Software-defined networking wide area networks (SD-WAN) connectivity can be delivered to customers as a managed service using software orchestration and is called SD-WAN as a Service.
SD-WAN is appealing because it is a replacement for traditional WAN routers and supports transport technologies like MPLS, Internet, and LTE. SD-WAN also allows load sharing of traffic across multiple WAN connections making it more efficient. For most companies – this helps create significant cost savings as compared to dedicated access solutions and the limitations they have.
SD-WAN as a Service vs. Managed SD-WAN
SD-WAN as a Service is also often referred to as “managed SD-WAN,” because a customer typically pays a service provider a fee to install and deliver connectivity, as well as any applications, monitoring, and maintenance services.
For service providers, managed SD-WAN is a chance for them to offer value-added services such as security and applications performance enhancement. These value-added services often come with service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee minimum service levels.
Benefits of SD-WAN as a Service
One of the main benefits of SD-WAN is that it can reduce their WAN costs because it supplements or replaces dedicated private WAN networks, which usually are MPLS, with regular broadband connectivity.
That same cost-benefit can be applied to SD-WAN as a Service. By using this, enterprises can get the flexibility and cost savings of SD-WAN and at the same time minimize the headache of managing the infrastructure and connectivity.
