Begin by determining your desired outcomes. This will help you narrow your options, avoid expensive mistakes and deliver real value. Evaluate vendor products in the lab, ideally while waiting for circuits to be installed. Network teams should test POCs for performance, ease of deployment, management and monitoring functions.
Deployment Model
The right SD-WAN solution will enable enterprises to accelerate digital transformation initiatives by delivering a high-quality network. It will include a virtual overlay that abstracts the underlying physical connections, centralized management and security, link abstraction, and support for first-party or third-party network functions (VNFs).
To avoid downtime mid-switch, find an MSP with local engineers worldwide to dispatch when necessary. This helps prevent incompatibility between hardware components and ensures that cabling and software match up correctly.
Another important consideration is asking the MSP whether it offers a ‘DIY’ option, in which case the enterprise would buy and manage its own SD-WAN appliances. This is sometimes the best option for small and mid-sized businesses or mega-corporations that want to retain control over their infrastructure.
Also, be sure to choose an MSP with rave customer reviews regarding the specifics of its SD-WAN offerings and general technical and customer support. It can distinguish between a smooth and successful implementation and a frustrating project. Then, it’s a matter of putting SD-WAN into action to deliver on its business outcomes.
Network Design
In the past, legacy networking solutions relied on the hub and spoke architectures that backhauled traffic to central data centers. This caused costly bottlenecks because each connection required an MPLS circuit. SD-WAN implementation guide enables your enterprise to connect remote sites directly with each other, with direct access to cloud and internet resources.
With an SD-WAN, network professionals can simplify network connectivity management with a centralized controller. The network can adapt easily to changing environmental situations, allowing IT teams to implement changes faster than traditional network routers.
A successful SD-WAN implementation requires careful planning. The deployment model you select should be based on your company’s network structure, whether local offices with few connections or global assets spread across continents. It would help if you also planned for the physical implementation of your SD-WAN. This may require shipping equipment and deploying it at each site, with resources onsite to set it up (with ZTP “Zero Touch Provisioning” and popper planning). You can choose between an MSP to manage the entire project or co-manage it with your internal IT team.
Security
Security is an area where different people will have a slightly different take. It’s also an area that depends on a particular company’s needs. For instance, a network being defended with built-in zero trust network access (ZTNA) will look different from one that uses traditional firewalls and intrusion prevention systems.
As the world becomes more digital, business leaders must ensure their employees can work securely regardless of location. This means deploying SD-WAN to ensure data integrity in multiple locations and provide a consistent user experience.
Organizations must consider all aspects that will affect performance and security to maximize the benefits of an SD-WAN implementation. This includes ensuring the deployment of a secure network, evaluating the right deployment model and establishing pre-rollout benchmarks. In addition, it’s important to assess transport underlays and validate routing policy. This helps to improve overall network performance, minimize costs and reduce latency. Finally, organizations must evaluate whether they can support an end-to-end SD-WAN management model or if a managed service provider would be helpful.
Monitoring
SD-WAN monitoring is fundamental to any network project incorporating novel technology solutions. It promotes robust execution of the project, mitigates operational risks and harmonizes connectivity monitoring with the overall OPEX and CAPEX cost reduction objectives that these technologies deliver.
SD-WAN network monitoring should offer granular access to application performance for every WAN link and site. This capability should also include security functions, as cybercrime is a significant and growing threat that costs organizations worldwide $6 trillion per year. Look for a solution that uses best-in-class encryption technologies on overlay tunnels and offers options to add firewall functions.
Assessing how easy it will be for IT teams to manage, monitor and optimize the SD-WAN in the long term is important. Consideration should be given to the number of team members and their skill sets, appetites for this type of work and how many other projects the team is currently engaged in. The answer to these questions will determine whether an in-house deployment model or a managed service provider (MSP) is the best option for an organization.
Managed Services
When deploying SD-WAN, many organizations work with a managed services provider. This allows the MSP to manage the project, end-to-end SD-WAN deployment, and relationship management with WAN providers.
When choosing an MSP, look for one experienced in implementing and supporting SD-WAN solutions. They should have a proven track record and reputation for providing superior technical support, customer satisfaction and value for money.
As you move forward with your SD-WAN implementation, it is important to ensure that all key stakeholders remain aligned on the business benefits and objectives of the project. This will help build advocates and avoid internal conflict that delays or even derails the project. Communicate progress and the project’s expected results frequently to all stakeholders to achieve this. Then, monitor network performance to ensure the SD-WAN delivers on these goals. This will help you spot issues early and correct them before they can impact your business. By following these tips, you can ensure a smooth, successful and secure SD-WAN deployment.
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