The Wide Area Network (WAN) is a telecommunication network. It usually extends over a large geographical area and is used for computer networking. You can call WAN a network of LANs (Local Area Network), a group of computers and other devices connected within the same building.
So, what is a hybrid WAN? And how is it good for your company?
Hybrid WAN is a type of network that connects two geographically distant connections; one is a traditional MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) to the data centers and the other one through VPN/broadband connection.
This setup is more beneficial and efficient than the older WAN architecture. This setting channels traffic directly to the internet and reduces the extra hops and latency that occur when traffic goes through the data center.
This is also very cost-effective as it directs traffic over the internet and is less expensive than using the MPLS link. The user can decide which link is the best channel to the data center by using real-time monitoring.
How good is it compared to SD-WAN?
The hybrid ones are a lot better than the SD-WAN (Software-Defined Networking in WAN) architecture. The traditional (SD-WAN) optimization techniques are symmetrical, but the hybrid version uses asymmetrical optimization techniques. This asymmetrical optimization technique uses both MPLS links and the internet connection.
The hybrid method offers channel selection, which means it can decide which link is the best path when managing the traffic. It is based on real-time monitoring of latency or the total number of errors occurring on the link.
Why should IT firms choose the hybrid WAN?
There are three main reasons why IT companies should move to the hybrid architecture of the network.
The benefits/reasons are as given below:
1. Cost Control
As the world moves towards high-speed internet and bigger bandwidth, the networks are dealing with high traffic. IP traffic is growing faster, and over the next five years, it will be three times higher. It is mainly due to video, rich media, cloud applications, and data center’s centralization.
So, to keep the costs down, the businesses are planning to augment the WAN network with internet connections like business class Ethernet. The techniques will help the IT team to keep pace with the bandwidth demand without spending more.
2. Better Functioning of SaaS Applications
The majority (80%) of organizations use SaaS (Software as Service) applications. And the majority of SaaS applications run over an exclusive corporate WAN, only to get to the internet. This results in application delay and extra expense.
And as SaaS becomes more important, the internet edge will need to move to the branch. The company needs to depend on the internet even more.
Some customers still don’t have a direct internet connection in their area, and before all of them open up to the high-speed internet, the IT team needs a scalable model for advanced threat defense and traffic management. A hybrid infrastructure of WAN will solve these issues and make the traffic smooth.
3. Improves Business Agility
When starting a business or transferring the office to a different place, the setting up of the network is difficult. Here, if the IT team sets up a hybrid WAN, they can easily turn on the 4G LTE connections and immediately start the online functions.
These features of the new WAN are why everyone chose it. You, too, have to consider this hybrid version if you wish for a smooth and fast network at your office.
