SD-WAN Comparison: Vendors & Providers (2024)

Note: Robert Sturt, TechTarget and Forbes Business writer, wrote this article. Robert has deep expertise in SD-WAN and SASE cybersecurity and has helped companies including British Legion, Permira, Medivet, CDC Global and Best Invest.

This article is updated regularly to ensure the information presented reflects the latest capability across each listed solution. To help you choose the most suitable SD-WAN vendor or provider, Netify tested, compared and contrasted 10 SD-WAN solutions that meet the needs of most medium UK and North American businesses and large Global Enterprises.

In order to guarantee a comprehensive and in-depth report, Robert used and analysed a wide range of features across each provider. These include: Zero-touch provisioning, Traffic steering, Circuit bonding, Managed services, Reporting, Cloud-native access, Next-generation firewalls, SASE cybersecurity features.

Explore the best SD-WAN Vendors and Providers:

• Cisco Systems: Best for robust network automation
• Aryaka: Best for optimised global connectivity
• Fortinet: Best for integrated next-gen firewall
• Meraki: Best for simplified cloud management
• Cato Networks: Best for converged SD-WAN and SASE security
• VeloCloud: Best for virtualised cloud-delivered network services
• Masergy: Best for managed services and AI-powered networking
• Versa: Best for cost effective security first requirements
• Palo Alto: Best for advanced threat protection
• Barracuda: Best for streamlining native cloud vendor access

Netify is a free to use SD-WAN and SASE Cybersecurity marketplace. You can compare SD-WAN solutions using our free tool or book one of our free MS Teams workshops where one of our researchers will walk you through Gartner leading solutions and why they match your specific business needs.

1. Cisco Systems SD-WAN Review

Why choose Cisco SD-WAN?

Cisco SD-WAN is a solution for medium to large businesses with complex requirements. Businesses choose Cisco SD-WAN to decouple control and data planes, enabling centralised cloud-based management via Cisco vManage, integrating application-aware routing and security across distributed environments.

Why should you not choose Cisco SD-WAN?

If your business requires a simple to setup SD-WAN solution with the capability to deliver standard features, Cisco SD-WAN is probably not the best-fit platform. The typical business buying Cisco SD-WAN are normally global, complex Multi-national companies with a higher budget.

Cisco SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Flexible Network Path Selection:
  • Technical Aspect: Supports BGP, EIGRP, ECMP routing, OSPF, VRRP, IPv6 routing protocols using any transport method from various locations.
  • Implication: Optimal pathfinding for applications, ensuring performance and deployment flexibility.
• Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Analytics:
  • Technical Aspect: SaaS component providing visibility into network and application performance, with predictive capabilities.
  • Implication: Enables efficient root cause analysis and user experience control.
• Full SD-WAN Feature Stack with Unified Communications:
  • Technical Aspect: Comprehensive features for routing, unified communications, multicloud, security, and policy control.
  • Implication: Sophisticated network control enhancing communication and security.
• Multicloud Choice and Control:
  • Technical Aspect: Optimises SaaS applications and workflow integrations with Cloud OnRamp architecture.
  • Implication: Optimised multicloud applications performance, offering flexibility.
• Built-in Security:
  • Technical Aspect: Distributed Security Enforcement framework with embedded security, fabric security, and cloud security integration.
  • Implication: Deployable SASE security across the network.
• Visibility and Analytics:
  • Technical Aspect: Granular visibility into applications and infrastructure for rapid problem-solving.
  • Implication: Enhanced network management and troubleshooting efficiency.
• Cloud-First Architecture:
  • Technical Aspect: Flexibility to connect any user to any application across clouds.
  • Implication: Adaptability in cloud-centric networks.
• Operational Simplicity:
  • Technical Aspect: Intuitive network management experience.
  • Implication: Simplified operations, more accessible management.
• True SD-WAN Architecture:
  • Technical Aspect: Separate components for control, data planes, and WAN orchestration, with AIOps capabilities.
  • Implication: SD-WAN architecture with advanced analytical insights.
• Robust IP Multicast Support:
  • Technical Aspect: Handles one-to-many communications, supports various multicast protocols.
  • Implication: Improves traffic control and network efficiency.
• Enhanced Application Visibility:
  • Technical Aspect: Detailed insights into network health and application performance.
  • Implication: Quick troubleshooting and resolution, smoother application delivery.
• Investment Protection:
  • Technical Aspect: Leverages traditional protocols, allows upgrading existing Cisco routers.
  • Implication: Protects investments, provides a path for evolution.
• Flexible Multicloud Deployment Options:
  • Technical Aspect: Includes Cloud OnRamp for various cloud integrations.
  • Implication: Diverse options for cloud deployment, enhancing network flexibility.

Automation and Orchestration Capabilities

A key feature of the Cisco SD-WAN platform is the ability to automate a variety of processes including network management, carrier performance, WAN infrastructure monitoring and application bandwidth overview generation.

Network management automation in particular is often associated with a drastic reduction in costs (due to the lack of manual intervention needed) and a an improvement across service efficiency.

Achieving Optimal User Experience Through Intelligent Routing

Cisco’s SD-WAN provides an optimal user experience too. This is due to the inbuilt application performance monitoring and automation features. The platform is overall quite flexible, allowing a customised adjustment of various applications, while rerouting traffic as needed in order to maximise performance capabilities. The result of this quick adaptation and automation is the continuous seamless connectivity.

Security Features: A Focus on End-to-End Protection

Unsurprisingly, security is a critical aspect of any network solution. Cisco does well in this aspect, protecting the network infrastructure and data with end-to-end network segmentation, traffic encryption and a zero-trust security model.

Comprehensive Tools for Holistic Network Management

Cisco SD-WAN offers a holistic network management experience prompted by in-built components, including V Manage, V Smart, V Edge, V Bond and Analytics tools.

V Manage is used to control, configure and monitor the Cisco devices with V Smart working to advertise routing and policies for the network and security. V Edge forms Cisco's SD-WAN edge device responsible for processing the Cisco SD-WAN Solution. Finally, V Bond is responsible for devices onboarding via Zero-touch provisioning.

Together, these ensure an optimal network performance by streamlining operations and allowing the making of maximum-impact data-driven decisions.

Quantitative Measurements

When it comes to quantitative measurements such as latency, throughput and availability, Cisco SD-WAN performs well. The solution attempts to deliver applications at ultra-low latency (just below 20ms) making the solution perfectly suited for applications requiring real-time data transmission (eg. VoIP and video conferencing).

Throughput is another impressive feature. The product is capable of handling large volumes of data: over 1Gbps. With automatic failover and load balancing, Cisco SD-WAN is designed to achieve 99.9% uptime by utilising multiple circuits from leased lines to 4G/5G and Broadband.

Above: Configuring Cisco SD-WAN in the demo environment with latency and jitter figures with packet loss.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

Cisco’s SD-WAN integrates well with the rest of Cisco's security products, which essentially encompasses their full SASE and SSE Cybersecurity framework offering both networking and security.

However, the high-end features of the product put it into the "premium solution" category when it comes to cost, making the solution unsuitable for small businesses or those operating on a tight budget.

With the afore mentioned wide range of technical capabilities, Cisco SD-WAN remains a complex solution compared to off-the-shelf products. Perhaps the most comparable SD-WAN product vs Cisco SD-WAN is HPE Aruba (Silver Peak) which also offers granular configuration to meet the demands of large Global Enterprise business.

Evolution of Products

Over the years, Cisco SD-WAN has transitioned from a hardware-centric to a software-defined architecture, bringing greater flexibility, simplified management, enhanced cloud integration capabilities and more robust security features.

This design choices Cisco made were so they can offer existing and new customers the option to benefit from a whole ecosystem rather than disjoint products.

Key Design Choices

Cisco’s dashboard offers real-time analytics and adds to the range of network management options. Cisco has integrated security features such as end-to-end encryption and firewall capabilities directly into the solution.

Cisco SD-WAN Pricing Insights

Cisco Systems SD-WAN pricing varies depending on company size and location. For instance, India, New Zealand, the Nordics and Southern Europe are all priced differently. The Cisco commercial licensing model includes: Essentials, Advantage and Premier or Network Essential and Network Advantage for Edge hardware.

Cisco SD-WAN on the higher end of comparable costs but businesses justify the expense because of  the capability to deliver complex solution requirements. Of course, deciding whether this is cost-effective is subjective and highly dependent on what businesses are looking for in their SD-WAN solution.

Cisco SD-WAN Verdict

From a hands-on testing perspective, Cisco SD-WAN Viptela works well across automation, user experience and security.

In the main, Cisco's software-defined architecture and integrated tools such as V Manage and V Smart offer excellent features with sophisticated and granular management. Despite coming at a premium cost, the product has a good fit for the complex Enterprise market.

Cisco Systems' SD-WAN platform provides an optimal user experience through intelligent routing and automation, which is supported by comprehensive end-to-end SASE Cybersecurity.

The platform performs exceptionally well across latency and throughput, which positions Viptela as a premium solution, potentially excluding small businesses as adopters.

Cisco SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

2. Aryaka SD-WAN Review

Why choose Aryaka SD-WAN?

Aryaka SD-WAN is a managed service chosen by global multinationals. The Aryaka solution offers a private network of over 40 PoPs with cloud-first WAN optimisation, direct IaaS and SaaS connectivity, SASE security, and built-in WAN optimisation for enhanced application performance.

Aryaka's underlay team are able to source global Internet connectivity at the lowest possible costs. This work is completed due to multiple in-country relationships where connectivity has been reviewed and brought under Aryaka support.

Why should you not choose Aryaka SD-WAN?

The Aryaka solution is not suited to companies with locations outside of their main SD-WAN gateways - you should check their gateway sites vs your branch-office and remote users. Aryaka is also viewed as an off-the-shelf product which, although is capable of customisation, is generally suited to global businesses with fairly standard requirements.

Aryaka SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Cloud-First WAN Architecture:
  • Technical Aspect: Focuses on agility, simplicity, and a seamless user experience with a unified services architecture​.
  • Implication: Reduces time to market, simplifies operations, and ensures readiness for multi-cloud environments.
• High-Performance FlexCore Network:
  • Technical Aspect: Utilises a global layer 2 and layer 3 backbone network for performance, with up to 99.999% uptime​.
  • Implication: Offers reliable and fast connectivity globally, reaching most of the business population with low latency.
• Network and Application Optimisation:
  • Technical Aspect: SmartConnect includes patented technology for end-to-end application and network optimisation​.
  • Implication: Delivers enhanced application experience with true control across network segments.
• White-Glove and Co-Management Options:
  • Technical Aspect: Integrated support and service options with tight integration between SD-WAN technology and global service delivery.
  • Implication: Provides flexible management options, catering to different organisational needs.
• Seamless MPLS Migration:
  • Technical Aspect: Smooth integration of connectivity options for MPLS, site-to-site internet, and public internet paths.
  • Implication: Facilitates easy transition from traditional MPLS to Aryaka's SD-WAN solutions.
• Last Mile Management:
  • Technical Aspect: End-to-end management of the last mile with dedicated support and 24x7 monitoring.
  • Implication: Ensures reliable connectivity and simplifies the complexities of last-mile procurement and deployment.

WAN Performance

Aryaka’s customer portal, MyAryaka, allows users to monitor a wide variety of the product’s features (WAN and application performance, traffic distribution, etc.) through detailed visualisations and dashboards.

The portal also enables monitoring the ISP usage in real-time and rates limit-specific applications by assigning Quality of Service classes, essential for balancing network load and keeping performance optimal.

Being able to easily track everything in real-time is handy not only for understanding the network and its characteristics better but also for maintaining the performance and spotting troubleshooting issues as soon as they arise.

Security Observability and Control

As discussed above, maintaining a highly secure network is crucial. Conveniently, when it comes to Aryaka’s SD-WAN, security observability and control can be monitored through MyAryaka. The analytics options available from Aryaka include network health and configuration as well as traffic volume of the many security services.

Another feature is a floating navigation bar, granting quick access to the essential information and configuration options. All these visualisation techniques allow a deeper understanding of various network aspects, which assists users to make informed decisions easily when needed.

Network Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting potential issues is crucial for any network management. However, being constantly alert and monitoring all sorts of parameters can be extremely time-consuming. This is where MyAryaka is incredibly useful.

The proactive monitoring and alerting features facilitated by the portal make keeping an eye on troubleshooting easier and faster. Users also receive real-time notifications and alerts when network-related problems arise, which immediately identifies issues. This enables a prompt resolution of these issues, with the visuals being particularly helpful in pinpointing their root causes.

Last Mile Circuit Management

One of the distinguishing features of Aryaka’s SmartCONNECT is service outages and SLA violations transparency. If an outage happens, users can access the data through the portal, identify the cause and even claim credit for disruptions.

Contract Management

Even though not as exciting as the technical capabilities of the product, managing contracts and billings is also available through MyAryaka. Users can review purchased services, deployment progress and identify any discrepancies, helping with efficient resource management.

Traffic Analysis

Traffic analysis is one more capability of MyAryaka that can prove beneficial when identifying congestion risks, allowing optimised network performance or just aiding fast and efficient problem resolution. This feature enables users to monitor volume distribution, application and bandwidth usage.

Quantitative Measurements

As before, our quantitative measurement review includes latency, throughput and availability. Aryaka’s SD-WAN scores well in all these categories. A particularly impressive feature is the Service Level Agreement (SLA) of 99.999%, ensuring extremely high network availability.

MyAryaka displays the detail for each site pair to show if there are any violations. Regardless of whether an SLA breach is triggered, we could still examine the stats to see if any packet loss or excess latency has occurred.

Above: MyAryaka showing the customer SLA Reports during the hands-on demo.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

Aryaka offers a unified SASE platform with integrated security features including URL and content filtering and malware blocking. The product scores high in usability too: being cloud-native combined with the comprehensive portal makes Aryaka significantly easier to use in comparison to competitor solutions.

The last but not least decision-making factor worth discussing is cost. The product is reasonably priced, but is aimed at medium businesses rather than the larger Enterprise. Aryaka has performed a Total Economic Impact™ study where they present a detailed report on cost-efficiency and ROI features.

Evolution of Products

Aryaka have put much thought and care into their product. Outside of the technical capabilities, the solution was developed with a strong emphasis on user-friendly design, adapting the platform to evolving market and customer experience needs.

Their capability is highlighted by Aryaka's high net promoter score (NPS). The all-encompassing SASE platform is a good option for any business considering a complete, managed SASE solution.

Key Design Choices

Aryaka's SD-WAN architecture is cloud-native, laying solid foundations for the best possible application usage. Another key feature of Aryaka's SD-WAN is that it operates through their own private network, which differentiates their solution vs competitors.

A further key design choice are integrated optimisation features, responding to the market need for efficient data transfers and high performance. In terms of availability, Aryaka SD-WAN is sold as a managed service, which allows customers to reduce the pressure on self-management caused by operational complexity.

Aryaka SD-WAN Pricing Insights

The pricing is quite competitive and entry-level. The end price covers a bundle of services, including application optimisation and network security, adding value and increasing cost-efficiency. As we mentioned, the company is looking to be a leader in cost-effective SD-WAN, so the mid-market sector forms the majority of their customer base.

Aryaka SD-WAN Verdict

Businesses considering fully managed outsourced SD-WAN across underlay and overlay to meet the needs of standard requirements should consider Aryaka SD-WAN. The Aryaka global PoP backbone also offers Global organisations the confidence across application performance and network resilience. With comprehensive network uptime SLA guarantees and SASE security options, Aryaka is a good all-rounder for the medium Global Enterprise business.

Aryaka SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

3. Fortinet SD-WAN Review

Why choose Fortinet SD-WAN?

Fortinet SD-WAN combines low-cost next-generation firewall security with SD-WAN functionality, featuring intelligent application steering, self-healing network capabilities, and AI/ML-powered analytics for enhanced network control and visibility. The solution supports complex routing, multi-cloud connectivity, and offers centralised management.

Why should you not choose Fortinet SD-WAN?

Fortinet offers significant SASE and SSE Cybersecurity capability but these features are only accessible depending on the level of expertise within your partner or your own IT team. This level of complexity is highlighted by reviews suggesting the solution can be difficult to configure for complex requirements. With this said, if you are opting for fully managed SD-WAN, the configuration and deployment is dealt with by an accredited and experienced partner.

Fortinet SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Advanced Threat Protection:
  • Technical Aspect: Acts as a skilled guard for your network, using sophisticated methods to identify and stop cyber threats.
  • Implication: Ensures a secure digital environment, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
• Simplified Management:
  • Technical Aspect: Simplifies network management by providing a unified platform for all your network needs.
  • Implication: Saves time and effort in network management, making the process user-friendly and efficient.
• Optimised Performance:
  • Technical Aspect: Directs data along the best routes, ensuring smooth application performance.
  • Implication: Enhances user experience with increased productivity and reduced lags or interruptions.
• Cost Efficiency:
  • Technical Aspect: Allows the use of cost-effective internet connections without compromising on security or performance.
  • Implication: Offers top-notch network performance while being budget-friendly.
• Cloud-Ready Networking:
  • Technical Aspect: Prepares your network for the shift to cloud computing.
  • Implication: Ensures future readiness and flexibility for adopting new technologies.

Enhanced Provisioning Templates in Version 7.0

The Fortinet review is based on the demonstration environment of Fortinet SD-WAN version 7.0. The new version features improved provisioning templates, including BGP and IBGP set alongside the SD-WAN. The templates are grouped, thus streamlining the zero-touch process and managing configurations for the various branches of the SD-WAN.

Components of Fortinet SD-WAN

Fortinet has three major components: SD-WAN Interface Members, Performance SLA and SD-WAN Rules. SD-WAN Interface Members is crucial for managing firewall policies, achieved through organising underlay transports and overlay SD-WAN tunnels.

The Performance SLAs component is there to check that the SD-WAN members meet the predefined SLA thresholds which is done via health checks. Even though an extensive list of options is available, including DNS and FTP, customising everything is possible, allowing owners to set targets for both internal LAN and external DIA traffic. IPv4 and Ipv5 are also supported.

The final component of Fortinet is SD-WAN Rules, forming the core of SD-WAN traffic engineering. There are many strategies one can choose from (eg. manual, best quality, lowest cost, load balancing), depending on the specific requirements of the network. Fortinet SD-WAN also includes Forward Error Correction and Packet Duplication, both of which are incredibly helpful when it comes to ensuring smooth voice and video traffic.

Security Inspection Integration

Integrating security inspection capabilities is quite easy in the latest version of Fortinet. Users can simply select security profiles and advanced features such as Certificate Inspection and Deep SSL Inspection, eliminating the need for additional security or cloud-based inspection.

In-Depth Analytics and Reporting

Through Fortinet’s dashboard, users can access all sorts of real-time analytics to aid their decision-making, support network efficiency and resilience. These are displayed on the global dashboard while more detailed site-specific charts and dashboards analyse SD-WAN health, bandwidth consumption, preferred paths and SLA performance. The data is informative, accessible and particularly helpful for troubleshooting.

Quantitative Measurements

As usual, when we look at quantitative measurements of an SD-WAN, we consider latency, throughput and ease of deployment. Fortinet SD-WAN scores well in all these categories, offering a low-latency and high-throughput product (thanks to the custom WAN ASIC) which is also easy to deploy. Moreover, there is a projected 300% ROI over a three-year period and a 50% IT productivity increase through the centralised management.

Above: Fortinet SD-WAN demo showing the monitor across the performance SLA with jitter (ms) and packet loss with transmit and receive data statistics.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

Being quite comprehensive and easy to use, Fortinet SD-WAN guarantees an easy transition to a SASE architecture. Sold as an OPEX model, it is long-term cost-effective due to the tiered licensing based on users' need.

Evolution of Products

Fortinet SD-WAN has been continuously changed and upgraded to best suit enterprises who need a cloud-first, constant, reliable and secure network. This is achieved through integrating next-generation firewall capabilities, routing functionalities and zero-trust as well as AI-powered security.

Key Design Choices

Overall, Fortinet scores highly in security and ease of deployment. But this is not all that the designers have focused on. The added multi-cloud support allows easy integration into cloud services such as AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. With the growing importance of performance for businesses, Fortinet introduced application-aware steering for more effective traffic management and various path control mechanisms, helping with both performance and cost efficiency. Network resilience is another pillar of reliability. Therefore, Fortinet has maximised availability by introducing self-healing capabilities minimising downtime. Since the product is developed to suit growing or larger businesses, it is fine-tuned to support varying network sizes.

Fortinet SD-WAN Pricing Insights

The various pricing options of Fortinet make it accessible to different user groups. There are hardware, software or cloud-based solutions, all coming at different prices, allowing businesses to pick whichever best suits their budget. Most of these include integrated security. Another reason for the variability of pricing is the enhanced scalability of Fortinet SD-WAN. The company’s ideal customers are growing businesses and those often seek a well-performing cost-effective solution.

Fortinet SD-WAN Verdict

From a hands-on testing perspective, Fortinet SD-WAN Version 7.0 stands out with a robust feature set, high performance and flexibility. The new features and enhancements in version 7.0 make it a compelling choice for businesses looking for a reliable, secure and data-driven SD-WAN solution.

Fortinet SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

4. Meraki SD-WAN Review

Why choose Meraki SD-WAN?

Meraki SD-WAN integrates Auto VPN for secure connectivity and supports CCTV integration for enhanced security. The solution features cloud-managed wireless WAN with 5G connectivity, enabling rapid deployment and performance. Designed for global businesses requiring high-performance WAN solutions, Meraki SD-WAN offers direct cloud access, SASE security, and centralised control through the Meraki dashboard.

Why should you not choose Meraki SD-WAN?

Meraki's business licensing model requires the maintenance of hardware and licensing costs which can end up being viewed as feature-creep, which increases costs. here are also Teported limitations in terms of supported circuits, multicast, and VoIP, which could be important considerations depending on specific network requirements. Meraki is not recognised as a solution for complex global Enterprise requirements.

Meraki SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Integrated CCTV and Smart Cameras:
  • Technical Aspect: Meraki SD-WAN integrates with Cisco Meraki MV smart cameras, enabling seamless management of video surveillance over the network.
  • Implication: Enhances security operations with easy-to-deploy, centrally managed, and secure video surveillance solutions.
• High-Performance Wi-Fi Connectivity:
  • Technical Aspect: Incorporates advanced Wi-Fi technology with Meraki MR series wireless access points, supporting features including RF optimisation and mesh networking.
  • Implication: Delivers reliable wireless connectivity, crucial for businesses with high-density Wi-Fi needs and for seamless user experiences.
• Remote Access Solutions:
  • Technical Aspect: Offers secure remote access through Meraki Z-Series teleworker gateways, integrating VPN and advanced firewall capabilities.
  • Implication: Facilitates secure and efficient remote working environments, essential for modern, distributed workforces.
• SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) Integration:
  • Technical Aspect: Meraki SD-WAN aligns with SASE architecture, combining networking and security services in a cloud-delivered model.
  • Implication: Streamlines network and security management, providing scalable, flexible, and secure cloud-native solutions for diverse environments.
• Meraki Dashboard for Centralised Management:
  • Technical Aspect: Utilises the Meraki dashboard for a unified view and control of the entire network, including SD-WAN, security appliances, switches, and access points.
  • Implication: Simplifies network management with an intuitive interface, providing real-time analytics, diagnostics, and configuration capabilities.

Dashboard Usability: Evaluating Cloud-Based Network Management

The Cisco Meraki SD-WAN solution is user-friendly, a consequence of the comprehensive and simple-to-navigate dashboard that also acts as an all-encompassing cloud-based management tool. The Insight plugin shines more light on the network’s features and further eases management.

Deployment and Configuration: A Focus on Template-Based Set-Up

The Meraki SD-WAN does not disappoint when it comes to showcasing well-known features of other Meraki products, in particular, streamlined implementation and usability. The product's deployment is quite straightforward, with template-based configuration and easy updates. This simplification of an otherwise long and complicated process is due to the auto-VPN, useful for setting up site-to-site connectivity too.

Security Measures: Endpoint Management and Additional Features

Meraki SD-WAN scores highly across SASE Security with options from the consolidated Umbrella product-set. The Meraki cloud infrastructure is designed to be very reliable, with data centres providing redundancy to maintain uptime and performance. A range of additional capabilities enhances the product, for example, endpoint management and integration with security cameras.

Multi-Device Management: One Dashboard for a Diverse Ecosystem

The Meraki dashboard is quite handy for network management. Through the cloud platform, users can keep track of connected devices from any sites and through all types of connectivity options, be it wireless access points or security cameras. This information is displayed in a simplified easy-to-digest manner, on a single interface, helping with maximising productivity and time efficiency.

Quantitative Measurements

Meraki's SD-WAN solution stands out with ease of deployment and comprehensive security features. In tests, Meraki consistently delivers latency below 30ms, making it a reliable choice for real-time and mission-critical applications.

The throughput can reach up to 500 Mbps, offering excellent data transfer speeds for most requirements. With an availability rate of 99.8%, Meraki ensures that your network stays up and running, minimising downtime. The product is easy to deploy if you are a businesses with limited IT resources.

Above: The demo environment from Meraki shows how it is possible to see historical site data with network usage.

Platform Compatibility: Addressing Android and iOS Integration

Meraki SD-WAN is compatible with both Android and iOS, covering a diverse user base. 

Design Philosophy: Simplicity vs Granular Control

The choices at the heart of Meraki SD-WAN’s design philosophy are ease of use and simplicity. To achieve this, Meraki have cut back on customisation options, allowing the product to be approachable for beginners too. However, that may be inconvenient for more experienced users as it takes away a level of granular control.

Evolution of Products

Cisco Meraki’s SD-WAN presents an easy-to-use solution, with features permeating all Cisco Meraki’s products over the years. There has been continuous work and improvement when it comes to the SD-WAN, in particular regarding cloud management, security and performance. 

Key Design Choices

As we mentioned above, usability is central to Meraki SD-WAN’s design. This comes through in their plug-and-play capabilities, made to offer quick and easy implementation. Additionally, the Meraki auto VPN, which is one of the product's USPs, significantly simplifies the process of setting up a VPN.

The signiture Meraki dashboard allows centralised management of all network properties, including device monitoring and control and is created with user convenience in mind. Real-time analytics can be found there, keeping users updated on performance and facilitating fast and efficient troubleshooting.

In terms of features, the solution offers application-based routing, helping businesses prioritise critical applications, as well as integrated security. Finally, Meraki SD-WAN is easy to adapt to changes in network size, making it ideal for growing companies.

Meraki SD-WAN Pricing Insights

Meraki SD-WAN user-focus is also reflected in the affordable cost, with an added cheaper option for businesses with limited resources. The pricing model is geared towards cloud-managed solutions and includes software licenses, support and maintenance.

Meraki SD-WAN Verdict

Meraki SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

Additional Resources

• Meraki SD-WAN pros and cons - PeerSpot
• Meraki SD-WAN - is it any good? : r/Cisco - Reddit
• Cisco Meraki SD-WAN Reviews & Ratings 2023 - TrustRadius

5. Cato Networks SD-WAN Review

Why choose Cato SD-WAN?

Cato Networks SD-WAN is a cloud-native solution that integrates traditional SD-WAN with a global private backbone and a full SASE security stack. This convergence connects and secures resources across physical locations, cloud datacentres, and mobile workforces. Cato's architecture eliminates the need for proprietary hardware by running all functions in the cloud. With over 65 PoPs, Cato's global private backbone supports WAN optimisation and empowers enterprises to transition to a comprehensive SASE solution.

Why should you not choose Cato SD-WAN

Cato Networks may not be the best fit for companies that require complex offerings, as the solution lacks essential granular features in some use cases. Although Cato Networks offer fully managed SD-WAN, the solution is viewed as a DIY or Co-Managed capability. Potential buyers of Cato should check their proximity to the Cato network of global gateways.

Meraki SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Cato Socket SD-WAN Device:
  • Technical Aspect: The Cato Socket is a zero-touch device designed for quick deployment, available in models X1500 for branch offices and X1700 for data centers, constantly monitored and updated by Cato’s NOC.
  • Implication: Ensures rapid deployment and continuous optimisation of network performance, suitable for various organizational scales.
• Traffic Balancing and Resiliency:
  • Technical Aspect: Balances traffic across multiple links, supporting scenarios like MPLS and various Internet circuits. Active-active mode for traffic balancing across last-mile circuits and customisable management for link failover.
  • Implication: Enhances network capacity and resilience, ensuring uninterrupted operation and optimal performance for critical applications, even during network disruptions.
• Dynamic Path Selection and Policy-based Routing:
  • Technical Aspect: Monitors link quality metrics, they include jitter, latency, and packet loss, dynamically selecting optimal links. Supports identity-aware routing using constructs like team and username from Microsoft AD.
  • Implication: Improves network experience by intelligently routing applications, enhancing performance and reliability for business-critical and leisure applications.
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) Engine:
  • Technical Aspect: Automatically identifies thousands of applications and domains on the first packet, enriched by URL categorisation engines and machine learning algorithms.
  • Implication: Provides detailed insights into application usage, enabling precise policy configurations and network optimisation.
• Bandwidth Management:
  • Technical Aspect: Aligns network usage with business objectives through Bandwidth Management rules, prioritising critical applications and providing detailed analytics.
  • Implication: Assures optimal performance for important applications, enhancing overall network efficiency and user experience.
• Packet Loss Mitigation Techniques:
  • Technical Aspect: Employs techniques like instant detection of lost packets and proactive packet duplication for applications with low packet loss tolerance.
  • Implication: Reduces the impact of packet loss, particularly beneficial for applications requiring high reliability such as RDP and VoIP.
• BGP Routing Protocol Integration:
  • Technical Aspect: Integrates with existing routing infrastructure using BGP, enabling informed real-time routing decisions and support for various deployment scenarios.
  • Implication: Facilitates smooth WAN transformation with enhanced support for complex networking scenarios and disaster recovery setups.
• Single-Pane-of-Glass Management:
  • Technical Aspect: Offers a unified management portal for networking and security infrastructure, providing visibility, configuration, and troubleshooting capabilities.
  • Implication: Simplifies network management, enhances visibility, and streamlines administrative tasks across the global network.
• Real-Time Network Analytics:
  • Technical Aspect: Includes analytics providing metrics like jitter, packet loss, latency, and throughput, with MOS ratings for quality of experience.
  • Implication: Enables effective troubleshooting and offers insights into network performance, improving the overall quality of experience.

Initial Configuration: Site and User Onboarding via Management Interface

Cato Networks has made the initial product configuration quite approachable for everyone. To create a site, users have to follow a sequence of steps guiding them through selecting a site and connection type, location, bandwidth and local branch office range. After connecting to the site’s network, the management system will automatically detect and record the device once it is on.

Security Features: Deployment and Management

Setting up a VPN is not complicated either. Firstly, the Cato application prompts users to create an account by adding a username and email address. Once this has been done, an activation email with comprehensive instructions for deploying a devise-appropriate VPN is sent.

Security Layer Integration: Deploying Next-Gen Firewalls, Anti-Malware and IPS

Cato Networks offers a vast array of security features including Next-Generation WAN, Internet Firewalls, Anti-Malware Protection and an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS). Integrating these is very straightforward: users enable whatever security capabilities they require through the application management system.

Performance Metrics: Evaluating Connectivity

Cato provides effective and secure high-performance connectivity across distributed networks, prioritising link quality metrics such as jitter, latency and packet loss.

Scalability and Customisation: Adapting to Organisational Requirements

Cato’s network is quite versatile when it comes to scalability. It is designed to fit SMEs and large enterprises alike and can easily accommodate changing network sizes or remote branch offices, even if those are at locations with connection disturbances.

User Experience Analysis: A Walkthrough of a Demo Account

The management application of Cato Networks features a clean and user-friendly interface. Tips and tricks are provided to ensure that even those with very limited technical knowledge can easily navigate the platform.

Quantitative Measurements

As far as quantitative measurements as concerned, Cato SD-WAN records particularly low latency and high throughput, perfect for cloud applications and data-intensive operations. As explained in more detail above, deployment is quite straightforward for this one, mainly due to features such as zero-touch provisioning. In terms of coverage, the network offers a wide range with over 80 global PoPs.

Above: Using the Cato SD-WAN dashboard to set up a branch with downstream and upstream bandwidth settings via Zero-touch provisioning.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

When we think of network “must-haves”, we look at security, usability and cost. Cato is a great all rounder scoring well across various parameters including being very easy to use and with customisable integrated security features. The exact cost is not publicly disclosed but is customisable.

Evolution of Products

Cato has evolved from a traditional SD-WAN provider to a cloud-native service combining SD-WAN with network security.

Over time, the product’s design has been adapted to meet users needs and changing market trends, particularly focusing on improving security, cloud integration and global reach.

Key Design Choices

When it comes to key design choices, Cato is a trendsetter, being one of the pioneers to fully embrace the SASE model and integrate networking and security into a single cloud-native platform. With cloud remaining a main focus, the company has upgraded their product to achieve optimal access.

Similarly to Aryaka, Cato offers a global SLA-backed backbone, providing optimised and low-latency connectivity. With a variety of integrated security features (firewall-as-a-service, secure web gateway, data loss prevention, etc.) and self-healing architecture, Cato is robust and reliable. Finally, network management and decision-making has been covered by incorporating real-time analytics tools.

Cato SD-WAN Pricing Insights

Cato is offered on as-a-service model, being therefore accessible to all businesses. Furthermore, the cost can be adapted to local market conditions and tailored to customer needs. Networking and security services are included in the price.

Cato SD-WAN Verdict

Cato SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

Additional Resources

• Cato SASE Cloud Reviews on Gartner Peer Insights
• Cato Networks Reviews on GetApp
• Cato Networks Reviews on PeerSpot

6. VeloCloud SD-WAN Review

Why choose VeloCloud SD-WAN?

VeloCloud SD-WAN is a cloud-native solution that integrates traditional SD-WAN capabilities with a global private backbone and a complete SASE security stack. This integration ensures highly secure interconnectivity across diverse resources spanning physical locations, cloud data centres, and mobile workforces. VeloCloud provides access to Global Points of Presence (PoPs) which improves latency and jitter across applications.

Why should you not choose VeloCloud SD-WAN?

VeloCloud potential drawbacks include its lack of native advanced security features, requiring reliance on partner firewalls or cloud security services. VeloCloud does not offer WAN optimisation and lacks native support for IPv6, which is increasingly important for IoT deployments.

VeloCloud SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Global Network of PoPs (Points of Presence):
  • Technical Aspect: VeloCloud maintains a global network of PoPs, connecting SD-WAN nodes within regions through these points and utilising the company’s MPLS service or the Internet for inter-regional traffic.
  • Implication: Offers scalable, redundant, and flexible SD-WAN services, particularly beneficial for multinational enterprises requiring cloud and SaaS application connectivity.
• Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN Architecture:
  • Technical Aspect: VeloCloud's architecture comprises three layers, with the first layer consisting of cloud gateways, offering worldwide network connectivity over various transport systems.
  • Implication: Enhances global reach and ensures optimised data paths to subsidiaries, applications, and data centers, catering to diverse enterprise needs.
• Service Delivery and Orchestration Layers:
  • Technical Aspect: Includes network services including QoS and firewalls in the service delivery layer and focuses on orchestration, visualisation, and policy automation in the orchestration layer.
  • Implication: Provides a comprehensive framework for network management, enabling service providers to offer tailored services and maintain control over the network.
• SD-WAN Models – OTT and Network Integrated:
  • Technical Aspect: Offers two SD-WAN models, OTT and network integrated, differing in the management of overlay edge nodes. Network integrated solutions ensure all last mile circuits, including broadband internet, have access to private MPLS networks.
  • Implication: Facilitates a versatile approach to SD-WAN deployment, accommodating various enterprise networking requirements and ensuring efficient long-distance communication.

Seamless Deployment Process

VeloCloud SD-WAN’s Edge devices (with high availability) are quick and easy to deploy. The intuitive interface gives users options to add relevant settings and needed customisations, increasing the flexibility and decision-making input this solution offers.

High Availability Configuration

To guarantee reliable HA networking, activeness and responsiveness are crucial. The HA pair and Edge devices are easy to set up (as commented above). The same holds true for the communication settings and pair activation. After completing these configuration steps, the VeloCloud set-up provides a stable, resilient and uninterrupted network.

Zero-Touch Provisioning

One of VeloCloud's key features is the integrated zero-touch provisioning which is partially responsible for the easy deployment. It also allows a pull hands-off activation of HA pairs. No manual input is needed at all, making it efficient and quick to set up. This automated performance of processes results in fewer errors and helps maintain a functioning network environment.

Quantitative Measurements

VeloCloud impresses with quantitative parameters: low latency, high throughput and automated deployment thanks to the zero-touch provisioning. Moreover, there is an impressive global coverage with over 200 PoPs and an integrated SASE security, making VeloCloud a balanced, reliable and comprehensive choice.

Above: VeloCloud SD WAN with the ability to segment networks and define QoS and priority.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

VeloCloud was specifically created for the distributed workforce, which is demonstrated by integrated SASE security ensures consistent performance, reliable coverage and high connectivity. Being easy to use and deploy, the solution is suitable for any business size. However, cost might present an issue: we have another product whose exact cost is not publicly disclosed.

Evolution of Products

VeloCloud has adapted their offering, moving the focus to SASE rather than traditional SD-WAN. The company has been notably fast in upgrading the product in line with user feedback and emerging market trends. This mainly shows when one looks into the application performance, cloud integration and network agility. 

Key Design Choices

VeloCloud was an early adopter of the cloud-native approach that guarantees users rapid deployment and scalability. With the same goal in mind, VeloCloud designed and incorporated their network edges, significantly speeding up the above processes.

Robust security features, including end-to-end encryption and segmentation are also integrated into the SASE. To enhance reliable and secure international connectivity, VeloCloud has cloud-delivered gateways that optimise the data paths.

VeloCloud connectivity options are quite flexible due to the multiple transport modes, including broadband, LTE and MPLS. When it comes to performance and reliability, VeloCloud scores highly with their dynamic multipath optimisation (DMO) allowing smooth and continuous performance. A final point that affects this SD-WAN's design is the company emphasis on application-level insights, coming through in the monitoring options available.

VeloCloud SD-WAN Pricing Insights

VeloCloud offers tiered subscription pricing models, making the product affordable for businesses with various budgets and sizes, including growing companies. Regardless of the chosen level, the subscription is a package deal covering optimisation features and cloud gateway services.

VeloCloud SD-WAN Verdict

VMware SD-WAN (formerly VeloCloud) is a cloud-delivered solution that ensures optimal enterprise and cloud application performance over the internet and hybrid WAN. VeloCloud simplifies deployments and reduces costs by providing a transport-independent secure overlay. Key components include Edge devices for load balancing, Gateways for traffic optimisation, and an Orchestrator for network-wide business policy provision.

VeloCloud SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

7. Masergy SD-WAN Review (Comcast)

Why choose Masergy SD-WAN?

Masergy's managed SD-WAN is a solution combines traditional SD-WAN capabilities with a global IP backbone and a comprehensive SASE security stack. This integration secures connectivity across physical locations, cloud data centres, and mobile workforces. Masergy's cloud-centric architecture eliminates the need for proprietary hardware by efficiently hosting all functions in the cloud.

With a global presence and a network of strategically located PoPs, Masergy's IP backbone delivers effective WAN optimisation and simplifies the transition to a comprehensive SASE solution.

Why should you not choose Masergy SD-WAN?

Some users have found Masergy's SD-WAN solutions to be limited and not as mature as other existing solutions. Masergy is not be suitable for small networks or businesses with only a few sites, as the investment might not provide the required ROI. Masergy operates their own IP network so you should, as per other gateway based solutions, check your locations and users vs the Masergy footprint.

Masergy SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Flexible Network Solutions:
  • Technical Aspect: Masergy offers a range of network solutions, including fully managed services and co-managed solutions, catering to businesses of all sizes with different needs.
  • Implication: Provides businesses with the flexibility to choose a network solution that fits their specific requirements, ensuring efficient and tailored network management.
• Secure Access Service Edge (SASE):
  • Technical Aspect: Integrates key tenets of Gartner’s SASE model, offering tiered security options like next-gen cloud firewalls and 24/7 SOC services.
  • Implication: Enhances network security, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and streamlined threat monitoring, crucial for safeguarding business data.
• Secure Network Edge:
  • Technical Aspect: Offers streamlined features for secure connections to cloud applications, including failover, application availability, and analytics.
  • Implication: Ideal for single-site customers, this feature ensures reliable and secure cloud connectivity, vital for efficient cloud-based operations.
• AI-Enhanced Network Intelligence:
  • Technical Aspect: Utilises AI to provide enhanced network and application intelligence, offering insights into jitter, packet loss, and latency performance metrics.
  • Implication: Enables effective network management and troubleshooting, improving the overall network performance and user experience.
• Direct Cloud Connections:
  • Technical Aspect: Facilitates direct connections to top cloud service providers, ensuring high availability for cloud connections with an SLA of up to 100% uptime.
  • Implication: Offers reliable and secure access to cloud applications, crucial for businesses leveraging cloud services for their operations.
• Unified Management Portal:
  • Technical Aspect: Provides a single management portal for visibility and control, integrating features include AIOps, Shadow IT Discovery, and Identity-Based WAN Analytics.
  • Implication: Simplifies network management, offering a comprehensive view and control over the network, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Work from Anywhere Mobile:
  • Technical Aspect: Delivers connectivity solutions for remote workers, ensuring secure access to corporate and cloud applications from home offices or on the move.
  • Implication: Supports the modern remote workforce, providing seamless and secure network access, essential for today's flexible working environments.
• Embedded Security with Fortinet:
  • Technical Aspect: Incorporates Fortinet edge devices and firewalls, both on-premise and in the cloud, offering a comprehensive security approach.
  • Implication: Strengthens network security, providing end-to-end management and protection against evolving cyber threats.

Intelligent Service Control Portal in Action

Masergy SD-WAN is very useful for managing multi-cloud networks. The performance of these can be easily monitored through the portal and categorised by device and region. The platform also enables users to allocate bandwidth to SD-WAN sites in real-time, giving them complete transparency and control over the whole network.

Mitigating Shadow IT Risks

A distinguishing feature of Masergy’s portal is the built-in shadow IT discovery solution. Automatically detecting unauthorised cloud apps on the network, this capability particularly useful for risk reduction in multi-cloud environments. The platform provides complete transparency over apps, showing what is being used and by whom.

Additionally, there are in-built identity-based WAN analytics, uncovering valuable data and insights categorised by user rather than site. This feature sheds light onto specific user behaviour, an intelligence not provided by many multi-cloud network platforms.

AIOps Integration for Enhanced Optimisation

Masergy has an Intelligence Service Control Portal with integrated AIOps, an artificial intelligence network optimisation solution that acts as a virtual assistant and engineer. Since the AIOps’ main job is to constantly monitor the parameters and scan for potential issues in order to prevent them, this feature is key for predicting potential issues and keeping network performance optimal.

Customisation for Organisational Needs

The Intelligent Service Portal has a wide variety of customisation abilities, allowing customers to tailor the product to their specific needs.

Addressing Multi-Cloud Network Challenges

Managing a multi-cloud environment can be quite challenging for businesses since employees rely on numerous cloud applications, particularly for voice and video communications, solidifying the importance of visibility and control. The user segmentation insights in the portal combined with AIOps assistant make this easy to easy to manage however.

Quantitative Measurements

With low latency and high throughput, Masergy SD-WAN is designed for peaked performance, thus perfectly supporting cloud applications and data-intensive operations. The solution is easy to deploy thanks to the zero-touch provisioning. When it comes to security, Masergy has integrated tiered options including next-gen cloud firewalls and 24/7 SOC services. The SLA provides a 100% in-sequence packet delivery, less than 1 millisecond of jitter and 100% service availability.

Above: Masergy provide an easy to use SD WAN portal with statistics across their packet delivery and uptime SLA.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

When it comes to decision-make or break factors, Masergy SD-WAN ticks all the boxes: strong SASE security options, an easy-to-use AI-powered management portal and even though the specific cost is not publicly available, the company promises flexible affordable pricing.

Evolution of Products

Masergy evolved into a SASE product, with upgrades mainly focused on increased security, analytics and application performance. The company has been named “a visionary” in Gartner, Inc.’s Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global Report for six years running.

Key Design Choices

Masergy SD-WAN is a managed service whose design has been centred around businesses, aiming to provide an extra secure and well-performing multi-cloud solution to meet their needs.

Thus, this SD-WAN offers a hybrid model, able to support public and private connectivity, both stable and consistent worldwide, a result of Masergy’s multitude of PoPs. The Intelligent Service Portal has a clear interface and is easy to navigate.

Masergy customers can efficiently manage the network and access all sorts of real-time analytics, neatly categorised by application and user. In terms of security, all features (including firewall and threat monitoring) are integrated into the solution.

Finally, Masergy has recognised that businesses need optimal application performance and have included features for application-aware routing and optimisation into their SD-WAN.

Masergy SD-WAN Pricing Insights

Masergy SD-WAN’s ideal adopters are large enterprises who require complex and highly customised solutions. This is reflected in the product's price. However, the cost is still variable, depending on exact businesses’ needs and usually includes perks such as advanced analytics and security features.

Masergy SD-WAN Verdict

From a hands-on testing perspective, Masergy SD-WAN offers a customisable and secure solution for managing multi-cloud networks. The Intelligent Service Control Portal and integrated AIOps make it a standout choice for businesses requiring advanced features and analytics across a tier-1 IP backbone.

Masergy SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

8. Versa SD-WAN Review

Why choose Versa SD-WAN?

Versa SD-WAN is a cloud-native solution that seamlessly combines traditional SD-WAN capabilities with a global private backbone and a comprehensive SASE security stack. This integration effectively connects and secures resources spanning physical sites, cloud data centres, and mobile teams.

Versa's cloud-centric architecture eliminates the need for proprietary hardware by hosting all functions in the cloud. Supported by a network of global PoPs, Versa's private backbone empowers enterprises with robust WAN optimisation and facilitates a smooth transition to a holistic SASE solution.

Why should you not choose Versa SD-WAN?

Netify are aware that some users have reported performance issues, particularly when additional features are activated, leading to a drop in throughput and overall network performance. Compatibility issues have also been reported, for example, Versa SD-WAN and Zscaler reportedly do not work well together. The management interface of Versa SD-WAN has been described as complex, which could be a disadvantage for businesses without the necessary technical expertise.

Versa SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Genuine Multi-Tenancy:
  • Technical Aspect: Versa's SASE solution offers total separation between every tenant extended to every branch site, allowing for granular roles and segmentation. This includes separation at the management, controller, data, and analytics levels, supporting up to 256 tenants per system.
  • Implication: Ensures high levels of security and customisation for each tenant, ideal for businesses requiring stringent data separation and tailored network solutions.
• Policy-Based Automation:
  • Technical Aspect: Versa Concerto, the orchestration platform, automates workflows, applies consistent policies across the network, and updates VOS software and security packages system-wide.
  • Implication: Streamlines network management and enhances security, ensuring efficient operation and protection for users, devices, and applications.
• Deployment Options:
  • Technical Aspect: Versa SASE can be delivered via the cloud, on-premises, or as a blended combination of both. It's a centrally managed solution with true multi-tenancy and role-based access control (RBAC).
  • Implication: Offers flexible deployment options to suit various business needs, providing secure and efficient network management and control.

Device and Service Templates

Versa SD-WAN simultaneously allows a device group to have one device template and many service templates, providing an extra layer of flexibility.

Zero-Touch Provisioning

Versa has zero-touch provisioning which facilitates seamless onboarding of devices onto the SD-WAN via DHCP and secure IPSec connections. This is straightforward and begins with initial device connection to the SD-WAN. When it reaches the appropriate head-end controller, a configuration based on the device group is downloaded onto it, finishing the process.

Traffic Steering

Versa SD-WAN’s users can define specific traffic steering through configuring the application service template. This is done through a DPI engine in order to allow more granular control. Also, traffic can be directed differently to optimise efficiency, for example, voice traffic is directed through the lowest-latency and packet-loss path, while for recreational internet traffic, the primary path is set to MPLS backup internet.

Security Features and Policies

Versa is one of the SD-WAN solutions with the most security features and policies that can be applied to zone, IP address, information headers and schedules. These extended capabilities range from protection profiles for flood traffic and zone, port and IP scans, DNS proxy configurations to various authentication methods, eg. Kerberos, Active Directory, SAML and even a local database for Versa devices.

Versa users can create decryption policies to ensure sensitive data is kept private. Each device can be configured as an SSL proxy, supporting both forward and full proxy modes.

Monitoring and Analytics

Versa SD-WAN has a variety of security and performance analytics, including real-time and historical. There is a special threats-focused view particularly handy for deep insights into potential risks within the network.

Quantitative Measurements

Digging deeper into the Versa SD-WAN quantitative capabilities, we find that the solution is highly scalable, being able to simultaneously support up to 256 tenants per system, and available to deploy either via the cloud, on-premises or through a combination of both.

The orchestration platform, Versa Concerto, automates workflows for network slicing and security remediation. In terms of security, Versa supports an integrated SASE offering, coming with a long list of extra advanced functionalities.

Above: Versa SD-WAN demo showing how the management portal automates security profiles across sites.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

As always, decision-making factors cover security, cost and usability. We have talked about security in detail. Versa SD-WAN gets high marks on usability too due to the policy-based automation and multi-tenant system. Even though the price is not openly displayed, it is likely to be flexible with potential cost benefits.

Evolution of Products

Throughout the years, Versa has changed by focusing on SASE, automating various network and security tasks and adapting the product to accommodate features sought by consumers such as flexibility, extended security and cloud-native functionalities.

Key Design Choices

Versa SD-WAN is designed to produce a robust, secure and well-performing SD-WAN. One of the key features is multi-tenancy support (up to 256 people per device at any one time), allowing effective management of a large number of clients.

Another important function enhancing performance is the application-aware routing capabilities, enabling application-level network management and increased efficiency.

The security side of this solution is particularly well-developed too. Versa comes with many built-in features such as next-generation firewall and secure web getaway. The cloud-native architecture allows seamless integration with all cloud services.

Keeping businesses in mind, Versa have chosen to focus on designs that allow a high degree of client customisation. Real-time analytics and monitoring tools can give tailored insights into the network performance. Finally, zero-touch provisioning eases management and simplifies deployment.

Versa SD-WAN Pricing Insights

Versa SD-WAN is sold as a subscription, covering a wide range of features from basic connectivity to advanced security and analytics. Being mainly geared towards medium and large enterprises, the price tends to be higher than what small businesses may be able to afford.

Versa SD-WAN Verdict

Versa's cloud-native design integrates traditional SD-WAN features with a global private backbone and a comprehensive SASE security stack. This combination connects and secures resources across physical sites, cloud data centres, and mobile teams.

Versa's cloud-centric architecture eliminates the need for proprietary hardware by hosting all functions in the cloud. Supported by a network of global PoPs, Versa's private backbone offers enterprises WAN optimisation and SASE capability.

Versa SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

9. Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN Review

Why choose Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN?

Palo Alto Networks' Prisma SD-WAN offers application-aware routing, which enables traffic management based on specific application needs. The Prisma integration within the SASE framework provides a combined solution for network and security management. This integration allows for efficient handling of network access, security policies, and traffic within a unified architecture. The combination of SD-WAN and SASE in Palo Alto's solution supports enhanced network efficiency and security, meeting the requirements of modern enterprise networks.

Why should you not choose Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN?

The cost of Prisma SD-WAN can be higher than other solutions, posing a challenge for organisations on a specific budget. The Prisma deployment and management complexity may be difficult for those with limited IT resources or those seeking simpler solutions. Integration challenges with existing network infrastructure can also be a deterrent.

For smaller networks or organisations with basic networking needs, Palo's extensive features of Prisma SD-WAN might lead to under utilisation. Organisations with complex  requirements might find niche or specialised SD-WAN products more suitable. The adoption of Palo Alto's solution could lead to vendor lock-in, potentially limiting future technology choices or integrations.

Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Superior ZTNA 2.0 Security:
  • Technical Aspect: Secures all applications used by the hybrid workforce, protecting application traffic with best-in-class capabilities.
  • Implication: Reduces the risk of data breaches, ensuring secure access and data protection.
• Branch Transformation:
  • Technical Aspect: Extends Zero Trust to branch locations with Prisma SD-WAN, integrated IoT security, and an On-Prem Controller for SD-WAN.
  • Implication: Secures devices and meets industry-specific security compliance requirements.
• Automated IT Operations:
  • Technical Aspect: AI Operations (AIOps) solution integrated into SASE with Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM).
  • Implication: Automates complex IT operations, increases productivity, and reduces mean time to resolution (MTTR).
• Cloud Secure Web Gateway:
  • Technical Aspect: Provides advanced web security and real-time content analysis.
  • Implication: Ensures high-level protection against evolving web-based threats.
• Next-Gen CASB:
  • Technical Aspect: Offers cloud access security broker capabilities for enhanced cloud security.
  • Implication: Manages and secures cloud application usage across the organization.

Deployment and Configuration

Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN is quick to deploy as a result of advanced automation and provisioning features. This also allowed easy scalability, all while maintaining a secure connection between branches, data centres and the cloud.

Application Performance Monitoring

Real-time monitoring and the continuously tracked degradation provide granular performance visibility. The applications are also particularly resilient due to the Prisma SD-WAN ability to automate resolution actions.

Troubleshooting and Analytics

When it comes to troubleshooting, Prisma SD-WAN simplifies the process, offering quick and effective solutions that don’t impact user experience. the end-to-end visibility into network events successfully identifies root causes of all types of performance issues, was it Layer 7 transactions or path policies.

Cloud Transformation and Cloudblades

Prisma SD-WAN seamlessly integrates with the cloud. This is ensured by the so-called Cloudblades feature that allows smooth connectivity between branches, data centres and the cloud, adding an extra layer of security and flexibility.

Support and Certifications

The Prisma SD-WAN has a helpful support team, available to aid users when addressing issues and ready to provide individual guidance during the offered hands-on workshops.

APIs, SDKs and Integration

Deployment is further automated by the APIs and SDKs-based architecture of Prisma. This also adds application resiliency.

Quantitative Measurements

Palo Alto’s SD-WAN impresses on the quantitative measurements front. It records a 10x improved performance and application availability based on real-time SLAs. The security is SASE, integrated with ZTNA 2.0, eliminating 45% of breaches. There is trouble ticket reduction too (up to 99%!). All this combined yields a product projecting a 243% ROI.

Above: Viewing common services is comprehensive in Palo Alto, making it simple to add features and extra products.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

As already specified, the security is SASE with added advanced features. Highly automated through the ML/AI capabilities, Palo Alto SD-WAN is very easy to use. The cost is not publicly disclosed but the variety of premium features indicate a higher-priced product.

Evolution of Products

Palo Alto SD-WAN has evolved into a SASE solution, adapting to the changing market and business landscape. A USPs is the high automation through incorporating AI/ML, thus improving security, performance and simplifying processes.

Key Product Insights 

Palo Alto SD-WAN has been designed to enable businesses to prioritise mission-critical applications, thus putting a heavy emphasis on visibility and control. A standout feature contributing to this core mission is implementing AI to increase automation, efficiency and reduce hands-on management. This also sets up easy and flexible deployment, further simplified by the zero-touch provisioning.

Options to choose from include hardware, software and cloud instances. Palo Alto have put careful consideration into optimising performance, so outside the automated features, users have access to various real-time advanced analytics. Of course, as with most SD-WANs, the solution has been designed for seamless integration with multiple cloud providers. The final key point is security. Leveraging Palo Alto's expertise in security, the SD-WAN comes with integrated features, including firewall-as-a-service and threat prevention.

Why choose Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN?

Palo Alto SD-WAN is a next-generation solution combining application-defined policies with machine learning and automation features. Enhanced security, optimal performance, deployment and configuration capabilities, coupled with end-to-end visibility into network events and cloud transformation features put this SD-WAN at the forefront of choices for enterprises.

Palo Alto SD-WAN Pricing Insights

Palo Alto SD-WAN is a premium product and the price is representative of that. The higher cost might be too much for smaller businesses, but it is justified by the extensive set of features, security capabilities and modular add-ons.

Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table

10. Barracuda SD-WAN Review

Why choose Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN?

Barracuda SD-WAN is known for compatibility with major cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP. The solution offers features for direct cloud connectivity, enabling optimised network paths to cloud services. This integration aids in managing traffic to and from cloud applications, ensuring effective bandwidth utilisation and reduced latency. Barracuda's approach to cloud integration is designed to accommodate the diverse requirements of hybrid cloud architectures, providing flexibility in deploying and managing network resources across various cloud platforms.

Why should you not choose Barracuda SD-WAN?

Barracuda SD-WAN potential drawbacks include their integration complexity, particularly in non-Barracuda environments. While cost-effective, the total cost of ownership could escalate for basic SD-WAN needs. The solution's advanced features may demand a steep learning curve and additional training for IT teams. Additionally, adopting Barracuda SD-WAN could lead to vendor lock-in, and scalability might be a concern for very large or rapidly expanding networks. These factors should be carefully considered against organisational needs and constraints.

Barracuda SD-WAN Features - what you need to know

• Advanced Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS):
  • Technical Aspect: Incorporates a multi-layered security approach with capabilities such as SSL inspection, ATP (Advanced Threat Protection), IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems), and URL filtering.
  • Implication: Offers a robust, cloud-delivered network protection, enhancing security posture while simplifying deployment and management.
• Granular Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA):
  • Technical Aspect: Implements micro-segmentation and continuous trust assessment, enforcing granular access controls based on user, device, and application context.
  • Implication: Significantly reduces the attack surface and mitigates internal threats by ensuring strict access control and verification.
• Intelligent Path Control:
  • Technical Aspect: Employs advanced algorithms for real-time traffic analysis, enabling dynamic path selection and automatic failover for optimal performance and reliability.
  • Implication: Enhances network agility and resilience, ensuring high availability and performance for critical business applications.
• Integrated SD-WAN and Security:
  • Technical Aspect: Seamlessly integrates SD-WAN capabilities with comprehensive security features, providing end-to-end encryption and secure tunneling for WAN traffic.
  • Implication: Delivers a unified solution for both network performance optimization and security, reducing complexity and overhead.
• Comprehensive Web Security:
  • Technical Aspect: Features advanced web security with real-time content analysis, phishing protection, and access control, backed by continuous threat intelligence updates.
  • Implication: Ensures high-level protection against evolving web-based threats and compliance with corporate security policies, regardless of user location.

Seamless Gateway Service Integration

For this demo, we securely connected two sites across different continents, using Barracuda Cloud and SD-WAN side devices and multiple secure connections to a CloudGen Firewall service running in Azure Virtual WAN. The whole process was completed in less than 30 minutes.

To do the integration, the user has to first deploy the Barracuda CloudGen WAN SaaS done via subscribing to a management portal. Afterwards, an immediate connection gets established with the Barracuda Cloud Control, making the process quite straightforward.

Connecting to Virtual WAN

The next step is connecting the CloudGen and Virtual WANs. To do this, users create an NVA by generating and copying tokens on a clipboard. The process also involves selecting a resource group, specifying region, naming gateway and choosing a scale unit to determine the throughput rate. After configuring the first gateway, we scheduled a second one, this time for Europe. Again, the process was quite easy, all performed in Azure Marketplace.

On-Premises Site Device Set-Up

Users can set up their on-premises site devices using the Barracuda Zero Touch Deployment portal. The desired devices can be preconfigured and allocated to various sites. Specifying the WAN type is the only extra information needed. Upon activating, the LAN configurations and devices are ready for connection.

Connectivity Achieved

After completing the steps above, a secure connection between devices is set up. The whole process is easy to follow, efficient and well-suited for businesses who need instant global connectivity.

Quantitative Measurements

Barracuda SD has enhanced security features, more precisely, zero trust network access and firewall-as-a-service offering. Another interesting capability is using application steering for optimal path selection.

Above: Using Barracuda SD-WAN to deploy services with zero-trust configuration.

Comparisons and Decision-Making Factors

Barracuda SD-WAN is a comprehensive SASE platform with heightened security which is also designed to be affordable, easy to deploy, manage and use.

Evolution of Products

Barracuda has continuously strived to tailor their SD-WAN offering, heavily focusing on as ease of use, built-in security and cloud integration.

Key Design Choices 

Barracuda has designed an all-rounded well-performing solution. As we explained in the demo report, this SD-WAN is easy to deploy and control thanks to the zero-touch deployment and user-friendly management console. It also integrates seamlessly with various cloud platforms including AWS and Azure. To address reliability, Barracuda’s creators have included features for dynamic path selection and failover.

There are some design choices reflecting the growing market focus on application-centric networking, eg., quality of service features for application prioritisation. Real-time reporting and analytics keep users updated on applications, network performance and allow to manage the whole system effortlessly. More granular control is granted through network segmentation, enabling users to isolate and secure different parts.

Barracuda SD-WAN Pricing Insights

Barracuda targets small to medium-sized businesses, therefore offering straightforward affordable prices with no hidden costs with included built-in security features. The pricing model is “pay-as-you-grow”, meaning the costs change and adapt to the business size.

Why Choose Barracuda SD-WAN?

Barracuda SD-WAN is ideal for organisations that rely heavily on cloud services and applications, with versatile cloud integration capabilities being the USP. The undertaken cloud-centric approach is futile in other regards too, in particular, simplifying deployment and increasing scalability and agility.

Barracuda SD-WAN Pros and Cons Table: