The Difference between SD-WAN & WAN Optimization

SD-WAN Is Great, but Not Almighty

The reason why SD-WAN solutions are so popular is their close relationship with software-defined networks (SDN). The main objective of SD-WAN technology is to place an intelligent layer in a wide area network so that traffic can be routed efficiently (and automatically).

With so many SaaS and cloud-based applications that support your business, the SD-WAN  is a great advantage because it eliminates bottlenecks and packet latency. You can keep up with all the benefits that SD-WAN providers offer solutions. After all, there is a reason why the market is growing rapidly.

However, instead of focusing on the main benefits of SD-WAN solutions, you should consider the effectiveness gap. When comparing SD-WAN and WAN optimization.

SD-WAN cannot affect traffic if you leave the location of the endpoint. When traffic reaches the WAN, it follows the WAN rules defined by the provider. SD-WAN technology places packages in the WAN with better current performance (or combination of WAN), but it doesn't really make those WANs work better.

As an independent product, SD-WAN offers a lot of value. However, replacing WAN optimization is not part of the conversation. You can take advantage of SD-WAN with WAN optimization (and vice versa).

Improve WAN itself.

While SD-WAN helps achieve flexibility and agility needed to compete in the modern business world, WAN optimization is a low-level capacity problem that has affected networks for years.

·         Unlike SD-WAN, WAN optimization technology addresses the following infrastructure challenges:

• ·         The need to support the increasing length of packet movement as remote locations is supported.
• ·         The need for data compression to overcome the inefficiencies of the TCP / IP protocol.
• ·         Frequently used data cache to avoid delays (choosing the best link to route traffic has little effect if bandwidth is limited).
• ·         Apply quality of service to specific WAN links.

When combined with a WAN optimization strategy that solves these problems, SD-WAN creates a truly intelligent WAN that can maximize the end-user application experience in all remote locations.

Only one question remains after integrating the SD-WAN and WAN optimization. How can I verify that everything really works? To get all the visibility you get with SD-WAN, you need the context of the application and the package-level information about the performance of the application from the perspective of the end-user.