SD-WAN utilizes affordable Internet services for small and medium-sized enterprises, which greatly reduces costs, improves network agility, and improves reliability.
However, in addition to their advantages, the Internet backbone also introduces consistency issues that are lacking in the global WAN built around MPLS.
The new software-defined core (SD-CORE) architecture provides a solution that provides enterprises with a high-quality, affordable backbone alternative to traditional MPLS services.
Internet core issues
What binds this complex IP network (we call it the Internet) is the relationship between providers, guiding them how to transmit traffic between them. BGP can transform these relationships into the Internet peer-to-peer world.
Many problems with Internet routing occur at the core of the network. When the traffic stays within the zone, the impact of the Internet core is usually minimized. For most applications, the 20% difference on the 20ms path is trivial. However, the same change in the 200 millisecond path may cause the difference between a clear voice call and a blurred voice call.
SD core architecture
With the help of MPLS, to a certain extent by minimizing route optimization to minimize delay, this makes enterprises interested in this.
If companies want to eliminate MPLS, it is essential to solve the mid-range performance problem at the core of the Internet. SD-WAN equipment alone is not a solution and requires a backup backbone. It is cheaper than MPLS, more consistent than the Internet, and unlike SD-WAN services managed by carriers, it does not lock the enterprise into a provider's access network. Three such SD-CORE methods are now available, each of which uses the local Internet for access.
Independent MPLS backbone network
Rely on the independent MPLS backbone network to build a global MPLS core network using its own SD-WAN edge equipment at the customer site.
L2 MPLS network can provide excellent performance, and the use of Internet access makes this method more affordable and flexible than traditional MPLS services. However, the price is still higher than other methods. I believe part of the reason for this fact is that the MPLS core network is built around hardware. Customers are also limited to SD-WAN edge products from independent MPLS backbone network providers.
Software-defined backbone
In contrast, a software-defined backbone network will build an overlay between existing IP backbone networks. Here, the main difference lies in the function of the overlay and the nature of the backbone network (for example, private vs. public).
This is cloud-based SD-WAN, and it is likely to be the development of CPE-based SD-WAN. They use a cloud-level software stack running in the provider's PoP to perform most SD-WAN and security functions. The provider's edge devices are very "thin and light" and only have enough features to safely introduce traffic to the cloud-based SD-WAN. The cloud-based SD-WAN approach can solve network security and connectivity issues.
By using IP, using a software-defined core saves more core bandwidth costs than using an MPLS backbone network. The software-defined backbone will also not lock the enterprise into its edge hardware.
Since SD-CORE has nothing to do with SD-WAN, companies are free to use any SD-WAN device (or any other device) that can build the necessary IPsec tunnel to the backbone POP.
Global WAN beyond MPLS management services
The era of global WAN reliance on operators and their hosted MPLS services has passed. The SD-CORE solution provides companies with a range of alternative methods that enable organizations to reduce bandwidth expenditures without affecting network performance.
The above is how to build a global enterprise-level SD-WAN without MPLS? Introduction.
VeCloud is a technological innovation enterprise that provides cloud exchange network services for enterprises as its core business. It has 30 data center nodes around the world, more than 200 POP nodes, and serves more than 300 major customers, involving finance, Internet, games, AI, Education, manufacturing, multinational companies and other industries. http://www.vecloud.com