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.
MPLS will remain a component of hybrid WAN architecture, but SD-WAN is and will be and is the primary choice for most organisations. In the minds of most IT decision-makers, SD WAN has now firmly replaced MPLS to meet the needs of almost all Enterprise use cases.
The main reason is that users require access to cloud applications (connected to the Internet) from multiple devices, including laptops, phones and tablets. In addition, SD WAN offers significant capability upgrades, including traffic steering, ease of deployment and management with detailed, easy-to-read reporting.
MPLS does offer comprehensive SLA's (which include latency and jitter) with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) and Service Level Agreements. With this said, SD WAN offers several advantages over MPLS, such as increased flexibility, application visibility, traffic steering, dynamic routing, and cost reduction. And because of these facts, most organisations have implemented SD-WAN as a replacement for costs MPLS networks.
In hybrid networks, MPLS can meet the needs of selected use cases, such as connecting data centres via layer 2.
Robert Sturt is a leading expert in SD-WAN and enterprise network solutions with extensive experience in telecommunications and network infrastructure. As a Forbes Business Council member and contributor to TechTarget, he provides strategic insights on network transformation and digital connectivity solutions. His expertise spans SD-WAN implementation, network security, and enterprise digital transformation initiatives.
Fact-checked by: Harry Yelland - Cybersecurity Writer, Netify