By: Ralph Santitoro | January 7, 2019
Evolution to an “as-a-Service” Model
SD-WAN services are application-aware and operate over-the-top (OTT) of any underlay network from any service provider. This creates a new ‘network-as-a-service’ virtual service delivery and consumption model similar to other XaaS (‘Anything-as-a-Service’) models like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. SD-WAN services are agile and orchestrated plus when using multiple WANs, can provide highly optimized and assured service delivery. SD-WAN services, in essence, realize the objectives of the MEF 3.0 service vision now.
Decoupling the “Network” from the “Service”
Voice and video services once operated over dedicated networks (PSTN and Cable TV). However, OTT services such as VoIP and Netflix disrupted the market because they decoupled the service from the network. This is also the case with SD-WAN. SD-WAN services decouple WAN services from the underlay network and thus enable network services to operate using an ‘as-a-Service’ model. Subscribers can now get sites and clouds on the SD-WAN interconnected in days instead of weeks or months using legacy WAN services.
Facilitate and Accelerate Migration to Clouds
Because SD-WAN services are OTT, they help enterprise subscribers accelerate the migration their applications from private data centers to public and virtual private clouds (VPCs). SD-WAN facilitates enterprise subscribers to securely connect their VPCs as simply and quickly as they can connect their physical sites. This accelerates time to revenue and improves margins for SD-WAN service providers who can deliver the entire end-to-end WAN service more quickly and cost effectively than traditional, legacy WAN services which often require peering agreements and NNIs (Network-to-Network Interfaces) for last mile connections to reach off-net locations.
Local Internet Breakout Becoming Increasingly Important
In addition to inter-site connectivity, SD-WAN services also provide local Internet breakout to connect to public cloud services which are playing a critical role in the enterprise digital transformation. Such applications include SaaS services and other ‘as-a-Service’ offerings such as unified communications services (UCaaS) – voice, conferencing and messaging, and unified threat management security services (SECaaS) to name a few.
5G Fixed Wireless Access and SD-WAN Symbiosis
5G fixed wireless services could play an increasingly important role in SD-WAN service deployments. The agile delivery model of SD-WAN services coupled with higher bandwidth and faster to deploy last mile fixed wireless services, will become a symbiotic combination. SD-WAN service providers will partner with 5G wireless service providers (WSPs), or have their own 5G services, to expand their services realm resulting in increased revenue per enterprise subscriber.
Many Possible XaaS Trajectories
This ecosystem of XaaS offerings and 5G services are inextricably linked to SD-WAN. This enables SD-WAN service providers, XaaS cloud service providers and 5G WSPs to deliver a plethora of interconnected digital services. Expect to see more collaboration between this diverse set of service providers which will redefine how digital services are consumed using an ‘as-a-Service’ delivery model.
About the Author
Ralph Santitoro has expertise that spans the assessment, definition, design, integration, operations, marketing, and sales of multi-vendor solutions and managed services using Edge Cloud, SD-WAN, SASE, Zero Trust, Cybersecurity, Private 5G, and Work-from-Home technologies that facilitate the enterprise digital transformation. Ralph is a founding member of MEF Forum where he developed the industry’s first SD-WAN standard and is leading a new standard developing a comprehensive Zero Trust Framework to continuously protect users, devices and applications from threats both known and unknown.
In 2014, Ralph was awarded the Distinguished Fellow title at MEF Forum for his outstanding, long time leadership and contributions to shape the telecom industry. In 2016, he was awarded the MEF Excellence Award for Best Consulting Practice. In 2018, Ralph was named one of the top 25 movers & shakers in the telecom industry by Fierce Telecom Magazine and in 2020, he was awarded the MEF Outstanding Contributor award for SD-WAN leadership and the driving force behind SD-WAN standardization. Ralph also co-authored 4 books and regularly lectures on leading-edge technology topics at industry events.
