SD-WAN network solutions offer distinct benefits for K-12

Educators know that every student learns differently. In light of this, schools are expanding their offerings and turning to technology to allow them to implement their initiatives. Remote and hybrid learning, 1:1 learning initiatives, cloud-based learning and administrative systems, bandwidth-intensive video streaming and esports are all accelerating the need for transformation of the wide area networks in use today within schools and districts.

With updated technology, schools and districts can support learning models that adapt to students’ unique needs and classroom technologies. To deliver on the promise of new teaching platforms and online learning initiatives, districts need scalable solutions that support increased bandwidth needs, and many are turning to software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solutions.

In an effort to gain efficiency and effectiveness, school districts are embracing cloud applications that support academic and business operational goals. Schools nationwide are seeing the benefits of cloud computing when it comes to modernizing processes and infrastructure. Industry observers predict K–12 education’s cloud computing market will have increased by $1.74 billion in 2026.

But each new initiative comes with built-in challenges. According to CoSN, “While most districts have embraced cloud computing to some degree, the challenge now lies in strategically managing a multicloud environment. This involves selecting the right mix of services, ensuring data security and privacy, optimizing costs, and maintaining flexibility for future needs.”

Benefits of managed SD-WAN Network services

A 2024 CoSN survey of Edtech leaders discovered that about half of school districts have inadequate staff needed to provide classroom technology integration and support. Managed services provide a cost-effective way for districts to help them meet technology needs while releasing your staff for other priorities. Not only can managed services convert capital expense (CapEx) into operational expense (OpEX) opportunities, but it can also save on hiring, training, and salary expenses for additional IT staff. 

When a district buys and installs its own network infrastructure, it becomes accountable for implementing patches and upgrades to keep these systems secure. With managed SD-WAN Network services, security patches and firmware changes are handled by trusted partners to keep the networks continually secure and updated. Overworked K-12 IT departments can then offload hardware installation, system configuration, maintenance, updates, and network administration to that trusted and experienced partner. 

Ensuring data security and privacy

Because it often uses public internet connections, SD-WAN is sometimes viewed as more vulnerable to data breaches than MPLS. However, the correct SD-WAN solutions include standard features such encryption, encapsulation, and perimeter defense with next generation firewalls and unified threat management. And because SD-WAN can provide better visibility and control over network traffic, it can enable robust cyberdefense.

SD-WAN solutions and cloud access are helping schools ramp up physical security, as well as cybersecurity. Districts can store their surveillance video in the cloud and keep their artificial intelligence–based cameras and security tech always connected.

Optimizing costs – SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN is more cost-effective for K-12 than MPLS, because SD-WAN allows the use of less expensive internet connections, while also using advanced technology and routing decisions to deliver performance, reliability, and security. MPLS is inherently more expensive due to its reliance on private circuits. 

An SD-WAN can use any internet access available, which supports a full range of high-speed connectivity options and transport types. They also deliver the security and predictable performance of private connections with the efficiency of internet-based connections. This means greater agility to adapt to different workloads and to prioritize traffic in real time.

SD-WAN also requires less on-site equipment than MPLS. This lowers the initial cost of infrastructure and setup, enables quicker deployment, and reduces running costs.

SD-WAN helps maintain flexibility to answer future needs

One of the most immediate advantages offered by cloud technology is the ability to ramp up a school’s activities and capacity regardless of the physical space or location it occupies. An increase in cloud technology usage is best accompanied by a shift from a more traditional network like MPLS to an SD-WAN (Software Defined-Wide Area Network).  This transition offers benefits like cost savings, improved performance, and easier management of the network, particularly for connecting schools and remote locations. 

Like MPLS, districts can use SD-WAN for network connection between remote branches, remote devices, data centers, and cloud applications. This means schools and districts can extend their SD-WAN service to quickly add new sites and off-network locations and rapidly upgrade bandwidth. This can be accomplished with no changes necessary to the existing infrastructure or network.

Advanced connectivity with guaranteed availability

To feed the network the internet access and bandwidth it requires, schools and districts should seek out technology partners who can deliver secure, high-capacity, low-latency connectivity. There are solutions available that support multi-device classrooms and reliable access to online and digital content with dedicated fiber internet connectivity, backed by a 100% uptime service-level agreement (SLA) guarantee. These solutions are eligible for E-Rate Category One funding. 

Spectrum Business can help

For more than 20 years, Spectrum Business has partnered with K-12 schools, districts, and libraries to provide managed education services tailored to evolving needs. With our wide range of managed services and networking technologies, we can help you extend your E-Rate funding and create education solutions that support new levels of student achievement.

Find out why some of the largest K-12 school districts in the U.S. rely on Spectrum Business for technology solutions.