SD-WAN and SSE are two of the most talked-about technologies in the networking world today. But which one is better? Does SASE replace SD-WAN? And what even is SASE? Keep reading to find out!
What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN is a technology that combines software-defined networking with traditional WAN technology to improve traffic routing and network operations. Using SD-WAN, you can build a network on top of another one that gets help from that network’s infrastructure. SD-WAN is an “overlay network,” which means it is built on top of another network and doesn’t get help from its infrastructure.
As a part of SD-WAN, the overlay is built on top of an organization’s existing WAN connections. This makes it easier for data to move across the network.
SD-WAN is managed by IT teams that use a single controller to send data and policy information to all of the connected devices. The controller also lets IT teams manage and program connected resources and routers from afar and remotely set up routers.
Some of the benefits of SD-WAN are automatic failover and better application performance.
Some of the benefits of SD-WAN are automatic failover and better application performance.
What is SASE?
In the future, a new architecture called SASE will combine an organization’s network and security functions into a cloud service that runs closer to the endpoints and distributes traffic faster than traditional network services. SASE aims to make network and security management easier by integrating all of an organization’s network and security services into one platform. These services include firewall as a service, secure web gateways, and more.
SD-WAN focuses mostly on connecting an organization’s branch offices to the data centre. On the other hand, SASE focuses on the endpoints and devices that end users use.
SASE doesn’t send traffic back to the data centre as SD-WAN does. Instead, it checks traffic at different global points of presence (PoPs). Some of the benefits of SASE are that it is easy to use, has better security, and is easier to manage.
Differences between SASE vs. SD-WAN include the following:
- deployment and architecture
- security
- traffic and connectivity
- remote access
- required expertise
Does SASE replace SD-WAN?
Differences in how SASE and SD-WAN are set up and how they work. People use SASE and SD-WAN in different ways. SD-WAN can be set up with physical, software, or cloud connections, depending on the needs of the company’s IT.
Gartner says that SASE, on the other hand, is only cloud-based.
Enterprises put an SD-WAN appliance or software client in each branch location, which lets them connect to the company’s data center resources. SD-WAN can be managed, DIY, or a mix of the two. With managed SD-WAN, the service provider takes charge of the network.
For DIY SD-WAN, IT teams set up and manage SD-WAN services independently. A hybrid model is also possible in which both the organization and the vendor share responsibility.
SASE platforms combine network and security functions into a single tool used as a service. It can be easier for businesses to make changes to SASE because of this cloud feature. Businesses can use the SASE client software for people who work from home or on the go and for applications, data centers, and many other things, like apps.
Also, there are different architectures for SASE and SD-WAN because they’re set up. SASE is more spread out and cloud-based than SD-WAN, which creates an overlay network with physical appliances, software, or cloud-based vendor services. SD-WAN also follows the traditional idea that all network infrastructure comes from an organization’s data center. In contrast, SASE thinks the data center is just another service edge, or “SE.”