What is Versa's SD WAN solution?

Versa solution is a relative newcomer to the Software defined space, their solution is already listed as a Visionary within the Gartner magic quadrant. The Versa SD WAN architecture is edge-based physical hardware with Cloud based network management.

Versa is perceived to be a simple solution to activate branch locations and other sites with mobile application support, next-generation Firewall security and WiFI access (WAP).

Versa employs approximately 300 employees with the majority of support provided out of the US. The market perception of Versa surrounds ease of deployment via their Titan product combined with a cost-effective price point. As you would expect, the solution is cloud managed from desktop or mobile including access to back end support. Versa suggests their typical customer profile is: SME (Small to Medium Enterprise business), Up to 2Gbps connectivity, 1-500 site scaling and Carrier agnostic.

What is Aryaka's SD WAN solution?

Aryaka is an interesting proposition as their WAN infrastructure is based on an MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) PoP deployment. In a sense, the solution is a software WAN evolution of the MPLS VPN. As a Challenger on the Gartner magic quadrant, they offer 25+ Global POPs, physical hardware and Cloud-based SD WAN controller support.

WAN optimisation is built in to the Aryaka solution.   Leading brands are using Aryaka such as Skullcandy, Air China and other notable partners including Microsoft Azure and AWS Cloud. The Aryaka capability is made up of Smart Connect (WAN optimisation), SmartCDN (IP and Web app acceleration) and Cloud VPN. If your business is reluctant to move away from private based, QoS (Quality of Service) enabled MPLS circuits, Aryaka is worth considering as a good half way networking and security capability.

What is Palo Alto's SD WAN solution? (CloudGenix)

CloudGenix was formed in 2013 and are yet another provider listed as a Visionary by Gartner. An edge-based solution with physical, virtual and Cloud based solutions via AWS. An interesting feature of CloudGenix is their layer 7 application performance management regardless of where the app is hosted.

Advanced Security is available from partners as the default hardware only proposition offers a basic capability.   Another San Jose based business, their service offerings consist of ION (Instant-On Network) which offers the capability to meet data centre and edge appliance/software demands. CloudGenix is a good option for hybrid Internet VPN, MPLS and Wireless connectivity aggregation. We note that CloudGenix approaches SD WAN via layer 7 application sessions through app-based SLA policies.

What is Meraki's SD WAN solution?

The Cisco Meraki platform offers significant benefits including CCTV, an edge-based Gartner leader with physical and Cloud via AWS or Azure. The inbuilt next-generation Firewall licence, single pane of glass management and WiFI switching mean Meraki is a great solution for a business requiring monitoring.

Meraki is best suited to Internet-only rather than supporting private technologies such as MPLS. While MPLS lines can be supported, deployment does require expertise.  Meraki is also known as a DIY technology vs some solutions which are part or fully managed.

We've recently worked on a large 300 site deployment using Cisco Meraki into MPLS primary with failover to Broadband/4G. The complexity of delivering the solution surrounds working with MPLS routing rather than using the public Internet. With this said, the capability works well and is fit for purpose.

What is the Citrix SD WAN solution?

A 2013 SD WAN offering, Citrix are a challenger within the Gartner magic quadrant and no stranger to cloud-based apps. As with most provider and vendors, Cirtix are offering edge-based connectivity with physical, Citrix HyperV, KVM, VMWare and Zen with Cloud-based options supported by Alibaba, AWS, Azure, Google and Oracle. Citrix SD WAN is viewed by the market as a single WAN optimisation device with good network visibility.

Citrix produce an SD WAN buyers checklist but this really revolves around their strengths which typically drives you down a path of selecting their services. With this said, the Citrix capability does compare well overall with every provider & vendor.

What is the Masergy SD WAN solution?

Cisco Meraki platform offers significant benefits including CCTV, an edge-based Gartner leader with physical and Cloud via AWS or Azure. The inbuilt next-generation Firewall licence, single pane of glass management and WiFI switching mean Meraki is a great solution for a business requiring monitoring.

Meraki is best suited to Internet-only rather than supporting private technologies such as MPLS. While MPLS lines can be supported, deployment does require expertise.  Meraki is also known as a DIY technology vs some solutions which are part or fully managed. We've recently worked on a large 300 site deployment using Cisco Meraki into MPLS primary with failover to Broadband/4G. The complexity of delivering the solution surrounds working with MPLS routing rather than using the public Internet. With this said, the capability works well and is fit for purpose.

What is Silver Peak's SD WAN solution?

Silver Peak only sell via Authorised Partners, please visit the Netify page for more information. The value in Silver Peak is their WAN optimisation based on applications with the pitch that their technology improves the performance of low-cost Internet connectivity to the level of private line services.

Unity Boost enables their customers to reduce network bandwidth requirements which in turn increases application performance. EdgeConnect positions their customers to leverage multiple paths across the Internet with dynamic load balancing. Silver Peak are a leader in the Gartner magic quadrant for WAN optimisation recognising their push across an application first approach including security policies and complete IaaS and SaaS application support.

What is VeloCloud's SD WAN solution?

A rich history of virtualisation means VeloCloud are ideally placed to lead transformation from traditional WAN edge to an NFV environment. With 100+ Global gateways for Internet and Cloud traffic with physical, virtual (VMware, KVM, Xen) and Cloud service access to AWS and Azure, Velocloud are in a good position to meet most requirements. Security is basic but advanced Next Generation Firewall is available from selected partners.

Traffic handling is packet-based with Software WAN optimisation across Cloud and SaaS applications delivered to the most appropriate local gateway. VeloCloud sell across four pillars of value: Performance and reliability to meet the demands of voice and video, Cloud network ready to integrate with public and private cloud, virtual services with NFV, automation and orchestration for zero-touch deployment and business policy based deployments.