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SD-WAN
What is SD-WAN
SD-WAN Migration
Why SD-WAN is required
SD-WAN vs MPLS
SD-WAN Use Cases
How SD-WAN works
SD-WAN Architecture
SD-WAN Benefits
Cloud First SD-WAN
SD-WAN Vendors
SD-WAN Cost & ROI
SD-WAN Case Studies

SD-WAN Vendors

The SD-WAN vendor landscape is vast and varied. A good way to categorize them is on the basis of their business model. There are three broad variety of SD-WAN vendors – the traditional box vendors (Cisco and Juniper), traditional managed service providers (large Telecom Service Providers) and SD-WAN as-as-service vendors like Aryaka.

SD-WAN Box Vendors

These are traditional networking box vendors like Cisco, Juniper and others who sell SD-WAN hardware along with some installation and maintenance services. Typically customers buy various hardware elements from multiple vendors and stitch the solution together in a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) model. This model requires huge in-house or contract teams to deploy the solution. Though it offers flexibility in terms of choice of equipment, a price is paid in terms of cost and complexity. This model is most suitable for customers with large in-house networking teams.

Forklift Upgrades

DIY SD-WAN rollouts will invariably involve hardware changes. Even in the case of SD-WAN as a software upgrade, the performance of legacy hardware deteriorates with the addition of SD-WAN features, thus necessitating an eventual hardware upgrade.

Application Performance

A potential lack of direct on-ramps to cloud service providers can negatively impact cloud application performance. Variable latency and data loss can impact applications like UCaaS.

Longer Deployment times

Equipment lead times, configuration, testing and modifications in contracts with multiple last-mile and middle-mile service providers can delay the rollout.


Not Cloud Ready and Agile

Digital Enterprises operate in an environment that requires agility. Rolling out new cloud applications, ramping down or migrating from legacy applications, the opening of new branches or the closing of non-performing ones all need changes to the WAN. A legacy WAN is incapable of keeping pace with rapid changes.

Complex Operations

Building your own WAN requires contracts with multiple OEMs and service providers, resulting in increased complexity. Problem resolution involves multiple POCs and separate contact lists for first-mile and middle-mile connectivity.

Managed Service Providers

SD-WAN managed service providers generally build their network using hardware from multiple hardware providers and provide a network management layer. Though it take away some of the deployment and maintenance issues associated with hardware vendors, it introduces a new set of challenges.

01. Consumers Vs Creators

SD-WAN is not a single-box, plug and play solution. A comprehensive SD-WAN solution requires interworking between various elements. As consumers rather than creators of the technology, carriers are limited in their ability to offer best-in-class service.

02. Inflexible Pricing

Carriers networks involve agreements between multiple service providers. As a result, their pricing model is designed to compensate every player in the value chain, thus making them inflexible and expensive.

03. Last Mile Lock-in

Carriers tend to lock customers into their last-mile solution, rather than let them choose the best available option.

04. Inconsistent SLAs

Carriers typically operate within their service area. Thus, International connectivity is achieved through agreements with multiple service providers, making it impossible to guarantee end-to-end SLAs. As a result, the service offered is with the least common denominator set of features.

05. Not Cloud Ready and Agile

Digital Enterprises operate in an environment that requires agility. Rolling out new cloud applications, ramping down or migrating from legacy applications, the opening of new branches or closing of non-performing ones all need changes to the WAN. A legacy WAN is incapable of keeping pace with rapid changes.

  • 01/05

    Consumers Vs Creators

    SD-WAN is not a single-box, plug and play solution. A comprehensive SD-WAN solution requires interworking between various elements. As consumers rather than creators of the technology, carriers are limited in their ability to offer best-in-class service.

  • 02/05

    Inflexible Pricing

    Carriers networks involve agreements between multiple service providers. As a result, their pricing model is designed to compensate every player in the value chain, thus making them inflexible and expensive.

  • 03/05

    Last Mile Lock-in

    Carriers tend to lock customers into their last-mile solution., rather than let them choose the best available option.

  • 04/05

    Inconsistent SLAs

    Carriers typically operate within their service area. Thus, International connectivity is achieved through agreements with multiple service providers, making it impossible to guarantee end-to-end SLAs. As a result, the service offered is with the least common denominator set of features.

  • 05/05

    Not Cloud Ready and Agile

    Digital Enterprises operate in an environment that requires agility. Rolling out new cloud applications, ramping down or migrating from legacy applications, the opening of new branches or closing of non-performing ones all need changes to the WAN. A legacy WAN is incapable of keeping pace with rapid changes.

SD-WAN as-a-service Providers

Do-it-yourself (DIY) using hardware vendors’ SD-WAN isn’t suitable for global deployments, doesn’t give you ownership of the end-to-end user experience, and is full of complexity. Traditional telco-managed wide area networks (WANs) offer connectivity but lack the agility and user experience that modern businesses need.

Comparison between DIY SD-WAN, Cloud-First WAN and traditional managed service providers

Aryaka In Gartner's Voice Of Customer

Gartner's new Voice of the Customer for WAN Edge Infrastructure identifies those vendors that have both a critical mass of reviews and a high overall rating. Aryaka is recognized as a Customers' Choice, both globally as well as one of only two companies recognized for NA, EMEA, and APAC.

Additional Resources

2021 SD-WAN Managed Services Survey

In this in-depth 2021 analyst report, Futuriom surveys IT professionals and identifies seven key trends in the SD-WAN Managed Services market.

What IT Leaders Should Know About the SD-WAN Market

Read this white paper to understand industry analysts’ predictions about the growth of the SD-WAN market and why they matter to IT leaders preparing for digital transformation initiatives.

Aryaka Global SD-WAN:
Company Brief

Aryaka’s global SD-WAN provides fast, reliable, secure, and scalable connectivity, and application acceleration to globally distributed enterprises.

Read More >
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Additional Resources

  • 2021 SD-WAN Managed Services Survey

    In this in-depth 2021 analyst report, Futuriom surveys IT professionals and identifies seven key trends in the SD-WAN Managed Services market.

    Read More >

  • What IT Leaders Should Know About the SD-WAN Market

    Read this white paper to understand industry analysts’ predictions about the growth of the SD-WAN market and why they matter to IT leaders preparing for digital transformation initiatives.

    Read More >

  • Aryaka Global SD-WAN:
    Company Brief

    Aryaka’s global SD-WAN provides fast, reliable, secure, and scalable connectivity, and application acceleration to globally distributed enterprises.

    Read More >