Today, company networks have to perform better than ever before. The advantages of software-defined networking (SDN) make it possible to design networks that are more efficient and flexible. SDN is an innovative solution that not only simplifies the administration of company networks, but also increases their security and lowers operating costs. In this blog post, we show how software-defined networking helps companies to future-proof their networks.
Software-defined networking is an approach to network management that separates the control plane from the data plane. This separation allows for centralised network control and provides the ability to program the network directly. Unlike traditional networks where the control and data planes are tightly integrated within individual network devices, SDN architecture enables more flexible and efficient network management.
SDN is used in wide area networks (SD-WAN) to provide quality of service based on the available bandwidth and in Software Defined Access (SDA) networks to segment networks dynamically to provide and limit connectivity in the most flexible way.
Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) SD-WAN is a dynamic, software-controlled approach to managing WANs. It allows businesses to integrate multiple connection types such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), broadband, and LTE, securely connecting users to applications.
SD-WAN can dynamically choose the best path for data traffic based on factors such as network performance, cost, and application requirements. This ensures optimal network performance and resilience.
Through a single, unified dashboard, IT teams can easily monitor and manage network performance, apply security policies, and automate configuration changes across all locations.
Software-Defined Access (SDA) is a network architecture that automates and simplifies the management of network access for users and devices. Traditional access networks, which rely on manual configurations and static security policies, struggle to keep up with the growing demands of mobile devices, IoT, and the increasing complexity of user access requirements.
By decoupling hardware from network management, SDA enables IT teams to enforce consistent policies across the network, dynamically segment traffic, and improve visibility into who or what is accessing the network at any given time.
This makes it particularly useful in environments with a high number of devices, such as IoT, where managing network access manually would be complex and time-consuming.
As businesses increasingly rely on digital technologies and cloud services, the demand for more flexible, scalable, and efficient network infrastructure continues to grow. SDN addresses these needs by providing:
By adopting SDN, organisations can create a more agile and responsive network infrastructure that aligns closely with their business objectives.
Would you like to learn more about how software-defined networking can increase the efficiency and security of your network? Contact us today to find out how our solutions can future-proof your business.
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