Yes, I think I might have fallen for this beautiful solution.
In November 2018 Cisco made announcements about strategic innovations in Cisco Software-Defined WAN powered by Viptela. The Viptela acquisition has been integrated across our routing portfolio, and now we have embedded security.
Combine this with the Cisco Meraki SD-WAN solution, and this delivers to our customers a strong choice to deliver the most effective SD-WAN solution for their needs.
The evaluation of Cisco as a leader in the 2018 Gartner Magic Quadrant for the WAN Edge Infrastructure was published before these announcements. And Cisco is positioned highest for Ability to Execute.
Not only that, the Cisco and Cisco Meraki SD-WAN solutions are not complex or difficult. We get feedback from our customers that projects that previously might have taken over a year can now be completed in weeks.
Why SD-WAN and why now?
Cloud applications require a new architecture. The network and network security are being disrupted by multi-cloud. The WAN is no longer a simple connection from the branch to the data centre, or from the enterprise to the outside world.
Now it needs to handle myriad complex routing configurations, to find the best path between branches, physical and cloud-based data centres, cloud applications and more. And it needs to keep all these connections secure, ensure service levels and availability, all without sending costs through the roof or being overly complex or resource intensive to manage.
Confused about SD-WAN?
Cisco is not the only vendor offering a Software-Defined WAN solution. And as this is new territory, as innovations in technology always are, then not all solutions are created, or positioned equally.
To help you navigate the maze Cisco has published a SD-WAN competitive comparison. In a simple to follow table, you can quickly see how Cisco stacks up to three SD-WAN vendors, Velocloud, Versa and Silverpeak. The three that we believe are the ones we need to watch as having the closest comparable solutions to Cisco. There are many others, however they did not make our shortlist.
Not sure where to start with SD-WAN?
Appreciating that every business and organisation has unique challenges and priorities, Cisco has created a handy SD-WAN getting started guide. Depending on your needs, this guide provides recommendations on where and how to get started in four simple steps.
If I’ve whetted your appetite and you can’t wait to get started and see for yourself how SD-WAN could benefit your business, why not sign up for a free, no-obligation SD-WAN Demo. Although, I feel sure, once you’ve seen it for yourself, you’ll fall in love with it too.
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Gartner Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure, Joe Skorupa, Andrew Lerner, Christian Canales, Mike Toussaint, 18 October 2018.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchant ability or fitness for a particular purpose.
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