The Right Networking Solution Lies Not in What You Choose, But Why You Choose It

When it comes to network performance, there is a key decision that will land in the lap of the CIO: MPLS or SD-WAN. Current industry trends lean toward SD-WAN but it’s important to note that shiny object syndrome might not result in an optimal business outcome. Choosing a technology based on productivity rather than what seems like the most “innovative” or “modern” option is the surest path to a high-performing network. IT leaders should decide based on which approach to networking will support their broader vision for IT and their organisation’s objectives. 

Why is SD-WAN So in demand? 

More than 60% of Australian enterprises have now embraced SD-WAN. Were you to poll these organisations on why, the crux of the argument in favour of SD-WAN is typically in its ability to ease network burden. Well-configured, it can help organisations drive environments that rely heavily on high-performance online infrastructure, such as a cloud-first strategy. 

However, SD-WAN does need to be properly configured. Furthermore, it has several potential challenges that need to be managed. Consistent performance can be elusive, and the existence of cyber security considerations means adopting SD-WAN introduces risk to the IT environment.  

The Steady Reliability Of MPLS 

MPLS may be known as the traditional approach, but it is well-proven for delivering high-speed, low data loss, and reliable connections.   It also provides a level of predictability and security that SD-WAN struggles to match, especially when public Internet connections are heavily relied upon.  

MPLS connects all sites in an IT environment through a private network that goes back to a central Internet breakout location for all sites. This means offering just a single ingress point into the business network, allowing the organisation to concentrate its security. Despite what some might think, it is possible to deliver MPLS access to public cloud providers via Express Routes/Direct Connects and Cloud on Ramps. MPLS doesn’t mean a locked down and inaccessible environment. It may have less visibility and a higher reliance on your service provider, but organisations with less demanding cloud requirements can still leverage MPLS and provide a good user experience without exposing their organisation to the same risks. 

Comparison Breakdown 

Feature	MPLS	SD-WAN
Technology	A mature, proven technology that has been the backbone of enterprise networks for decades.	An emerging, agile technology that leverages software to manage network traffic efficiently.
Performance	Offers high performance and is particularly well-suited for real-time applications like voice and video due to its low latency and packet loss.	Optimised for cloud services, providing faster access to cloud-based applications through intelligent path selection.
Cost	Can be cheaper as it doesn’t rely on expensive devices and license on the edge.	Utilises the public Internet and reduces the need for expensive hardware.
Complexity	High reliance on the provider to configure the MPLS correctly.	Features simplified management through software control, allowing for easier changes and configuration with less technical expertise.
Flexibility	Less flexible as changes typically require provider intervention and can be time-consuming to implement.	Highly flexible, with the ability to easily scale up or down and adapt to changing network demands in real time.
Security	Offers the inherent security of a private network, with data not typically traversing the public Internet.	While it has enhanced security features, it relies on the public Internet, which can introduce vulnerabilities if not properly secured.
Reliability	Known for its very reliable connections with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS), making it suitable for sensitive data transmission.	Relies on the reliability of the Internet and may vary depending on the underlying connections.
Deployment	Deployment can be time-consuming, often taking weeks or months to set up new circuits and provision services.	Hardware-based appliance and requires specialised SD-WAN hardware and software.
Bandwidth	Offers fixed bandwidth, which can be a limitation for businesses with fluctuating bandwidth needs.	Provides dynamic bandwidth allocation but is limited to the underlying bandwidth of the service with SD-WAN.
Cloud Integration	Traditionally not optimised for cloud integration, which can lead to inefficiencies for cloud-reliant businesses.	Designed with cloud and SaaS integration in mind, offering improved performance for applications hosted in the cloud.

A Checklist to determine which is right for you 

As you can see, both technologies offer positives.  You could argue that in a world where cloud consumption is commonplace and organisations are running decentralised environments where employees are working remotely, the SD-WAN solution makes sense. However, those operating in sectors where the regulatory environment is tight need to be aware of the risk and cost of managing environments that are accessible 24/7.  

There’s a simple checklist that a CIO can work through to help understand the nature of their business and which solutions will resonate best with it: 

1. How many employees do we have, and where are they located? The scale of operations significantly influences the choice between MPLS and SD-WAN. 

2. Do you have centralised infrastructure or do you take advantage of a SaaS approach? The distribution of workloads between on-premises and cloud environments will dictate the networking technology’s suitability. 

3. What are the use cases involved? Understanding the specific way that applications will be used and the potential challenges this introduces to the network is crucial for selecting the right technology. 

4. What will our needs be like in the future? Anticipating future expansions or digital transformations can guide the decision-making process. 

The NOVA story 

One example of just how strategic this decision can be is NOVA Entertainment, which, after a 10-year history with Aussie Broadband, decided to take a renewed look at its networking environment.  

NOVA required fast and reliable performance with its data and voice services and wanted to implement Zscaler into its corporate network to improve performance and deliver connectivity to all broadcasting locations across Australia. This was after it had also adopted a work-from-anywhere policy.  

Aussie Broadband assisted NOVA in moving to an SD-WAN platform to meet these objectives and embrace Microsoft Teams Calling as the first benefit from the new, cloud-first approach. 

As Matt Steadman, the Chief Technology Officer at NOVA Entertainment said, “Aussie Broadband built us an SD-WAN solution that gives us more intelligence, capability, and reliability without increasing costs.” The company now has a unified communications solution while also being able to maintain compatibility with the legacy systems that are core to its production pipeline.  

Many organisations look to SD-WAN to lay the foundation for a cloud-first, innovative, and distributed IT future. But for some organisations, that will be overkill that introduces unnecessary security risk to the environment. CIOs need to thoroughly explore the business goals and objectives and weigh whether SD-WAN or MPLS is in a better position to deliver that. 

For more information, visit https://www.aussiebroadband.com.au/enterprise/network/.