Cisco SD-WAN Solution
Learn how Cisco SD-WAN extends intent-based networking across the branch, WAN, and cloud.

Cisco SD-WAN Solution

 

What is Cisco SD-WAN?

What is Cisco SD-WAN?


SD-WAN is a software-defined approach to managing the WAN.

Key advantages include:

  • Reducing costs with transport independence across MPLS, 4G/5G LTE, and other connection types.
  • Improving application performance and increasing agility.
  • Optimizing user experience and efficiency for software-as-a-service (SaaS) and public-cloud applications.
  • Simplifying operations with automation and cloud-based management.

 

Why now for SD-WAN?

The traditional WAN

The traditional WAN (wide-area network) function was to connect users at the branch or campus to applications hosted on servers in the data center. Typically, dedicated MPLS circuits were used to help ensure security and reliable connectivity. This doesn't work in a cloud-centric world.

The new WAN

SD-WAN addresses the current IT challenges. This new approach to network connectivity can lower operational costs and improve resource usage for multisite deployments. Network administrators can use bandwidth more efficiently and can help ensure high levels of performance for critical applications without sacrificing security or data privacy.

 

Benefits of Cisco SD-WAN

Predictable

Predictable application experience

Increase user productivity by optimizing cloud and on-premises application performance with real-time analytics, visibility, and control.

security

Right security, right place

Protect users, devices, and applications by deploying embedded or cloud security that offers leading threat intelligence.

simplicity

Simplicity at enterprise scale

Centralize cloud management to make it easy to deploy SD-WAN and security while maintaining policy across thousands of sites.

optimized

Optimized choice and control

With a cloud-first architecture, maintain flexibility to connect any user to any application, across any cloud.


 

SD-WAN Compared to other Solutions

MPLS Vs SD-WAN

SD-WAN evolved from MPLS technology, which has powered private connectivity for more than two decades. In many ways, SD-WAN can be seen as a software abstraction of MPLS technology that's applicable to wider scenarios: It brings secure, private connectivity that's agnostic to all kinds of links and providers and is cloud-aware. While MPLS handled failure scenarios with backup links, SD-WAN handles them with real-time traffic steering based on centralized policy. Also, since SD-WAN unifies the entire WAN backbone, it delivers comprehensive analytics across the network globally. This wasn't possible before, because of disparate pieces of infrastructure and policy.

SDN Vs SD-WAN

SD-WAN can be seen as SDN for the WAN. It represents, arguably, the most popular and widely deployed use case in SDN. The SDN model became popular for abstracting network infrastructure in the data center and other sections within the enterprise perimeter. SD-WAN played a similar role but needed to abstract infrastructure elements that were diverse in terms of link types, providers, and geographies. Since it crossed the enterprise perimeter, it needed a robust security component as well.

 

SD-WAN Products

Cisco Physical Routers

Cisco ASR 1000 Series

Cisco ASR 1000 Series Routers

Reinventing Edge Routing

  • Cisco SD-WAN/Access-ready
  • Hardware/Software redundancy
  • Maximum concurrent devices: 1,024
  • SFP built-in GE ports

Security

Cisco Umbrella DNS Essentials

Best for small companies

  • Block ransomware, malware, phishing, and C2 callbacks
  • Protect users anywhere they go, on and off the corporate network
  • Stop malicious domain requests and IP responses at the DNS-layer, over any port or protocol

Cisco Umbrella DNS Advantage

Best for mid-sized companies

  • Block direct IP connections at the IP-layer
  • Identify targeted attacks by comparing local vs. global activity
  • Identify cloud, shadow IT, & IoT usage risks by reporting on 1800+ services

Cisco Umbrella Secure Internet Gateway

Best for advanced security Teams

  • Deploy pre-built integrations that work with 10+ security providers - including Splunk, FireEye, and Anomali
  • Gain context about what Umbrella is blocking and why
  • Prioritize incident investigations

What you get with Cisco SD-WAN

Cloud first architecture

Cloud-first architecture


In the Cisco SD-WAN vManage console, you can easily automate virtual private gateway deployment in IaaS and PaaS environments. Cisco SD-WAN onRamp brings your applications closer to customers securely, adjusting your IPsec route as needed to help ensure service delivery and performance while monitoring the hosting infrastructure for anomalies.

SD WAN Security

Right security, right place--simplified


As the world’s leading networking company, Cisco defined the standard for routing. As the largest enterprise cybersecurity provider, Cisco covers thousands of customers with end-to-end protection.

By choosing Cisco SD-WAN, you gain the ability to manage certified trustworthy platforms while instantly deploying the right security in the right place, all from a single dashboard. With a few clicks in the Cisco vManage console, you can instantly protect your entire network, reducing risk while ensuring business compliance, continuity, and success.

Integrated security

Cisco SD-WAN onRamp

Cisco SD-WAN onRamp gives you enhanced, automated connectivity to IaaS and PaaS cloud environments without forcing you into existing multitenant gateways or a time-consuming manual process. Cisco SD-WAN offers instant visibility into cloud traffic, control over deployment, and the convenience of automated management.

In addition, Cisco SD-WAN onRamp can optimize the SaaS applications that you and your stakeholders use in day-to-day operations.

Secure Experience

Predictable application experience

Cisco SD-WAN provides advanced analytics, monitoring, and automation for any connection across your network, whether MPLS or beyond the cloud edge. With Cisco SD-WAN, you can help ensure users enjoy optimal speeds and the best performance from the applications they need for success. Enjoy improved productivity and an enhanced user experience with consistent, secure access to business applications on certified trustworthy hardware.


Start your journey today

Start delivering uncompromised experiences over any connection. With Cisco Services, unlock the potential of your SD-WAN investment to drive better business outcomes and minimize disruption.