An intelligent network…
SD-WAN intelligently binds two or more data services together: ADSL and Ethernet, for example. The SD-WAN box then treats the amalgamated services as a single data pipe, and splits data packages intelligently over these services to maximise speed. It chooses which service to send each packet through by measuring real-time performance – intelligently compensating for packet loss, latency, jitter and capacity – and picking the best link for each packet of data. It then assembles the packets at the other end.
The SD-WAN box is smart enough to prioritise data packets according to their application. So a voice call or video conference, which needs super low latency, will take priority over email or an OS update. The result is communication that’s clear and consistent, that doesn’t get in the way of being productive.
…that’s quick to deploy…
Transmission links like ADSL and EFM (Ethernet First Mile) are available at most sites. By using these instead of traditional private leased lines, SD-WAN makes site rollouts fast and simple.
Where traditional MPLS-based line installations could take a couple of months from request to go-live, an SD-WAN site can be connected to an ADSL line and be operational in less than a week.
For immediate deployment at new sites that don’t already have a land-based link, we can use 4G to get your site up and running almost immediately. If you have a site that will never have a land-based link (like a pop-up shop or construction site), we’ve got you covered there too: SD-WAN can run permanently over 4G.
…without on-site technicians…
SD-WAN amalgamates a number of traditionally separate hardware items into a single box. The functionality of routers, firewalls and switches is built into the Macquarie Telecom Edge device that sits at each of your sites.
In traditional WANs, these appliances are often supplied and supported by different vendors, which makes setup, maintenance and troubleshooting a cumbersome process.
The Edge box can be installed by someone with no technical expertise. It’s remotely configurable, so there’s no need for technicians to attend your site for an installation or upgrade. Device configuration and policy changes are all performed remotely too, using the Macquarie Telecom Orchestrator. We’ll introduce that next.
…and which can be controlled from a single screen…
SD-WAN provides control over your entire network from a single screen.
We call our control portal the Orchestrator. It lets you activate new sites or reconfigure existing ones, monitor network performance in real-time, and troubleshoot. If the network isn’t performing at its best, you can view traffic in real time and break it down by application, site or user.
Whether the network is being dragged down by a large software update rollout or a spike in personal YouTube streaming, the cause can be identified on the spot, and rectified.
…to deliver supreme application performance…
SD-WAN is designed for a multi-app world. You can prioritise network traffic so business-critical apps have bandwidth to fly, while personal apps like YouTube streaming are kept at bay.
The Orchestrator provides granular control over how you prioritise your applications. Over 3,000 apps are already classified and can be instantly prioritised. You can easily customise app traffic according to your specific business needs, too.
This means that business-critical video conferencing and remote desktop sharing can take priority over Facebook browsing or YouTube streaming. It also means you can make realtime traffic flow adjustments instantly for your whole network, the moment they become necessary.
…that’s compliant with security standards…
SD-WAN is secure from end-to-end.
Standard IPsec encryption is provided, no matter what type of connecting links it steers the data across.
This means that security standards like PCI 3.0, which protect financial transaction data travelling to and from retail sites, are assured at all points along the SD-WAN network. By including compliance as part of your network functionality, you’ll have more flexibility and control over your payment processing systems.
…and gives you class-leading uptime…
Multipath technology does more than deliver fast data and transfer performance. It also delivers redundancy through the use of more than one link.
When the single link in a traditional private network goes down, business is put on hold until the network is restored. SD-WAN is different. By using more than one link, across different technologies, downtime is virtually unheard of. The Edge can instantly change data traffic routing when a link falls down, so your staff can keep doing business.
You also have the option of using more than one carrier to provide your links. We call this carrier diversity, and it prevents a carrier-wide outage from bringing your business to a standstill.
…at no extra cost over traditional networks.
SD-WAN is no more expensive than traditional MPLS-based WANs.
It’s more flexible, it’s quicker to deploy, and it confines on-site technicians and complex network management to the past.
It’s built for a modern environment where applications and data live in the cloud, and unlike traditional networks, its architecture doesn’t get in the way of high performance.