ag visuell - Fotolia

How can SD-WAN and edge computing services work together?

Organizations may want to consider the effect SD-WAN and edge computing could have when combined. Make sure to consider all options before choosing a combination model, however.

Software-defined WAN, or SD-WAN, and edge computing can work together in two main ways: SD-WAN can route traffic to edge resources, and SD-WAN and edge computing can share infrastructure.

First, SD-WAN services can selectively direct application traffic to the resources that provide the best available service. These destinations can include resources in on-site or nearby edge facilities.

An SD-WAN service that routes edge traffic could benefit enterprises with multiple locations in several widely separated metro areas, such as a quick-service restaurant chain or a consumer financial services company. Each metro area might have edge computing resources in one or two locations, and SD-WAN could direct traffic to them appropriately.

How can SD-WAN and edge computing share infrastructure?

Another option for IT teams is to use edge computing infrastructure to host an SD-WAN service based on virtual appliances or network functions virtualization.

Conversely, a universal customer premises equipment box or other SD-WAN branch device could meet edge computing service demands -- if the device has the spare capacity. A warehouse, for example, might enable an SD-WAN service to share the same hardware as robot control or real-time inventory monitoring systems.

Companies interested in a combination of SD-WAN and edge computing should test both models: SD-WAN that runs on edge computing service gear and SD-WAN that provides a platform for edge computing. Organizations should also see which option, if either, reduces operational complexity and benefits both WAN and edge performances.

Dig Deeper on Network infrastructure

Unified Communications
Mobile Computing
Data Center
ITChannel
Close