To connect two distinct networks, many businesses are currently using SD-WAN (Software Defined Wide Area Networks). The simple adoption of bandwidth-intensive services like cloud computing and media and video apps is the obvious culprit.
The deployment of SD-WAN technology is not without flaws, even though it offers benefits and simplicity of connection between two separate networks. For instance, there are challenges when attempting to link a network from a branch office to a data center that is far away, the absence of security standards, and the complexity of network management.
Hence, it's crucial that you have a thorough understanding of the many flaws in SD-WAN implementation as well as the best way to fix them. Curious? See the article below for more information
What Are the Weaknesses of SD-WAN?
Although SD-WAN has a number of benefits for businesses, it turns out that it also has some weaknesses. For instance, inadequate human resources, security concerns, and the complexity of network management. Below are a few drawbacks of using SD-WAN among others.
1. Adaptation to Current Systems
SD-WAN has to be integrated with existing network designs for optimum compatibility and performance. This integration can require more effort and money.
2. Complexity
Depending on the size and requirements of the business, SD-WAN might be highly complex. Effective network management and upkeep may become difficult as a result.
3. Human Resources
The SDxCentral survey states that 38 percent of businesses have not yet implemented this technology because they lack the competent personnel needed to operate SD-WAN.
4. Security
Companies must constantly check that their network is secure from outside threats because SD-WAN does not include a standard security function, which is a significant challenge in its deployment.
5. Selecting the Right Vendor
The research findings from SDxCentral show that choosing the best SD-WAN vendor was tough for 63 percent of all the enterprise respondents.
To solve this issue, Palo Alto offers the Prisma SD-WAN solution which will make it simpler to monitor and manage your corporate network by supplying a reliable network security system, better network performance, and better network quality.
Prisma SD-WAN, Next Generation SD-WAN from Palo Alto Networks!
The next version of SD-WAN, Prisma SD-WAN, is offered by Palo Alto Networks and differs from other SD-WAN products already available. You will enjoy a better user experience and simpler operation with Prisma SD-WAN.
Also, this technology offers superior security and can save operational costs by up to 243 percent for a business. Additionally, this solution is supported by cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning to simplify network operations by up to 99 percent, enhance branch security, and lower the risk of security breaches by up to 45 percent.
The small SD-WAN device is designed to support retail and Small Offices/Home Offices (SOHO) requirements, which sets this solution apart from other comparable devices. Because of this, numerous types of businesses can use this high-performance SD-WAN equipment.
3 Benefits of Prisma SD-WAN
Three product advantages that improve the customer experience serve as the underlying factors separating Prisma SD-WAN products from competing products. Among these benefits' features are:
1. Exceptional User Experience
Ensure application availability based on real-time application performance SLAs and visibility to deliver 10 times improvement in performance while eliminating the challenges with packet-based networks.<h3>2. Simplified Operations</h3>
Palo Alto Networks Prisma SD-WAN reduces trouble tickets up to 99 percent by simplifying tedious network functions while helping customers expedite SASE migrations.
3. Improved Security Outcomes
Palo Alto Networks Prisma SD-WAN natively applies best-in-class security to branches that reduce breaches by 45 percent with ZTNA 2.0.
8 Prisma SD-WAN Key Features
Palo Alto has also deliberately created eight features that are meant to complement the benefits of Prisma SD-WAN in order to increase the benefits of these products. They are detailed below:
1. Security
Seamlessly integrates with our cloud-delivered security platform, Prisma Access, delivering the industry’s most comprehensive SASE solution. With Prisma Access combined with Prisma SD-WAN, you’ll be able to consolidate ZTNA, Cloud SWG, CASB, FWaaS, and SD-WAN into a single integrated service, reducing network and security complexity while increasing organizational agility. Additionally, Prisma SD-WAN ION devices include an application-based, zone-based firewall (ZBFW), ensuring compliance across different network circuits and interfaces.
2. Integrated 5G
Expanding its lightweight appliance portfolio to include the ION 1200 and ION 1200-S with integrated 5G. With these new appliances, organizations can ensure optimal uptime with 5G leveraged as a backup WAN transport for business-critical applications. In addition, businesses with ATMs and kiosks that require cellular as their primary WAN can simply deploy this appliance and ensure rapid deployment without the hassle of adding additional appliances to leverage 5G.
3. SD-branch Capabilities
Extending SD-branch capabilities to the local area network (LAN) with the ION 1200-S and the ION 3200. The integrated switching with universal Power over Ethernet (uPoE) on these appliances powers end devices like IP phones and cameras, point-of-sale systems, and wireless access points without additional switch appliances or power sources, while the built-in fiber ports provide flexibility to connect either your LAN or WAN to high-speed and long-range fiber connections. Additionally, they provide power redundancy with an optional dual supp.
4. CloudBlades
Delivering comprehensive branch services such as security, multicloud, and collaboration tools without needing to update your branch appliance or controller, thus eliminating service disruptions. This unique cloud-based API architecture automates deployments of third-party entities, enabling organizations to simplify network operations and multicloud connectivity as well as expedite branch deployments.
5. AIOps
Providing rich telemetry of network insights, allowing admins to perform granular trend analysis and create unique network conditions that can automate tedious manual tasks. Admins can view VPNs, circuits, and site health metrics to discover long-term trends and issues. All of this insightful data and analysis can be viewed on Prisma SD-WAN’s new site summary dashboards, allowing admins to consume and correlate data to reduce time to resolution easily.
6. ADEM (Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM)
Managing the digital experience for mobile and branch users. You can leverage SASE-native DEM to gain end-to-end visibility and segment-wise insights across the entire SASE service delivery path, regardless of where their users are located. ADEM with Prisma SD-WAN provides observability in the cloud and across multiple WAN paths for branch and remote users. In addition, you can leverage real and synthetic traffic analysis for both user endpoints and IoT devices to pinpoint issues easily.
7. Clarity
Providing unparalleled, actionable insights into the health and performance of your WAN links and applications to help with network planning, problem resolution, and analytics. With instant visibility into application performance, you can better understand your network health and usage to determine more effective policy decisions on your network.
8. Bandwidth On-Demand
Revolutionizing how organizations can consume SD-WAN by becoming the first vendor in the industry to offer SD-WAN Bandwidth On-Demand. This game-changing, flexible, subscription-based model for Prisma SD-WAN enables customers to reduce WAN costs by up to 45 percent, enabling them to purchase bandwidth on a per-Mbps basis and effortlessly allocate bandwidth from an aggregated pool. In addition, customers can now easily activate Prisma SD-WAN as a simple module to Prisma Access to expedite their journey to SASE. Existing a la carte consumption models, such as those with Prisma SD-WAN and Prisma SASE bundles, are also supported to ensure the ultimate flexibility for organizations.
Read More: Unleashing the Power of Access Point: A Full Guide to Benefits and Functionality
Deploy and Protect Your Organization's Network with Prisma SD-WAN from Virtus
It's time to use Palo Alto's Prisma SD-WAN solution to protect your corporate network. Prisma SD-WAN comes with solutions to provide the best security and networking for your corporate network and is proven to save up to 243 percent in operational costs. Virtus as the official value-added distributor of Palo Alto will help your business take advantage of Prisma SD-WAN solutions starting from consultation, migration, and performance to maintenance stages. A professional and CDT-certified IT team will assist with technical issues 24/7. Click here to get more detailed information regarding Prisma SD-WAN.
Author: Abdul Aziz
CTI Group Content Writers
