The adoption of public based SaaS applications which reside in virtual instances across AWS, Azure and Google Cloud are driving the need for more flexible WAN services.
If we consider the typical user profile, they are no longer exclusively branch office based. The change in user behaviour is moving the WAN edge from the branch office to anywhere the network is accessed across global Internet connectivity. In order to meet the demands of a cloud-first architecture, the use of SD WAN vendors with public based Broadband, 4G, 5G and Ethernet leased lines is required to deliver fast, resilient connectivity. The traditional static MPLS router does not meet the needs of todays Enterprise on an end to end basis.
Gartner, recognising the WAN edge shift, created the SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) framework to outline the security components required over and above SD WAN features to deliver the required solution. Aside from cloud applications, business is also benefiting from the faster delivery of Internet services, the ability to leverage path selection and the migration to CNaC (Cloud Native Carrier) solutions where DIY, Co-Managed and Fully Managed are available across the same product.
With all of the above said, where the network demands connectivity between two or more locations with built in privacy, an SLA and end to end QoS (Quality of Service), Layer 3 MPLS or Layer 2 VPLS remains the obvious choice.
If the Enterprise does not require the SD WAN and SASE feature set, selecting traditional MPLS circuits to deliver connectivity makes total sense. It is also the case that certain SD WAN vendors support MPLS circuits alongside Internet with some deploying core networks built on MPLS between global PE router gateways.
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