How SD-WAN and Hybrid Networks Work

How SD-WAN Works

SD-WANs form overlays across underlying transport services between appliances at company locations and the cloud. Vendor implementations will differ, but the following description should apply to most offerings:

Hardware or software appliances form a mesh of VPNs (the overlay) between one another.

The overlay reaches across all types of broadband Internet services – DSL, cable, LTE as well as MPLS and private lines.

The appliances collect real-time statistics about the network services and identify incoming application traffic using some form of deep packet inspection (DPI).

Application policies defined at the management dashboard, describe the service level parameters for the application. Those polices are stored at the controller. Additional policies may describe appliance configuration.

The appliances retrieve the policies and enforce traffic rules

The management dashboard provides visibility into and reporting on the SD-WAN.

How Hybrid WANs Work?

Hybrid WANs use SD-WAN technology to integrate existing MPLS networks with broadband connections.

Hardware or software appliances form a mesh of VPNs (the overlay) between one another.

The overlay reaches across MPLS and broadband Internet services.

The appliances collect real-time statistics about the network services and identify incoming application traffic using deep packet inspection (DPI).

Application policies defined at the management dashboard, describe the service level parameters for the application.

The appliances enforce policies, routing traffic based on business logic and available WAN resources.

Applications can be directed to specific networks, such as limiting voice traffic on MPLS, based on requirements.
The management dashboard provides visibility into Hybrid WAN performance.