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ASK THESE 3 QUESTIONS OF YOUR SD-WAN PROVIDER

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Once thought of as the little brother to Software Defined Networking (SDN), today SD-WAN is growing in leaps and bounds and has proved itself as a mature technology. One of the reasons for SD-WAN’s increased adoption is the technology’s ability to deliver more reliable, agile and cost effective internet connectivity by aggregating the best available connections at any given time. SD-WAN technology bonds these multiple connections even in rough environments or rural worksites once plagued by spotty internet connectivity. This is a game changer for businesses that have branch offices, campuses or a mobile workforce (which today, is almost every business!) Examples include healthcare providers, retailers, financial services, food and beverage vendors, and those with vehicle networks like EMS or field construction crews.

How SD-WAN works

SD-WAN works by converging multiple links together− MPLS, broadband, 4G LTE, carrier Ethernet and DSL− giving organizations superior internet at broadband speeds as well as backup and redundancy features. This means that if one connection goes down, distributed offices and those working remotely, can still access mission critical applications because the technology automatically routes traffic to another link. This dynamic, on-the-fly network intelligence shapes and prioritizes traffic by following policies set by administrators. And, this can all be done from a centralized controller which is often cloud managed.

This level of fail-safe connectivity is especially important for organizations that rely heavily on cloud-based instances of SaaS applications, UC&C applications, storage and backup systems, and IaaS such as AWS. In today’s need for ‘always-on’ connectivity, imagine if the network went down due to an unexpected storm or severed Ethernet line. Productivity immediately plummets when employees have slow or limited access to everything that keeps the businesses running.  VoIP systems, Salesforce, BI applications, or even PCI-compliant payment processing systems are all vulnerable with traditional WAN architectures.

Why does network diversity really matter?

Organizations can gain a significant advantage by diversifying network links to create an enhanced network topology and greater network redundancy. While there are dozens of SD-WAN vendors and technologies available today, finding the right controller and set of options can be a challenge. To get clarity, ask these three questions of any SD-WAN or cloud provider:

 

  1. Can SD-WAN pick up LTE-Advanced networks? The truth is most SD-WAN devices leveraging USB modems run on the slower single band LTE, ignoring the faster LTE-Advanced signal. On the other hand,  routers with embedded Category 6 Modems have the capabilities to pick up LTE-Advanced signals. This is an important note because LTE-A is gaining traction as the defacto standard for network carriers offering higher speeds and more bandwidth.
  2. Wireless Router or USB? Many SD-WAN devices load balance and channel bond MPLS, broadband and 4G LTE, depending on availability, speeds and the type of traffic. They also offer wireless connectivity through a USB modem plugged into the back of the device. The problem with USB modems is that they’re an aging technology that relies on small antennas that are, for the most part, cheap and flimsy. Not only that, USB handoffs are inherently slower and offer fewer options for traffic control. Opt for advanced routers with an embedded Cat 6 Wireless modem.
  3. Cloud managed options? If considering SD-WAN, ask about cloud-managed options. A cloud-managed SD-WAN controller offers greater network performance and scalability with no infrastructure costs upfront. The solution can also be deployed rapidly with pre-configuration options instantly available. Many cloud options also provide improved network visibility and analytics so administrators can manage WAN performance, data usage and costs more effectively. Through the controller, they can quickly set up policies for load balancing and traffic shaping. They can also apply Intelligent Quality of Experience (QoE) metrics and set up alerts to manage and remediate connection issues. This might include things like unexpected data usage, failed login attempts, configuration changes, etc.

Those organizations embracing cloud infrastructures, including those that have branch offices and a mobile workforce, require more intelligent and responsive network topographies to stay competitive. Asking these questions early on can help you make a more informed decision about diversifying your network with SD-WAN.

Broad Sky Networks offers the latest technology of routers embedded with a next-generation chip set to access Advanced LTE on the carriers as well as bonding technology for the fastest speeds and most bandwidth available.  Broad Sky engineers their solution at each location to utilize the strongest carrier at every site.   If you’d like to learn more about Broad Sky Networks and how to enhance the intelligence of your network for smarter business operations, email Sales@BroadSkyNetworks.net  us or give us a call at (877) 291-9575, we’re here to help.

What is Bonded LTE and LTE – Advanced Anyway?

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The problem with the promise of blistering fast LTE/4G networks, is that connections are only as strong as their weakest link. That means that in areas that are remote or have spotty connections, when connections transfer from one link to another, there is a possibility of connections dropping. To minimize these risks, smart enterprises are considering alternatives to traditional 4G/LTE wireless services. This shift is fueled in part by the release of LTE-Advanced (or LTE-A) technology. In August 2016 Verizon launched LTE-A and similar AT&T and T-Mobile services soon followed (Source: Telecompaper).

Secure connectivity from anywhere

LTE-A is quickly gaining traction as the preferred network standard because of its carrier aggregation capabilities. LTE-A relies on carrier aggregation to essentially ‘bond’ cellular connections to deliver faster− and more reliable− connections. True to the name, bonded LTE coverage means multiple frequencies are bonded together to ensure the fastest connection possible and the maximum network availability.

As a result, with bonded LTE, service interruptions are all but eliminated and organizations can become more scalable because they can provide highly reliable internet service across the business more quickly. Bonded LTE connections provide more bandwidth and higher availability across the entire enterprise, from branch offices to mobile deployments, and to transportation networks.

All 4G solution providers are not equal. Broad Sky Networks offers an integrated single source for multiple carriers offering Bonded LTE first in the market.  Broad Sky engineers each site for optimal performance and reliability.  

If your business is evaluating alternatives to traditional LTE/4G coverage, consider these adoption strategies:

  • Do your research- Keep in mind that always-on LTE-A network connectivity is relatively new. In fact, any router/modem manufactured before Q4 2016 does not have bonded LTE capabilities. As of today, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have bonded LTE (concentration of bonded LTE availability is in major metro areas). Other stats:
      • LTE-A can raise data packet transmission speed by more than 50%
      • Download: 30-75mb
      • Upload: 10-12mb
      • Latency: 80-100 mb/second
      • Even faster without static IP
  • Have a long-term plan- If your business is moving to a cloud-based computing model and has a distributed network environment, consider technology that is future proof. The right technology decisions now can help to reduce costs and enhance the intelligence and scalability of your network in the future. Keep in mind also, bonded-LTE connections require LP6 chipset routers. These advanced routers can detect Bonded LTE signals as it becomes available.
  • Consider the right partner- Don’t underestimate the power of a trusted, partner. A service provider that understands your business workflow and long-term goals for connectivity and business continuity will give your business the greatest competitive advantage. Not only that, the right service provider will keep you informed of current technology from wireless providers, which will help cut IT spend overtime.

Taking these steps today can help you better evaluate LTE-A services and understand the potential benefits of carrier aggregation from bonded LTE routers. Broad Sky Networks offers 4G/LTE- A coverage from all major carriers and can tower qualify any specific address for bonded LTE coverage. If you’d like to learn more about Broad Sky Networks and talk about how to optimize your wireless connectivity, email us or give us a call at  (877) 291-9575, we’re here to help.

4G Failover and Business Continuity: Why Your Business Needs 4G FaaST Failover

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Nothing is certain but death and taxes, unless you’re are a business with internet access. Then, the likelihood of your network going down happens more often than you may care to admit. In some instances it’s only a momentary lapse in service and might not cause any significant disruption in your day-to-day operations. In many cases though, it wreaks havoc on your business operations, ability to communicate with customers, and ultimately your bottom line.

Industry experts like Gartner, Ponemon Institute, and Infonetics cite the cost of downtime ranging from $100k/hour to over $500k/hour. While the numbers vary slightly depending on the report, the overarching conclusion is that downtime, no matter how slight, can have a significant financial impact on your business’s bottom line.

From service provider network outages to physical cable cuts and natural disasters, wired service simply cannot guarantee 100% network uptime. With that, companies are now looking at wireless failover options to provide business continuity in the event of an outage or downtime.

4G LTE wireless offers high speed connectivity almost everywhere. Leveraging a wireless option for failover and redundancy gives businesses the piece of mind they need when it comes to managing their network communications. It is a cost-effective insurance policy for your network that keeps your business running smoothly and protects your business as soon as there is an issue.

Challenges with Traditional Failover

Traditional failover circuit designs require a second wired circuit from another network provider and an on-site switch that recognizes when the primary internet path has failed. That on-site switch can then switch traffic to the secondary path for failover. The problem with this setup is that the secondary wired path is located in the same physical space as the primary circuit, so the physical event that cuts the primary path, in turn, cuts the secondary path. Additionally, businesses with traditional wired failover solutions are unable to switch traffic back to the primary path due to a lack of onsite switch capability.

Broad Sky’s FaaST (Failover-as-a-Solution) Failover Solution

With Broad Sky’s FaaST Failover solution, we eliminate the challenges associated with traditional wired failover solutions. Since wireless circuits can’t be cut, the physical network disruption is protected by route diversity with a wireless network. FaaST Failover detects loss of upstream internet service and automatically fails over to the wireless network. Once the primary connection is re-established and considered stable, the network is then automatically switched back to the primary network.

Unlike other failover solutions, Broad Sky’s FaaST Failover solution doesn’t require the manual switch from primary to backup. Administrators are notified in real time of network events and also receive reports that include:

  • Time of outage
  • Duration
  • Resolution
  • Amount of data traffic passed

How FaaST Failover Works

By connecting the Ethernet cable from your primary carrier modem to Broad Sky’s FaaST router, you are able to “pass through” all internet traffic while retaining the carrier’s static IP. Then, simply connect your LAN switch to the Broad Sky Ethernet handoff, and FaaST Failover is ready to go. It’s that simple.

Conclusion

With the impending threat of network downtime, your business cannot afford to lose valuable productivity and communications due to network failure. Broad Sky Networks’ FaaST Failover solution is a cost-effective, easy-to-implement solution that can save you time, money, and headaches when a network event occurs. Give us a call and let us help you keep your network connected and running smoothly.