Why SD-WAN and network virtualisation are mutually beneficial

Networking is critical for businesses to operate efficiently, communicate with customers and employees, and remain competitive. The adoption of technologies such as software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) and network virtualisation has made networking more agile, secure and cost-effective for companies.

South Africa has a rapidly developing economy and businesses are adopting new digital technologies at a great pace. As businesses grow and expand, the need for more robust, dependable networking solutions becomes more apparent.

However, foundational technologies are still vital. SD-WAN and network virtualisation have been around for a while but are critical networking technologies for meeting the high demands of modern businesses.

What does SD-WAN entail?

SD-WAN is a networking approach that simplifies how businesses connect to locations, cloud services and applications. An SD-WAN solution includes several components such as an intelligent WAN, software-defined security and centralised orchestration and management.

The main advantage of SD-WAN is that it improves application performance and makes the network more reliable by utilising multiple transport paths. It has a variety of applications and benefits for modern businesses, including improved application performance and uptime at a lower cost, simplified network management and automation, as well as improved security and regulatory compliance.

SD-WAN has become a critical networking model for many enterprises in South Africa, but it relies on a solid underlying connectivity infrastructure. SEACOM owns and manages a country-wide network of fibre optic cables that connect companies to data centres and servers. Our SD-WAN solutions offer an improved end-user experience through secure and connectivity options.

What is network virtualisation?

By decoupling network functions from hardware, virtualisation enables businesses to optimise, simplify and reduce networking costs. It employs software to create virtual networks that operate in the same way as traditional hardware-based networks. Each virtual network can run its own set of services, protocols and applications, increasing the flexibility and scalability of network resources.

Network function virtualisation (NFV) is an example of network virtualisation in action. NFV virtualises network functions that are typically performed by hardware appliances like firewalls, load balancers and routers. NFV, on the other hand, provides these functions through software that runs on servers or in the cloud.

The importance of network virtualisation in modern business is that it allows organisations to respond quickly to changing IT requirements. It can improve scalability and throughput while also lowering costs associated with hardware-based networking. But how does it go hand-in-hand with SD-WAN?

Combining SD-WAN and network virtualisation for maximum impact

SD-WAN and network virtualisation are two highly complementary technologies. They work together to provide a more secure, agile and efficient networking solution for modern enterprises. SD-WAN provides the intelligence and centralised management required to monitor and orchestrate traffic flow, whereas network virtualisation allows for the virtualisation of network functions and services.

Combining the two technologies allows businesses to respond quickly to changing business requirements while maintaining the highest levels of security and reliability. Setting up and combining these two networking technologies may require a partnership with a reputable service provider.

SEACOM is a leading ICT and connectivity service provider in South Africa. We are committed to providing companies with highly reliable and scalable networking solutions that help businesses simplify, streamline and reduce the costs of operations.

We understand the importance of networking technologies in successfully meeting the needs of modern businesses. As a result, SEACOM has made significant investments in providing cutting-edge networking solutions that leverage these technologies to deliver high-performing, secure and scalable networks.

SD-WAN and network virtualisation are essential technologies for South African businesses due to their benefits and synergy. They work together to provide a powerful and adaptable network that meets the changing needs of the enterprise. SEACOM's cloud networking and SD-WAN solutions provide a streamlined, cost-effective and secure approach to networking. For more information about these services or to get a quote, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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