Comcast Business SD-WAN Overview
Comcast Business SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networking) is a sophisticated network solution designed to enhance the management, security, and performance of wide area networks for businesses of all sizes. Here’s a detailed look at what the product does and its key features:
What it Does
Comcast Business SD-WAN integrates software-defined networking (SDN) with network function virtualization (NFV) to create a highly manageable and efficient network solution. This technology allows businesses to direct and manage network traffic using software rather than traditional hardware-based routers. It supports both single-site businesses and multi-site enterprises, enabling them to connect to the cloud, manage bandwidth demands, and ensure secure and reliable network performance.
Key Features and Functionality
Management and Intelligence
- Comcast Business SD-WAN offers a high-touch managed experience with network insights and intelligence through a robust digital experience. This includes centralized policy management and configuration via a simplified portal, as well as actionable network insights sourced from real-time dashboards and customized reports.
Scalable and Global Capabilities
- The solution supports a wide range of business needs, from single-site Internet access with cybersecurity solutions to complex multi-site enterprise requirements. It is designed to scale with the business, providing dynamic scalability and deep service chaining through Comcast’s ActiveCore SDN platform.
Advanced Security
- SD-WAN from Comcast Business integrates software-based or cloud cybersecurity, providing secure VPN capabilities, a stateful firewall, and the ability to integrate additional network services such as intrusion detection and unified threat management (UTM).
Application-Aware Routing and Traffic Management
- The solution features application-aware routing, allowing for prioritization rules based on the customer’s underlying applications. It also supports local Internet breakout, load balancing, and failover between Comcast connections and customers’ existing networks. Multiple WAN topologies, including any-to-any, hub and spoke, and full mesh, are supported.
Flexibility and Cost-Effectiveness
- Comcast Business SD-WAN is delivered over universal customer premises equipment (uCPE) that can be combined with both Comcast-provided and customer-provided underlay. This approach eliminates the need for expensive hardware installations and reduces labor-intensive manual processes. It also offers predictable pricing with fixed-rate plans, allowing customers to scale their bandwidth consumption without rate changes.
Network Automation and Visibility
- The solution includes network automation features powered by artificial intelligence, providing real-time monitoring of the network and applications. It offers direct Internet access to public and private clouds, as well as advanced traffic steering and automated service changes.
Support and Services
- Comcast Business SD-WAN comes with advanced managed services, including 24×7 phone support and access to a customer portal. This allows businesses to free up their IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives while Comcast handles the end-to-end management of the SD-WAN solution.
Hybrid WAN Capabilities
- The solution allows businesses to blend existing MPLS networks with SD-WAN, creating a hybrid WAN that adds bandwidth and increases service availability without requiring the replacement of current infrastructure.
In summary, Comcast Business SD-WAN is a comprehensive network solution that offers enhanced management, security, and performance for businesses. Its scalable, flexible, and cost-effective design makes it an ideal choice for organizations looking to optimize their network infrastructure and support their digital transformation.