SD-WAN – Managed or Do it Yourself?

SD-WAN, a software-based approach to wide-area network management, provides the flexibility, agility, efficiency and improved usability that modern organizations require. It is characterized by simple deployment, centralized manageability and lower costs. The key benefit is the ability to manage multiple connection types – from broadband to LTE to MPLS – to enable a better application experience for the end user at each location. As organizations consider deployment architectures and potential partners for SD-WAN, the question is whether to go the do-it-yourself route alone, opt for a jointly managed service, or a fully managed service. It’s important that organizations know exactly what each option entails before making a decision.

1. managed SD WAN vs. do-it-yourself

Do It Yourself model. To do it yourself or not? That’s the question companies looking to implement SD-WAN are asking themselves. Some organizations purchase SD-WAN routing equipment and choose to install and configure it themselves at each site. This is the Do It Yourself model. Others, for example, hire a system integrator to take these steps and then decide to manage the network themselves. Or they hire a managed network services provider that offers different variations, from provisioning and maintenance to co-managed or fully managed network services.

Co-management mode. Many organizations find that scaling/rolling out an SD-WAN to global sites can become very complex and they need a managed service provider. The organization may want to operate in a co-management mode where the service provider ensures the deployment and management of the infrastructure and internal teams take over the deployment of new applications by creating new application-based routing policies via a web portal and changing them instantly as required. Managed Service ProvidersOthers need comprehensive support so that internal teams can focus on more strategic areas of cloud transformation and end-user experience. A managed service provider can help select the right mix of broadband, 4G/LTE transport and MPLS to meet application response speeds and the organization’s cost objectives. It depends on the business and its capabilities as well as priorities as to which model is the right fit.

2. what are the three most important reasons for choosing a managed SD WAN service ?

Do It Yourself

Unclear SLAs and problem-solving processes

SLAs must be agreed with each ISP worldwide and can sometimes be difficult to enforce and harmonize. Technical support, service-related communication, troubleshooting and dispute resolution, etc. Each provider regulates this differently.

Contractual complexity

Numerous contracts and invoices have to be controlled and managed globally. Complex and time-consuming.

Limited, independent safety functions

SD-WAN offers native support for IPSec tunneling to encrypt traffic, but this is not a panacea – additional protection measures are required. SASE or ZERO-Trust.

Co-managed or fully managed SD WAN

Clear SLAs and problem-solving processes

SLAs that guarantee performance and connectivity apply to all locations. A single point of contact and a single process for technical support, troubleshooting and service-related communication across all ISPs.

Simplicity and flexibility of contracts

Simpler billing and greater commercial flexibility with the ability to add new regions, capacity and application performance as well as security services as required or to flexibly terminate sites using sunset clauses.

Connectivity becomes an integral part of security

Organizations can choose from a range of additional security services, including cloud-based web traffic filtering, role-based access controls and internal network segmentation. SASE and ZERO-Trust solutions.

role-based access controls and internal network segmentation. SASE and ZERO-Trust solutions.

3. from physical to virtual

With SD-WAN, devices are installed at each location that orchestrate data traffic via an overlay network. Smaller companies often opt for a dedicated SD-WAN appliance. For companies with more demanding network requirements, these appliances can be automatically connected to cloud or network-based platforms that support virtualized functions such as firewalls, routers and application optimization at scale and speed.

4. conclusion

There is no single way to manage SD-WAN. Organizations need to carefully determine which path is best for them when it comes to deploying and managing SD-WAN, taking into account their business requirements over the next 2-5 years.

That’s why Savecall works with partners who can provide any type of SD-WAN, so we can support our customers in their development and transition to SD-WAN, whichever way they choose to go

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Frank Frommknecht

Key Account Consultant