SD-WAN vs. MPLS: Differences and when it is best for your enterprise network
In this article, I will explore the differences between SD-WAN and MPLS, highlighting the key distinctions, advantages, and disadvantages of each network technology. I will help you determine whether SD-WAN is the right choice for your next wide area network and discuss alternatives to SD-WAN.
Differences between SD-WAN and MPLS
One of the primary differences between SD-WAN and MPLS is that SD-WAN is a fully software-defined network. This allows for greater flexibility, as the network is managed through software and automation. MPLS is an older technology that relies on physical routing and switching.
Another significant difference is the network structure. MPLS is a centralized wide area network, where all sites typically connect to a central office or data center to access corporate data and applications. On the other hand, SD-WAN is a distributed wide area network, meaning there is no central hub. All sites are interconnected and can access corporate data and applications via the internet and the (public) cloud.
Due to its decentralized nature, SD-WAN is generally more cost-effective to operate compared to MPLS. While MPLS uses dedicated connections, SD-WAN can utilize any available connection to establish a wide area network.
SD-WAN Pros and Cons summary
Top SD-WAN Pros:
- Cost-Effective: SD-WAN is cheaper than MPLS as it does not require dedicated links and can use any available access technology, including mobile and fixed broadband connections.
- Built-in Security: SD-WAN includes network security management, relying on a decentralized (cloud) web application firewall, making it more flexible and automated.
- Cloud-Friendly: Ideal for businesses heavily dependent on cloud providers, eliminating the need for a central data center.
Top SD-WAN Cons:
- Reliability: SD-WAN can be less reliable than MPLS, especially for applications with strict quality of service (QoS) and latency requirements.
- Compliance Challenges: The distributed nature of SD-WAN may introduce compliance issues as corporate data and applications are spread over third-party networks and cloud providers.
- Organizational Impact: Transitioning from MPLS to SD-WAN may affect your IT organization, requiring closer collaboration between security and network departments.
MPLS Pros and Cons summary
The top Advantages and Disadvantages of MPLS
Advantages: MPLS networks are known for their reliability, security, and performance. They use dedicated private connections to link offices and users to the corporate data center, avoiding public internet infrastructure. This closed network setup ensures high security, preventing data interception by hackers. Additionally, because corporate applications and data travel over a separate private network, MPLS offers superior performance, especially for latency-sensitive applications like video conferencing.
Disadvantages: However, MPLS networks come with their own set of challenges. They require extensive manual configuration, making them more complex to manage and operate. Dedicated MPLS connections are also significantly more expensive compared to SD-WAN, which can utilize any type of access technology from various carriers or internet service providers. Furthermore, the centralized nature of MPLS makes it less suitable for organizations looking to adopt more public cloud services, as MPLS is designed for networks with a centralized data center and a physical network security perimeter firewall.
Why Choose SD-WAN Over MPLS? The decision to choose SD-WAN over MPLS largely depends on your business’s cloud strategy. If your focus is on maintaining and expanding a private cloud, MPLS is the preferred technology. However, if your business is increasingly adopting software as a service (SaaS), hybrid and multi cloud solutions, and requires greater flexibility, then SD-WAN is the better choice.
What are the alternatives to SD-WAN for cloud network connectivity?
For businesses seeking alternatives to SD-WAN, SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) Cloud networks are a viable option. SASE networks are ideal for businesses that have embraced a cloud-first approach in their IT strategy. They offer the best automated network and security technology for companies that rely heavily on cloud applications and SaaS.