Jumping between different routers, firewalls, networks, and platforms can be a big hassle when you’re trying to run your business efficiently, but SD WAN can change all of that! SD WAN technology allows you to move away from MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) and embrace the flexibility of software defined wide area network (SD WAN). But what exactly is it? And how can it help your business?

Who are Rydal Communications

Rydal Communications, a provider of SD-WAN solutions, was founded in 2008 and established itself offering true Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions later in 2014. Rydal Group understands that business broadband service needs to be reliable, secure and flexible for businesses. They offer an alternative to traditional MPLS networking with their SD-WAN solution. This blog post will give you some insight into SD WAN v MPLS.

Introduction

SDWAN and MPLS. Software defined wide area network, or SD-WAN, has a shorter history than its traditional predecessor, the Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. Originally conceived as a way to supplement satellite Internet connectivity in remote locations, it quickly became clear that SD-WAN had potential beyond what was initially envisioned. For example, enterprises are now using software defined wide area networks to provide low latency connections over long distances at much lower cost.

What is SD WAN?

Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) is a networking architecture that separates the control plane and data plane of your network. The control plane manages routing, security, and quality of service while the data plane carries traffic across the network. SD-WAN architecture enables you to take advantage of cost-effective bandwidth by utilising multiple internet service providers or broadband connectivity on both ends. The software also provides a single pane of glass to manage all your remote sites from one location; you can use SD-WAN to more efficiently allocate bandwidth as demand requires.

By connecting your branch offices with an SD-WAN system, you can simplify management and get faster response times. Business Broadband provides business class internet connectivity to small businesses, universities and service providers. As a leading provider of bandwidth services in the UK, Rydal Group helps businesses connect from any location worldwide by enabling carriers to connect directly with its network or through any Rydal gateway around Australia. The carrier owns its fiber network which ensures lowest latency for all metropolitan business locations across Australia. Business Broadband’s Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solution has been architected to work seamlessly with its carrier partners including Telstra and TPG so you can take advantage of their connection speeds while delivering seamless HD quality video calls even across several hops.

What is MPLS?

MPLS stands for multiprotocol label switching, and is a technology that combines packet routing with data link layer labeling to deliver packets faster than traditional networks. When it comes to MPLS, the central piece of hardware in the network (the router) has software modules called labels installed on it. The labels are used by the router to make forwarding decisions when a packet arrives at an MPLS router. The labels determine which output port the packet should be sent out on and how it should be forwarded through the rest of the network. It does this by first examining its input port number, or label, then comparing that input port number to its database of known labels to see if there’s a match.

In a nutshell, MPLS creates and distributes labels that are assigned to packets. These labels look like short numbers, but there’s more to them than meets the eye. By comparing input port numbers with its own database of known labels, an MPLS router decides how best to handle each packet it receives. It then sends these packets off through different interfaces based on those label numbers. One thing that makes IP networks so flexible is that devices simply pass data back and forth across a network via layer 3 protocol sessions. This means they don’t have to constantly open and close physical circuits (layers 1 and 2 protocols) like traditional circuit-switched networks need to do every time a phone call comes in or goes out.

The Pros and Cons of SD WAN

Software Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WANs) are the latest technology to disrupt the service provider market by providing more reliability, lower cost, and better features than traditional methods of connecting remote sites. These benefits have made SD-WANs a preferred choice for business owners who need to connect their headquarters with remote offices or branch offices. One of the biggest benefits of a SD-WAN is that it’s software defined and designed to emulate a private network connection between sites. As a result, SD-WANs don’t require any additional hardware like routers, switches, or firewalls as it all runs in software on commodity servers.

Although SD-WANs offer some key benefits, including reduced costs and improved reliability, they also have a few drawbacks. First, SD-WANs have limitations when it comes to cloud computing as you can’t rely on consistent network speeds for workloads that are sensitive to latency. Second, if your ISP has issues with its connections or goes down entirely, an SD-WAN won’t protect you from downtime as it’s still dependent on your ISP and your connection to it. Finally, if you need encryption or multiple levels of security between offices then a software defined wide area network won’t work because of its inherent nature of relying on commodity hardware. With so many options available in both hardware and software defined networks there isn’t a single best option for every business owner.

The Pros and Cons of MPLS

An MPLS network provides a point-to-point connection between two routers. The main advantages of an MPLS network are its robustness and reliability. There are some disadvantages of an MPLS network, such as the speed and cost. As a result, SD WANs have emerged as the new way to connect your devices.

SD WANs are more secure than MPLS networks. They use common Internet connections, which are inherently more secure than dedicated point-to-point connections such as those used by an MPLS network. With an SD WAN, you can use your private line to link to cloud services and make remote backups of your data while using a public connection to access websites. This level of flexibility makes SD WAN one of many reasons it’s becoming popular with businesses large and small.

Another advantage of SD WANs is lower cost. Their hybrid nature provides a way to transfer voice, data, and video traffic through a single connection. With an MPLS network, you’ll need separate connections to manage each type of traffic. An SD WAN can potentially save you money in setup and monthly fees because it allows you to use just one Internet connection rather than multiple expensive ones.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re looking to support your business broadband, SD WAN can be a better choice than MPLS. The Rydal Group helps many clients execute SD WAN, mainly because it offers many benefits over MPLS including simplified management of connections and the ability to deploy services quickly and easily. A Business Broadband study found that while an average MPLS connection costs £140 per month, the average price of an SD-WAN connection is £40 per month. This coupled with better intelligent software makes it a no brainer to choose SD WAN over MPLS.

What areas do we cover?

Most of the UK with consultants covering the following areas:

Peterborough

Cambridge

London

Birmingham

Lichfield

Nottingham

Derby

Manchester

Norwich

Ipswich

Leeds

York

Lincoln

Northampton

Leicester

Cardiff

Swansea

Bridgend

Bradford

Newcastle

Coventry

Liverpool

Oxford

and Sheffield

If you want help with your SD WAN offering, please speak to our award winning technology team by calling 01733511116.

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