What Is Cloud SD-WAN?
Cloud-based SD-WAN, sometimes referred to as SD-WAN-as-a-Service (SDWaaS), uses cloud infrastructure to provide and manage fast, secure network connectivity across users, devices and locations. Rather than relying entirely on networking hardware deployed at each office, organisations can use a cloud-delivered service to manage connectivity more centrally.
This approach can reduce the cost and complexity associated with traditional on-premise networking. Cloud-based SD-WAN services are typically operated and maintained by a specialist provider, reducing the amount of infrastructure an internal IT team needs to deploy and manage. The model has become increasingly relevant as organisations support employees working across offices, homes and other remote locations.
How Cloud-Based SD-WAN Differs from Traditional SD-WAN
Traditional SD-WAN was designed primarily to connect branch offices and data centres. It commonly relies on physical SD-WAN appliances installed at each location to manage traffic across connections such as broadband, MPLS and cellular networks.
Cloud-based SD-WAN moves more of this functionality into the cloud. Policies, security and traffic optimisation can be delivered as a service rather than being dependent on hardware at every location. This can make deployment faster and provide greater flexibility when users and applications are distributed beyond the traditional corporate network.
Do You Still Need a Branch Appliance?
Not necessarily. Whether an organisation requires a physical branch appliance depends on its network architecture and the locations it needs to connect. A traditional office with significant local infrastructure may still benefit from an appliance, while organisations with predominantly cloud applications and distributed users can increasingly adopt software-based and cloud-delivered approaches.
Cloud SD-WAN for Remote and Hybrid Workers
Remote and hybrid work changes the SD-WAN model because the user may no longer be sitting behind a branch appliance. Employees can be connecting from home broadband, hotels, customer locations or mobile networks while accessing applications hosted across multiple clouds and SaaS platforms.
Cloud-delivered networking can extend performance and security closer to those users. This allows organisations to apply consistent network policies while improving connectivity to business-critical cloud applications, regardless of where employees are working.