Juniper Contrail SD-WAN Reviews

Users cite Juniper Contrail SD-WAN's effectiveness in reducing operational costs, enhancing network performance, and simplifying management processes. They note significant improvements in scalability and flexibility, driving better user satisfaction. Users appreciate the robust security features that protect their environments. They frequently mention cost savings and increased efficiency, contributing to a quicker return on investment. Users also highlight how easy deployment and maintenance lead to reduced downtime and improved productivity.

The licensing structure of Juniper Contrail SD-WAN is very flexible, accommodating various IT infrastructures. It involves a one-time hardware purchase fee and annual software fees, with additional costs for extra features. Users find it provides excellent ROI due to lower operational costs and longer product lifetimes compared to competitors. Pricing is considered mid-range, comparable to vendors like Meraki or Aruba. Some customers prefer Juniper over more expensive alternatives like Fortinet, particularly larger enterprises.

• "They are neither very expensive nor cheap. So, we can consider its pricing somewhere in the middle."
• "The cost of the solution is a little expensive. The hardware is a one-time purchase fee and the software is purchased on an annual basis. There are additional costs for other software features that are available which are on an annual basis, such as extra capacity."
• "The licensing structure is very flexible."

Organizations deploy Juniper Contrail SD-WAN to convert hardwired, on-premise networks into software-defined wide area networks, providing flexibility to adjust the network. It centralizes orchestration across branches, enables better application control, and cuts costs by reducing MPLs and using improved internet access. Customers leverage it to configure components across various stores and manage SQL solutions, increasing operational efficiency.

Customer service and support for Juniper Contrail SD-WAN receive high marks. Clients report that support from Juniper and local partners is very good. While some users haven't had direct contact with support yet, others commend the responsiveness when live support is needed and rate it a nine out of ten. The technical support services are consistently described as good.

Users found Juniper Contrail SD-WAN's initial setup to be straightforward but noted potential variability in time required, taking about 30 to 60 days based on project scope. Some encountered issues with specific equipment needing firmware upgrades but found configuration manageable. However, proficiency in the technology is necessary, with some finding solutions like Fortinet more intuitive. Experience deploying both on cloud and on-premises was positive, though on-premises setups faced more complexity, particularly with the hub component.

Juniper Contrail SD-WAN is highly scalable for large enterprises. It offers hardware and software options for scalability, allowing it to manage many branches. Designed for service providers, it emphasizes scalability and availability. Though very scalable, it previously had issues with feature sets and security scaling. It remains more scalable than other tools not reliant on VPN integration.

Juniper Contrail SD-WAN is described as very stable, with some noting it can run for years without requiring resets, unlike Cisco. Although some users have only used it for a short period and cannot fully confirm long-term reliability, others rate its stability highly at nine. Previous long-term experience with Meraki led them to believe in the potential for stability, and so far, they observe no failures with Juniper Contrail SD-WAN.