SD-WAN architecture is primarily categorized into three types: local architecture, cloud-supported architecture, and cloud-supported backbone architecture. Each architecture leverages wide area networks (WAN) in unique ways, offering distinct advantages. This article provides a brief overview of these three SD-WAN architectures.

Local SD-WAN Architecture:

Local SD-WAN architecture is established on-site using SD-WAN appliances or plug-and-play routers that perform real-time traffic shaping from their location. These on-site SD-WAN devices do not connect to a cloud gateway; they only link to your enterprise sites.

Advantages of Local SD-WAN Architecture:

Monthly bandwidth costs can be as low as zero.

Load balancing and failover across multiple circuits.

Load balancing across Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

Real-time traffic shaping to enhance WAN application performance.

Increased connection backup for disaster recovery (DR) purposes.

Cloud-Supported SD-WAN Architecture:

In contrast to the local SD-WAN architecture, the cloud-supported SD-WAN architecture utilizes on-site SD-WAN devices connected to a cloud gateway. This cloud gateway is interconnected with major cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Office 365, or Salesforce, enhancing the performance and reliability of enterprise cloud applications.

Advantages of Cloud-Supported SD-WAN Architecture:

The cloud gateway can maintain the activity of a cloud session in case of internet line failure during the use of cloud applications. If an alternate internet line is available, the cloud gateway can immediately reroute the cloud application to prevent any interruption.

With cloud-supported architecture, the cloud gateway contributes to improving the performance and reliability of cloud applications.

Cloud-Supported Backbone SD-WAN Architecture:

The cloud-supported backbone SD-WAN architecture provides an on-site SD-WAN device that connects your enterprise sites to the nearest Point of Presence (PoP) of the SD-WAN provider. The PoP is where your enterprise traffic is transmitted through the SD-WAN provider’s private fiber optic backbone network.

Advantages of Cloud-Supported Backbone SD-WAN Architecture:

In addition to the advantages brought by the two aforementioned architectures, the cloud-supported backbone architecture can enhance the performance of all network applications (including real-time applications) due to lower latency, jitter, and packet loss.

In summary, SD-WAN architecture offers diverse solutions for optimizing network connections, each tailored to specific enterprise needs. From local setups to cloud-supported and backbone architectures, businesses can choose the approach that best aligns with their objectives, ensuring improved performance, reliability, and flexibility in the ever-evolving field of network technology.

Contact Ogcloud for customized SD-WAN solutions that suit your needs!