With the continuous development of science and technology, various communication technologies and collaboration tools are increasingly updated and mature. Remote collaboration and off-site working have gradually become easy and convenient, and flexible hybrid office models have become common. How to achieve a hybrid workplace where employees can collaborate seamlessly regardless of geographical location? In this case, flexible networking solutions are particularly important. This article introduces solutions for SD-WAN hybrid network deployment to support an enterprise's hybrid flexible network office model.

Firstly, we should know what SD-WAN is and how amazing about it. Let’s dive in!

Ⅰ. What Is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN Definition

SD-WAN, also called Software Defined Wide Area Network, is a technology that simplifies the management and operation of a Wide Area Network (WAN) by separating the network hardware from its control mechanism. SD-WAN uses software-based controllers to direct traffic across the network, enabling more efficient, reliable, and secure communication for businesses. It is designed to optimize network performance, improve security, and reduce costs by leveraging multiple types of connectivity, such as MPLS, LTE, broadband, and more.

Ⅱ. How Does SD-WAN Work?

SD-WAN works by decoupling network control and management from the underlying hardware and using software to intelligently route traffic between multiple WAN connections.

Centralized Control

• Controller-Based Management: SD-WAN uses a centralized controller that oversees the entire network. This controller dynamically manages traffic flow based on predefined policies and real-time network conditions.
• Policy-Driven Traffic Management: Network administrators set policies that define how traffic should be handled. These policies can prioritize critical applications, ensure compliance with security protocols, and manage bandwidth usage.

Multiple Connectivity Options

• Hybrid WAN Connections: SD-WAN can use a combination of different types of connections, such as MPLS, broadband internet, LTE, and satellite. This allows businesses to use the most cost-effective and efficient path for their data.
• Dynamic Path Selection: The SD-WAN controller continuously monitors the performance of all available paths and can dynamically switch traffic to the best-performing connection, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

Enhanced Security

• Encryption: All data transmitted over the SD-WAN is encrypted, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access
• Secure Overlay Networks: SD-WAN creates secure overlay networks on top of existing infrastructure, providing an additional layer of security without needing to overhaul the entire network.

Improved Performance

• Application-Aware Routing: SD-WAN can recognize different types of traffic and route them according to their specific requirements. For example, it can prioritize VoIP and video conferencing traffic to reduce latency and improve call quality.
• QoS (Quality of Service): SD-WAN allows administrators to set QoS policies that ensure critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and priority, maintaining high performance even during peak usage times.

Simplified Management

• Centralized Orchestration: The centralized management interface makes it easy to configure, monitor, and manage the entire network from a single location. This reduces the complexity and administrative overhead associated with managing a traditional WAN.
• Automated Provisioning: SD-WAN can automate the provisioning of new network devices and connections, speeding up deployment times and reducing the likelihood of human error.

Cost Efficiency

• Reduced Dependence on MPLS: By using a mix of lower-cost broadband connections along with MPLS, SD-WAN can reduce overall network costs while still maintaining high performance and reliability.
• Optimized Bandwidth Usage: SD-WAN optimizes the use of available bandwidth, ensuring that businesses get the most out of their network investments.

Ⅲ. SD-WAN Beneifts

SD-WAN represents a significant evolution in network technology, providing businesses with a more agile, efficient, and secure way to manage their wide area networks. As enterprises continue to adopt cloud services and remote work becomes more prevalent, SD-WAN offers a powerful solution to meet the demands of modern networking.

Ⅳ. Demand Pain Points for Hybrid Enterprise Network

• Reliable Network Connection: Ensures real-time synchronization of business data and continuous operation of applications. Minimize business loss and impact on customer service in the event of an abnormal network outage.
• Flexible Network Deployment: business expansion, social environment, market competition, natural disasters, etc., can increase or decrease the number of employees or equipment. At the same time, the changes in the workplace require the network to be flexible.
• Efficient It Management: The enterprise network in a hybrid office scenario is constantly changing. IT teams face different access needs, network security, and network monitoring every day. How to improve IT management efficiency and easily deal with distributed network is one of the problems that must be considered in the mixed office scenario.

Ⅴ. InHand Networks SD-WAN Solutions

SD-WAN Diagram

Flexible Network Access

The ER805 supports 5G or 4G cellular, Gigabit Ethernet and gigabit Wi-Fi, wired or wireless. It can meet network access requirements in various scenarios. When a Gigabit Ethernet link is disconnected, the network automatically switches to a 5G or 4G cellular link, improving network reliability.

Quickly Set Up An Inter-Branch SD-WAN Network

Small Nebula Manager provides fast SD-WAN networking for small branches, and can quickly set up inter-branch networks in a few simple steps. This helps flexibly respond to branch access requirements, achieve network load balancing, intelligent link optimization, effectively improve WAN bandwidth utilization, and provide branch employees with good network experience.

Efficient IT Management

As a unified management access platform, Small Nebula Manager supports zero-contact deployment, multi-dimensional monitoring, and multi-tenant management. Make IT easy for IT teams to deploy users and devices at scale, protecting and troubleshooting end users, devices, applications, and environments anytime, anywhere.

ER800

InHand's EdgeRouter800 (ER800), with its advanced 5G capabilities and integration with InCloud Manager SaaS, represents a significant advancement in SD-WAN technology. It offers enterprises a powerful tool to achieve high-speed, secure network connections and centralized management, essential for thriving in the 5G era. By embracing this technology, businesses can unlock new potentials and drive intelligent enterprise development forward.

If you are interested in ER800 device,please click the below picture to learn more.

Conclusion

The combination of SD-WAN Technology and InHand Networks Solution to build a hybrid network is conducive to comprehensively improving the IT network management efficiency and network access experience of modern enterprises. It is very beneficial to create a more efficient, safe, flexible and inclusive mixed office environment. If you would like to know more about network devices, please feel free to contact us.

Phone: +1 (703) 348-2988 (US) 010-84170010 (CN)
Email: support@inhandgo.com
Website: https://inhandgo.com/