Key aspects of selecting a Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solution include:
Application performance optimization
Network security features
Scalability
Ease of integration
Centralized management
Cost-effectiveness
The ability to optimize application performance is crucial for any SD-WAN Solution. This feature ensures that critical applications receive priority, maintaining high performance across the network. Security capabilities are also a top priority, as robust encryption and threat prevention tools can protect data as it traverses multiple networks. Scalability should not be overlooked, allowing organizations to grow their network bandwidth as their demands increase. Seamless integration with existing network architectures is vital for minimizing disruption during deployment.
Centralized management simplifies configuration and monitoring, enabling IT teams to efficiently manage network resources from a single console. This feature also reduces complexity by streamlining network operations. Cost-effectiveness is another consideration, with many solutions offering various pricing models to match different business strategies. Evaluating total cost of ownership includes factoring in both initial deployment expenses and ongoing operational costs, ensuring the chosen SD-WAN Solution delivers value. Overall, these features combine to support a resilient and flexible network infrastructure.
Search for a product comparison in Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions
Executive Consultant & Architect at a tech company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Apr 2, 2018
Update: With the acquisitions that have taken place in the recent six to eight months, the market is consolidating. VMware is going to give Cisco a run for the Cloud access market using SD-WAN.
SD-WAN is a key component of not only an Intelligent WAN, but access to what we use WAN for... which are your applications. Your applications in many cases are headed to the Cloud.
VMware now has Velocloud, giving VMware a strong solution from end to end into Cloud.
Cisco with Viptela , give Cisco a strong play when integrating with ACI and Cloud.
There are many good vendors, but how many can go end to end in a Secure solution.
SD-WAN is without a doubt the key to the WAN and CLOUD access for the foreseeable future.
Executive Consultant & Architect at a tech company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Aug 8, 2017
SD-WAN, when done correctly, provides Secure Access to Multi-Cloud services, reliable and higher availability of network connectivity, optimized and faster application performance and it allows any company to use any transport circuits they want... without being locked into any one Carrier.
Secure SD-WAN is WAN freedom of choice.
Secure SD-WAN gives you application visibility
Secure SD-WAN greatly improves access to any Cloud service you use
Sr.Engineer-High Touch Technical Services at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Sep 30, 2016
1: Commitment to your SD-WAN vendor
2: Centralized policy and configuration manager
While you won't need feature-rich, easy-to-use management tools on day one, be sure your SD-WAN vendor has what you need when you are ready
3:Aggregation platform
4:Routing functionality and resilience
5:Security
6:Multivendor interoperability
7:Automation
Automation features could come in very useful, especially if you have a very large network. For example, you might find that the QoS requirements for the regular workday differ dramatically from after-hours when backups are run. Manually changing the QoS before and after each workday is not a good strategy -- but automation could make it a breeze.
8:Big data
The SD-WAN system will have access to vast amounts of data about your network and your traffic. A benefit of a single-vendor, proprietary system is that it should be relatively easy to implement data mining. Big data capabilities can help you spot trends and plan for future network expansion before users start complaining about current network capacity.
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks and others in Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions. Updated: April 2026.
Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions are advanced networking tools designed to optimize and manage wide area networks by utilizing software-defined technology. They prioritize application traffic, enhance performance, and increase security for enterprises.
These solutions are rapidly transforming how organizations manage their network infrastructure by simplifying the complexity of a traditional WAN setup. SD-WAN enhances the user experience by providing seamless connectivity...
Key aspects of selecting a Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solution include:
The ability to optimize application performance is crucial for any SD-WAN Solution. This feature ensures that critical applications receive priority, maintaining high performance across the network. Security capabilities are also a top priority, as robust encryption and threat prevention tools can protect data as it traverses multiple networks. Scalability should not be overlooked, allowing organizations to grow their network bandwidth as their demands increase. Seamless integration with existing network architectures is vital for minimizing disruption during deployment.
Centralized management simplifies configuration and monitoring, enabling IT teams to efficiently manage network resources from a single console. This feature also reduces complexity by streamlining network operations. Cost-effectiveness is another consideration, with many solutions offering various pricing models to match different business strategies. Evaluating total cost of ownership includes factoring in both initial deployment expenses and ongoing operational costs, ensuring the chosen SD-WAN Solution delivers value. Overall, these features combine to support a resilient and flexible network infrastructure.
Update: With the acquisitions that have taken place in the recent six to eight months, the market is consolidating. VMware is going to give Cisco a run for the Cloud access market using SD-WAN.
SD-WAN is a key component of not only an Intelligent WAN, but access to what we use WAN for... which are your applications. Your applications in many cases are headed to the Cloud.
VMware now has Velocloud, giving VMware a strong solution from end to end into Cloud.
Cisco with Viptela , give Cisco a strong play when integrating with ACI and Cloud.
There are many good vendors, but how many can go end to end in a Secure solution.
SD-WAN is without a doubt the key to the WAN and CLOUD access for the foreseeable future.
SD-WAN, when done correctly, provides Secure Access to Multi-Cloud services, reliable and higher availability of network connectivity, optimized and faster application performance and it allows any company to use any transport circuits they want... without being locked into any one Carrier.
Secure SD-WAN is WAN freedom of choice.
Secure SD-WAN gives you application visibility
Secure SD-WAN greatly improves access to any Cloud service you use
With SD-WAN done well, your business runs better.
1: Commitment to your SD-WAN vendor
2: Centralized policy and configuration manager
While you won't need feature-rich, easy-to-use management tools on day one, be sure your SD-WAN vendor has what you need when you are ready
3:Aggregation platform
4:Routing functionality and resilience
5:Security
6:Multivendor interoperability
7:Automation
Automation features could come in very useful, especially if you have a very large network. For example, you might find that the QoS requirements for the regular workday differ dramatically from after-hours when backups are run. Manually changing the QoS before and after each workday is not a good strategy -- but automation could make it a breeze.
8:Big data
The SD-WAN system will have access to vast amounts of data about your network and your traffic. A benefit of a single-vendor, proprietary system is that it should be relatively easy to implement data mining. Big data capabilities can help you spot trends and plan for future network expansion before users start complaining about current network capacity.