SD-WAN Transition

Most businesses face challenges with their current Wide Area Network (WAN) infrastructure, such as high costs, inflexible provisioning and difficulty in managing and troubleshooting. Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) has emerged as a new approach to help businesses overcome these challenges by providing more flexibility, easier management and cost savings.

However, transitioning to SD-WAN can be complex and, if not done correctly, can lead to degraded performance or outages. Therefore, businesses need to consider several key considerations before transitioning to SD-WAN.

What is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN is a type of networking that enables organisations to manage their wide area WANs more effectively and efficiently. Using SD-WAN, companies can reduce network complexity and associated costs, increase performance, control traffic flows over different WAN links, scale quickly in response to changing business needs and improve security. SD-WAN is an important tool for organisations looking to make their networks more agile and responsive while reducing costs.

Challenges Faced During the Transition Process

The transition from traditional WAN architecture to SD-WAN is a complex process. Organisations must consider their current infrastructure, performance goals and security requirements before moving forward with the transition. Additionally, some of the challenges faced during the transition include the following:

Ensuring that all components are compatible with SD-WAN technology

Enterprises must ensure that they choose SD-WAN service providers that are compatible with their existing network components, such as routers, firewalls and switches. If these components are not compatible, the transition process can become more complicated and expensive.

Determining the best architecture for their network

Organisations must decide whether to use an overlay or underlay network architecture for their SD-WAN. Having a clear understanding of the differences between these two architectures can help organisations make an informed decision about the best network option.

Allocating resources to support and manage the new system

Businesses must allocate the necessary resources to support and manage their SD-WAN system. This includes having the right personnel, processes and tools in place to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing success of their SD-WAN system. It is advisable to outsource these tasks to a third-party provider if the organisation lacks the necessary resources or expertise.

Integrating existing applications into the SD-WAN environment

Organisations must ensure that their existing applications are compatible with the new SD-WAN architecture. This process may require additional configurations, such as changing settings or updating protocols to ensure compatibility.

Implementing effective security protocols

Securing SD-WAN networks is essential because these networks are more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Organisations must implement robust security protocols, such as data encryption and multi-factor authentication, to protect their networks from unauthorised access.

Enterprises must seriously consider the aforementioned potential challenges before starting the transition process to ensure a successful outcome.

It is also important to understand that the transition process is ongoing and involves continuous monitoring and improvement. Organisations must have a plan in place for managing and resolving any potential issues to ensure that their SD-WAN network remains secure, reliable and cost-effective in the long run.

Key Considerations For SD-WAN Transition

When transitioning to SD-WAN, companies need to consider several key factors. They are as follows:

Deciding Between Overlay and Underlay Networks

When transitioning to SD-WAN, organisations must consider how they are going to implement it, that is, either as an overlay or underlay network. Here are the key differences between the two approaches:

Key Considerations for Overlay Networks

An overlay network runs on top of existing physical WAN infrastructure and does not require any changes in the existing hardware. The advantage of this type of implementation is that it offers a relatively quick and easy transition to SD-WAN. The downside is that it can be more vulnerable to security risks and performance issues because of the lack of physical changes.

Key Considerations for Underlay Networks

Underlay networks involve making changes to existing hardware and infrastructure. Therefore, the transition process takes longer and requires a more upfront investment. However, the benefit of implementing SD-WAN as an underlay is that it can provide greater security and reliability. Additionally, given that all hardware is updated to a standard operating system, organisations can exercise more control over their networks and can resolve issues much faster.

Businesses need to understand the trade-offs between overlay and underlay networks before making a decision. They should also work with an experienced SD-WAN service provider who can help them assess their specific needs and determine the best approach.

Selecting the Right SD-WAN Service Providers

The choice of an SD-WAN service provider is also an important factor in the success of a transition. It is important to select a provider that can deliver the features and performance required by the business. When selecting a provider, businesses should consider factors such as cost, scalability, network performance and customer support.

ACT offers a one-stop shop for all SD-WAN needs. Some advantages of choosing ACT's SD-WAN include the following:

One-stop Network Solution

ACT's SD-WAN solution provides fast and reliable network connections, encourages cloud adoption and makes management easier than ever before.

Secure and Reliable Network

ACT's SD-WAN solution is built on a secure, reliable and high-performance network that provides the optimal user experience.

Cost Effective Solution

ACT's SD-WAN solution offers the best value in terms of cost, scalability and performance.

Determining the Features and Capacity Needed

The final step in the transition process is to determine the features and capacities needed for the SD-WAN network. It is important to understand what features are required for the network and how much capacity is needed. This can depend on factors such as applications, traffic patterns, and the number of users.

For example, businesses may need to prioritise certain types of traffic or have a high capacity for voice and video calls. It is important to understand these requirements before transitioning to SD-WAN so that the right features and capacities can be chosen.

Once the needs have been determined, businesses should work with their SD-WAN service provider to ensure that the right features and capacities are available. This can help ensure a smooth transition and optimal performance of the network.

Best Practices for a Seamless Migration

The key to a successful migration from traditional WAN architecture to SD-WAN is planning. Organisations should take the time to properly assess their current infrastructure and determine the best architecture for their network before beginning the transition process. Some of the best practices for a seamless migration are as follows:

Researching available solutions to find the best fit for the organisation

Businesses wanting to undergo transition should thoroughly research the available solutions and compare them in terms of features, reliability, scalability, cost and customer service. After careful evaluation, the organisation should select a solution that best suits its needs.

Creating a timeline and setting goals

Organisations should create a timeline and set goals for the transition. This can help ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. They should ensure that the timeline and goals are realistic and achievable.

Documenting each step of the transition to identify potential issues more quickly

Enterprises should document each step of the transition to identify any potential issues more quickly and make adjustments as needed. This can help ensure that the transition is as smooth and successful as possible.

Training staff on how to use the system and manage potential issues

Finally, organisations should ensure that their staff is trained on how to use the new system and manage any potential issues that arise. This can help ensure that the system is being used properly and reduce the risk of any potential issues.

By following these best practices, organisations can ensure a smooth transition to SD-WAN and avoid costly mistakes. Accordingly, they can maximise their investment in this technology and ensure it meets their needs now and in the future.

How To Monitor and Troubleshoot The Network Post Migration

Once an organisation has successfully implemented SD-WAN, it must monitor and troubleshoot the network regularly. This can help them identify any potential issues before they become larger problems. Some ways to monitor and troubleshoot the network post-migration are as follows:

Utilising analytics tools to analyse traffic patterns, detect anomalies and identify potential issues

Enterprises need to utilise analytics tools to analyse traffic patterns, detect anomalies and identify any potential issues quickly. This is important for maintaining the performance and reliability of the network.

Using a monitoring system to track application performance, latency, and any other key metrics

Organisations should use a monitoring system to track application performance, latency and any other key metrics. This can help recognise any potential issues quickly and take the appropriate corrective actions.

Performing regular system scans and tests to ensure the network is up-to-date and secure

Businesses need to perform regular system scans and tests to ensure the network is up-to-date and secure. This will help reduce the risk of any potential issues and ensure optimal performance.

Utilising real-time alerts to notify IT staff of any changes or disruptions in service

Finally, enterprises should utilise real-time alerts to notify IT staff of any changes or disruptions in service. This can help identify and address any issues quickly. This, in turn, may help minimise any potential downtime and ensure the performance of the network.

By taking the time to monitor and troubleshoot the network properly, organisations can ensure their SD-WAN system remains reliable and secure over time. Doing so will also help them maximise their investment in this technology, allowing them to get the most out of it in the long run.

Conclusion

Transitioning to SD-WAN can be a daunting task, but it can also be very beneficial. By considering the key considerations discussed in this article and working with a qualified SD-WAN service provider, businesses can ensure a smooth transition and optimal performance of their networks. Using the right approach, businesses can reap the benefits of SD-WAN without any major disruptions.

We hope that after reading this article, you have a better understanding of the key considerations required before transitioning to SD-WAN. With diligent monitoring and troubleshooting of your network, businesses can ensure that their SD-WAN system remains reliable and secure over time. The right approach to SD-WAN implementation will help businesses get the most out of their investments in this technology.

If you are considering transitioning to SD-WAN, contact ACT today for more information. We will be happy to help you determine the best approach and ensure a successful transition. You can also learn more about our SD-WAN services on our website. Transition to SD-WAN today with ACT.