Did you know that businesses are not only resizing their workforces but also their IT budgets? As virtual workforces expand globally and cloud application adoption increases, businesses are grappling with network management and security challenges. These concerns are driving organisations to seek secure and simplified solutions for multi-level network load problems.
In this article, we will explore networking options that businesses can consider, such as SD-WAN services, and outline 10 steps for building business networks using SD-WAN. We will also cover “What is WAN?” extensively. However, the most valuable takeaway is the availability of SD-WAN managed services provided by third-party providers. These solutions can help your business stay competitive in the emerging technology-driven business environment.
Understanding WAN
What Is WAN? It is an internet network that is spread over a wide geographic area, thus earning the acronym WAN. Wide Area Network may span large geographic areas like a city or even a country. At the same time such WANs can connect other local area networks (LANs)leading to a widespread connectivity hub over very large physical areas.
The internet for WANs can be a combination of leased lines or satellite links, and even microwave connections in order to connect even remote locations. These networks are crucial for businesses with multiple branches or remote employees, as they provide seamless connectivity and allow for easy access to resources regardless of location.
What are the Networking Options Available for Businesses?
The location or the city in which the businesses will typically define the types of networking options that can be available. However, the budget a business can use to set up a network and the infrastructure technical support too will determine the network option to be used. The options to explore are-
- Local Area Network (LAN)
- Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Cloud Networking
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
- Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN)
- Wireless Networking.
The variety of networking options that a business can choose can complicate decision-making. However, the most effective and value for money options that companies are implementing are – Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) services.
The high-rates of adoption of SD-WAN managed services is due to the enhancement of the overall efficiency and also the following:
- Faster and more reliable communication
- Streamlined processes
- Provide better security
- Offer access to essential resources
- Provide the expertise
- Cost savings
- Scalability
- Security with firewalls, VPNs, security policies
- Offer proactive monitoring and support
- Identify and resolve issues for network availability and performance
Considering the broad range of advantages of SD-WAN managed services, most businesses are implementing the following 10 steps to build their own business network.
How to Build a Business Network using SD-WAN services?
Building a business network using SD-WAN services involves several essential steps. The following are ten effective steps which will guide you to build your software-defined WAN services:
- Know what the business needs: The first step is to find out the network requirements, as well as security needs, budget, and application performance. These factors are crucial to ensuring your SD-WAN solution delivers the capabilities your organisation needs.
- Select the network architecture that matches your requirements: In this step you will select the type of network architecture that should be ideal to run your new network. This includes defining network topology, determining the placement of SD-WAN devices, and defining network policies
- Evaluate/review potential issues: This is a very important step as it allows you to prevent potential issues. A mandatory part of this step is to evaluate your current network infrastructure so you have better analytics to explore potential problems and strengthen the network design.
- Install SD-WAN devices: In this stage, setting-up the SD-WAN devices has to be prioritised.
- Configure network: Once the SD-WAN devices are installed, the network configuration has to be implemented. Typically this is an auto provisioning feature, and related networking needs like security policies, QoS policies, and application policies too need to be established.
- Test the solution: This is the stage at which you can determine if your network parameters choices have been adequate. The test phase identifies performance, checks for its optimised performance and if security policies are implemented correctly.
- Monitor the network: In this step, the network should be evaluated or monitored for network continuity. It becomes the most effective way to identify potential problems.
- Optimise the network: This final stage of setting up your business network is essential as the newly setup network needs to be optimised for all the factors. This can be done by monitoring the network traffic, identifying potential bottlenecks, and adjusting network policies.
- Continuously evaluate and improve: Finally, it is essential to evaluate the SD-WAN solution continuously and improve it as needed. This includes monitoring network performance, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing new features and capabilities.
Hence, a strategic approach to building a business network should include the use of SD-WAN services. But, many businesses, neither have the resources nor the talent to initiate a full fledged SD-WAN system on their own as they may not have the qualified personnel to run and maintain such a system. A great alternative to have such a system in place in an organisation is SD-WAN managed services.
How Can Third Party SD-WAN Solution Providers Build Your Business Network?
SD-WAN services that a reliable NaaS (Network As A Services) provider offers have several benefits, including:
- Network Performance: With third-party providers, a business network can always be optimised for optimised performance since they implement advanced analytics and monitoring tools. You no longer need to worry about your network not being utilised optimally.
- Security Strengthening: The use of SD-WAN solutions ensures all the front-line security features like – firewalls, encryption, VPNs, intrusion detection and extensive prevention systems are in place.
- Scalability: These services are scalable, allowing businesses to easily add new locations and increase bandwidth as their needs evolve.
- Simplified Management: Services are fully managed, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations while they handle network management.
- Cost Savings: Services offer cost savings by reducing the need for expensive MPLS circuits and by optimising network bandwidth utilisation.
However, the value-add from partnering with third-party providers is not only having the best networking technology and infrastructure on-premise but experts to run the whole networking services for you. A professionally managed network that addresses the needs of your employee, right from designing to customising features to your workflow is available with SD-WAN Managed Service providers. The advantage is ongoing support, proactive monitoring and high-performing network.
Final Words
Hence, building a business network needs more than strategic decision-making and right infrastructure. You need the expertise and 24 X7 monitoring to ensure that your business has a consistent network for the entire establishment. Considering the pressures of such a process, it clearly makes business sense to collaborate with the right provider and experience SD-WAN managed services. You can empower your business with such NaaS providers who handle all of the networking needs without you or your team having to invest time or resources, leaving you better placed to focus on core competencies. Switch to a complete solution suite that improves network performance, reduces costs, and increases productivity. By following the steps outlined above and partnering with a trusted provider, you can build a secure, scalable, and efficient network that meets their specific needs.
