Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) has long been the go-to solution for businesses looking to connect their branches and remote locations. However, Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) has emerged as a powerful alternative that offers a range of benefits over MPLS. Here are just a few of the reasons why SD-WAN may be the better choice for your business:
Cost savings: One of the biggest advantages of SD-WAN is its cost-effectiveness. MPLS requires expensive private connections, which can be cost-prohibitive for many businesses. SD-WAN, on the other hand, uses the internet as a primary means of connectivity, which can save businesses significant amounts of money.
- Improved performance: SD-WAN can also improve the performance of critical applications such as voice and video by routing traffic over the most efficient path. MPLS, on the other hand, routes all traffic over a private connection, which can lead to bottlenecks and reduced performance.
- Enhanced flexibility: SD-WAN offers enhanced flexibility compared to MPLS. With SD-WAN, businesses can easily add or remove locations, customize their network, and scale up or down as needed. MPLS, on the other hand, requires the deployment of physical hardware, which can be time-consuming and inflexible.
- Simplified management: Another benefit of SD-WAN is its ability to simplify network management. With SD-WAN, businesses can easily manage and configure their network from a single dashboard, rather than dealing with multiple hardware devices and configurations. This can save time and reduce the risk of mistakes.
- Improved security: SD-WAN can also improve security by encrypting traffic and routing it over secure connections. MPLS, on the other hand, relies on traditional security measures such as firewalls and VPNs, which may not be sufficient to protect against today’s advanced cyber threats.
Overall, SD-WAN offers a range of benefits over MPLS, including cost savings, improved performance, enhanced flexibility, simplified management, and improved security. These benefits make SD-WAN an attractive option for businesses looking to connect their branches and remote locations.