Healthcare professionals: Healthcare providers are now adjusting to the fact that patients may want direct access to their healthcare records to review their healthcare data. This would translate to granting individuals access to secure information, which must be done in a way that doesn’t violate security protocols. Additionally, the healthcare sector often has to connect with many third parties. The adoption of SD-WAN technology is crucial to accommodate such requirements for enhancing network security and connectivity.
What are the Alternatives to SD-WAN Solutions?
The following software is an alternative to SD-WAN that can replace this type of software, either partially or completely:
Virtual private network (VPN) software: A VPN is an encrypted server that ensures the safe transmission of data over the internet from a device to a network. It prevents unauthorized access and allows remote users to work securely. It enables employees to connect to the office network and view data on their devices while working remotely. It is a helpful tool to keep confidential information safe off-site.
Challenges with SD-WAN Solutions
While SD-WANs provide numerous advantages to businesses worldwide, they pose certain challenges, as listed below, which organizations must weigh before adopting this technology:
Technical issues: By default, routers are designed to function without updates. However, SD-WAN routers require timely software updates, without which there may be instances of failure to work. This is a potential challenge in working with routers configured with SD-WAN architecture.
Lack of the right skill sets: SD-WAN offers a fresh approach to WAN management and requires proper training for IT teams to ensure the smooth functioning of the system. This can be expensive for organizations with a low budget as IT departments need to allocate sufficient resources to train the technical teams on SD-WAN technology.
Security: Though SD-WAN technology provides a layer of security, there is no denying that WANs represent certain security challenges as they are outward-facing and depend on transport outside the corporate firewall. SD-WAN technology lacks onsite security features, a data leak in one machine can adversely impact the whole organization.
Complexity: Most companies looking to deploy an SD-WAN solution usually have WAN infrastructure in place. The SD-WAN will be an overlay in addition to the existing WAN infrastructure, which is the underlay. Re-architecting the WAN connections to enable smooth migration of applications to the SD-WAN increases complexities for the organization.
How to Buy SD-WAN Solutions
Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for SD-WAN Solutions
Whether a company is looking to purchase its first SD-WAN solution or upgrade to new WAN architecture—wherever a business is in its buying process, g2.com can help select the best SD-WAN solution.
Choosing and deploying an SD-WAN solution can be a significant initiative for the organization, especially when multiple branch offices are located at diverse physical locations. A company can address various problems by migrating from a traditional WAN deployment to a software-defined WAN. An organization can evaluate the right software fit after determining the business goals it is trying to achieve by implementing this solution.
Most importantly, an organization must determine whether it wants a do-it-yourself (DIY) solution or the SD-WAN service from a managed service provider (MSP). While organizations can purchase and deploy SD-WAN software from scratch to the end independently (DIY), they can also buy it as a managed service. Purchasing the service from an MSP helps save the time required for managing many of the minor tasks essential for supporting the service. Depending on the scope of the deployment, it might be helpful to produce an RFI, a one-page list with a few bullet points describing what is needed from the platform to have a successful deployment.
Compare SD-WAN Software Products
Create a long list
Vendor evaluations are essential to the software buying process, from meeting the business functionality needs to implementation. Long lists are created by eliminating the options that do not align with the organization’s strategy. It is essential to put together a consistent list of questions to ask potential vendors keeping in mind the following considerations:
- Business requirements: The organization must determine the purpose behind implementing SD-WAN architecture. For instance, if the organization wants to enhance the performance of various applications running on the corporate network, it must opt for SD-WAN vendors whose core strength lies in WAN optimization. If they are looking to tighten application and network security, vendor evaluation should be based on how security infrastructure is handled. Some vendors offer SD-WAN solutions with built-in security features, while others may not specifically address the organization’s security concerns with their product. So the buyer should select an offering that prioritizes security. If the concern is around deploying SD-WAN at multiple branch office locations within a limited period, they may opt for the services from an MSP.
- Integration with the existing framework: Organizations expanding their operations through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are required to rapidly integrate their new branch offices across diverse locations with the existing corporate WAN. Such organizations should look for a solution that enables such integrations faster than traditional VPN technologies while also comparing the cost implications of such solutions.
- Bandwidth requirements and traffic prioritization: Balancing WAN traffic load is a crucial functionality of SD-WAN solutions. An important consideration while selecting the right solution is the organization’s WAN bandwidth requirement and how it will change in the future. In a fully managed service, buyers should look for SD-WAN service providers who ensure effective bandwidth management and prioritize traffic for each site and application through a single management pane.
Create a short list
From the long list of vendors, buyers should read user reviews, view ratings on the G2 Grid® for the SD-WAN category, read useability ratings, and shorten the list of vendors in the G2 “My List” down to a handful. With this list, businesses can compare the functionalities offered by different vendors and the pricing structure of various solutions.
Conduct demos
Demos provide an opportunity to buyers to see how the SD-WAN solution works. While pre-recorded demonstrations and tutorials are available on the product webpage, it is lucrative to request the vendor for a live demo of the SD-WAN architecture to dive deep into their technical capabilities.
Additionally, mapping out a draft deployment plan or proof of concept (PoC) is highly recommended before selecting a product as it provides a roadmap for subsequent activities and defines the resources required in each phase. A PoC should prove (or disprove) whether the technology matches the organization’s requirements.
Selection of SD-WAN Solutions
Choose a selection team
Before getting started, creating a winning team that will work together throughout the entire process, from identifying pain points to implementation, is crucial. The software selection team should consist of organization members with the proper interest, skills, and time to participate in this process. A good starting point is to aim for three to five people who fill the required roles. This can include the primary decision maker, process owner, system owner or staffing subject matter expert, technical lead, and the network or security administrator. In smaller companies, the vendor selection team may not be that big, with fewer participants that multitask and take on more responsibilities.
The selection team should compare notes, facts, and figures they recorded during the process, such as the availability of advanced capabilities, usability, and security features.
Negotiation
It is imperative to open up a conversation regarding pricing and licensing. For example, the vendor may be willing to provide a discount for multi-year contracts or to recommend the solution to others.
Final decision
After this stage, and before settling for the SD-WAN solution, it is recommended to roll out a test run or pilot program to test adoption with a small sample size of users. If the solution is well used and received, the buying organization can be confident that the selection is correct. If not, it might be time to re-evaluate offerings from other vendors.
How Much Do SD-WAN Solutions Cost?
SD-WAN providers broadly offer a mix of the following two pricing models:
- An advance purchase plan for SD-WAN hardware that cuts down subscription fees
- A subscription-based model that distributes the cost throughout a multi-year contract
Depending on the customer's preference, SD-WAN vendors can offer both solutions.
Additionally, the cost of the solution also depends on whether the organization chooses a DIY SD-WAN or opts for the services of an MSP. DIY SD-WAN implementation incurs capital expenditures, licensing costs, and continuous maintenance costs. Additionally, the organization must purchase multiple WAN connections for each branch location. On the other hand, many SD-WAN providers offer managed or co-managed services. A managed service allows the organization to shift from capital expenditure (CAPEX) to operating expense (OPEX). It involves a subscription-based model, and the organization can predict future costs associated with the deployment.
SD-WAN Solutions Trends
Adoption of SASE architectures
A trend likely to gain more visibility in the near future is the integration of SD-WAN with secure access service edge (SASE) technology. SASE combines networking (such as software-defined networking (SDN) and SD-WAN) and security features to build a highly secure, high-performing, and resilient network architecture. SD-WAN, combined with services like SASE or zero-trust network access (ZTNA), is making headway as a secure remote access solution. Adoption of SASE has snowballed recently and is expected to keep growing as network security and agility become paramount.
Rise of managed services
Deployment of SD-WAN demands the right skillset on the part of the technical team to set up and maintain the architecture. The team should be able to integrate and maintain all the branch offices, data centers, and various cloud deployments within a single SD-WAN architecture. Additionally, they should be able to quickly troubleshoot SD-WAN whenever there is a glitch.
However, if the organization opts for managed SD-WAN service or SD-WAN-as-a-Service, the provider deploys, configures, updates, manages, and maintains the entire SD-WAN network. Managed SD-WAN services are on the rise for businesses willing to work with an outsourced MSP and those who want to free up their technical team to focus on other business-critical operations.
