Traditional networking solutions were not built for the explosive growth, multi-continental reach and the cloud-based capabilities typical of today’s most successful enterprises. Designed for static setups and cloudless internet configurations, the systems of yesteryear are heavily dependent on expensive hardware. This makes them difficult to oversee and expensive to update as organizations continue to expand their scope.
As network management grows increasingly complex, organizations of all sizes are seeking a streamlined device-connection strategy that maintains both security and performance. While SD-WAN products have emerged as a solution to the limitations of hardware-centric approaches, they fall short in several key areas. It’s essential for enterprises that have implemented, or are considering SD-WAN, to understand the cost-effective and accessible alternatives currently available in the market.
But let’s start with a look into SD-WAN. What Is SD-WAN? Short for “software-defined wide area network,” SD-WAN is a network structure that uses a software-based solution to connect a number of smaller, independently-defined networks into a supernetwork, even to the level of large enterprises. SD-WAN helps companies connect their offices and data centers over the internet more efficiently and securely.
Modern SD-WAN Use Cases — and Why You Likely Need a Different Platform
SD-WANs and other software-defined device connectivity systems are becoming increasingly popular. In 2022, nearly 95% of organizations surveyed by IDC have deployed SD-WAN or planned to deploy SD-WAN technology within the next 2 months. A few of the driving forces behind this statistic are:
- A remote workforce. An SD-WAN allows remote workers to securely access corporate networks from anywhere in the world. This type of access can be critical for professionals providing distanced services requiring particular security and privacy measures, as in telehealth or organizations dealing with sensitive information. One significant problem, however, is that an SD-WAN can be slow and frustrating to navigate. Low bandwidth means that data transfers are often choked by bottlenecks, making site-to-site communication laggy and multi-site connections practically impossible.
- Cloud migration. If an organization is engaging more with the cloud or other internet-hosted services, an SD-WAN can help make cloud communication faster, more efficient and more secure. An SD-WAN lets users on a network connect directly to the cloud, without routing through the public internet, creating a safer bridge between local devices and cloud-based applications. This direct access is significantly more efficient, and ultimately more cost-effective. However, the flexibility and freedom that a cloud-based platform provides can be quickly brought back under restriction by an SD-WAN’s limited vendor experience. These platforms are typically only supported by a single provider, meaning the implementation and use of an SD-WAN will be subject to their limiting policies and protocols.
- A growing organization. An SD-WAN is highly scalable as its use eliminates the need for the installation of additional hardware when a new site is added to the network. But it’s still extremely costly to implement, and that expense is increased exponentially as an organization continues to grow. The solution’s scalability is a definite advantage, but only insofar as an expanding company can afford to support.
Push Your Wide-Area Connections to the Limit
An SD-WAN modernizes and simplifies the powerful networking capabilities of a traditional WAN, but even this cloud-friendly adaptation to traditional WAN has its drawbacks. The presence of these problems in modern SD-WAN structures raises the question: Is it actually possible to create a secure global network, even at an enterprise-level, that is also scalable, fast and flexible?
It is with ZeroTier, a secure network overlay that instantly creates safe, private networks that connect devices directly to each other. Virtual networking platform ZeroTier offers the robust security of a traditional WAN with the lightweight application of a software-defined platform for enterprises both large and small. ZeroTier is highly scalable, offering multiple models optimized for a variety of use cases — from smart home offices for remote workers to multinational industrial networks.
Light and flexible, ZeroTier is packed with security features to keep a user or enterprise, and their data, completely secure. Virtual ethernet provides direct device-to-device connection even oceans apart, empowering bigger networks while maintaining the safety and privacy of a Local Area Network. End-to-end encryption helps to add even more armor around data transfers of any length — and it’s completely in the user’s hands. ZeroTier works with any size enterprise to ensure they maintain total autonomy over their own networks. Best of all, ZeroTier’s platform is easy to install over whatever architecture a company already has in place, no matter how far apart those places may be.
Ready to take device connectivity to the next level with virtual networking software? Get started with ZeroTier today.