Glossary

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

Advanced Encryption Standard is one of the most secure encryption algorithms available globally - typically used when protecting sensitive data.

Application-Aware Routing (AAR)

Application-Aware Routing is used by SD-WAN to prioritise traffic based on the application type and route traffic over specific network links.

Azure SD-WAN

Azure SD-WAN is designed for connecting Azure regions, leveraging Microsoft's connectivity and improving network security.

Branch Office Connectivity

To connect organisations that are spread over multiple branch offices, SD-WAN uses multiple transport links, centralised management, Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) and improved cost efficiency.

Buying SD-WAN and Network Security for Retail

In this article, we explore how Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions offer a simple solution for retailers, offering retailers improved performance, security, regulatory compliance, network management and enabling the adoption of omnichannel strategies.

Buying SD-WAN for Healthcare

SD-WAN is being used across the healthcare industry to boost security, uptime and allow new network technologies such as IoMT and smart healthcare devices.

Can SD-WAN replace Internet VPN?

SD-WAN joins multiple branch office WAN networks into a single interface, replacing the need for traditional internet VPN solutions.

Cloud-Based SD-WAN

A cloud-based Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solution is a network overlay that enables businesses to leverage standard cloud capabilities such as instantly available scaling and a more powerful feature set.

Cloud-Enabled SD-WAN

Cloud-Enabled SD-WAN is designed for organisations to use localised breakouts in order to more effectively use cloud applications.

Does SD-WAN use MPLS?

Many Enterprise businesses prefer to use public internet access instead of MPLS to improve the security of their devices, users, and public cloud access.

Dynamic Path Selection

Path selection capabilities in SD-WAN allows traffic to be dynamically routed over multiple network underlays.

Edge Computing

Edge Computing allows processing to be completed at the network edge, rather than at a centralised processing hub or data centre.

FireEye Cybersecurity

FireEye are a leading CyberSecurity firm that provides threat intelligence, utilising machine learning, artificial intelligence and other advanced techniques.

Healthcare Network Security

Network Security in Healthcare is required to ensure compliance with legislation and guidelines (GDPR and NHS Digital in the UK, HIPAA for US and PIPEDA for Canada) whilst also protecting sensitive patient care data from criminal activities.

How SD-WAN is better than MPLS

SD-WAN can aggregate multiple cheaper network links to provide similar performance to MPLS. However, SD-WAN can also integrate MPLS into its path selection capabilities to harness MPLS performance SLAs.

Identity and Access Management (IAM) in Healthcare

IAM is essential for protecting patient data, maintaining regulatory compliance and preventing downtime to care systems. By integrating IAM with SASE (and SSE) solutions, healthcare providers can secure their systems while supporting remote and mobile services.

Link Aggregation

Link Aggregation combines multiple network links to create greater bandwidth availability.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) for Healthcare

Managed Detection and Response is used in healthcare networks to monitor traffic for potentially malicious activity and then respond to them.

Medical Imaging over SD-WAN

SD-WAN optimises medical imaging by improving network performance, enabling fast, secure sharing of MRI, CT, and X-ray data, enhancing diagnostics, patient care and regulatory compliance for healthcare providers.

Multi-Cloud Security Solutions in Healthcare

By adopting a strong IAM and SIEM solution to handle breach prevention and compliance management tools to assist with regulatory requirements, healthcare providers can protect patient data more effectively.

Network Jitter

Network jitter is the variation in time between packets. When inconsistent, streams of data become interrupted and cause issues with networked processes.

Network Latency

Network Latency is the round-trip delay for data transmissions. Increased network latency can interrupt communication streams and leads to downtime.

Network Segmentation

Network segmentation isolates network traffic or applications to prevent lateral movement for security.

Orchestration

SD-WAN Orchestration allows centralised management of the entire network, with Zero Trust Provisioning and AI integrations improving network management.

Over the Top SD-WAN

Over the Top SD-WAN leverages pre-existing network underlays, applying network management techniques at a top level.

Patient Data Segmentation with Security Service Edge (SSE)

Patient data segmentation with Security Service Edge (SSE) categorises sensitive healthcare information based on access requirements

QoS (Quality of Service)

Quality of Service (QoS) allows businesses to define types of network traffic to be prioritised by SD-WAN.

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge)

SASE adds SD-WAN for access to the security of SSE. Offering increased access capabilities and the security of Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), Secure Web Gateway (SWG) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

Secure Service Edge (SSE)

Secure Service Edge (SSE) solutions combine Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), Secure Web Gateway (SWG) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

Site-to-Site VPN

Site-to-Site VPN interconnects business sites to allow for networks to be accessed securely.

Software Defined Perimeter

Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) is a security framework designed to dynamically created connections between the network perimeter and each user/device.

Traffic Steering

Traffic Steering is used by SD-WAN to allow for routing over multiple network underlays for load balancing, prioritisation and for security regulation purposes.

Virgin Media Business SD‑WAN

Virgin Media O2 provides managed Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions, combining SD-WAN overlays from some of the industries leading vendors (Versa Networks, VMware VeloCloud, Cisco Meraki and Fortinet) with Virgin Media's network infrastructure (broadband and leased lines).

Which SD-WAN element can be a physical appliance

A physical appliance can be used as the WAN edge device in SD-WAN deployments. These are often chosen for performance, redundancy, hardware security, and simplified management, though cloud solutions are increasingly preferred.

Who invented SD-WAN?

SD-WAN was not invented by a single entity, SD-WAN was derived from Software Defined Networking (SDN), something that was originally discussed in 2007, with SD-WAN first being referenced by Gartner in 2014.

Will SD-WAN replace MPLS?

For many common use cases, SD-WAN can aggregate many cheaper alternative network links to MPLS, however SD-WAN can also utilise MPLS as part of its traffic switching capabilities in order to fulfil MPLS SLAs.

Zero Touch Provisioning

Zero Touch Provisioning allows for automatic deployment of new network edges through remotely sent SD-WAN edge devices.

ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access)

Zero Trust Network Access is a security capability part of SD-WAN & SASE architectures, requiring users to constantly authenticate themselves to gain access to network resources.