Connectivity Articles

In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, businesses are increasingly reliant on reliable, high-performance networks to support their operations, and a traditional Wide Area Network (WAN) is no longer enough. As the demand for cloud services, mobile applications, and real-time communication grows, organizations are turning to Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) to deliver a more efficient, flexible, and scalable network solution.

However, when it comes to SD-WAN, businesses are faced with a choice: manage it themselves (DIY SD-WAN) or choose a Managed SD-WAN service. Both options have their merits, but one significantly outweighs the other in terms of reliability, performance, and cost-effectiveness. Here’s a breakdown of why Lightpath’s Managed SD-WAN solution is the better choice for most businesses, and how it compares to the DIY approach.

What is SD-WAN?

Before getting into the benefits of managed versus DIY SD-WAN, let’s define what SD-WAN is. SD-WAN is an advanced networking solution that enables businesses to simplify the management of their WANs by using software to define the network’s functionality. It offers several advantages over traditional WANs, including the ability to prioritize certain types of traffic, optimize bandwidth, increase security, and improve overall network performance.

SD-WAN is particularly beneficial for businesses with multiple locations, remote workers, or those that leverage cloud applications, as it simplifies the management of diverse network connections like MPLS, broadband internet, and LTE.

Managed SD-WAN vs. DIY SD-WAN: Key Differences

The core difference between Managed SD-WAN and DIY SD-WAN lies in who manages the solution and how much control the business has over the system. With DIY SD-WAN, the company is responsible for the design, deployment, and ongoing management of the SD-WAN solution. In contrast, a Managed SD-WAN solution, such as Lightpath’s, is handled by an expert service provider who takes on the full responsibility for managing the SD-WAN infrastructure, monitoring performance, and ensuring optimal operation.

Let’s take a closer look at the key benefits of a Managed SD-WAN solution:

1. Expertise and Support

One of the primary advantages of a Managed SD-WAN solution is the level of expertise that comes with it. At Lightpath, our team of networking professionals is highly experienced in configuring, optimizing, and managing SD-WAN solutions. By outsourcing the management of your SD-WAN, you gain access to industry-leading expertise that would otherwise require significant in-house training or hiring.

With DIY SD-WAN, you would be responsible for maintaining the system, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring it evolves with your business needs. If your team lacks the necessary expertise or resources, this can result in increased downtime, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues.

2. 24/7 Monitoring and Support

A Managed SD-WAN solution comes with round-the-clock network support. At Lightpath, we continuously monitor our network and your services and can take immediate action if a problem arises – 24/7 and 365 days a year.  Our team is always ready to assist.

In contrast, with DIY SD-WAN, monitoring and issue resolution fall squarely on your shoulders. This can lead to delays in identifying issues, longer resolution times, and the potential for costly downtime during off-hours or when your in-house team is unavailable.

3. Simplified Management and Reduced Complexity

SD-WAN solutions can be complex to manage, especially for businesses without a dedicated IT team. A Managed SD-WAN provider like Lightpath simplifies this process by providing centralized management, intuitive dashboards, and automated network updates. Our team handles the configuration, updates, and ongoing maintenance of your network infrastructure, so you don’t have to worry about keeping up with the latest technological advancements.

On the other hand, DIY SD-WAN requires significant resources for network management, configuration changes, and troubleshooting. This can place a heavy burden on your internal IT staff, detracting from their ability to focus on other strategic priorities.

4. Enhanced Security

Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses of all sizes, and SD-WAN solutions provide important security features, such as end-to-end encryption and secure tunneling. However, the complexity of configuring these security protocols can be challenging for organizations that lack specialized knowledge.

With a Managed SD-WAN solution from Lightpath, we take care of the security configuration for you. Our experts ensure that your network is protected with the latest security features, including secure VPNs, firewall protection, and threat intelligence, so you can rest assured that your sensitive data is safe.

With DIY SD-WAN, your business would need to ensure that security protocols are properly configured and updated regularly. Failing to do so could lead to vulnerabilities and expose your business to potential cyber threats.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

As your business grows, so will your networking needs. A Managed SD-WAN solution is highly scalable, allowing you to easily add new sites, users, or services as needed. At Lightpath, we work with you to adapt your network to changing business requirements, ensuring that your SD-WAN solution continues to meet your needs as you expand.

With DIY SD-WAN, scaling can be more difficult. You would need to manually configure new devices, optimize traffic flows, and potentially hire additional staff to support the growing infrastructure, all of which can be both time-consuming and costly.

6. Cost Efficiency

While it might seem that DIY SD-WAN is the more cost-effective option at first, it can often become more expensive in the long run. When you factor in the costs of hiring, training, and retaining skilled IT professionals, as well as potential downtime or security breaches, DIY SD-WAN can quickly become a costly endeavor. Moreover, DIY solutions may lack the level of optimization that a managed service provider can offer.

A Managed SD-WAN solution from Lightpath offers predictable, subscription-based pricing that can be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house solution. Additionally, our solution provides better performance and optimization, which can lead to long-term savings by reducing inefficiencies, minimizing downtime, and improving the overall performance of your network.

7. Faster Deployment

With a Managed SD-WAN solution, the deployment process is streamlined. Lightpath handles the entire deployment process, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations. From setup to optimization, we make sure your SD-WAN is up and running quickly and efficiently.

In contrast, DIY SD-WAN deployments can be lengthy and complex, requiring time-consuming configurations, testing, and troubleshooting. Delays in deployment can impact your network’s performance and cause disruptions to your business.

Conclusion: The Smart Choice is Managed SD-WAN

While DIY SD-WAN might appeal to businesses with strong in-house IT teams and extensive networking knowledge, a Managed SD-WAN solution from Lightpath offers a level of expertise, support, and scalability that simply can’t be matched. By choosing a Managed SD-WAN solution, you can focus on growing your business while we take care of your network.