Top 8 WAN Edge Tools
Fortinet FortiGateCisco SD-WANVMware SD-WANVersa FlexVNFForcepoint Next Generation FirewallCato NetworksCitrix SD-WANBarracuda CloudGen Firewall
Popular Comparisons The most valuable feature of Fortinet FortiGate is security. They are known for efficiency and are on the top of Gartner Quadrant reviews. Fortinet FortiGate has an easy-to-use platform with a good graphical interface. The configuration is simple and the solution provides an overall good layer of security.
Popular Comparisons SD-WAN is very stable - once it's deployed, you can just forget about it, it runs by itself.
You can easily scale the product.
Popular Comparisons I like VMware SD-WAN's automation and zero-touch provisioning. Its main advantage is simplicity. Anyone can use this gateway.
I have found the dynamic multipoint protocol(DNPO) most useful because it can tell you which is the best circuit to use for different types of traffic.
Popular Comparisons The solution is stable and suitable.
The flexibility is a great feature.
Popular Comparisons Forcepoint's stability is satisfactory, for the most part.
I like the IPS. IPS is the master feature. I depend on the firewall and sandbox.
Popular Comparisons I haven't had any trouble, and practically forget that I'm using it.
The scalability is quite good.
Popular Comparisons The best feature is the backup capability, where all of the users' computers are tied into a central data repository.
The most valuable feature is its reliability.
Popular Comparisons Its central management, especially when it comes to distributed environments, is great. I can generate and save a setting and then apply that setting across the network with just one click.
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Cisco, VMware and others in WAN Edge. Updated: January 2022.
566,121 professionals have used our research since 2012.
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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.
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Cisco, VMware and others in WAN Edge. Updated: January 2022.
566,121 professionals have used our research since 2012.
