Big Switch Networks vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN comparison

Big Switch Networks is at the forefront of the next-generation of networking technologies. By combining industry standard switch hardware (“white box / branded white box “brite box”) with intelligent SDN control software, the company is delivering next-generation data center networking fabrics for the world’s most advanced data centers looking to achieve unmatched degrees of network automation at cloud-competitive price points.

Big Switch Networks has two data center networking solutions: Big Cloud Fabric, a data center switching fabric for OpenStack clouds or VMware virtualization environments, and Big Monitoring Fabric, a network packet broker that enables pervasive security and security, monitoring data center traffic for inline or out-of-band deployments. Big Switch is taking three key technologies: vendor agnostic switch hardware, SDN control software, and core-and-pod data center designs –and leveraging them for use in next-generation data center switching and monitoring solutions designed for use in enterprises, cloud providers, and service providers.

All Big Switch solutions run on high-performance open networking switches from Accton or Dell Technologies and leverage centralized SDN controller software for fabric-wide control and management. Big Switch Networks has two solutions:

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN serves to connect remote offices, reduce MPLS costs, and facilitate cloud and internet access while providing secure connectivity and centralized management for hybrid networks.

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is leveraged for secure connectivity, load balancing, VPN, centralized network management, and migrating from traditional networks to SD-WAN. It supports hybrid networks, enabling centralized management across branches and data centers, improving security, and optimizing bandwidth usage. Industries such as banking and retail benefit from its capabilities for secure and efficient network management.

What are the main features of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN?

• Centralized Management: Simplifies network operations and administration.
• Application-Level Routing: Enhances performance for critical applications.
• Segmentation: Provides robust network segmentation for security.
• Policy Configuration: Customizable policies for traffic management.
• Real-Time Traffic Visibility: Enables monitoring for better insights.
• Load Balancing: Distributes network traffic efficiently.
• Hybrid Cloud Connectivity: Seamless integration with cloud services.
• Deep Packet Inspection: Detailed traffic analysis for security.
• High Security: Offers strong security protocols to protect the network.
• Ease of Deployment: Features like zero-touch provisioning simplify setup.

What benefits should be considered in reviews?

• Cost Savings: Reduces operational expenses through efficient network management.
• Reliability: Proven performance and uptime for critical operations.
• Scalability: Grows with the organization's needs.
• Integrated Health Monitoring: Proactively identifies and resolves issues.
• Industry Trust: Cisco's reputation for quality and support.

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN's implementation in banking enhances secure transaction communication between branches and data centers. Retailers utilize it to ensure steady connectivity for point-of-sale systems and inventory management. Organizations benefit from centralized management, making it easier to handle networks across multiple locations.