Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Product Overview
Introduction to Fortinet Secure SD-WAN
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is a comprehensive solution that integrates software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) with advanced security features, making it a powerful tool in the networking tools category.Primary Function
The primary function of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is to manage and optimize wide-area networks (WANs) while providing robust security. It consolidates physical transport connections, monitors and load-balances traffic, and builds VPN overlay networks to control traffic across different sites.Target Audience
This solution is targeted at enterprises of all sizes and verticals, including large service providers. It is particularly beneficial for organizations that need to enhance their WAN edge security, simplify operations, and improve user experience across their network.Key Features
Integrated Security
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN includes a next-generation firewall (NGFW) and advanced security features such as intrusion prevention (IPS), web filtering, sandboxing, and SSL/TLS inspection. This integrated security approach ensures that the network and its data are protected without compromising performance.Application Awareness
The solution is application-aware, allowing it to identify and prioritize traffic based on specific applications. This feature enables automated path intelligence, dynamically selecting the best WAN link for each application to ensure optimal performance.Performance Optimization
Fortinet’s Secure SD-WAN uses the industry’s first SD-WAN ASIC, the SOC4, which accelerates application steering and reduces performance degradation, especially with encrypted traffic. This results in faster SD-WAN security performance and a better overall WAN user experience.Simplified Operations
The solution offers centralized orchestration and management through a single-pane-of-glass, simplifying operations and reducing complexity. Features like zero-touch provisioning allow customers to deploy new branches quickly and efficiently.Cost Reduction
By consolidating point products into a single enterprise-grade solution, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN helps reduce capital and operational costs. It also supports transport independence across MPLS, 4G/5G LTE, and other connections, further reducing costs.Scalability and Flexibility
The solution is scalable and flexible, supporting enterprises with up to 100,000 sites. It offers a range of form factors, from the FortiGate/FortiWiFi 30E to the FortiGate 300E, as well as virtual appliances. In summary, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is a powerful, integrated solution that combines SD-WAN capabilities with advanced security features, making it an ideal choice for enterprises seeking to optimize their WAN performance and security. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is designed to be intuitive and comprehensive, catering to the needs of network administrators and IT professionals.Configuration and Management
The interface for configuring SD-WAN on Fortinet devices is accessible through the FortiOS GUI. Users can go to the “Network > SD-WAN” section to create and manage SD-WAN members. Here, you can select and add interfaces to an SD-WAN zone, such as the default “virtual-wan-link” zone. This process involves setting up the interface details, including addressing modes (e.g., DHCP or static IP), gateways, and administrative distances.Centralized Orchestration
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN benefits from centralized orchestration through FortiManager, which acts as a single pane of glass for managing deployments, configurations, and operations. This platform allows for zero-touch provisioning, making large-scale deployments faster and more efficient. It also provides visibility, analytics, and reporting, simplifying network and security management.GUI Enhancements
The SD-WAN pages in the FortiOS GUI have been updated to simplify configuration. New charts and monitoring capabilities are included, such as pie charts showing interface statistics and tables detailing sessions, bytes sent, and received. The interface list provides clear information about each SD-WAN member, including health check and SLA statistics. When editing SD-WAN rules, the GUI displays strategies with brief descriptions and includes hit counts, last used timestamps, and SLA target statistics.Ease of Use
While the initial setup can be complex, especially for those without a routing foundation, the overall user experience is generally positive. Users appreciate the ease of deployment and the intuitive nature of the interface once familiar with it. The GUI is designed to be user-friendly, with features like tooltips and clear visual representations of data, which help in making informed decisions about traffic steering and performance SLAs.Performance and Monitoring
The system offers enhanced monitoring capabilities, including the ability to track performance SLAs, DNS protocol support, and detailed statistics on interface health and traffic flow. The “Network > Policy Routes” page and “Policy Routing” widget also include hit count and last used columns, providing comprehensive insights into network performance.User Feedback
Users generally find Fortinet Secure SD-WAN reliable and performance-enhancing. The product is praised for its ability to innovate and continually improve, with many users highlighting its ease of management and the benefits of its integrated advanced security features. However, some users note that the pricing model can be high for mid-sized companies.Conclusion
Overall, the user interface of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is structured to be clear, informative, and manageable, making it easier for administrators to configure, monitor, and optimize their SD-WAN environments. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Key Features and Functionality
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Overview
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is a comprehensive solution that integrates advanced networking and security features, making it a powerful tool for managing and securing wide-area networks (WANs). Here are the main features and how they work:Unified WAN Edge and Security
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN combines SD-WAN capabilities with a next-generation firewall (NGFW) in a single platform, using the FortiGate appliance. This integration ensures consistent security enforcement across the network without compromising performance.ASIC-Accelerated SD-WAN
The solution is powered by ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) acceleration, which enhances performance and efficiency. This makes Fortinet’s SD-WAN the industry’s only ASIC-accelerated solution, providing faster and more reliable network operations.Application Identification and Control
FortiOS, the operating system behind Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, includes advanced application identification and control features. It can identify over 5,000 applications in real-time, perform deep packet inspection, and decrypt SSL/TLS traffic for comprehensive visibility and control.Granular Application Policies
The solution allows for granular application policies, including application SLA-based path selection, dynamic bandwidth measurement, and application session-based steering. This ensures that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and priority to maintain optimal performance.WAN Remediation
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN includes advanced WAN remediation techniques such as Forward Error Correction (FEC) for packet loss compensation and packet duplication for real-time application performance. This helps in maintaining high-quality network connections even over unreliable links.Cloud On-Ramp
The solution provides a cloud on-ramp feature, which simplifies and accelerates the adoption of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. This ensures efficient and secure access to cloud services without additional complexity.Simplified Operations and Analytics
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN offers centralized orchestration and enhanced analytics for simplified operations. This includes NOC/SOC management, role-based access control, and the ability to manage multiple domains for compliance and operational efficiency. The analytics provide end-to-end visibility and control over the network.AI Integration
Fortinet has integrated its GenAI assistant, FortiAI, into the Secure SD-WAN solution. FortiAI helps in managing and orchestrating the entire SD-WAN infrastructure, providing visual and configuration assistance, consultation, and troubleshooting. This AI integration accelerates Day 0 through Day 2 operations, making the management of the SD-WAN infrastructure more efficient and automated.Sovereign SASE
Fortinet’s Unified SASE solution, which includes Secure SD-WAN, now offers sovereign SASE capabilities. This allows organizations to maintain local control over data inspection and logs, ensuring robust data privacy and compliance while providing enhanced security and flexibility.Security Services
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is enhanced by FortiGuard Security Services, which provide advanced protection against known and unknown threats. These services include real-time detection and prevention, coordinated threat intelligence, and AI-driven security analytics to stay ahead of sophisticated threats.Conclusion
In summary, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN offers a comprehensive suite of features that combine advanced networking capabilities with strong security measures, all managed through a single console and enhanced by AI-driven tools. This integration simplifies network and security management, improves performance, and ensures consistent security enforcement across the entire network. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is renowned for its high-performance capabilities, largely due to its custom-built Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). These ASICs enable fast and efficient traffic processing, ensuring minimal performance impact even at scale.
High Throughput
Fortinet’s SD-WAN solutions offer significant throughput, with threat protection and SSL inspection capabilities reaching up to 20 Gbps and 16.7 Gbps, respectively. This high throughput is crucial for maintaining network performance and security.
Fast Failover
The failover process in Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is very fast and seamless, ensuring minimal downtime and maintaining application availability.
Zero-Touch Provisioning
The solution supports large-scale, faster deployment through zero-touch provisioning, which simplifies the deployment process and reduces the time to get the network up and running.
Accuracy and Security
The accuracy and security of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN are bolstered by several advanced features:
Integrated Advanced Security
Fortinet converges Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) and routing capabilities, providing consistent security both on and off the network. This includes deep SSL packet inspection, DNS/URL/Video filtering, antivirus, inline sandbox, IPS, and IoT/OT security services.
Application Resilience
The solution ensures the highest level of application availability and performance over any WAN transport, which is critical for maintaining consistent network operations.
AI-Powered Security
Fortinet’s SD-WAN integrates with AI-powered security services through FortiOS, enhancing threat prevention and network security.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is highly regarded for its performance and security, there are some limitations to consider:
SLA Limitations
There is a limit of 10 Service Level Agreements (SLAs) per zone, which can cause performance issues when managing a large number of remote sites. For example, if you have 80 remote sites, each with multiple tunnels, you may encounter challenges in configuring SLAs for all sites effectively.
Full-Mesh Topology
Unlike some other vendors, Fortinet does not offer a true full-mesh topology with always-on dynamically discovered tunnels. This might be a limitation for some organizations requiring this specific feature.
Technical Expertise
Managing Fortinet Secure SD-WAN effectively requires significant technical expertise, which can be a barrier for some organizations.
In summary, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN excels in performance and security, thanks to its ASIC-based acceleration and comprehensive security features. However, it has some limitations, particularly in terms of SLA configurations and the lack of a full-mesh topology, which may need to be considered based on the specific needs of the organization.
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Pricing and Plans
When Considering Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Pricing
When considering the pricing structure and plans for Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, here are some key points to note:
Base SD-WAN Feature Set
The base SD-WAN feature set is built into Fortinet’s products, such as the FortiGate series, and does not require a specific license. However, having a minimum of FortiCare support is recommended.
Licensing and Support
- For comprehensive support and additional features, you need to purchase FortiCare and FortiGuard services. These include benefits like premium ticket handling, advanced hardware replacement, firmware and general upgrades, and various enterprise security services such as IPS, malware prevention, and more.
Device and Bundle Pricing
- The cost of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN devices and bundles can vary widely. For example, the FortiWiFi 80F-2R, which includes a next-generation firewall and Secure SD-WAN capabilities, can be purchased with different support and protection bundles. Here are some examples:
- The base appliance can cost around $1,418.54.
- Bundles that include 1-year or 3-year FortiCare Premium and FortiGuard Enterprise Protection can range from $2,624.31 to more than $3,500, depending on the term and services included.
Tiers and Plans
- Fortinet offers different models and tiers, such as Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large, which vary in terms of features and capacity. Here’s a brief overview:
- Small (40F): Lower capacity, suitable for smaller deployments.
- Medium (60F): Mid-range capacity.
- Large (100F): Higher capacity.
- X-Large (200F): Highest capacity, suitable for large-scale deployments. Pricing for these models can range from £950 for a Small model with 3-year support to £12,250 for an X-Large model.
Additional Features and Orchestrator
- Some advanced features, such as the Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Orchestrator, require a subscription license. This orchestrator simplifies centralized deployment, automates tasks, and provides enhanced analytics and management capabilities. While not mandatory, it is highly beneficial for larger and more complex SD-WAN deployments.
No Free Options
- There are no free options available for Fortinet Secure SD-WAN. All deployments require the purchase of hardware and support services to ensure full functionality and support.
Summary
In summary, the pricing for Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is structured around the device model, support services, and additional feature subscriptions, with no free options available. It is recommended to consult with certified partners to get accurate pricing and to determine the best fit for your specific needs.
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Integration and Compatibility
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Overview
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is designed to integrate seamlessly with a variety of tools and platforms, ensuring comprehensive network and security management. Here are some key aspects of its integration and compatibility:Unified Security and Networking Framework
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN uses a single, consistent operating system, FortiOS, which converges SD-WAN, next-generation firewall (NGFW), advanced routing, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) application gateway functions. This unified approach simplifies operations and enhances security and networking analytics.Cloud Integration
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN enables secure, fast connectivity to, in, and between cloud applications. It supports multi-cloud on-ramp capabilities, allowing for high-performance connections to cloud services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. This ensures seamless integration across various cloud environments.Centralized Orchestration
The solution offers centralized management, allowing organizations to manage deployments, configurations, and operations with visibility, analytics, and reporting. This central orchestration simplifies the management of large-scale SD-WAN deployments across multiple sites and devices.SASE and SD-Branch Integration
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is foundational for a seamless transition to Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and SD-Branch. It integrates with FortiSASE, which delivers a full set of networking and security capabilities, including secure web gateway (SWG), universal ZTNA, next-generation dual-mode cloud access security broker (CASB), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), and secure SD-WAN integration.Compatibility with Various Networks
The solution supports a wide range of network types, including MPLS, internet, and 5G/LTE connectivity. This flexibility allows businesses to leverage different network underlays based on their specific needs, ensuring reliable and secure connections across various geographical locations.AI-Powered Security
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN integrates with FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Service, which provides advanced security features such as deep SSL packet inspection, DNS/URL/Video filtering, antivirus, inline sandbox, IPS, and IoT/OT security services. This integration enhances the security posture of the network by leveraging AI-driven diagnostic and preventive measures.Hardware and Licensing Flexibility
Fortinet offers a range of hardware models (e.g., FortiGate-40F, FortiGate-60F, FortiGate-100F) with corresponding licensing options. The licensing can be tailored with annual licenses for SD-WAN features, and mixed licensing bundles can reduce costs by up to 50%. This flexibility allows organizations to choose the hardware and licensing that best fit their needs and budget.Conclusion
In summary, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is highly integrative and compatible across various platforms and devices, making it a versatile solution for organizations seeking to enhance both their network performance and security. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
FortiCare Support Program
- Fortinet offers the FortiCare support program, which includes various service levels such as FortiCare 8×5 and FortiCare 24×7. The FortiCare Elite option, for instance, provides a 15-minute response time for critical issues, ensuring prompt assistance.
- Customers can also benefit from technical support services, including per-device options, to handle any operational issues efficiently.
Additional Resources
Documentation and Guides
- Documentation and Guides: Fortinet provides comprehensive documentation, including the “4-D” resources (Define, Design, Deploy, and Demo) that guide users through the entire process of setting up and managing Secure SD-WAN. These documents cover use cases, deployment objectives, configuration steps, and troubleshooting.
Configuration and Troubleshooting Resources
- Configuration and Troubleshooting Resources: There is a detailed list of resources available for configuring and troubleshooting SD-WAN on FortiGate. This includes guides on basic SD-WAN configuration, advanced routing, VPN overlays, performance SLA, and more. These resources are organized into categories such as SD-WAN design principles, best practices, and specific configuration tasks.
Community Support
- Community Support: The Fortinet community forum is a valuable resource where users can find technical tips, ask questions, and share experiences related to Secure SD-WAN. This includes troubleshooting documents, SD-WAN-related diagnose commands, and event log subtypes specific to SD-WAN.
Training and Education
- Training and Education: While not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources, Fortinet generally offers training programs and educational resources through their website and authorized training centers to help users gain in-depth knowledge of their products.
Health Check and Monitoring Tools
- Health Check and Monitoring Tools: Fortinet Secure SD-WAN includes advanced health check options and bandwidth monitoring services. Users can configure performance SLA protocols, set scheduled speed tests, and use various monitoring tools to ensure optimal network performance.
These resources and support options are designed to help customers effectively manage and troubleshoot their Secure SD-WAN environments, ensuring high performance and security.
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Pros and Cons
When Considering Fortinet Secure SD-WAN
It’s important to weigh both the advantages and the potential drawbacks.
Advantages
Improved Application Experience and Performance
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN enhances application performance by dynamically identifying and steering over 5,000 applications, ensuring that traffic is routed through the highest-performing links. This is particularly beneficial for latency-sensitive applications, as it adheres to quality of service (QoS) policies.
Enhanced Security
The solution integrates next-generation firewall capabilities, including intrusion prevention, DNS filtering, anti-malware, sandboxing, and CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker). It also supports SSL/TLS inspection with minimal impact on performance, thanks to its purpose-built ASICs. Additionally, end-to-end encrypted tunnels secure data transmission, even over public internet connections.
Autonomous and Decentralized Architecture
Fortinet’s approach decouples devices from the orchestrator, allowing them to function independently even if the central controller goes down. This eliminates single points of failure and ensures continuous network operation.
Seamless SASE Integration
The solution provides consistent network and security experiences for remote users through hybrid work environments. It integrates with FortiSASE, enabling secure private access to corporate resources from any location. This ensures that Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) policies are enforced uniformly, whether users are on or off the network.
Centralized Management
The FortiManager provides centralized management, allowing for easy administration of the network. It is complemented by the FortiAnalyzer, which offers additional analytics, logs, and reporting capabilities. This centralized approach streamlines security and compliance across all network segments.
Disadvantages
Administrative Burden
While Fortinet Secure SD-WAN offers many benefits, it may require significant configuration and maintenance efforts from your IT team. This can add to their workload, especially if your team is not experienced in managing SD-WAN solutions. However, managed service providers and SD-WAN-as-a-Service options are available to mitigate this issue.
Marketplace Confusion
The SD-WAN market, including solutions like Fortinet’s, can be confusing due to the variety of technologies and terminologies involved. This can make it challenging to select the right solution and understand its full capabilities.
Additional Costs
While SD-WAN can reduce costs in many areas, such as by using lower-cost broadband and LTE connections, managed service options or additional features can add costs. This might offset some of the cost savings benefits, so it’s important to carefully evaluate the total cost of ownership.
In summary, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN offers significant advantages in terms of performance, security, and centralized management, but it also requires careful consideration of the administrative workload and potential additional costs.
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Comparison with Competitors
When comparing Fortinet Secure SD-WAN to other products in the SD-WAN category, several key aspects stand out:
Security Integration
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is renowned for its strong security focus. It integrates a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with advanced SD-WAN capabilities, providing consistent security enforcement across the network. This unified approach sets it apart from competitors, making it an excellent choice for highly regulated industries like healthcare and financial services.ASIC Acceleration
Fortinet’s use of custom-built ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) enhances performance and security. This ASIC acceleration is unique in the industry and ensures high-performance networking alongside integrated security features.Application Identification and Control
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN offers advanced application identification and control, with over 5,000 application signatures and real-time SSL inspection. This feature allows for granular application policies, dynamic bandwidth measurement, and application SLA-based path selection.Deployment Flexibility
Fortinet’s SD-WAN solution supports flexible deployment models, including hub-to-spoke, spoke-to-spoke (full mesh), and multi-WAN transport. However, it lacks true full-mesh topology with always-on dynamically discovered tunnels, a feature available in some other vendors.Operational Simplification
The solution simplifies operations with centralized orchestration, enhanced analytics, and self-healing capabilities. This makes it easier to manage and troubleshoot network issues, especially in large, distributed environments.Alternatives and Comparisons
Versa SASE
Versa SASE offers a more comprehensive solution with multi-tenancy capabilities and advanced analytics, but it requires significant internal expertise and has a less user-friendly GUI compared to Fortinet. Versa is better suited for enterprises managing multiple entities but lacks the seamless security integration of Fortinet.Cisco Catalyst
Cisco Catalyst is known for its advanced security offerings through integrations with Cisco’s Talos, but it is often more complicated to set up and manage, especially for smaller organizations. Cisco Catalyst is more suitable for large enterprises with complex network requirements and offers extensive features that may not be fully utilized by smaller networks.VMware (VeloCloud) SD-WAN
VMware’s SD-WAN solution excels in cloud integration, supporting multiple cloud environments through asymmetric routing. However, it lacks built-in NGFW and UTM capabilities, making it less secure compared to Fortinet. VMware’s solution is easier to set up but has a more basic feature set.Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN
Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN stands out with AI-driven management and analytics, reducing administrative workload. It offers out-of-box advanced security features but with fewer broad security capabilities compared to Fortinet. Palo Alto Prisma is generally easier to work with but may not meet the stringent security needs of highly regulated industries.Summary
In summary, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is a top choice for organizations prioritizing security and performance, especially in regulated sectors. While it may require significant technical expertise, its integrated security and performance features make it a strong contender in the SD-WAN market. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Fortinet Secure SD-WAN
What is Fortinet Secure SD-WAN?
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is a solution that combines software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) with advanced security features. It is integrated into Fortinet’s FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls, providing both network and security management through a single pane of glass.What are the key security features of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN?
The solution includes a next-generation firewall (NGFW), intrusion prevention (IPS), web filtering, sandboxing, SSL inspection, and threat protection and detection capabilities. It also supports VPN overlays between sites and offers features like application control, industrial signatures, and antimalware.How does Fortinet Secure SD-WAN handle application identification and traffic management?
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN uses “first-packet identification” to intelligently identify applications from the very first packet of data traffic. It references an application control database of over 5,000 applications and can dynamically steer traffic based on application and user needs, ensuring optimal network bandwidth usage.What are the different form factors and performance levels available for Fortinet Secure SD-WAN?
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is available in various form factors, ranging from the FortiGate/FortiWiFi 30E (35 Mbits/s VPN throughput) to the FortiGate 300E (20 Gbits/s VPN throughput). Virtual appliances are also available, catering to different network requirements and sizes.How is the management of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN handled?
Management for both network and security is centralized through the FortiManager, which provides a single-pane-of-glass interface. Additionally, the FortiAnalyzer offers more analytics, logs, and reporting capabilities to complement the management system.What are the benefits of using Fortinet’s cloud overlay controller orchestration?
Fortinet’s cloud overlay controller orchestration, powered by the 360 Protection Bundle subscription service, simplifies overlay VPN deployment with cloud-based automated provisioning. This enhances the overall WAN user experience and simplifies network operations.How does Fortinet Secure SD-WAN support zero-trust network access?
The solution includes a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) application gateway, which enforces policies for users accessing applications, ensuring secure and controlled access to network resources.What kind of support and services does Fortinet offer for its SD-WAN solution?
Fortinet provides 24/7 monitoring and support, ensuring quick issue resolution and consistent network performance. This includes customer support through help desks, online resources, and dedicated account teams.Are there any specific pricing models or packages available for Fortinet Secure SD-WAN?
Fortinet offers various pricing models, including different subscription periods (e.g., 1-year, 3-year, 5-year) for the 360 Protection Bundle, which includes features like IPS, web filtering, and SD-WAN orchestrator services. Prices vary based on the model and duration of the subscription.How does Fortinet Secure SD-WAN integrate with cloud services?
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN allows organizations to extend security into the cloud with FortiSASE, providing flexibility and scalability. It supports cloud integration and automated provisioning, making it easier to manage cloud-based SD-WAN deployments.What are some potential limitations or considerations when implementing Fortinet Secure SD-WAN?
For customers without existing Fortinet infrastructure, installing the platform can be more complex compared to solutions built specifically for SD-WAN from the start. Additionally, Fortinet’s solution lacks a true full-mesh topology with always-on dynamically discovered tunnels, which might be a consideration for some users. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN stands out as a comprehensive and integrated solution that combines advanced security features, high performance, and efficient network management. Here’s a detailed look at its benefits and who would most benefit from using it.Key Benefits
Integrated Security
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN includes a suite of security features such as Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), web filtering, and Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), all bundled into a Unified Threat Protection (UTP) package without additional costs.
High Performance and Redundancy
The solution ensures high performance even in demanding environments, supports multiple WAN links for maximum uptime, and features path redundancy. It utilizes purpose-built ASIC chips in FortiGate firewalls to enhance performance.
Cloud Integration
It seamlessly integrates with cloud services, enabling easy migration of applications and workloads to the cloud and supporting Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
Cost-Effectiveness
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN reduces costs by leveraging lower-cost broadband and cellular connections, potentially eliminating expensive MPLS circuits. It also consolidates multiple network devices into a single solution, simplifying operations and management.
Centralized Management
The solution offers centralized management through FortiManager, which provides a single pane of glass for managing and monitoring the SD-WAN and SD-Branch environment. This includes zero-touch provisioning, device templates, and automated reporting.
Who Would Benefit Most
Large and Distributed Enterprises
Organizations with multiple branch offices or remote locations will benefit significantly from Fortinet Secure SD-WAN. It supports enterprises with up to 100,000 sites and is particularly useful for those needing to connect branch offices to the cloud securely and efficiently.
Organizations Focused on Security
Companies prioritizing cybersecurity will appreciate the integrated security features that protect against various threats without additional licensing costs. This is especially crucial for industries where data security is paramount.
Businesses Seeking Simplified Operations
Entities looking to simplify their network operations and reduce the complexity of managing multiple vendor devices will find Fortinet Secure SD-WAN beneficial. It consolidates routing, SD-WAN, and advanced security into a single offering.
Overall Recommendation
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is highly recommended for organizations seeking a comprehensive, security-driven SD-WAN solution. Its ability to integrate advanced security, high performance, and cost-effective operations makes it an ideal choice for large enterprises and those with distributed networks. The centralized management and ease of deployment further enhance its value, making it a strong contender in the networking tools category.
Given its widespread adoption by over 21,000 global customers and its strong ratings from users, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is a reliable and efficient solution that can significantly enhance network security, performance, and management.