SD-WAN vs. MPLS

SD-WAN vs MPLS: which is right for your enterprise?

When it comes to managing the wide area network (WAN), more enterprises today are considering the benefits of SD-WAN vs MPLS as they seek to improve flexibility while reducing cost and complexity.

When evaluating SD-WAN vs MPLS, consider the way the network will be utilized going forward. MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) has been around as a traditional private WAN utilizing private circuits to deliver data packets to branches and data centers, often using Quality of Service (QoS) to designate traffic prioritization. MPLS, like other private network methods such as Spectrum Enterprise Ethernet, provides reliable bandwidth and is inherently secure – all serious pluses for any enterprise network.

The downside of MPLS is cost and rigidity. MPLS requires private circuits, such as E-Access, to connect to the carrier network, which also requires an additional subscription charge. Additionally, managing the MPLS infrastructure and routing configurations using now-archaic programming interfaces is time-consuming. And MPLS technology, with its mesh or hub-and-spoke design using a central offload point for internet access, is not particularly cloud-friendly – it introduces latency to data flows and consumes more core network bandwidth as part of the MPLS service contract.

The software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) provides a more flexible, open and cloud-friendly technology that can reduce the cost of bandwidth, ensure traffic security and simplify management. SD-WAN uses software to intelligently route traffic across the WAN based on desired QoS, security and application priority requirements. SD-WAN benefits include the ability to expand and upgrade capacity quickly, to reduce bandwidth costs and to rout traffic to the cloud with greater speed via local or branch internet connections. In situations where private connectivity is justified between WAN locations, hybrid SD-WANs are utilized to deliver the internet-based WAN connections while allowing appropriate traffic to be sent across the private connection/WAN.

The biggest concern for enterprises considering SD-WAN vs MPLS is the migration process away from MPLS to SD-WAN technology, whether it is a full migration to internet-only SD-WAN or phasing to a hybrid SD-WAN. That’s where Managed SD-WAN from Spectrum Enterprise can help.

Solving the SD-WAN vs MPLS debate with Managed SD-WAN

Spectrum Enterprise Managed SD-WAN helps to tip the scales toward virtualization for companies comparing the benefits of SD-WAN vs MPLS. This managed solution delivers a complete, virtualized wide area network service that enables application-aware routing and delivers greater visibility and control. Offering a complete end-to-end solution, Spectrum Enterprise handles everything from solution design and white-glove installation to portal-based management and ongoing support. Enterprises can migrate to SD-WAN at their preferred pace, selecting an Internet-based SD-WAN solution or a hybrid SD-WAN with our ethernet services or utilizing existing MPLS services now delivered to a reduced footprint.

Managed SD-WAN is part of a suite of managed services offered by Spectrum Enterprise that also includes Managed Switch, Wi-Fi and Managed Router services, along with SASE and managed security solutions.

The benefits of Spectrum Enterprise Managed SD-WAN vs MPLS.

When comparing Managed SD-WAN vs MPLS services, Spectrum Enterprise enables your wide area network to:

• Adapt to changing workloads. Maximize network performance through application-aware routing that intelligently prioritizes traffic and forwards it over the most appropriate transport.
• Improve visibility and control. An easy-to-use management portal provides greater insight into WAN effectiveness as well as traffic and utilization performance.
• Reduce complexity. Spectrum Enterprise’ solution simplifies SD-WAN for enterprises by providing WAN infrastructure, hardware, internet or private network access, security and 24/7 /365 support.
• Minimize cost. Spectrum Enterprise Managed SD-WAN enables organizations to take advantage of the cost savings of SD-WAN vs MPLS by minimizing the cost of bandwidth as well as management and provisioning.
   

Learn more about the benefits of SD-WAN vs MPLS, and about the pros and cons of SD-WAN vs VPN.