SD-WAN: 2019 strategic roadmap for software defined networking

July 8, 2019
Grey Borneman
Learn how organizations are leveraging software defined networking to accomplish their digital transformation.

The continued surge in digital business initiatives leveraging cloud-based IT delivery is a force that’s reshaping the enterprise network landscape and moving clients toward software defined networking.

The ever-rising cost model associated with traditional networking makes for an inflexible and highly inefficient solution in terms of capital allocation. Costs include replacing obsolete hardware and applications, securing the proper IT staff to manage and maintain the infrastructure, and relying on multiple vendors for deployment and ongoing support.

The future of networking is the cloud. We are increasingly deploying sensitive data migrations to the cloud as our clients’ on-premise data centers and servers reach end-of-life. We are also delivering more cloud-based applications as a service, which are scalable and tailored to your unique business needs.

The future-state of the network

According to a study conducted by Gartner with CBTS, the primary external forces driving network change are a desire to:

  1. Improve speed and agility
  2. Maximize uptime
  3. Reduce costs
  4. Optimize performance in the adoption of digital business initiatives

However, traditional network offerings are not suited to deliver agile, cost-effective, and high-performing solutions in support of hybrid cloud IT architectures. Plus, as the number of Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile devices connected to your enterprise campus network continues to increase, so do the requirements of your network.

After decades of sharpening network performance and adding on new features, the future of network innovation will require a strategic focus on:

  1. Operational simplicity
  2. Automation
  3. Reliability
  4. Scalability
  5. Solutions with flexible business models
Read the full report

Operational innovation and the network of the future

Network leaders should focus on solutions that simplify the deployment and operation of the network. Zero-touch configuration, orchestration with application programming interfaces (APIs), business-policy-based configurations, automation, and virtualization are just a few of these solutions.

Organizations should aim to future-proof enterprise data center investments by preferring solutions like software defined networking that can extend management capabilities into a multi-cloud environment.

Software defined networking increases connectivity, efficiency

CBTS Software Defined-Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) powered by VeloCloud, now part of VMware, provides limitless and optimized access across the entire enterprise organization for cloud applications and services. At the same time, it simplifies implementations and centrally manages all network activity.

CBTS SD-WAN delivers:

  • Maximized MPLS connections. Augment current, costly MPLS with a cheaper secondary connection, or even replace MPLS entirely in favor of broadband with SD-WAN.
  • Orchestrated services. SD-WAN orchestrates services among Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), Local Area Networks (LANs), Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, security systems, and private and public clouds, including clouds hosted on Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS platforms.
  • Optimized usage. SD-WAN enables IT managers to build in rules for applications, specify 100 percent uptime for a specific application, and deliver remediation of packet loss or jitter.
  • Improved Quality of Service (QoS). The centralized, policy-based routing capability of SD-WAN can increase the performance and reliability of branch networks.
  • Successful business outcomes. SD-WAN delivers cost savings, drastic improvements on end-to-end voice and video communication, more efficient use of private and public networks, and the ability to optimize hybrid network activity and application-aware routing.

Strategic roadmap for software defined networking

Replacing traditional routers in favor of SD-WAN appliances will enable greater network agility, simplicity, and performance. Software defined networking distributes internet access and ensures the enterprise campus network can support current and future requirements for digital business such as IoT by leveraging Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.

By embracing digital business initiatives and focusing on agility, automation, scalability and being output-driven, your enterprise network can evolve from a cost center to an entity that offers demonstrable business value for the organization.

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