Hybrid WAN

Managing a hybrid WAN for greater performance

Today’s enterprise network faces a growing number of challenges. Networks must move higher volumes of traffic, connect more locations, accommodate increasingly diverse devices and serve the needs of applications that require more bandwidth than ever.

For organizations still using older technologies like MPLS, network modernization is imperative. Yet, fearful of cost, downtime or the impact on performance, many decision makers are reluctant to invest in a transition to a modern, software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). That’s where a hybrid wide area networking (WAN) solution can help.

A hybrid WAN enables organizations to leverage current networking investments while building upon them with newer technology. It maintains older connectivity options while adding support for VPN and SD-WAN connections, allowing businesses to upgrade connectivity and add new locations without completely replacing the current infrastructure.

While implementing a hybrid WAN offers significant benefits, it requires a great deal of management time and expertise. For organizations that want to implement hybrid WAN technology while limiting the burden on internal IT resources, Spectrum Enterprise offers a managed WAN solution in Enterprise Network Edge.

The benefits of hybrid WAN

A hybrid WAN is a network that connects geographically separated regions by sending traffic  between locations on a private and Internet-based circuits are used.. This includes private network like MPLS (Multiprotocol label switching) or Carrier Ethernet  and may include the following types internet connection: broadband, Dedicated Fiber Internet ,cellular and VPN connections.

The benefits of hybrid WAN solutions include:

• Greater flexibility. A hybrid WAN system offers more flexibility for a full range of high-speed connectivity options and transport types. This also delivers greater agility to adapt to different workloads and to prioritize traffic in real time.
• Increased scalability. When extending existing WAN using SD-WAN services, a hybrid WAN allows IT teams to add new sites quickly and upgrade bandwidth with no changes required to the infrastructure or network.
• Superior performance. Hybrid WAN can reduce latency by sending traffic directly to the internet, rather than backhauling it through a centralized hub or data center for security inspection.
• Reduced costs. Since sending traffic over MPLS circuits can be expensive, adding additional connectivity options can help to reduce  overall network costs.

Managing a hybrid WAN with Spectrum Enterprise

Enterprise Network Edge from Spectrum Enterprise provides large-scale organizations with the tools they need to transition to a hybrid network architecture built around advanced SD-WAN technologies. Delivered over the industry-leading Fortinet platform, Enterprise Network Edge is fully managed, all-inclusive solution that includes routing, security, SD-WAN and LAN switches and WiFi options that can simplify IT operations while making networks more secure, reliable and efficient.

This modular solution helps IT teams to secure, scale and operate hybrid WAN and SD-WAN solutions with greater simplicity while also improving performance. The flexibility that Enterprise Network Edge offers is ideal for IT teams with unique requirements, demanding applications or the need to migrate to a hybrid WAN at a slower pace.

Enterprise Network Edge is available as a fully managed or co-managed solution. IT teams can decide which aspects of the network they want to manage and leave the rest to Spectrum Enterprise. Our network experts manage infrastructure, suggest connectivity choices and quickly resolve issues, freeing IT teams to focus on other strategic efforts.

Benefits of Enterprise Network Edge

With Enterprise Network Edge, organizations and their IT teams can:

• Improve application performance and security. Intelligent routing transforms and secures a hybrid WAN without impacting performance. The industry’s only purpose-built application-specific integrated chip (ASIC) accelerates both WAN and security performance at high throughput.
• Choose connectivity and network options. Whether your organization is migrating to a hybrid WAN, adding high-performance Ethernet connections or supporting a legacy MPLS network, Spectrum Enterprise can design the best underlay network with dedicated fiber, broadband, wireless or existing internet connections. High-capacity network services and multiple connectivity methods for hybrid WAN provide ideal options for load-balancing and ensure consistent network performance across all locations.
• Manage hybrid WAN infrastructure through a centralized portal. With Enterprise Network Edge, IT teams can use a single pane of glass to view network performance, applications and policy settings for all locations.
• Support the work-from-anywhere workforce. Enterprise Network Edge extends network resources to team members at home or on the road, facilitating communication and collaboration.
• Ensure cloud access. Multiple connectivity options give employees consistent, high-performing access to the cloud applications they need to stay productive.
• Reduce costs. More options for connectivity help to lower costs and create efficiencies compared to MPLS and other private networks.

Why choose Spectrum Enterprise?

Spectrum Enterprise is dedicated to helping organizations realize their boldest ambitions. Our customers know they can count on us for great technology and for a great partner, as well. After analyzing our customers’ unique technology requirements, we design a plan to fulfill them, offering seamless experiences with reliable and scalable solutions that promote growth.

Our wholly owned fiber network is engineered for growth and is the basis of all our offerings. From government agencies seeking the fastest commercial internet speed to hotels implementing cloud managed WiFi solutions and hospitals building digital front door initiatives, our customers rely on Spectrum Enterprise technology and expertise to compete more effectively.

With Spectrum Enterprise, organizations always have a team that’s always in their corner, with dedicated team members who possess a tireless work ethic, deliver unmatched commitment and provide hands-on local support.

FAQs

What is WAN?

A wide area network, or WAN, is a computer network that covers a large area and connects multiple local area networks (LANs) such as an organization’s headquarters, branch offices and remote locations.

What is hybrid WAN?

A hybrid WAN uses two or more different types of connections to transmit data. These may include multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) circuits plus broadband, cellular, or internet-based IP VPN tunnels.