A Managed (SD-WAN) Software-Defined Wide Area Network is a service offered by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to design, deploy, monitor, and maintain an organization’s SD-WAN infrastructure. SD-WAN is a technology that leverages software-defined networking principles to optimize wide area networks, providing organizations with greater control, flexibility, and efficiency in managing their network connections. Managed SD-WAN services help organizations maximize the benefits of this technology while offloading the management complexity to experts.
Here are key aspects of a Managed SD-WAN solution:
- Design and Deployment: Managed SD-WAN providers work closely with organizations to design an SD-WAN architecture that aligns with their business needs. They then handle the deployment of SD-WAN devices and software across the network.
- Configuration Management: MSPs manage the configuration of SD-WAN devices to ensure that they are optimized for the organization’s requirements. This includes configuring policies for quality of service (QoS), security, and application prioritization.
- Network Monitoring and Analytics: Continuous monitoring of the SD-WAN environment is essential. MSPs use advanced monitoring tools to track network performance, bandwidth utilization, application behavior, and security threats. Real-time analytics enable proactive issue detection and resolution.
- Traffic Optimization: Managed SD-WAN services optimize network traffic by intelligently routing data packets over the most efficient paths. This includes load balancing, path selection based on network conditions, and prioritizing critical applications.
- Security Management: Security is a top priority for SD-WAN. Managed SD-WAN services implement and manage security measures such as firewalls, encryption, intrusion detection and prevention, and secure remote access solutions.
- Quality of Service (QoS): Managed SD-WAN solutions include QoS configurations to prioritize mission-critical applications and ensure they receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency.
- Cloud Connectivity: MSPs assist organizations in connecting to cloud services seamlessly, optimizing traffic routing to cloud providers and ensuring efficient access to cloud resources.
- Vendor Management: Service providers manage relationships with SD-WAN equipment vendors, negotiate contracts, and ensure adherence to service-level agreements (SLAs).
- Security Updates and Patch Management: Managed SD-WAN services keep SD-WAN devices up to date with the latest security patches and firmware updates to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Performance Reporting: Organizations receive regular performance reports and analytics from the MSP. These reports provide insights into network utilization, application performance, and recommendations for optimization.
- Scalability: Managed SD-WAN services help organizations scale their SD-WAN infrastructure to accommodate business growth, including adding new locations, increasing bandwidth, or adapting to changing requirements.
- 24/7 Technical Support: MSPs offer round-the-clock technical support to address SD-WAN-related issues and provide assistance to IT teams or end-users.
Managed SD-WAN solutions enable organizations to harness the benefits of SD-WAN technology while outsourcing the complexities of network management. This approach enhances network reliability, security, and performance, allowing organizations to focus on their core business objectives.