Cisco SD-WAN

Connect any user to any application with integrated capabilities for multicloud, security, and application optimization—all on a SASE-enabled architecture.

How the Cisco SD-WAN architecture works

Cisco SD-WAN, powered by Cisco IOS XE Software, is a highly secure, cloud-scale architecture that is open, programmable, and scalable. Through the Cisco vManage console, you can quickly establish an SD-WAN overlay fabric. Use it to connect data centers, branches, campuses, and colocation facilities to improve network speed, security, and efficiency.

Introduction
Digital transformation has ushered in a new era of long-lasting IT infrastructure changes. These changes have resulted in new challenges for the network and security teams, such as securing the distributed and hybrid workforce and delivering secure access to business-critical applications across a multicloud environment. In addition, the internet is rapidly becoming the preferred method of connectivity due to cost and availability. Still, it does not provide the security, consistency, visibility, or quality of traditional technologies such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) links. IT needs to rearchitect its WAN edge to deliver consistent and predictable digital experiences in a multicloud world.

Cisco^® SD-WAN is a cloud-delivered WAN solution that connects any user to any application, with integrated capabilities such as multicloud, security, enhanced visibility, and analytics building toward a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)-enabled architecture.

Overview
Cisco SD-WAN offers a software-defined WAN solution that enables enterprises and organizations to connect users to their applications securely. It provides a software overlay that runs over standard network transport, including MPLS, broadband, and internet, to deliver applications and services. The overlay network extends the organization’s network to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and multicloud environments, thereby accelerating their shift to the cloud.

This virtualized network runs on the industry’s most broadly deployed routing technology, from physical branch routers such as the Cisco Catalyst^® 8000 Edge Platforms Family to virtual machines in the cloud such as the Cisco vEdge Cloud routers. Centralized controllers, which oversee the control plane of the Cisco SD-WAN fabric, efficiently manage the provisioning, maintenance, and security for the entire Secure Extensible Network (SEN) overlay network.

Cisco vManage provides a highly visualized dashboard that simplifies network operations. It provides centralized configuration, management, operation, and monitoring across the entire SD-WAN fabric. Integration with Cisco Umbrella^® accelerates the transition to a SASE architecture. Open programmability enables data extraction for enhanced visibility and actionable insights

Cisco SD-WAN offers integrated security, including full-stack multilayer security capabilities on the premises and in the cloud. This integrated security provides real-time threat protection where and when it is needed — for branches connecting to multiple Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or IaaS clouds, data centers, or the internet, further accelerating the transition to a SASE-enabled architecture.

Source: cisco.com