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.
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
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
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