SD-WAN solutions

Improve network performance with SD-WAN solutions

Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technology can be a powerful tool for modernizing an aging network. By creating secure internet connections instead of routing traffic through a data center, SD-WAN solutions improve connectivity and simplify network management.

However, implementing SD-WAN solutions can be a resource-intensive task that adds additional burden to IT teams that are already struggling with a backlog of projects and a lack of skilled expertise. Building and managing an SD-WAN requires in-house teams to design the network architecture, install networking hardware, manage software licensing, troubleshoot issues and maintain and upgrade equipment over time. That’s why a growing number of businesses are choosing to work with partners who offer SD-WAN managed services.

As a leading provider of scalable, fiber technology solutions to America’s largest businesses, Spectrum Enterprise offers Managed SD-WAN services that deliver a customized and cost-effective option for implementing SD-WAN solutions.

The benefits of SD-WAN solutions

SD-WAN solutions create a virtual overlay on top of an organization’s existing network infrastructure, which might include connection types like broadband, MPLS, LTE and others. This virtualization enables an SD-WAN to dynamically route traffic based on the specific needs of each application or connection, using real-time monitoring and analytics to make routing decisions. For example, if an SD-WAN detects congestion on a primary route, it can seamlessly switch to an alternative path to maintain optimal application performance and low latency performance. This dynamic, application-aware approach allows SD-WAN to prioritize critical functions like video conferencing or cloud applications over less urgent traffic, which enhances user experience and reduces performance issues. 

SD-WAN benefits include: 

• Improved performance: SD-WAN prioritizes critical applications and optimizes traffic routes for better user experiences and minimized latency.
• Cost savings: SD-WAN minimizes connectivity costs by reducing the use of expensive MPLS circuits and integrating lower-cost internet connections.
• Enhanced security: End-to-end encryption, firewalls and secure connections help protect data across all network paths.
• Centralized management: Administrators can easily monitor the network, apply policies and troubleshoot issues from a single platform to simplify administration.
• Increased flexibility: SD-WAN solutions can scale to support multiple sites and adapt quickly to meet evolving network needs without requiring substantial hardware investments.
• Greater reliability: The ability to automatically reroute traffic in case of congestion or link failure helps to ensure consistent network availability.

SD-WAN solutions from Spectrum Enterprise

Managed SD-WAN from Spectrum Enterprise gives your organization a complete, agile and virtualized wide area network while offering administrators greater visibility and control. With this SD-WAN solution, you can easily and cost-effectively implement optimal network design and connectivity to ensure that all your users, systems and applications perform at their best.

Our SD-WAN solutions can be customized to precisely support your needs. Our experts can help with network design, selecting connectivity options, managing installation, project management and ongoing assistance. Managed SD-WAN includes hardware, licensing and device support while enabling your teams to choose whether to manage the network in-house or allocate co-management responsibilities to us.

Managed SD-WAN includes:

• A choice of multiple high-speed connectivity options that include fiber, coaxial and wireless.
• Public cloud integration that allows you to quickly and securely leverage key public computing and storage environments.
• Application-aware intelligent routing to steer traffic across best-performing paths.
• Security measures that meet or exceed your security needs.
• End-to-end management and support from a single source provider, with 24/7/365 U.S.-based support and skilled local technicians.
• An easy-to-use management portal that delivers real time insight into network performance, traffic, utilization and policies.

The Advantages of Spectrum Enterprise Managed SD-WAN

With Managed SD-WAN, you can:

• Deploy quickly: Use SD-WAN solutions and site-to-site VPN to quickly and securely create a WAN and expand it to new locations.
• Adapt to dynamic workloads: Automatically route, secure, and optimize traffic with advanced technology from Cisco and Fortinet. Accommodate more locations and more data with a solution that evolves with your needs.
• Reduce complexity:  As a complete end-to-end solution, Managed SD-WAN eliminates the complexity of working with multiple vendors and integrating disparate technologies.
• Expand security: Add security measures like a firewall and unified threat management (UTM) capabilities at each location.
• Improve the user experience: Use optional advanced analytics with machine learning and smart path selection to create exceptional experiences for business-critical applications across public clouds or private data centers.
• Simplify management: Enjoy a seamless experience with comprehensive support, simplified billing and faster resolution from one nationwide partner that supports you 24/7/365.
• Adopt SD-WAN on your terms: Migrate your WAN at your own pace to enhance existing infrastructure, or to layer SD-WAN over internet access to create an entirely new network. 

Why customers choose Spectrum Enterprise

At Spectrum Enterprise, we help our clients solve unique business challenges with custom technology solutions. We work diligently to anticipate the technology needs of our customers and we design and tailor innovative solutions to fulfill them. Our expertise, our work ethic and our broad portfolio make us an ideal technology partner for many of the country’s largest businesses and communications service providers, including 80 percent of the Fortune 500.¹

When partnering with Spectrum Enterprise, you can count on:

• Superior performance. Our nationwide fiber network combines superior speed, efficiency and security to power digital transformation.
• A consultative approach. We never settle for a one-size-fits-all solution. We learn the ins and outs of your business and partner with your teams to plan, develop, deploy and support solutions that help achieve your goals.

FAQs

What are SD-WAN solutions?

SD-WAN solutions are software-based platforms and services that enable businesses to design, implement and manage a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). These solutions help organizations optimize their network performance by routing traffic intelligently across multiple connection types, such as broadband, MPLS and LTE, based on real-time network conditions and the specific needs of applications. SD-WAN solutions typically include centralized management tools for monitoring, configuring and securing network traffic, making it easier to manage complex, multi-site networks.

What is SD-WAN vs VPN?

While SD-WAN and VPN both secure connections over public or private networks, SD-WAN is a broader solution that optimizes traffic dynamically and is designed for managing complex, multi-site networks. VPNs create secure, encrypted tunnels for remote access, but they lack the traffic prioritization and failover capabilities that SD-WAN provides. SD-WAN offers greater flexibility and centralized control, whereas VPN is primarily suited to individual or small-scale secure access needs.

What is SD-WAN vs MPLS?

SD-WAN and MPLS are both used for wide area networking, but MPLS relies on dedicated, private lines for highly reliable, low-latency connections, making it a traditional choice for secure business applications. In contrast, SD-WAN leverages various connection types and dynamically routes traffic to optimize performance and cost, particularly for cloud-based applications. SD-WAN is generally more flexible and scalable than MPLS, allowing for greater adaptability to modern, multi-location networking needs.

¹Based on Fortune 500 companies with at least one service from Spectrum Enterprise in service area.