What Is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networking) is the intelligent way to connect your branches, no matter where they are. Forget expensive, rigid MPLS links. Just drop in a smart router, connect it to your local internet (like business internet fibre), and you’re securely linked to your network—fully virtual and managed from one central place. No trenches. No delays. Just plug in, switch on, and scale up.

Why SD-WAN?

For modern enterprises, connectivity needs to be fast, flexible, and fail-proof. SD-WAN gives you:

  • The ability to expand your network quickly and affordably
  • Tools to handle growing bandwidth needs without lag
  • Built-in features that improve application performance
  • Secure, direct internet access at every branch
  • Lower total cost of ownership, with higher returns

Whether you’re a hospital group, retail chain, university, or logistics network, SD-WAN is the flexible foundation you need to grow and adapt.

Why SD-WAN

Service Components of SD-WAN

Edge

SD-WAN Edge creates and terminates secured and encrypted tunnels over different types of wired or wireless underlay networks such as broadband internet, WiFi and LTE, as well as DIA and MPLS core networks.

The SD-WAN Edge also performs application-based QoS and security policy enforcement, application forwarding over one or more WAN connections, and QoS performance measurements over each WAN to determine optimal path selection.

Gateway

The SD-WAN Gateway is a special instance of an SD WAN Edge that also enables sites interconnected via the SD-WAN to connect to other sites interconnected via alternative VPN technologies.

Controller

This provides physical or virtual device management for all SD-WAN Edges and SD-WAN Gateways associated with the controller.

The controller is used for configuration and activation, IP address management and pushing down policies onto SD-WAN Edges and SD-WAN Gateways.

Service Orchestrator

The Service Orchestrator provides the service management of the SD-WAN service lifecycle including service fulfilment, performance, control, assurance, usage, analytics, and security and policy.

Software-Defined WAN to Digitally Transform Your Business

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Key Features

Secure Cloud-Based Connectivity

Connect branches seamlessly and safely over standard broadband

Smarter Routing

Automatically uses the best available internet path at all times

Traffic Prioritisation

Ensure critical apps like voice and video always perform at their best

Centralised Control

Manage your entire network from a single, intuitive dashboard

Full Visibility

Track usage, devices, and performance across every location

Faster Fault Detection

Spot and resolve issues before they affect operations

Lower Costs

Swap out expensive MPLS for affordable fibre or broadband

Rapid Rollout

Get new sites up and running in days, not months

Effortless Scalability

Add locations without disruption—locally or globally

Future-Ready

Built for the cloud, and ready for what comes next

It’s Time to Rethink Your Network

With Vodacom Business SD-WAN, your network becomes an asset, not an obstacle.

Whether you’re scaling across provinces or continents, or expanding into new markets, we’ll help you do it with speed, security, and confidence.

Together, let’s build the extraordinary

GET IN TOUCH

Get in touch to get connected

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Get Software Defined Wide Area Network

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