Xantaro Professional Services

SD-WANACCELERATOR

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Ongoing changes in Enterprise IT are creating new challenges for organisations trying to manage wide-area networks (WANs). The growth of cloud-based computing, storage and microservice based applications is driving the need for more dynamic more flexible network services. This is particularly true in large enterprises that operate dozens to hundreds of branch offices. As the number of users and locations continues to grow, so does the complexity and cost of managing WANs.

Business growth is dependent on solving these issues but many companies lack confidence in their WAN architecture, expertise, processes and management tools. A new technology, the Software Defined-WAN (SD-WAN), is changing the way that networks are structured and delivered. SD-WAN is more suitable for today’s IT environment providing a more dynamic, flexible and manageable alternative to traditional fixed line solutions. An SD-WAN is able to handle the fluid and unpredictable demands of cloud-based applications. Organisations that have already implemented SD-WAN say they have simplified management and operations of the overall network.

Many organisations are waking up to the benefits of this new technology and it’s estimated that by 2020 Enterprise spending on SD-WAN will exceed $1.3 billion.

INTRODUCTION

Software-defined networking (SDN) increased enterprise IT agility with policy-based automation for the cloud. Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) solution brings the same agility and flexibility to the enterprise wide area network.

SD-WAN solutions can help you drive down WAN costs. It automates efficient path selection and accelerates deployment times for new sites, as well as network and security policy upgrades.

TODAY’S CHALLENGES

As cloud-based application adoption continues to accelerate, geographically distributed enterprises increasingly view the wide area network (WAN) as critical to connecting users to applications.

Today, the wide area network is complex. Speed has increased over the years, but tools to help you manage this essential service have not evolved as quickly.

Changes must be rigorously managed, which slows responsiveness. It takes a long time to commission new sites. The security framework around the WAN is cumbersome.

Many remote locations are serviced by multiple devices. The router is augmented by a firewall. A WAN accelerator squeezes every last drop of bandwidth out of a scarce resource. Each device adds a layer of complexity for network managers. And increased complexity decreases the network’s responsiveness.

As enterprise applications migrate from the corporate data centre to the cloud, private line connections such as multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) have proven to be overly rigid and expensive. With greater reliance on the Internet, the opportunity to achieve “cloud speed” is better served by integrating broadband services into the WAN transport mix.

With SD-WAN, there’s a new way to deploy wide area networking that: Simplifies the overall network. Reduces the number and complexity of the devices you install at the branch. Gives you the freedom to choose who provides the bandwidth to branches on a location-by-location basis.

FUNCTIONALITYRESILIENT A resilient SD-WAN reduces network downtime. The technology must features real time detection of outages and automatic switch over to working links.

SECURE SD-WAN communication is usually secured using IPsec, a staple of WAN security.

SIMPLE Most SD-WAN products are available as pre-configured appliances, placed at the network edge in data centres, branch offices and other remote locations. There are also virtual appliances that can work on existing network hardware, or the appliance can be deployed as a virtual appliance on the cloud in environments such as Amazon Web Services (AWS).

FAST SD-WANs can improve application delivery using caching, storing recently accessed information in memory to speed future access.

BENEFITS OF USING A SD-WAN SOLUTION

SD-WAN outperforms traditional WAN solutions in the security department due to its built-in security protocols. SD-WAN solutions have encryption capabilities built right in to ensure that only authorized users can access and view confidential corporate assets. SD-WAN also allows companies to notify the network on how certain types of traffic should be handled which keeps high-risk traffic from ever entering the network.

SD-WAN allows your business to improve provisioning times. There are many challenges associated with provisioning new branch office networks, but an SD-WAN solution enables companies to use less expensive broadband networks, allowing them to be provisioned almost instantly. This is because an SD-WAN configuration is simple, orchestrated and rapid. It is estimated that SD-WAN cuts provisioning times by up to 80%.

With SD-WAN capability companies can rapidly deploy their WAN services without the need for an on-site technician. SD-WAN reduces the need for manual configuration of devices and is much simpler than its WAN counterpart. SD-WAN makes it easy for companies to adjust their bandwidth as the business requirements evolve, providing them with the agility they need to stay ahead of the competition.

Public Cloud Private Cloud

Head Office

Branch G

Branch F

InternetTelco ServiceProvider B

Telco ServiceProvider A

Branch EBranch DBranch C

Branch B

Branch ASoftware Defined Wide Area Network

XANTARO’S SD-WAN ACCELERATOR SERVICES

SD-WAN can make it easier and cheaper for an organisation to spin up new branches or set up offices from anywhere, but it is important for any IT leader to assess the needs of their enterprise before doing so. It is important to fully understand the size of your business, its locations, and likely network demands before embarking on an SD-WAN deployment.

Xantaro has been conducting research into opportunities for its customers in SD-WAN since the very beginning of the technology. With this knowledge, Xantaro is able to help customers to take the first steps in this solution and to make the right choices in the terms of technology and brand.

SERVICE OFFERINGS

The SD-WAN market is very crowded. Every vendor with a box seems to have slapped an SD-WAN sticker on the front. While having many solutions and numerous suppliers is potentially beneficial, it also creates confusion that complicates the task of evaluating alternative SD-WAN solutions. Xantaro has restricted it’s solutions to what we view as Service Provider Class solutions.

The goal of the SD-WAN ACCELERATOR is to cut through the confusion in the market by identifying the benefits a SD-WAN solution can offer within a particular organisation and providing advice on how such solutions can be deployed within and around an existing technology stack.

But beyond this we think it’s important that your business gets hands on experience of SD-WAN. So, rolled into the package is a 90 day pilot running on our infrastructure which allows you (and your customers) to assess the capabilities of the technology in the real world.

The SD-WAN ACCELERATOR is offered as a fixed-price package with a pre-defined scope and deliverables, please ask for further information.

CONCLUSIONXantaro experts have huge depth and breadth of experience in the networking technology and services coupled with multilateral technology know-how.

Both are drive our core competence: Service Integration – the development and integration of solutions across technological and corporate boundaries.

Through the combination of existing and new network components, technologies and services we evolve tailored solutions.

From planning, design and proof-of-concept through delivery, installation and implementation to operational support and maintenance services.

From performant and highly available network systems through virtualisation, infrastructure security and control to cloud-based, central services, orchestration and automation.

Through its partnerships with multiple leading technology vendors, Xantaro remains at the forefront of new developments and market trends. In close co-operation, we develop reliable, innovative products and solutions for our customers.

Contact one of our team for more information.

Xantaro UK20 St Dunstans Hill, London, EC3R 8HL+44 (0)20 3795 2348enquiries@xantaro.net www.xantaro.net