SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Network, is a modern way of connecting a company’s computer networks that can help solve the problems that traditional networks face when trying to use cloud-based applications. However, to get the most benefit, it needs to be set up correctly.
In recent years, more and more companies have started using cloud-based applications, but traditional network setups weren’t built with the cloud in mind. For example, these networks typically send all traffic, including cloud-based traffic, from branch offices back to headquarters before sending it back to the internet. This process adds delays that can make the applications perform poorly, which can hurt productivity.
SD-WAN can help by providing a more efficient way of connecting to the cloud. By using software to control the network rather than hardware, SD-WAN can prioritize and route traffic more efficiently, which can improve performance and reduce delays. However, it’s important to set up SD-WAN correctly for it to work as intended.
Companies all over the world are starting to use SD-WAN for many reasons. SD-WAN is a way to improve the performance of your computer networks by using software and centralized control to intelligently manage traffic across your network. It can work with apps hosted in traditional enterprise data centers, but also with apps hosted in the cloud, like Salesforce, Office365, and Dropbox.
By using SD-WAN, you can simplify the design, deployment, and management of your cloud-connected networks. You can also get better control over your network and improve its performance. SD-WAN can help you deploy branches faster, make your network more secure, and save you money. Because of all these benefits, SD-WAN is seen as a way for businesses to become more productive and agile.
Knowing what you don’t know
In today’s world, enterprise networks can be very complicated. There are often many different types of connections between different locations, like a datacenter, headquarters office, and branch offices. On top of that, there are many different SD-WAN solutions to choose from. All of this can make it difficult to switch from your old network to SD-WAN seamlessly.
If you’re planning to switch to SD-WAN, you probably have questions and concerns about how it will work. The best way to get answers to those questions is to test your network in a simulated environment. That’s where WAN emulators like Calnex SNE come in. They can mimic the real-world conditions that an SD-WAN network will face, so you can test how changes to your network will affect performance without risking your live network. Think of it as a “network in a box” that can help you make sure your network is ready for SD-WAN.
When you’re planning to deploy a new SD-WAN or hybrid network, you’ll have important questions like “Will everything work properly?”, “Will IT services be impacted?”, and “Will users have issues?” You might also want to know which vendor solution is the best fit for your business. A WAN emulator can help you answer all these questions by providing a realistic testing environment.
With a WAN emulator, you can replicate your network design and test how it will perform in various scenarios. This can include simulating the migration to SD-WAN, day-to-day performance, and adverse scenarios. By doing this testing before you make any purchase decisions, you can be confident that you’re making the right choice and that your transition to SD-WAN will be seamless.
As companies become more reliant on cloud-based services, it’s essential to have a strong and healthy network backbone. That’s why network emulation has never been more important in ensuring your SD-WAN or hybrid network is ready for the connectivity challenges of the future.
The right fit for the job
A large bank in the US wanted to upgrade their computer network from MPLS to SD-WAN. They worked with their system vendor to add the new SD-WAN features to their existing switches and infrastructure, but they had trouble integrating the new features into their system.
To fix the issues, the bank used the Calnex SNE network emulator to create a simulated test environment that replicated the complex mesh networks. They tested the new SD-WAN updates one at a time and tested each service separately until they figured out what was causing the issues.
The bank believes that using the Calnex SNE network emulator saved them a lot of time that they would have otherwise spent troubleshooting the system.
Booking a demo is the perfect way to see firsthand how the Calnex SNE network emulator can save your business time and resources. Our friendly team of experts will provide you with a personalized demo and answer any questions you may have, so you can make an informed decision about the best solution for your network needs. Call us on 1800 268 378 or contact us here.