Is SD-WAN the answer to IoT’s most difficult problems?

Short answer: SD-WAN addresses three of IoT's hardest problems. It secures connected devices with security functions and network segmentation, it manages network resources with real-time visibility and simpler traffic management, and it makes large rollouts easier through zero-touch provisioning and cloud management. This lets organisations scale IoT deployments faster without adding cost and complexity.

SD-WAN has been in the forefront of networking and technology for a few years now. Successfully making a mark in the market, along with creating a shift in the way people and enterprises see and know of connectivity. Since its inception, SD-WAN or Software Defined Wide Area Network has redefined the digital sphere, and playing the role of a catalyst in this transformation.

SD-WAN promises a higher quality user experience along with greater operational agility. As enterprises have embarked on their transformational journey, SD-WAN is the way that businesses are migrating towards.

Why is IoT hard to network?

IoT connects sensors, machines and other devices so that they can share data with each other, with cloud platforms and with people in real time. As the number of connected devices grows, so do the demands on the network: every device has to be secured, reachable and managed, often at sites with no IT staff.

While IoT is not a new term or concept for many, it is now at an increasing pace gaining a lot of popularity, since its emergence into the mainstream public. Making network change and evolve. This evolution needs an agile environment to grow in, and for enterprises to benefit from it.

How does SD-WAN solve IoT problems?

There is no denying that with any new emerging technology or albeit technological revolutions, comes a handful of issues and questions whose answers are difficult to come around. Similar is the case with IoT.

So how exactly is SD-WAN the antidote?

• Security – IoT devices as they are connected to the internet, makes them prone to threats and vulnerabilities. This is where SD-WAN comes in handy by performing a wide range of security functions, like securing information management. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and intrusion detection. Along with its security zoning capabilities it helps organizations to segment their network, ensuring that devices are not attacked.
• Network resources – Network resources play a key role in the smooth functioning of IoT devices. Inadequacy in these resources results in a number of performance issues. This is where SD-WAN plays a role. It helps decouple networking hardware from its control mechanism. It provides real time stability and visibility, making it a crucial part of controlling IoT devices. Also helps with simplifying traffic management and reducing network outages.
• Interoperability in IoT devices – With SD-WAN’s Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) feature, it automates and simplifies device connections and its functions. Making remote configuration and control much easier. SD-WAN, being a cloud-managed service, helps in leveraging IoT deployments further.  

IoT adoption keeps growing, and an SD-WAN solution enables organizations to use IoT potential to its fullest without the burden on overhead costs, risks as well as complexities. A step forward in building a simple network architecture and making sure enterprises scale their IoT deployments faster and in a more secure manner.

Related: Nexapp SD-WAN Enterprise and Nexapp Controller, IoT and M2M connectivity and SASE vs SD-WAN vs SSE explained.

Frequently asked questions

How does SD-WAN help IoT security?

SD-WAN applies security functions such as encryption and intrusion detection at the edge and segments the network so IoT devices sit in their own zones. If one device is compromised, segmentation limits how far an attack can spread.

What is zero-touch provisioning in SD-WAN?

Zero-touch provisioning lets a new device configure itself from a central controller when it is powered on, with no engineer needed on site. It makes large IoT rollouts across many locations much faster.

Why do IoT deployments need network visibility?

IoT devices depend on steady network resources, and shortfalls cause performance problems. SD-WAN gives real-time visibility and control of traffic, which helps prevent and fix outages.

Does Nexapp offer SD-WAN for IoT and industrial sites?

Yes. Nexapp's Instaroute routers and SD-WAN edges run on one firmware, NexappOS, support industrial protocols such as Modbus, DNP3 and MQTT, and offer zero-touch provisioning with central management.

To find out more about such topics, see Nexapp’s IoT and M2M solutions.