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Building SD-WAN architecture into your world
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Article
The appeal of SDN in the WAN, and where to start
SDN's networking role has not always been clear, there are now some compelling use cases. Because SDN can make the WAN more functional and less expensive, networking pros should keep their eyes on SDN developments. Read Now
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Article
Do wide area networks need to get software-defined?
Should you upgrade your wide area network to SD-WAN? Learn what factors you should consider before making the leap. Read Now
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Article
SD-WAN technology: A primer for what you need to know
Software-defined WAN is poised to take the wide area network by storm, simplifying operations and reducing costs. Here's what you should know about the new SDN-based approach. Read Now
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Article
Software defined WAN: The old way of building branch networks is dead
In the software defined WAN, we'll provision virtual overlays and move network management to the cloud, limiting costly on-premises equipment. Read Now
Editor's note
Software-defined networking may have started in the data center, but it’s since moved to the wide area network -- and with its promise to improve branch network connectivity while lowering costs and increasing agility, SD-WAN architecture is the most popular new kid on the networking block.
A plethora of startups and established industry players have now crowded on the scene, all offering variations on the same theme: technology that uses SDN principles to dynamically aggregate multiple WAN links, thus stepping up performance and decreasing reliance on costly MPLS connections. This essential guide will help you sidestep vendor hype and explore whether you’re ready for SD-WAN to move into your network.
1Problem-solver: SD-WAN use cases
In SDN’s early days, skeptics bemoaned a lack of clearly defined use cases, so SD-WAN came on the scene like a breath of fresh air. Learn about the specific problems this technology can tackle in the wide area network.
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Article
SD-What? Understanding SD-WAN
More than just a buzzword, software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) is already delivering benefits to early adopters. Skeptics warn, however, it's no magical elixir. Read Now
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Article
Do managed software-defined WAN services make sense?
By offering managed software-defined WAN services -- and potentially hastening MPLS' demise -- are providers sabotaging themselves? Our expert says no. Read Now
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Article
My MPLS service contract expires soon -- should I renew?
The rise of SD-WAN has many asking: Do we really need MPLS connectivity? Expert John Burke explains what factors to consider before renewing your existing contract. Read Now
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Article
In the SDN WAN: Network programmability, provisioning and high availability
The SDN WAN's network programmability and automated provisioning addresses the demands placed on the wide area network by the cloud, SaaS and BYOD. Read Now
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Article
SDN business case: How software-defined WANs save money
Build a strong SDN business case in the wide area network, with potential for significant return on investment in both savings and performance. Read Now
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Article
SD-WAN benefits create serious competition for MPLS
SD-WAN architecture offers features that reduce operational costs and simplify deployment models. Learn how to take advantage of SD-WAN benefits and navigate its potential downfalls. Read Now
2SD-WAN architecture: How to make the move
Top industry analysts expect software-defined WAN adoption to escalate dramatically. Here’s what to consider before moving to an SD-WAN architecture.
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Article
Consider these SD-WAN architecture pitfalls before adoption
The return on investment for SD-WAN can be high, but there are a range of factors to consider, including optimization and existing SLAs, before implementation. Read Now
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Article
How software-defined WAN architecture is changing the market
SDN principles are transforming the wide area network, with a number of networking companies -- both startups and established players -- offering software-defined WAN technologies to enterprises. Read Now
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Article
Discover three ways to get your WAN software defined
There are three ways to get your WAN software defined: overlay, replace and as a service. Learn what these entail and how they can reduce costs and improve WAN performance. Read Now
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Article
How will software-defined WANs impact the enterprise?
SD-WAN has a lot of potential for enterprises, especially as developers cobble together custom services and capabilities. Read Now
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Article
How to make your WAN architecture software-defined
There's more than one way to make your WAN architecture software-defined. Learn three very different routes to achieving an SD-WAN. Read Now
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Podcast
The future network is software-defined: Prepare your WAN now
In this concise podcast, John Burke of Nemertes Research covers the top dos and don'ts for implementing SDN in the WAN. His concise advice will better prepare you and your network for an SDN age. Listen Now
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Article
The new WAN: How SDN changes wide area network operations
SDN promises to transform the wide area network. Network pros should consider how SD-WAN will also change operational and organizational needs. Read Now
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Article
What's the difference between hybrid, virtual and SD-WAN?
An expert explains the differences between hybrid, virtual and software-defined WANs and tells how they are each related. Read Now
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Article
When will SD-WANs 'cross the chasm'?
It can be difficult to separate hype from reality, especially when it comes to SDN technology. Here, analyst Jim Metzler explores when software-defined WANs might go mainstream. Read Now
3SD-WAN in the news
The SD-WAN architecture landscape is rapidly evolving. Keep abreast of the latest developments from vendors, managed service providers and users.
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Article
SD-WAN market swells because of cloud-based business apps
IDC released its first study on the SD-WAN market, which is expected to hit $6 billion by 2020. The boom is driven by the growing popularity of cloud-based business applications. Read Now
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Article
SD-WAN technology promises enterprises control, cost savings
The latest UC innovations are testing the limits of enterprise networks. At Enterprise Connect, industry leaders discuss how SD-WAN technology can give networks the boost they need. Read Now
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Article
How SD-WAN could threaten the NFV business case
In this roundup of notable blog posts from around the Web, one analyst says SD-WAN could render certain NFV services irrelevant; another has advice for green networking pros. Read Now
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Article
Will the SD-WAN market consolidate?
This week, bloggers explore SD-WAN market consolidation, APIs and SDN, and cybersecurity goals for the next U.S. president. Read Now
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Article
SDN trends: All eyes on SD-WAN; open SDN's path unclear
Our most-read SDN news stories of the year reveal a collective obsession with SD-WAN, as well as a strong interest in the future of open SDN. Read Now
4SD-WAN words you need to know
When implementing SD-WAN in your enterprise, there are important technology terms you must know. Learn the basics you need to know in our glossary.
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Definition
aggregate
In general, to aggregate (verb, from Latin aggregare meaning to add to) is to collect things together. Read Now
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Definition
enterprise WAN
An enterprise WAN is a corporate network that connects geographically dispersed users areas that could be anywhere in the world. Read Now
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Definition
hybrid WAN
A hybrid WAN is a wide area network that sends traffic over two or more connection types. Hybrid WANs permit dynamic traffic engineering across both private and public domains, using a variety of connectivity options to make the best use of network resources. Read Now
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Definition
management service provider (MSP)
Also see two related terms, application service provider and storage service provider. Read Now
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Definition
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a protocol-agnostic routing technique designed to speed up and shape traffic flows across enterprise wide area and service provider networks. Read Now
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Definition
software-defined everything (SDE)
Software-defined everything (SDE) is an umbrella term that describes how virtualization and abstracting workloads from the underlying hardware can be used to make information technology (IT) infrastructures more flexible and agile. Read Now
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Definition
WAN accelerator
A WAN accelerator is an appliance that improves the end user's experience on a wide area network (WAN). Read Now
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Definition
WAN clustering (geoclustering, high-availability clustering or remote clustering)
WAN clustering, also called geoclustering, high-availability clustering or remote clustering, is the use of multiple redundant computing resources located in different geographical locations to form what appears to be a single highly-available system. Read Now