SD-WAN - Software-Defined WAN

Features and benefits

Predictable application experience

Increase user productivity by optimizing cloud and on-premises application performance with real-time analytics, visibility, and control.

Right security, right place

Protect users, devices, and applications by deploying embedded or cloud security faster with the best threat intelligence.

Simplicity at enterprise scale

Centralize cloud management to make it easy to deploy SD-WAN and security while maintaining policy across thousands of sites.

Maximum choice and control

Maintain flexibility with a cloud-first architecture to connect any user, to any application, across any cloud.

How the Cisco SD-WAN architecture works

Cisco SD-WAN is a secure, cloud scale architecture that is open, programmable and scalable. Managed through the Cisco vManage console you can quickly establish an SD-WAN overlay fabric to connect data centers, branches, campuses, and colocation facilities to improve network speed, security, and efficiency.

vManage Desktop — Cisco vManage

Automation. Network insights. Analytics.

Any deployment

Flexible WAN management

On-premises
Cloud
Multitenant

Any service

Choose from a full suite of services.

Branch Security
Cloud Security
Application Quality of Experience

Voice and
Collaboration
Cloud
OnRamp

Any transport

Deploy your WAN over any type
of connection.

Satellite
Internet
MPLS
5G/LTE

Any location

Physical or virtual platforms for:

Branch
Colocation
Cloud

Deploy SD-WAN on your platform of choice

View all routers. Or compare routers with SD-WAN using the Cisco Router Selector.

Physical

Deploy high-performance branch and campus platforms with integrated network services.

Virtual

Launch virtualized network services on platforms designed for virtualization.

Cloud

Connect to any cloud and optimize SaaS applications.

Security

Protect your WAN with flexible security.

Deploy SD-WAN your way with Cisco DNA software

Simple, flexible software subscription suites help you achieve the latest software-defined WAN innovations and provide centralized management with security, application-aware policies, segmentation, and optimization for cloud connectivity.

Cisco DNA for SD-WAN and routing

SD-WAN use cases

See how SD-WAN delivers applications to users and devices across any cloud, without reducing visibility, security, or performance.

Secure automated WAN

Leave traditional, complex WANs behind. Move to agile, controller-based WANs with robust security features.

Application-performance optimization

Meet service-level agreements (SLAs) and maintain strong performance, even if network problems occur.

Secure direct Internet access (DIA)

Connect branch offices to Internet and cloud applications while providing protection against attacks.

Branch multicloud access

Achieve your move to the cloud with Cloud OnRamp for SaaS, which is integrated into Cisco SD-WAN.

Regional-hub multicloud access

Tie together regional sites with multicloud applications, using VNFs that can be rapidly provisioned on colocation platforms.

Read infographic

See what customers have to say

"With the help of Cisco, we are more confident in making use of such technologies as mobile payments, biological recognition, intelligence applications, and big data, building retail big data …"
- Wang Mengzhe, IT Director of Xingbianli

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"With Cisco SD-WAN, we've reduced our MPLS spending by 25 percent while increasing bandwidth by 3,075 percent."
- Luis Castillo, Global Network Team Manager, National Instrument

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"The backbone of every business is its enterprise network, and when that backbone is strong, the sky's the limit."
- Mark Bennett, Head of Global Fixed Connectivity Products, Vodafone

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"Customers seeing 55%-70% in OPEX cost reduction and 2000% in bandwidth increase in migrating from legacy MPLS to Cisco SD-WAN."
- Alexsandro Reimann, Manager of Network Services, Nap-IT Global Network Solutions

"With Cisco SD-WAN, it was possible to significantly reduce costs, improve performance in the applications, and get a more agile network with the centralized-policy deployment capability throughout our network in Colombia. The implementation of a hybrid network of MPLS and broadband links using Cisco ISR, ASR, and vEdge platforms, has ensured our customers have a better experience with voice services and access applications. In addition, it has allowed us to be more prepared in our organization to support digital transformation plans, greater security, flexible networks, and access to public clouds."
Luis Plata, Networking Services Director, BBVA Colombia