It’s rare to find a network engineer that isn’t considering the benefits of implementing software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) to solve a variety of challenges. From increased visibility and centralized network management to reduced costs and scalability, SD-WAN checks a lot of boxes. For globally-dispersed enterprises facing new complexities with mobile technology and broader security planes, investment in SD-WAN seems nearly unavoidable.
When engineers consider the scope of the process they’d be undertaking by adopting SD-WAN, the benefits seem dwarfed by the potential for seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Implementing SD-WAN must be viewed as a series of smaller steps, not the major deployment project that it is. When broken into smaller, well-planned steps, network engineers can plan for a more seamless, smooth process. Here are 10 key steps for SD-WAN implementation:
- Wide area network (WAN) optimization should be the first step, because if it’s not optimized for WAN, it will be impossible to determine the traffic patterns and bandwidth requirements to inform SD-WAN deployment.
- Add in visibility tools to allow engineers to see where traffic is going and troubleshoot issues.
- Move to a hybrid solution where WAN and multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) can coexist and be fully leveraged.
- Replace your router with an SD-WAN device, or any device that can virtualize routing, like a WAN optimizer.
- Create local internet breakouts, rather than having traffic backhauled to a central office hub. It’s a waste of bandwidth and diminishes the end user’s experience. Instead, implement a way to verify trusted cloud sources and make it possible for branch offices to link directly to the internet.
- Virtualize firewalls on the WAN edge device to reduce costs on local internet security concerns. Another option is to employ a cloud-based security solution for branch internet traffic.
- SD each branch, virtualizing services like VPNs and security features.
- When it’s time for an advanced measure, engineers can dynamically mesh using orchestration tools to create peer-to-peer connections. There are tools to assist with this step, but it requires advanced engineering skills.
- Analyze and refine until the system is optimized. Engineers can continue to repeat steps one through eight to achieve the best possible use of SD-WAN.
- Let go of MPLS. This may never happen in some organizations, and it can happen much earlier in this process, but some engineers have a difficult time retiring MPLS.
Switching to SD-WAN is a clear win for enterprises, as long as they don’t get caught up in the many challenges that can occur during the transition. Dividing the process into smaller goals helps the team celebrate achievements and keep moving forward.
SD-WAN is the most agile and logical way to manage your network. To learn more about how to implement this technology for your enterprise, contact us at Cloud Source.