Shulou(Shulou.com)06/02 Report--

Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) has a strong momentum of development, most of the technologies of enterprises can adapt to the optimization of SD-WAN, and the way suppliers provide services is constantly changing. There is also a trend in the industry to create a software-defined branch (SD-Branch) by managing many network functions of the branch office.

What is SD-Branch?

SD-Branch is defined as a centralized management platform with the integration of SD-WAN, routing, network security and LAN/Wi-Fi functions. Software-based network technologies, such as software-defined network (SDN), software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and network function virtualization (NFV), abstract network intelligence from integrated network devices (also known as black boxes). The purpose of SD-Branch is to use network virtualization to run multiple independent functions on a single platform. Chip technology from Intel, ARM, and Broadcom enables the network to run routing, SD-WAN, network security, and Wi-Fi functions on a hardware platform.

Advantages of SD-Branch

The most compelling advantage of SD-Branch is that it improves operational agility, and IT organizations can quickly deploy and configure integrated branch office network solutions. Through a centralized management console, they can control and adjust all branch networks and security functions.

In addition, compared with many individual devices, SD-Branch is expected to reduce hardware costs by deploying software on integrated hardware. Other SD-Branch benefits include:

● reduces the cost of support and maintenance contracts because fewer vendors are involved.

Through software virtualization, ● is able to correctly adjust hardware requirements for each branch.

● has less hardware footprint and is ideal for branch offices with limited space.

● network performance is scalable. As network requirements change, the performance of any function can be adjusted by changing processor allocation or increasing hardware resources.

● consumes less power because it replaces many devices with an energy-efficient platform.

Over time, SD-Branch will be easier to deploy, easier to manage, and more responsive to the changing needs of branch offices. As the technology matures, the cost-effectiveness of CAPEX and OPEX may be great.

Application scenarios of SD-Branch

The best analogy for SD-Branch is a single-function network device (such as WAN optimization), and some SD-Branch solutions are better than others in some features.

SD-Branch solutions are initially suitable for newly deployed sites, mobile sites, and small offices. Streamlining IT departments can benefit from the deployment and management capabilities of SD-Branch technology, and the best use cases for SD-Branch include:

● new or temporary branch offices, deployment speed and ease of use are critical

● mobile office, such as public safety

● main branch office update, upgrade a series of network equipment

● streamlines branch offices, data utilization is low, and most of the processing is done in the end office.

SD-Branch vendor

HPE

HPE Aruba recently released a cloud management SD-Branch solution.

HPE announced a few weeks ago that Aruba SD-Branch, like other similar products, is an extension of the SD-WAN approach, incorporating new elements such as routing, security, and wireless. As the Quora problem explains, "over time, SD-WAN will provide enhanced support for the Internet of things, mobility (such as Wi-Fi and 5G), and gradually move towards the concept of a software-defined branch office."

Aruba said that its SD-Branch integrates security and allows enterprises to manage SD-WAN, WLAN, LAN, and unified policies to extend to thousands of sites in the cloud, providing a new way to help organizations address changing cloud, Internet of things (IoT), and mobility needs.

"the integration of new cloud-managed SD-WAN, wired and wireless network solutions, backed by context-based policy enforcement, greatly improves the ability of IT professionals to deliver network availability and application performance, while significantly reducing management time, operations, and capital expenditures," the company said.

Versa Networks

Versa Networks, an early entrant, announced in December that it would update its cloud IP platform to expand SD-Branch by adding voice and video capabilities.

Versa's SD Branch is an enterprise product that simplifies and optimizes branch office and wide area network (WAN) costs by integrating routing, SD-WAN, firewall, UTM, and software as a service (SaaS) capabilities.

Verizon Business Markets

Industry giant Verizon Business Markets has joined SD-Branch, which uses Versa's products as part of its software-defined security branch solution for multiple regional, state and local governments and educational institutions.

Wholesale Carrier Services

Wholesale Carrier Services (WCS), a global provider of managed communications services, is also working with Versa to provide its network WCS services. "WCS now offers a complete security software-defined branch office (SD-Branch) solution that integrates SD-WAN and SD-Security, simplifying the IT experience and improving the end-user experience for cloud and SaaS applications," the company said.

Four things SD-Branch must know

Brad Casemore, vice president of network research at IDC data center, highlighted four things IT infrastructure professionals need to know about SD-Branch.

1. SD-Branch is the heir to SD-WAN

SD-Branch is developed from software-defined WAN. SD-Branch can be seen as a completely policy-based, automated branch-office IT infrastructure approach in the same template as SD-WAN, so its programmability makes it more flexible.

In essence, the SD-Branch solution uses the same technology as SD-WAN, transforming the enterprise network and adding more functionality to make it suitable for branch offices.

2. SD-Branch is more comprehensive than SD-WAN

The new SD-Branch solution contains more features. SD-Branch is more comprehensive than SD-WAN, which only deals with connectivity to and from branch offices. This centralized, choreographed model can virtualize and chain all the functions of the branch.

For example, SD-Branch solutions provide other network features such as LAN connectivity, security, and so on, that are not included in most SD-WAN solutions.

3. SD-Branch can save cost

For enterprises, one of the biggest attractions of SD-Branch is its ability to save on capital expenditure and operating expenses. Most branch offices use a large number of "intermediate boxes"-dedicated devices for a variety of network and security purposes. The SD-Branch solution integrates all of these technologies, thereby reducing the administrative costs of the organization because they only need to purchase one hardware instead of multiple.

In addition, the programmability and centralized management of SD-Branch products can eliminate the need for IT personnel on site at the branch office. This centralized approach to SD-Branch helps reduce, if not eliminate, the overhead of the IT branch, which reduces operating costs.

Eliminating IT branches may bode well for network professionals who risk losing their jobs, but Casemore points out that most corporate branches already have very few IT staff. This new technology may affect IT professionals, just as changing technologies always affect them: they need to adjust their skills and adapt to the new way of working. But for those who have a deep understanding of the Internet, there will still be new roles for them.

4. Organizations should be careful when choosing SD-Branch technology

When buying SD-Branch products, the company needs to conduct extensive research. SD-Branch needs to be integrated with many other technologies, and enterprises need to ensure that the specific solutions they choose meet their needs.

Remember, the SD-Branch market is on the rise. It is still in its early stages, but many manufacturers have established SD-WAN-based bases and built them on more integrated platforms, such as Cisco, HPE, VMware, Dell, Nokia, Juniper,Silver Peak Systems and Riverbed Technology.

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