A multi-cloud environment is defined by at least two Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) components, but for most enterprises, it’s usually more complicated. They likely have on-premise systems and additional cloud-based resources they’re accessing. Because multi-cloud is becoming a common setting in enterprise IT software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), connectivity is adjusting to meet demands for multi-cloud specific needs.
Whilst multi-cloud is becoming well-known in these enterprises, hybrid-cloud is also a mixed computing environment that combines infrastructure from a public cloud and an organizations private cloud for agility purposes. There are key differences between the two clouds with F5’s hybrid cloud security solutions providing assistance to those who have opted for a hybrid-cloud environment instead. However, that is for another article, as today we are primarily focused on multi-cloud and it’s connection with SD-WAN.
Enterprises run a variety of public and private cloud and Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms in order to offer their developers flexibility in choosing the most appropriate platform for a given application. This provides the end user with the best possible experience.
The Rise of SD-WAN
SD-WAN connectivity is becoming a common solution to the complexity of the network in the cloud era. It can increase bandwidth, improve security, and allow enterprises to optimize how applications are prioritized to the edge of the network. It can be managed either with a dedicated team in-house or by a managed service provider. Providers are continually improving the quality of their SD-WAN products, enhancing visibility and improving traffic identification and routing.
Among these efforts is the focus on improving SD-WAN connectivity for multi-cloud environments. Providers are looking beyond traditional hybrid WAN technology in order to support application delivery regardless of the location of the user. Application delivery and protection for multi-cloud era solutions are helping organizations in protection services across a multi-cloud environment. You can find an advanced multi-cloud ADC delivery solution when you click here. SD-WAN is increasingly using defined business policies and traffic prioritization to connect users with the appropriate cloud platform.
What’s Required of SD-WAN to Support a Multi-Cloud Environment?
In order to adequately equip multi-cloud environments with optimized networking, SD-WAN must offer application-aware prioritization. For instance, a video conference call must automatically take precedence over an email data transmission, given that a video conference call requires real-time connectivity while email is of lower priority.
Multi-cloud environments require enhanced security so that any threat can be quarantined from the rest of the network. The SD-WAN solution must also be able to offer contextual awareness so that it recognizes when there’s unusual activity in a particular segment of the network.
The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the multi-cloud setting requires that SD-WAN recognize the low-latency requirements of devices. Micro-segmentation will protect the network from the vulnerabilities inherent in multiplying the number of endpoints with an IoT fleet.
Most SD-WAN providers offer data traffic encryption as well as IPsec virtual private networks (VPNs) to further secure the environment.
In short, not all SD-WAN connectivity solutions are the same, and the differences are all too evident in the multi-cloud environment. To leverage the best SD-WAN technology for your enterprise, contact us at Wanify. We offer SD-WAN solutions and unmatched customer support to ensure minimal downtime and excellent network performance.