Reviews and comparisons of the top WAN Edge Infrastructure software currently available
WAN edge infrastructure software is designed to manage and optimize the wide area network (WAN) connections between enterprise networks and the services they access over the internet or private networks. It typically includes features like routing, security, and WAN optimization to ensure efficient data flow and robust network performance. This software also supports various virtualization technologies, enabling the creation of virtual network functions that can be managed centrally, enhancing network agility and reducing complexity. Advanced capabilities such as application-aware routing help prioritize business-critical applications and services, ensuring they receive the bandwidth and resources needed for optimal performance. Additionally, WAN edge infrastructure software often includes analytics and monitoring tools that provide insights into network health, usage patterns, and performance bottlenecks. This allows IT administrators to make informed decisions about network management, capacity planning, and troubleshooting.
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Cato SASE
Cato Networks
Transform your network with seamless, secure, cloud-native connectivity.Cato equips its clients with the tools to gradually modernize their wide-area networks (WAN), aligning them with a digital-first business landscape. The Cato SASE Cloud functions as a comprehensive, cloud-native solution that guarantees secure and efficient connectivity among all branches, data centers, employees, and cloud services. This cutting-edge framework can be deployed incrementally, allowing organizations to either replace their existing legacy network systems or enhance them alongside current security measures. The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) concept, put forth by Gartner, introduces a groundbreaking category in enterprise networking by integrating SD-WAN with an array of security solutions, including Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) into a unified, cloud-based service. Traditionally, network access was managed through separate point solutions, which created a disjointed strategy that heightened complexity and costs, ultimately slowing down IT responsiveness. By embracing the SASE model, organizations can not only speed up the rollout of new services and enhance their market responsiveness but also adapt quickly to shifting market trends and competitive challenges. This innovative approach not only improves operational efficiency but also empowers businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital environment, ensuring they remain competitive and agile. Additionally, the adoption of SASE can lead to significant cost savings and simplification of the overall network management process. -
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FortiSASE
Fortinet
Revolutionize security and networking for today's hybrid workforce.The future of security and networking integration is embodied in SASE. Through solutions such as ZTNA, SWG, and cloud-based NGFW, Fortinet's platform empowers organizations to embrace the SASE model fully. Built on years of advancements in FortiOS, FortiSASE is a cloud service that, combined with AI-driven Threat Intelligence from FortiGuard Labs, guarantees exceptional security and dependable protection for today's hybrid workforce in a variety of settings. As network boundaries shift beyond the traditional WAN edges to include lightweight branch networks and cloud-based solutions, the outdated hub-and-spoke model that relies heavily on corporate data centers is becoming less effective. This evolving landscape demands a new strategy for networking and security that merges network functionalities with security measures into the WAN framework. Such an approach is critical for ensuring secure and adaptable internet access for employees working from multiple locations, thereby encapsulating the core principles of Secure Access Service Edge, or SASE. Implementing this framework not only fortifies security but also simplifies connectivity across all facets of business operations, ultimately driving innovation and efficiency. As organizations continue to evolve, the integration of these technologies will be essential for staying ahead in a rapidly changing digital environment. -
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Unity EdgeConnect SD-WAN Edge
Silver Peak
Transform your WAN effortlessly with cutting-edge automation and optimization.The Unity EdgeConnect SD-WAN Edge Platform empowers organizations to transition their WAN effortlessly and without any compromises. By adopting a modern, business-centric SD-WAN edge, companies can fully leverage the advantages of both current and future cloud initiatives and digital transformation strategies. The network's operations are consistently in sync with business objectives, ensuring that applications and network resources are effectively allocated according to business intent. Users benefit from dependable and readily accessible application performance, and IT teams find relief as they reclaim their evenings and weekends due to improved availability and resilience. Utilizing breakthroughs in automation and machine learning, the platform fosters a self-optimizing wide area network that experiences ongoing enhancements. This solution is designed to seamlessly combine SD-WAN, firewall capabilities, segmentation, routing, WAN optimization, alongside application visibility and control into a unified framework. Transition from basic zero-touch provisioning to a comprehensive automated model that is guided by business intentions, and overcome the constraints of standard encrypted VPN overlays by incorporating centralized, end-to-end zone-based segmentation that enhances both security and performance. Ultimately, this pioneering strategy revolutionizes the way organizations navigate their network management in line with their overarching strategic objectives while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. -
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NetFoundry
NetFoundry
Effortless security and performance for your connected network.Your exclusive overlay network effectively links every device, edge, and cloud while maintaining security through zero trust network access in conjunction with the SASE framework. This innovative network functions as an overlay on the acclaimed NetFoundry Fabric, which is distinguished by its superior capabilities and supported by over 20 patents in Internet optimization from the founders, thus providing an additional layer of security beyond zero trust while also improving Internet performance. You can set up your network in a matter of minutes, as it only requires the installation of software endpoints. This private network works in harmony with the NetFoundry Fabric, acknowledged as the most secure and efficient framework on the market today. With zero trust security applicable from any endpoint—including IoT devices and mobile platforms—you can implement SASE security measures at branch locations, private data centers, and cloud edges with ease. You can manage your cloud-native networking effortlessly through a web console or by utilizing your favorite DevOps tools, enjoying a cohesive control interface that offers visibility across all endpoints, regardless of the underlying networks or clouds involved. This exceptional level of control guarantees that your entire network remains not only secure but also optimized for peak performance, allowing for greater peace of mind and improved operational efficiency. By leveraging these advanced capabilities, organizations can adapt more swiftly to changing requirements while ensuring robust security and performance standards. -
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Versa SASE
Versa Networks
Unlock secure, scalable networking with innovative integrated solutions.Versa SASE delivers a complete range of services through its innovative VOS™ platform, which includes security, networking, SD-WAN, and analytics in one cohesive package. Engineered to integrate effortlessly within even the most complex ecosystems, Versa SASE guarantees both flexibility and adaptability for straightforward, scalable, and secure deployments. By merging security, networking, SD-WAN, and analytics into a singular software operating system, it can be utilized in cloud environments, on-premises, or through a hybrid approach. This all-encompassing solution not only facilitates secure, scalable, and reliable networking and security across the enterprise but also boosts the performance of multi-cloud applications while effectively lowering expenses. Designed as a fully integrated solution that boasts top-notch security, advanced networking capabilities, leading SD-WAN features, true multi-tenancy, and sophisticated analytics, Versa SASE functions on an Enterprise-class carrier-grade platform (VOS™) that is adept at managing high volumes. Its robust capabilities position it as a standout technology in the Secure Access Service Edge domain. Consequently, Versa SASE becomes an essential tool for organizations aiming to refine their networking and security strategies while maintaining a competitive edge in the market. By leveraging this advanced platform, businesses can achieve greater operational efficiency and enhance their overall digital transformation initiatives. -
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FortiGate Secure SD-WAN
Fortinet
Transform your WAN with scalable, secure, and efficient solutions.Fortinet's FortiGate provides a comprehensive, adaptable, and scalable Secure SD-WAN solution tailored for global enterprises that emphasize cloud-centric approaches and robust security. By merging SD-WAN functionalities with next-gen firewall features and sophisticated routing, this security-driven networking solution guarantees a superior quality of experience across diverse environments. This fusion not only expedites the merging of network and security functions but also streamlines WAN architecture, making it more efficient. Organizations can implement consistent network and security policies effortlessly, resulting in substantial operational efficiencies through automation, detailed analytics, and self-healing mechanisms. The Fortinet Secure SD-WAN solution empowers businesses to effectively transform and secure all their WAN edges, ensuring resilience and security. With a unified operating system and a centralized management dashboard, companies can significantly enhance user experiences, strengthen their security posture, and ensure seamless operations while optimizing overall network management. Consequently, Fortinet equips enterprises to tackle the challenges of contemporary networking confidently and efficiently, paving the way for innovation and growth. -
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FaPipe IPVPN
FaPipe
Elevate your network with unparalleled reliability and flexibility.FatPipe IPVPN significantly improves load balancing and reliability across both managed and customer premises equipment (CPE) VPNs, along with dedicated private networks. It also facilitates a simple and cost-effective migration from conventional private line, frame relay, or point-to-point networks. With FatPipe IPVPN, users can effortlessly consolidate multiple private, MPLS, and public networks without needing additional hardware at the provider's site. This innovative solution permits the use of a CPE-based VPN or a managed VPN service as a backup for your frame relay or private line. Moreover, it supports various managed VPN service providers, enabling the backup of one managed service by another, which is vital for robust business continuity and effective disaster recovery plans. Importantly, FatPipe IPVPN is unique in its ability to connect with an array of managed VPN services from different vendors, CPE-based VPNs, and private lines, thus ensuring unparalleled reliability, redundancy, speed, and security for inter-office data transfers. This level of adaptability makes it a crucial asset for businesses aiming to enhance their network frameworks. Additionally, the ability to switch seamlessly between services allows organizations to maintain uninterrupted operations, further solidifying its status as a vital component in modern networking solutions. -
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Edgility
Telco Systems
Streamline edge computing management with unmatched flexibility and efficiency.Edgility is an all-encompassing software solution tailored for agile edge computing, providing enterprise IT teams and Managed Services Providers (MSPs) with an extensive array of tools to streamline the deployment, management, and lifecycle of numerous edge devices and IT services across various locations, including branches, home offices, and mobile work settings that form the enterprise WAN. The platform is designed to handle the management of tens of thousands of edge devices, applications, and service policies effectively. Featuring an intuitive point-and-click graphical service designer, it enables users to swiftly create automated workloads. Services can be deployed on both private and public cloud infrastructures, with seamless management facilitated through a consolidated interface. This out-of-the-box solution integrates management, orchestration, and onboarding functionalities, while also providing remote monitoring capabilities to identify potential device issues before they escalate. Supporting both ARM and Intel processors, it accommodates any whitebox configurations from XXS to XXL, ensuring broad compatibility. The vendor-neutral architecture allows the software to run on any hardware, thus guaranteeing flexibility and scalability tailored to diverse enterprise requirements. Additionally, Edgility empowers organizations to enhance operational efficiency, enabling them to quickly adapt to changes in the technology landscape while maintaining effective management practices. -
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Cradlepoint NetCloud Service
Cradlepoint
Empowering seamless connectivity with innovative cloud-based wireless solutions.Cradlepoint stands out as a worldwide frontrunner in delivering cloud-based 4G and 5G wireless network edge solutions. Their NetCloud™ platform, along with cellular routers, creates a robust, secure, and software-defined Wireless WAN edge that seamlessly connects individuals, locations, devices, and everything in between, no matter where they are. With over 25,000 government and business clients worldwide, including numerous Global 2000 organizations and leading public sector agencies, Cradlepoint is a trusted partner for maintaining connectivity at crucial sites, commercial points, field teams, and vehicles. Founded in 2006, the company was acquired by Ericsson in late 2020 and now operates as a distinct subsidiary within Ericsson’s Business Area Technologies and New Businesses. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Cradlepoint also boasts development facilities in Silicon Valley and India, along with international offices in the UK and Australia, showcasing its commitment to global reach and innovation in wireless solutions. The company's strategic position and technological advancements continue to enhance how entities manage their network needs across diverse environments. -
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vSRX Virtual Firewall
Juniper Networks
Empower your cloud journey with advanced security solutions.As companies increasingly migrate their operations to the cloud to leverage the benefits of virtualization, they must also confront the new security challenges that arise during this process. The vSRX Virtual Firewall provides comprehensive and adaptable security measures designed specifically for private, public, and hybrid cloud settings. This advanced firewall empowers organizations to fully adopt cloud solutions while ensuring they have effective defenses against various potential threats. By integrating such security measures, businesses can enhance their overall resilience in the ever-evolving digital landscape. -
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Benu Networks SD-Edge
Benu Networks
Empower your network with scalable, flexible, future-proof solutions.The SD-Edge delivers vital network infrastructure functionalities and advanced services via software that runs on standard commercial off-the-shelf servers (COTS). This cutting-edge cloud-native solution can be customized to serve multiple roles, including that of a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG), Provider Edge Router (PE Router), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) gateway, Wireless Access Gateway (WAG), trusted WAG, CGNAT gateway, or a 5G Access Gateway Function (5G AGF) designed for Wireless Wireline Convergence (WWC). It empowers service providers to deliver high-speed connectivity while maintaining the ability to scale dynamically to meet the needs of demanding customers and provide additional value-added services. Our cloud-native vBNG adheres to industry standards, is disaggregated, and utilizes general-purpose processors to achieve terabit throughput. This platform not only supports broadband services with essential features like PE Routing and CGNAT but is also adaptable for SASE integration. Its rapid scalability, flexibility, agility, and cost-effectiveness make it a perfect solution for contemporary network requirements, ensuring that operators can maintain a competitive edge. Furthermore, the versatility of the SD-Edge positions it as a future-proof investment for service providers looking to innovate and expand their service offerings.
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WAN Edge Infrastructure Software Buyers Guide
Wide Area Network (WAN) edge infrastructure software plays a crucial role in modern enterprise networks by facilitating the efficient and secure connectivity of branch offices, remote users, and distributed data centers to cloud-based services, corporate applications, and the internet. As enterprises evolve towards cloud-centric and distributed network models, WAN edge infrastructure is becoming more critical for supporting dynamic workloads, optimizing traffic flow, and ensuring reliable and secure access across geographically dispersed locations.
Key Functions of WAN Edge Infrastructure Software
WAN edge infrastructure software is designed to manage a variety of networking tasks that ensure the smooth flow of data across the network. Its core responsibilities include:
- Traffic Management and Optimization:
- WAN edge software intelligently routes traffic across different network paths, such as MPLS, broadband, and LTE, based on real-time conditions.
- Features like load balancing, application-aware routing, and path selection help optimize performance by sending traffic over the most efficient routes.
- Bandwidth optimization techniques like compression and deduplication are also used to enhance efficiency.
- Security Features:
- As enterprises access applications over public and private networks, WAN edge software integrates security features such as firewalls, encryption, and intrusion prevention.
- These capabilities protect sensitive data while in transit, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and safeguarding against cyber threats.
- Cloud Integration:
- Modern WAN edge software is designed to seamlessly integrate with cloud platforms, providing direct and secure access to SaaS applications, IaaS environments, and other cloud resources.
- Multi-cloud connectivity and optimized access paths for cloud applications are key components, enabling efficient cloud usage without the need to backhaul traffic through corporate data centers.
- Network Visibility and Analytics:
- Real-time visibility into network performance is crucial for maintaining a healthy WAN environment.
- WAN edge solutions often provide detailed analytics and monitoring tools to track the performance of various applications and devices on the network.
- These insights help in proactive issue resolution, network optimization, and reporting.
- Automation and Orchestration:
- Modern WAN edge software supports automation features that allow for the streamlined deployment and management of network policies and configurations.
- Zero-touch provisioning, automated updates, and configuration templates reduce the manual effort required to manage network endpoints and enhance operational efficiency.
Benefits of WAN Edge Infrastructure Software
Organizations deploying WAN edge infrastructure software experience several key benefits, which include:
- Improved Application Performance: By dynamically optimizing the flow of traffic based on current network conditions, WAN edge software ensures that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and lower latency, improving user experience and productivity.
- Enhanced Security: Integrated security features allow businesses to securely transmit data across public and private connections without the need for additional, standalone security solutions.
- Cost Savings: WAN edge infrastructure can reduce operational costs by enabling the use of less expensive internet connections, such as broadband or 4G/5G, as alternatives to traditional MPLS circuits. In addition, automation reduces administrative overhead.
- Flexibility and Scalability: WAN edge software supports the growing demands of businesses by providing a flexible and scalable approach to network management. It enables quick adjustments to changing business needs, such as opening new branch offices or expanding cloud services.
Key Use Cases for WAN Edge Infrastructure Software
Organizations can leverage WAN edge infrastructure software in several important use cases, including:
- Branch Office Connectivity: Traditionally, WAN connections between branch offices and headquarters were reliant on costly and rigid MPLS links. WAN edge software allows organizations to use multiple types of connections (MPLS, broadband, LTE) to create a hybrid WAN that offers better performance, redundancy, and cost efficiency.
- Remote Workforce Support: With the rise of remote work, WAN edge solutions offer secure, reliable connectivity for employees working from home or remote locations. This is achieved through features like secure VPN, endpoint security, and cloud application optimization.
- Cloud-First Enterprise Architecture: For enterprises with a cloud-first strategy, WAN edge infrastructure software provides optimized and secure connections directly to cloud services, bypassing traditional data center backhaul paths and improving both performance and efficiency.
Challenges in Implementing WAN Edge Infrastructure
While WAN edge infrastructure software offers significant advantages, there are challenges to consider during implementation:
- Complexity: Deploying WAN edge software across a global enterprise with numerous branch locations can introduce complexity, especially if legacy systems are still in place. Organizations need to carefully plan the migration to ensure smooth transitions and minimal disruption.
- Integration with Legacy Systems: Legacy network components and applications may not always be compatible with modern WAN edge software, requiring organizations to either upgrade or replace older systems, which can increase costs and timeframes for full implementation.
- Security and Compliance: While WAN edge software often includes robust security features, organizations must ensure that these systems meet specific regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) depending on the industries in which they operate.
Conclusion
WAN edge infrastructure software is a foundational component for businesses looking to modernize their networks, improve performance, and enhance security in an increasingly cloud-based world. With the rapid evolution of networking needs, such solutions offer the flexibility, automation, and intelligence needed to optimize traffic, reduce costs, and support the distributed workforce of today. However, careful planning and management are essential to fully realize these benefits and overcome the challenges of integrating WAN edge infrastructure into existing network environments.