How to optimize remote work with SD-WANs and SASE

While remote work is nothing new, the rate at which it has exploded and the sheer diversity of approaches is unprecedented. Many, if not most, organizations have had to find new ways to provide direct connections to branch offices or data centers to enable employees to work outside of the head office.

In the past, organizations have relied on wide area networks (WANs) to keep remote offices and employees connected. This was more of a necessary evil than an optimal solution, as WANs are expensive, inflexible, and complex to manage. Their reliance on multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) to speed up network connections added further costs and complexity, as specialized routers were needed to manage connections.

Today, these networks are not adequate to support a wholesale transition to remote working that includes working from home and on the go. This is where software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs) and the secure access service edge (SASE) come in.

SD-WAN brings simplified flexibility to remote connections

SD-WANs create a virtual network overlay on top of existing physical network infrastructures. This overlay is managed through a centralized controller that controls and directs traffic flow, based on real-time data about the performance of each connection and application demands.

Central management of the overlay structure allows for dynamic and cost-effective routing of traffic to ensure high-quality connections at all points in the network. By allowing enterprises to easily use multiple types of WAN connections, including MPLS and broadband internet, in one overlay, SD-WANs provide the necessary reliability and speed needed to support the use of cloud-based applications anywhere.

SASE combines security functions with SD-WAN flexibility

SASE is a networking and security architecture that combines an SD-WAN and security policies into a single service. It consolidates multiple functions including patch management, intrusion detection, encryption, identity management, access control, edge and cloud gateway, and application security.

SASE further extends the capabilities of SD-WAN. Enterprises leveraging an SASE solution get all the network speed, reliability, and flexibility of an SD-WAN combined with security in one architecture. This is why enterprises using an SD-WAN should also integrate an SASE solution.

Greater control and security

An SD-WAN offers advanced security functions to protect network traffic and ensure secure connectivity. By combining an SD-WAN with an SASE solution, organizations can implement zero trust network access (ZTNA) policies, which increase security by only allowing authorized users or devices to access the network, even through a public internet connection.

Real-time visibility into network traffic and performance allows for informed decision-making and efficient troubleshooting. This can help organizations identify and address any issues that may arise, ensuring seamless connectivity and a better user experience.

Superior network performance

One of the main benefits of an SD-WAN is its ability to use multiple types of connections, such as MPLS and broadband, to efficiently route and optimize traffic. This allows for a more flexible network layout, as organizations can choose the best network performance for each branch office based on specific needs.

An SD-WAN can also identify and prioritize real-time traffic, such as video conferencing and voice calls. This is achieved using real-time data to route traffic over the most optimal connection for critical applications.

With efficient traffic routing and prioritization, SD-WAN can provide a high level of Quality of Service (QoS) for end users, ensuring a reliable and high-performing network experience.

Faster, cheaper, and easier deployment

By using less expensive broadband internet connections and optimizing traffic, SD-WANs can help organizations save on their network costs. This is especially beneficial for organizations with multiple branch offices, as it eliminates the need for expensive MPLS connections for each location.

SD-WANs also simplify the provisioning process for end users, as devices can be automatically configured and connected to the network without the need for manual setup.

With the additional centralized management and control offered by an SASE solution, businesses can easily manage and update network policies and configurations across all branch offices and endpoints, reducing the burden on IT teams.

SD-WAN supports scalability and business flexibility

This combination of attributes makes an SD-WAN with an integrated SASE solution well-suited to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by today’s working environment.

SD-WAN technology can easily manage multiple branch locations and consolidate all data onto a single platform using virtual links, cloud services, and network traffic to aid in the creation of a highly scalable network layout. Meanwhile, zero-touch provisioning and orchestration simplifies configuration and speeds up network deployments.

Because it provides automatic failover and load balancing, the network can automatically allocate resources to different internet connection points to optimize performance.

Extending an SD-WAN network even further with an SASE solution enables organizations to securely connect, optimize, and protect remote users, as well as on-premises applications and networks. This seamless access to enterprise resources makes for an effective and successful hybrid workforce.

Inseego’s 5G SD EDGE is a comprehensive SD-WAN and SASE solution

Inseego provides SD-WAN services through a cloud-managed platform, Inseego 5G SD EDGE. This platform combines SD-WAN and SASE capabilities to provide a comprehensive solution for managing network traffic and securing data at the network edge.

Inseego 5G SD EDGE enables organizations to centrally manage and monitor an entire distributed network, including remote locations, through a single cloud console. The platform uses intelligent traffic optimization and routing to dynamically steer network traffic through multiple connections, including MPLS, broadband, and cellular, to optimize performance and uptime and reduce costs.

Moreover, Inseego 5G SD EDGE incorporates advanced security features, such as ZTNA, VPN, secure connectivity, and next-generation firewalls, to protect networks and data at the edge. It also supports micro-segmentation capabilities, allowing for granular control and security for different applications and devices on the network.

With the Inseego 5G SD EDGE, any organization can create a secure, high-performance, and flexible network tailored to its specific needs.

Contact us to learn more about how the Inseego 5G SD EDGE can help your business.