SD-WAN solutions are a powerful addition to any network operator’s arsenal, especially when combined with artificial intelligence.
The standard technology’s benefits are still there: Improved traffic prioritization, lower network overhead, and greater visibility into and control over network operations. The difference is that it’s all backed by intelligent automation and analytics.
For many organizations, getting the needed buy-in to deploy SD-WAN is the hardest part.
Follow these simple steps to get your first SD-WAN deployment off the ground.
Who can use SD-WAN?
The short answer is that any organization looking to improve its network performance, efficiency, and/or security can benefit from SD-WAN.
The longer answer is that there are a few scenarios and use cases where the technology shines (and a few where it doesn’t). SD-WAN technology is best suited for larger, more complex network environments. It’s also an excellent fit for any organization building its own network.
Here are a few popular industry use cases for SD-WAN solutions:
- Retail: Managing network congestion to improve the customer experience and avoid lost sales during periods of high demand.
- Finance: Improving network efficiency and security while protecting against sophisticated threats.
- Professional Services: Deploying infrastructure that supports scaling into new markets.
- Healthcare: Building a secure, resilient network that ensures optimal performance for critical applications.
- Large Data Center: Ensuring optimal traffic routing and resource utilization.
- Manufacturing: Increasing the flexibility and scalability of industrial networks.
A step-by-step guide to getting started with SD-WAN
Provided you choose the right vendor, planning, deploying, and configuring SD-WAN technology is relatively straightforward.
1. Define your objective
Start by identifying why you want to deploy SD-WAN. What are you trying to do with the technology? The most common deployment drivers for SD-WAN include network performance, scalability, cost reduction, operational agility, and operational resilience.
2. Assess your needs
Next, you need to determine if SD-WAN is the best choice for accomplishing your objective, or if another technology might be a better fit. Consider the following:
- Size, scope, and complexity of your network. For smaller, less complex networks, SD-WAN may be overkill.
- Latency and QoS. Do you have any business applications that require ultra-low-latency connectivity or guaranteed QoS? If so, MPLS may be a better bet.
- Technology ecosystem. If you rely heavily on legacy technology that’s incompatible with SD-WAN, integration costs might outweigh any benefit you get from deployment.
- IT Resources. Will you be able to deploy, configure, and manage the SD-WAN solution internally, or will you need help from a third party?
- Requirements. What do you need from your SD-WAN deployment in terms of configuration, functionality, and compatibility?
3. Choose a vendor
Create a shortlist of SD-WAN vendors whose offerings fit your organization’s requirements. Compare them to one another, focusing on the following:
- Price
- Level of support
- Reputation and reviews
- Experience working in your industry
- Partnerships
- Responsiveness
Try to narrow your list down to two or three vendors at most, then schedule either a proof of concept or a product demonstration with each. Use the POC as an opportunity to test each prospective SD-WAN, and identify potential issues with functionality or compatibility.
4. Create a roadmap
Work with your vendor to start planning the specifics of your SD-WAN deployment. Establish a general timeframe for implementation, then break that down into specific milestones. Make sure you leave time to train your people and test the solution.
5. Educate your team
Assuming you aren’t working with a managed service provider, ensure you have the knowledge and expertise to manage and maintain an SD-WAN deployment. Most vendors will provide training resources on their website or via a partner like Cisco.
6. Perform pre-deployment testing
Before deploying your SD-WAN, run it through a series of tests to evaluate the following:
- Connection speed and quality when faced with issues, such as packet loss, jitter, and latency.
- Failover capabilities.
- Configuration and enforcement of network policies.
- Determine how effective the network’s security features are at addressing threats.
- Compliance with any relevant industry regulations.
- Monitoring and optimization.
Most of the tests above can be performed with either network emulation software or a virtual test network.
7. Deploy and iterate
Once you’ve validated your SD-WAN’s security, performance, and functionality, there’s just one thing left to do: Go live and integrate it with your existing ecosystem.
From there, start regularly monitoring your network for potential bottlenecks, configuration issues, and opportunities for improvement.
Transform your approach to Network Management with Momentum
SD-WAN technology can be a game-changer in the right circumstances. But as we explained above, you must ensure you have the right partner to guide you.
Momentum can be that partner. Our flagship SD-WAN solution is backed by the industry-leading Juniper Mist, an AI-driven platform that revolutionizes network management, monitoring, and security. We also work closely with CATO.
Book a demo with us today and see how we can optimize your networks for maximum performance and security.
