Top 8 WAN Edge
Fortinet FortiGateCisco SD-WANVMware SD-WANCato NetworksForcepoint Next Generation FirewallCitrix SD-WANVersa FlexVNFSilver Peak Unity EdgeConnect
Popular Comparisons The Fortinet FortiGate local partners were good. I did not have direct contact with Fortinet support.
We were looking for the VPN feature and controlling the inflow and outflow of all the traffic within the site and across the sites. We are also using it for the VPN and VLANs.
Popular Comparisons The integration of Layer 3 and application routing is great.
The technical support is very responsive.
Popular Comparisons The most valuable feature of VMware SD-WAN is flexibility. It is more flexible than other vendors.
When we upgrade to one of the edges, it goes very smoothly.
Popular Comparisons The most valuable features of Cato Networks are the always-on VPN for remote workers and centralized management. Additionally, web filtering and antivirus are good.
Popular Comparisons I have found that Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall is easy to use, highly secure, and the main VPN tunnel is created automatically which is a benefit.
Popular Comparisons The stability is the main feature of Citrix SD-WAN. You can also upgrade the data packages or have less transmission.
The reliability of connectivity is most valuable.
Popular Comparisons It's very powerful, especially for engineering teams.
The most valuable features are the main steering and the firewall. The security features and SD-WAN features are also quite good.
Popular Comparisons The file and data reduction capabilities are very good. Without it, we have a great deal of network congestion.
The most valuable feature is the support for asymmetric lines.
Buyer's Guide
WAN Edge
July 2022

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Advice From The Community
Read answers to top WAN Edge questions. 620,600 professionals have gotten help from our community of experts.WAN Edge Topics
What Is the difference between SD-WANs and WANs?What are the advantages of having a modern WAN edge?
What Is the difference between SD-WANs and WANs?
Current WAN edge technologies are increasingly influenced by SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) technologies. SD-WAN identifies business-critical applications and directs them over the most efficient route of the WAN.
WANs and SD-WANs vary in the following ways:
WAN |
SD-WAN |
|
Application Performance |
WAN architecture drives the traffic from the network edge via data centers for security checks before sending it to the network. This causes delays and issues with cloud performance. |
SD-WAN identifies and prioritizes critical application traffic. The system can detect where to send each app’s traffic, and distributes it to the closest cloud inspection service. |
Connectivity |
Transports the traffic over MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) from branch routers to data centers. |
Uses broadband and internet services, providing faster connectivity and extra bandwidth. |
Management and Visibility |
WAN architecture is typically siloed, which can be complicated when you need to orchestrate multiple licenses and vendors. |
Uses a unified management approach, with centralized policy creation and visibility. |
Security |
Typically uses a VPN (virtual private network) to create a secure tunnel and protect the data. |
Integrates advanced security mechanisms such as IPS (intrusion detection systems). |
Costs |
WAN infrastructure requires investment in hardware and it is generally expensive to update or expand the network. |
SD-WANs don’t require investing in hardware to scale or expand the network. Additionally, they use low-cost internet to transport information, thus they are cheaper than MPLS. |
What are the advantages of having a modern WAN edge?
Transforming the WAN (wide area network) edge by adding SD-WAN (software-defined WAN) functionality can improve productivity, simplify WAN operations and allow for better digital transformation and transition to the cloud.
Some advantages of transforming WAN edge capabilities include:
- Secure connection to cloud computing platforms and cloud-hosted applications.
- Simplification of branch connectivity from the edge.
- WAN features like TCP (transmission control protocol) optimization and application protocol optimization improve application performance.
- More visibility and centralized network management.
- Optimization of traffic according to applications - for instance, using API (application programming interface) support for Microsoft 365.
- Improving limitations of WAN edge routers by using route learning protocol.
Buyer's Guide
WAN Edge
July 2022

Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Cisco, VMware and others in WAN Edge. Updated: July 2022.
620,600 professionals have used our research since 2012.