Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technology is transforming how organizations manage and secure critical network traffic across multiple locations.
For IT professionals, making informed decisions about SD-WAN adoption requires cutting through the hype and understanding the facts behind common industry claims. This article unpacks what’s real, what’s overstated, and how you can confidently evaluate SD-WAN providers.
Key claims about SD-WAN – and what to ask
SD-WAN promises simpler network management, improved agility, cost savings over MPLS, and robust branch connectivity—but every solution is not created equal. Here’s how to navigate the top claims you’ll hear from providers.
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“We built [SD-WAN provider] into our core.”
This is a frequent pitch—service providers boast about integrating specific SD-WAN vendors into their core infrastructure. But what does this actually mean for your network?
- What it means: Typically, the provider is simply hosting the SD-WAN application within their own data center, possibly adding some analytics or portal enhancements.
- What it doesn’t mean: True SDN, where the entire network end-to-end is software-defined and you have full packet prioritization—even beyond their data center—is still rare.
Key difference:
- SD-WAN empowers your organization to prioritize outgoing data at the network edge (your “driveway”).
- SDN (the future of networking) promises to prioritize packets across the entire journey, not just at the start.
Why it matters: While SD-WAN helps reduce reliance on legacy solutions like MPLS or dedicated internet access (DIA), most providers still lack a fully SDN-enabled core. Until major telecoms complete their SDN upgrades, end-to-end software priority remains aspirational.
Critical questions to ask:
- What unique analytics or features does your SD-WAN offer versus going direct to the vendor?
- Is your network fully SDN-enabled? Where does SDN start and stop?
- How are my packet priorities preserved after traffic leaves your network?
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“We have the best SD-WAN support.”
Support is crucial for SD-WAN deployments, but industry scale-up can lead to support gaps.
- Industry reality:
SD-WAN adoption has risen swiftly, and many providers are growing faster than their support staff can scale. - Why it matters:
Implementation challenges—configuring appliances, scheduling network changes, and defining site profiles—are common pain points. Timely, skilled support is make-or-break for your SD-WAN experience.
Opportunity for local MSPs:
Local managed service providers (MSPs) can deliver more personalized support, stepping in where large carriers may fall short.
Critical questions to ask:
- How large is your SD-WAN dedicated support team? How many active sites are you managing?
- What’s your average ticket resolution time, and how has this trended over the past six months?
- What is your escalation process for SD-WAN-specific issues?
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“SD-WAN will kill MPLS.”
You may hear that “SD-WAN will replace MPLS,”—but this is an exaggeration.
- The truth:
SD-WAN can help organizations reduce costs and increase flexibility, but it does not directly replicate the quality of service (QoS) or service-level agreements (SLAs) provided by Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). - Who still needs MPLS?:
Highly regulated industries (finance, healthcare, government) cannot risk service interruptions or lack of SLAs—MPLS isn’t going away for these sectors.
What’s happening:
Some organizations are consolidating or shrinking MPLS, but complete elimination is rare and typically limited to low-risk environments.
Critical questions to ask:
- Does your SD-WAN solution guarantee quality of service? (Spoiler: true QoS is limited in SD-WAN alone.)
- In case of outages, what compensation or remediation is offered given the lack of SLA?
- How do you handle mission-critical or regulated environments’ requirements?
Trends, actionable tips, and CompTIA insights
- Up-to-date trends:
- Rapid SD-WAN adoption is reshaping WAN strategies for multi-site organizations.
- Vendors are introducing integrated security features (SASE, zero trust) as customer expectations rise.
- Legacy DIA/MPLS circuits are being reconsidered, but rarely eliminated in risk-averse sectors.
Actionable tips for IT pros:
- Invest in SD-WAN skills and certifications to stay competitive—see CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ for foundational knowledge.
- Always benchmark providers, not just on features, but on industry support quality and true network flexibility.
- Use proof-of-concept deployments and pilot programs to vet provider claims in your real environment.
SD-WAN is more than just a passing trend—it’s a foundational approach to modern WAN management and network optimization. For IT professionals, evaluating SD-WAN isn’t just about lowering costs; it’s about securing connectivity, ensuring resilience, and enabling digital transformation.
Ready to take your SD-WAN expertise further? Explore CompTIA’s SD-WAN content and certifications.
Stay informed, stay vigilant, and leverage the right technologies for your business.