What is Managed SD-WAN?
Managed SD-WAN puts the responsibility of deploying, managing and maintaining the WAN infrastructure on a Managed Service Provider (MSP), saving IT time, offloading operational overhead and ensuring expert oversight.
Why Do Businesses Need Managed SD-WAN?
Benefits of SD-WAN
– Enhanced Connectivity and Reliability
SD-WAN appliances support multiple, diverse network connections, including broadband (e.g., cable, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and 4G LTE) or Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). If one connection goes down, traffic can fail over to a backup link. Alternatively, all links can be active, with traffic dynamically directed over the best-performing connection.
– Increased Bandwidth
SD-WAN decongests networks by allowing traffic to traverse multiple connections depending on the requirements of specific network interactions. Additionally, bandwidth ensures network continuity since SD-WAN leverages several diverse backup connections.
– Reduced Costs
SD-WAN’s diverse connectivity options allow businesses to flexibly switch between them to minimize costs while providing optimal connectivity.
– Simplified Network Management
SD-WAN simplifies network management by centralizing control over WAN architectures, enabling admins to consistently enforce policies, security and compliance across the whole network.
– Improved Security
SD-WAN can integrate many cybersecurity solutions to enhance cybersecurity defenses, including firewalls, encryption, Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) and web filtering.
Benefits of Managed SD-WAN
– Refocused IT Teams
Managed SD-WAN shifts the burden of maintaining the SD-WAN solution onto the MSP, simplifying network management for IT teams and allowing them to focus on critical day-to-day activities, refining strategy and other high-value tasks.
– Predictable Monthly Costs
Managed SD-WAN is delivered through a subscription-based model “as a service,” giving businesses predictable monthly costs and customized solutions that work within their budgets.
– Easy Scalability and Agility
Since managed networking services are delivered as a service, businesses can easily accommodate new office locations and add capabilities to their SD-WAN solution. Businesses can expand and shrink their solution as necessary and quickly respond to market trends or sudden growth and contraction.
– Enhanced Visibility and Monitoring
Managed SD-WAN offers 24/7/365 monitoring from networking experts who can isolate real network problems and initiate or escalate remediation steps to ensure security and performance.
– Expert Support
MSPs back SD-WAN deployments with teams of qualified, seasoned experts that ensure competent and effective solution implementation, management and maintenance.
Types of Managed SD-WAN Deployments
– Fully Managed SD-WAN
In a fully managed SD-WAN deployment, SD-WAN managed services providers take complete responsibility for planning, deploying, configuring, monitoring, maintaining and updating the SD-WAN solution. Management is offloaded onto the MSP, requiring minimal involvement from the client’s IT team.
– Co-managed SD-WAN
In a Co-managed SD-WAN deployment, the customer retains some level of control and visibility of their SD-WAN environment. Co-managed SD-WAN solutions are suitable for businesses that desire more oversight over network policies and configurations but require MSP assistance for their technical expertise, proactive monitoring and advanced reporting.
– Managed CPE
In a Managed Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) SD-WAN deployment, the MSP manages physical network equipment installed on the customer’s premises. Generally, businesses that opt for Managed CPE have extra security and industry compliance concerns that necessitate physical hardware and hands-on involvement from the IT team.
– SD-WAN as a Service
SD-WAN as a Service is an alternative to on-premises SD-WAN deployments and delivers SD-WAN functionality through a cloud-delivered service, requiring no on-premises appliances, installation, or management. ”As a service” deployments offer flexible, easily scalable solutions with little upfront investment. SD-WAN as a Service delivers instant geographic reach and often traverses dedicated, optimized network infrastructure with service-level agreements. The drawback of SD-WAN as a Service is that the MSP is solely responsible for maintaining the hosted SD-WAN infrastructure rather than the customer’s entire WAN environment.
– SASE Solutions
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combines various network security solutions, including Managed SD-WAN, secure web gateway (SWG), cloud access service broker (CASB), next-generation firewall (NGFW) and zero trust network access (ZTNA). Together, these SASE components create a comprehensive network security environment resilient to modern cybersecurity threats.
How to Choose the Right Managed SD-WAN Provider for Your Business
- Does the provider have a robust network infrastructure to deliver your desired Quality of Service (QoS)?
- Does the provider offer 24/7/365 network monitoring?
- Is the provider’s customer support responsive and competent?
- Is the provider’s reputation supported by customer testimonials and industry analysts?
- Does the provider have an advanced cybersecurity environment with modern network security solutions?
- Does the provider’s SD-WAN solution comply with your industry standards and requirements?
- Does the provider offer customized deployments that integrate with your existing network architecture?
- Does the provider give complete transparency into SD-WAN operations?
- Does the provider offer competitive Service Level Agreements (SLAs)?
Best Managed SD-WAN Services
– Cisco Meraki Secure SD-WAN
AireSpring Cisco Meraki SD-WAN with Firewall is an economical managed security solution providing SD-WAN functionality with an integrated Next-Generation Firewall to protect businesses from external threats. It delivers a fully managed, easy-to-deploy solution, including complete design engineering, dedicated project management, white-glove implementation and support from AireSpring’s technology experts.
– VMware SD-WAN
VMware SD-WAN and SASE technology ensure a reliable, resilient and secure WAN, using various connection options such as multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), LTE, Wi-Fi, satellite and cost-effective broadband. AireSpring’s managed IT and network services remove the complexity, time and resources required for enterprises to deal with the array of technologies and business interactions associated with SD-WAN and SASE procurement and deployments.
– Fortinet Secure SD-WAN
AireSpring leverages Fortinet’s industry-leading cybersecurity services, including Secure SD-WAN, Next-Generation Firewall, Secure SD-Branch and SASE solutions to extend security across the WAN and access edge to benefit distributed enterprises, their offices and employees regardless of location.
Managed SD-WAN FAQs
– MPLS vs. SD-WAN: How are they related?
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a networking solution that labels data packets based on network protocols to direct traffic on pre-defined paths to enhance performance. SD-WAN can utilize any combination of connectivity services to direct traffic, including MPLS. Many SD-WAN deployments use MPLS or broadband internet (e.g., cable, DSL and 4G LTE), freely switching between them depending on network needs.
– What is the difference between managed and unmanaged SD-WAN?
Managed SD-WAN leverages an MSP to deliver and manage the SD-WAN solution. Unmanaged SD-WAN is a DIY SD-WAN solution that doesn’t involve an MSP. Internal IT teams handle the complex process of designing, engineering and maintaining the SD-WAN environment. Generally, this DIY approach will result in suboptimal network performance and substantial costs spent coordinating and billing different vendors.
– Does Managed SD-WAN and SD-WAN as a Service mean the same thing?
SD-WAN as a Service is a solely cloud-delivered service provided by an MSP to a customer, where the SD-WAN technology is hosted and maintained by the service provider. Managed SD-WAN takes a more hands-on approach to the customer’s SD-WAN environment, delivering comprehensive end-to-end management that handles planning, installation, maintenance and ongoing support from the MSP. Additionally, Managed SD-WAN can involve the MSP engaging with the customer’s physical network infrastructure, whereas SD-WAN as a Service is entirely cloud-based.
– What are managed WAN services?
Managed WAN services outsource monitoring, maintaining and optimizing wide area network environments, including network devices and network connectivity, to an MSP. Managed WAN services are ideal for companies that don’t have the expertise or the in-house staff to professionally manage their WAN to meet desired performance and security standards.