SD-WAN vs. Traditional WAN: Which Is Right for Your Business?

Trying to decide between SD-WAN and traditional WAN options like multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) can feel daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Let’s break it down so you can confidently choose the right network solution for your business.

What Is Traditional WAN?
Traditional WAN, particularly MPLS, has been the backbone of business networks for years. Think of it as a private, exclusive highway for your data—fast, secure, and predictable, but expensive to maintain. This makes MPLS ideal for businesses that prioritize consistent performance across multiple locations.

Why Some Companies Still Love MPLS:
• It offers dedicated bandwidth, ensuring a reliable and stable connection.
• You won’t deal with slowdowns or jitter (you know, those annoying lags during video calls).

The Drawbacks:
• MPLS is expensive and doesn’t play well with cloud-based apps.
• Expanding it to new locations takes time, sometimes months, which can slow down business growth.

Source: Cisco’s MPLS Overview

What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN is like the savvy, cost-conscious cousin of traditional WAN. SD-WAN uses multiple internet connections—think fiber, broadband, or even 4G/5G—and dynamically chooses the best path for your data, ensuring smooth performance for key apps like VoIP, video conferencing, and cloud services.

Why Companies Are Flocking to SD-WAN:
• It’s flexible and far more cost-effective, especially for businesses using cloud platforms like AWS or Google Cloud.
• It optimizes performance for cloud-based apps so they run like butter.

Potential Downsides:
• SD-WAN uses public internet, which might sound risky, but SD-WAN has advanced encryption and firewall protections to keep your data safe.

Source: Cisco SD-WAN Whitepaper

Key Differences Between SD-WAN and MPLS

Cost:
MPLS can be a significant investment, while SD-WAN leverages more affordable internet connections. It’s like the difference between flying private vs. first class—both are great, but one is far more budget-friendly.

Performance:
SD-WAN excels in cloud environments, handling things like video conferencing and data backups with ease. MPLS? Not so much—it wasn’t built with the cloud in mind.

Security:
Despite using public internet, SD-WAN delivers enterprise-grade security with encryption and firewalls, so your data stays protected.

Source: SD-WAN vs MPLS Comparison

What’s Right for Your Business?
If your business relies heavily on cloud applications, has multiple locations, or needs to scale quickly, SD-WAN is probably the way to go. But if you’re in a highly regulated industry (think financial services or healthcare) or need super predictable performance , MPLS might still make sense.

For businesses in Illinois, Stratus Networks offers SD-WAN solutions designed to meet local needs. We know the unique challenges you face and can deliver personalized service you won’t find with larger, out-of-state providers.

Ready to streamline your network? Contact us to find the perfect SD-WAN solution for your business!