SD-WAN Leaders in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant: Shaping the Future of Networking
In the fast-evolving world of enterprise networking, Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN) have become a cornerstone for organizations seeking agility, security, and performance in their networks. The 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SD-WAN identifies six key Leaders that are driving innovation and adoption in this space: Broadcom (VMware), Cisco, Fortinet, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Palo Alto Networks, and Versa Networks.
Difference Between SASE and SD-WAN
There are various technologies used for Wide Area Networking (WAN) connectivity. Two of the most popular technologies are Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). While there are some similarities between the two technologies, there are also key differences that make them well-suited for different use cases. SASE is relatively new, while SD-WAN has been around for a few years. However, to understand the similarities between SASE and SD-WAN, it is important to understand both the technologies and their evolution out of traditional WAN.
DIY vs Managed SD-WAN
The world we live in now, is being driven by the explosion of data. With every passing day, the data traffic increases and creates new challenges to manage the infrastructure. Cost Optimization and Service Delivery are the two critical pain points of any organization. In the domain of network connectivity, SD-WAN provides bandwidth efficiency with lower cost and seamless communication. The key benefit in comparison to standard WAN, is its significant application performance without compromising the data privacy and security.
How To Deploy A DIY SD-WAN?
We have seen a rapid increase in the deployment of SD-WAN by organisations of all scales. It is essential to understand the various methods of SD-WAN deployment. Generally, there are two approaches to deploying software-defined networking: managed SD-WAN providers and do-it-yourself (DIY) methods. In the latter approach, any external service provider is not hired for the deployment of SD-WAN. Instead, it is managed and set up by the company’s own IT teams.