Effective Connections for Hybrid and Multicloud Environments
When organizations started moving workloads to the cloud over the past decade or two, in most cases they didn’t put much thought into how they were connecting to their cloud resources, Neema says. But as companies became more strategic in their approach to cloud, they made smarter decisions about connectivity.
“We are moving toward a cloud-smart strategy, where we are thinking more about how we can increase agility and decrease the cost for the cloud,” he says. “We also want to figure out how we can extract the full value of the cloud.”
IT teams have numerous options as they aim to connect cloud workloads, including connecting via VPN, AWS Direct Connect, cloud exchange and colocation. However, the use of SD-WAN and SSE has become more prevalent.
DISCOVER: Learn how this business achieved great connectivity with SD-WAN.
SD-WAN uses software overlays to manage a network more effectively, giving administrators greater control over bandwidth and traffic flows. This technology allows an organization’s IT team to automate key processes, enabling greater speed and flexibility while enhancing performance. It also provides a clear look into traffic flows and data interactions.
“Connecting a cloud with SD-WAN helps an organization adapt quickly to changes in its hybrid cloud infrastructure,” says Pete Schepers, a principal solution architect with CDW. “As workloads move, you can quickly gain insight into what's going on in your environment, understand what’s moving and adapt your policy.”
SD-WAN also lets IT teams see traffic at a granular level, providing data on latency and details about specific transports, helping team members adjust workflows. It also enhances security by automating the implementation of measures, such as end-to-end segmentation and end-to-end encryption.