How the Cisco SD-WAN architecture works

Cisco SD-WAN powered by Viptela/IOS XE is a highly secure, cloud-scale architecture that is open, programmable, and scalable. Through the Cisco vManage console, you can quickly establish an SD-WAN overlay fabric. Use it to connect data centers, branches, campuses, and colocation facilities to improve network speed, security, and efficiency.

vManage Desktop

Cisco vManage

Automation. Actionable insights. Analytics.

arrow pointing to sd-wan features arrow pointing to sd-wan features

Any deployment

Flexible WAN management

  • On-premises On-premises
  • Cloud Cloud
  • Multitenant Multitenant

Any service

Choose from a full suite of services.

  • Branch security Branch security
  • Cloud security Cloud security
  • Application quality of experience Application quality of experience
  • Voice and collaboration Voice and
    collaboration
  • Cloud OnRamp Cloud
    OnRamp
  •  

Any transport

Deploy your WAN over any type
of connection.

  • Satellite Satellite
  • Internet Internet
  • MPLS MPLS
  • 5G/LTE 5G/LTE

Any location

Physical or virtual platforms for:

  • Branch Branch
  • Colocation Colocation
  • Cloud Cloud

Features and benefits

Predictable application experience

Cisco ThousandEyes extends application visibility into the internet and cloud for actionable insights. Cisco vAnalytics offers visualised performance insights into the underlying SD-WAN network.

Right security, right place

On-premises or cloud-based security with secure SD-WAN helps accelerate the transition to a secure access service edge (SASE) architecture where and when it's needed.

Optimised for multicloud

Cloud OnRamp delivers unified policy with IaaS integrations, enhanced application experience with SaaS optimisation, and cloud-agnostic branch connectivity with Cloud Interconnect.

Cloud-scale infrastructure

The scalable SD-WAN fabric is designed to support high availability and throughput, multi-gigabit port options, 5G cellular links, and powerful encryption.

See Cisco SD-WAN in action

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

Secure automated SD-WAN
Application performance optimisation
Secure direct internet access (DIA)
Branch security
Multicloud access

See what customers have to say

“This is innovation on a grand scale. We’re using Cisco technology to bridge an 82km gap between the driver and the car. If we can do this, what else can we achieve?”

- Julia Kirk, Manager Special Bids & Projects, Riedel Networks

"Lotte Homeshopping was able to triple WAN bandwidth at less than half the cost, while Lotte Chilsung Beverage gained flexible infrastructure with three-layer safety and improved WAN bandwidth to support its shift to a cutting-edge smart factory environment. Lotte Hotels and Resorts was able to centralise control of its 17 domestic locations while gaining both flexibility and greater reliability."

- Wang-seok Han, Head of IDC, Lotte Data Communication Company

"With Cisco SD-WAN, we've reduced our MPLS spending by 25% while increasing bandwidth by 3075%."

- Luis Castillo, Global Network Team Manager, National Instruments

"Thanks to Cisco SD-WAN, our network topology is now optimised and centralised across all of our operations and IT offices, making it easier to manage data and incrementally save costs."

- Subhash Kumar Mishra, Head of IT Enterprise, Vistara

"With Cisco SD-WAN, it was possible to significantly reduce costs, improve performance in the applications, and get a more agile network with the centralised-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 organisation to support digital transformation plans, greater security, flexible networks, and access to public clouds.."

-Luis Plata, Networking Services Director, BBVA Colombia

Simplify IT. Unify the experience.

Trust Cisco to help you optimise user experiences by simplifying IT.

Deploy on your platform of choice

View all Cisco routers, or compare SD-WAN platforms using the Cisco Router Selector.

Physical

Deploy high-performance edge platforms with integrated services.

Virtual

Launch virtualised network services on platforms designed for virtualisation.

Wireless WAN

Deliver secure, flexible multigigabit cellular from any location.

Cloud

Connect to any cloud and optimise SaaS applications.

Security

Protect your WAN with flexible security. 

Experience SD-WAN