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August 16, 2023

SD-WAN Smart Edge vs Traditional SD-WAN

Traditional SD-WAN has evolved into SD-WAN Smart Edge with integrated features to provide intelligent and distributed functions. SD-WAN Smart Edge is not an industry terminology; its usage varies depending on context. The enhancement of SD-WAN architecture with edge intelligence can be termed SD-WAN Smart Edge. This article elaborates on the emergence of SD-WAN smart edge and how it differs from traditional SD-WAN.

Traditional SD-WAN
The key features of traditional SD-WAN are as follows:
Centralised controller: In traditional SD-WAN, the brain manages and monitors the network traffic. Using traditional SD-WAN, you can collect real-time data using predefined policies to determine the movement of data packets.

Multiple WAN links: Organisations can use multiple WAN links for redundancy, enabling efficient bandwidth utilisation. The links can be derived from Internet Service Providers (ISPs), LTE, broadband, or satellite connection.

Selecting the best path: Dynamic path selection is an essential feature of traditional SD-WAN as it helps to choose the best data transmission path for real-time network conditions. Using the centralised controller, the performance of WAN links is monitored, and the optimal approach is selected.

Load balancing: The traditional SD-WAN load balancing feature helps in seamless traffic distribution without choking any link. The distribution across multiple WAN links reduces bottlenecks. Through load balancing, the bandwidth is maximised, and performance is improved.

Quality of Service: Setting up QoS policies prioritises critical network traffic. For instance, voice and video conferencing are preferred over non-critical applications.

Basic security features: Traditional SD-WAN offers security features like encryption, firewalls, and data protection.

VPN: Virtual Private Network in traditional SD-WAN create secure connections for branch and remote offices.

SD-WAN Smart edge
The features of SD-WAN Smart Edge are discussed below:
Intelligence at the network edge: The end users and devices can now access intelligence closer to them without depending on the centralised controller. It reduces latency and enriches user experience.

Decentralisation: With multiple edge points, intelligence is distributed, giving rise to decentralised architecture. It offers efficient traffic handling and higher scalability with network expansion.

Advanced security: SD-WAN Smart Edge provides security features like integrated firewalls, encryption, and threat detection at the edge to protect data from threats.

Enhanced application performance: Application performance is optimised with edge intelligence enabling quick decision-making. Dynamic path selection is possible with real-time network solutions.

Comparison between traditional SD-WAN and SD-WAN Smart Edge

  • In SD-WAN, Smart Edge intelligence is pushed network edge giving decision-making capabilities to edge devices. It helps reduce latency by taking routing decisions at the edge. In comparison, traditional SD-WAN supports edge devices by relying on the centralised controller for network-wide decisions. SD-WAN smart edge gives priority to edge intelligence when compared to conventional SD-WAN.
  • SD-WAN Smart Edge relies on distributed architecture to spread intelligence across edge devices and users. The decentralisation results in extensive scalability and high performance even in complex networks. On the contrary, traditional SD-WAN is centralised, and the controller makes decisions. Therefore the latter is suitable for less complex environments.
  • Security is a critical feature in any network architecture. With threats compromising organisation data, tightening security at all levels is important. In SD-WAN Smart Edge, the security features are advanced and are available at the edge. Encryption, threat detection, and in-built firewalls offer perimeter network security. In comparison, traditional SD-WAN offers security features at the centralised level.
  • Optimising application performance: SD-WAN Smart Edge promotes optimised application performance through dynamic path selection at the edge. This provides a superior user experience for vital applications. Traditional SD-WAN primarily focuses on centralised decision-making for improving application performance. The decision for selecting the optimal data traffic path lies with the centralised controller.
  • The SD-WAN Smart Edge is usually integrated with the existing SD-WAN architecture to save on cost by using the current deployments while garnering the benefits of edge intelligence. Traditional SD-WAN does not emphasize integrating SD-WAN Smart Edge features, as they are poles apart regarding design principles.

Traditional SD-WAN and SD-WAN Smart Edge differ depending on the vendor’s products. The growing demands of modern applications have forced the networking industry to evolve, catering to distributed workloads. In this connection, SD-WAN Smart Edge is the ideal solution to meet advanced and intelligent networks. The success of SD-WAN Smart Edge depends on accurate time implementations and market demands.

SMOAD multi-WAN, Cloud, and SD-WAN routers can benefit from edge computing and SD-WAN in one.

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