Hi friend!
Flexible, high-performance software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) and 5G wireless technology are converging to create the next big bang in network modernization. The union of these two technologies will change the entire networking landscape for businesses well beyond what 4G did for mobile/wireless communications.
Not to discount the eagerly awaited benefits that 5G will bring to consumer users such as thrilling online gaming and virtual/augmented reality (AR/VR) experiences ̶ the real impact of marrying 5G and SD-WAN will be felt primarily in enterprise branch networking and interconnecting systems, data, clouds and “things” at the edge.
In some cases, less expensive, programmable 5G links could replace existing wired services when interconnected to SD-WANs and the public internet, however, it is more likely that these optimized networks will complement and coexist with these networks. Given that, enterprises need a strategy for developing digital infrastructure that leverages seamless interconnection between legacy wired networks, SD-WAN, 5G, and branch and edge locations.
SD-WAN leverages industry-standard hardware to combine multiple physical WAN links into one logical network. It delivers services such as traffic prioritization and load balancing to accelerate application performance of applications, wherever they are deployed ̶ at core data centers, branch offices, edge locations, or in the cloud. It also improves internet link security, provides higher reliability, and enables organizations to significantly increase WAN bandwidth capacity.
5G mobile broadband and SD-WAN enable new services that will complement or serve as an accepted alternative to fixed, wired broadband connectivity (i.e., MPLS or internet broadband) with equal or greater performance.
The benefits of an interconnected 5G and SD-WAN architecture include:
1. High-speed bandwidth capacity
2. Lower costs
3. Improve reliability
4. Rapid provisioning for permanent or temporary locations
Preparing for the big bang of SD-WAN and 5G
To develop digital infrastructure that incorporates the new capacity and capabilities of modern 5G and SD-WAN architectures, organizations need to leverage a global platform that harnesses easy access to virtual network devices and software-defined interconnection to multiple networks and clouds. Platform Equinix® has a global footprint that is home to more than 1,800 networks and 2,900+ cloud and IT services. network edge lets you select, deploy, scale, and securely connect to leading network functions virtualization (NFV) providers in minutes, without requiring additional hardware.
Equinix Cloud Exchange Fabric® (ECX Fabric®) uses software-defined interconnection to solve the integration challenges when interconnecting legacy circuit and 5G networks, along with SD-WANs, other NFV services, and clouds on Platform Equinix. ECX Fabric acts as an aggregation hub for a variety of physical and virtual networks. It also provides dedicated on-ramps to multiple clouds.
Equinix’s global reach of more than 210+ data centers around the world makes it possible to quickly and reliably provision branch and edge locations with high-speed bandwidth that delivers single-digit latency (<10 milliseconds) to ensure a high quality of experience. We also recently announced the availability of a 5G proof of concept center in our DA11 data center to enable Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), cloud platforms, technology vendors, and enterprises to test, demonstrate and accelerate complex 5G and edge deployment and interoperability scenarios.
Hope to help you!
