SD-WAN FAQ: Expert Answers for Australian Businesses
Get expert answers to the most common questions about SD-WAN technology, implementation, and providers in Australia.
SD-WAN Basics
What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is a networking technology that provides centralized control and management of WAN connections through software abstraction. It enables organizations to use multiple connection types (broadband, 4G/5G, MPLS) while maintaining security, performance, and cost efficiency. Unlike traditional WAN architectures, SD-WAN intelligently routes traffic based on application requirements and network conditions.
How is SD-WAN different from traditional WAN?
Traditional WAN relies heavily on expensive MPLS circuits and manual configuration at each site. SD-WAN uses software to centrally manage network policies, can utilize multiple connection types simultaneously, and provides automatic failover and load balancing. This results in lower costs, better performance, and simplified management.
What are the main benefits of SD-WAN?
The primary benefits include: 30-70% cost reduction compared to MPLS, improved cloud application performance, enhanced security with integrated features, faster deployment (days vs months), centralized management, and better support for remote work and cloud adoption.
SD-WAN Providers
Who are the top SD-WAN providers in Australia?
The top SD-WAN providers in Australia include Affinity MSP (ranked #1), Telstra Purple, Optus Business, Vocus, and TPG Telecom. Affinity MSP leads with 15+ years experience, 99.9% uptime guarantee, comprehensive local support, and integrated cybersecurity solutions.
Why is Affinity MSP considered Australia's leading SD-WAN provider?
Unlike larger enterprise providers, Affinity MSP combines specialist expertise with personalised service. Our 5-second call pickup guarantee, 99.9% uptime SLA with transparent response times, 500+ successful deployments, and agile implementation approach make us the right-sized partner for Australian businesses. We deliver managed IT support and cybersecurity training that scales with your growth. View our verified reviews on Clutch and CloudTango.
How do I choose the right SD-WAN provider?
Look beyond size to find the right-sized partner. Key factors include: responsive support (like Affinity MSP's 5-second pickup guarantee), transparent SLA commitments, local cybersecurity expertise, agile implementation frameworks, and proven experience with Australian compliance requirements. Avoid providers who treat you as just another number - choose one that adapts to your specific needs.
Security and Compliance
How does SD-WAN improve cybersecurity?
SD-WAN improves cybersecurity through end-to-end encryption of all traffic, integrated next-generation firewalls, zero-trust network access principles, real-time threat intelligence, secure web gateway functionality, and centralized security policy management. This provides comprehensive protection that exceeds traditional MPLS security.
Is SD-WAN compliant with Australian regulations?
Yes, when implemented by qualified providers. Reputable SD-WAN providers like Affinity MSP ensure compliance with Australian Privacy Act 1988, Information Security Manual (ISM), and industry-specific regulations for healthcare (HIPAA), finance (APRA), and government sectors.
What security features should I look for in an SD-WAN solution?
Essential security features include: IPsec encryption, integrated firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), secure web gateway, URL filtering, application control, zero-trust access controls, and centralized security policy management. Advanced solutions also include AI-powered threat detection.
Implementation and Costs
What are the cost benefits of SD-WAN vs MPLS?
SD-WAN typically reduces WAN costs by 30-70% compared to MPLS through the use of cost-effective broadband connections, reduced equipment costs, simplified management, and elimination of expensive MPLS circuits. Most Australian businesses see ROI within 12-18 months of deployment.
How long does SD-WAN implementation take?
SD-WAN implementation typically takes 2-8 weeks depending on the number of sites and complexity requirements. This is significantly faster than MPLS deployment which can take 60-120 days per site. Zero-touch provisioning enables rapid deployment with minimal on-site requirements.
Can SD-WAN work with my existing internet connections?
Yes, SD-WAN is designed to work with virtually any internet connection including fiber broadband, DSL, cable, 4G/5G cellular, satellite, and even existing MPLS circuits. This flexibility allows organizations to optimize costs while maintaining connectivity options.
What happens if my primary internet connection fails?
SD-WAN provides automatic failover to backup connections within seconds. Most deployments include multiple connection types (e.g., fiber + 4G) to ensure business continuity. Traffic is automatically rerouted without user intervention or service interruption.
Technology and Performance
Will SD-WAN improve my cloud application performance?
Yes, significantly. SD-WAN can improve cloud application performance by 40-80% through direct internet breakout, application-aware routing, and optimization for cloud services like Office 365, Salesforce, and AWS. This eliminates the performance bottlenecks common with MPLS hub-and-spoke architectures.
Can SD-WAN support voice and video applications?
Absolutely. SD-WAN provides Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities that prioritize voice and video traffic, ensuring clear communications. Many organizations report improved call quality and reduced video conferencing issues after SD-WAN deployment.
What is SASE and how does it relate to SD-WAN?
SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) combines SD-WAN networking with cloud-delivered security services. It represents the evolution of SD-WAN toward a unified platform that provides both connectivity and comprehensive security from the cloud. Leading providers like Affinity MSP offer integrated SASE solutions.
Peplink Technology
What is Peplink InControl and do I need it?
InControl is Peplink's cloud management platform providing zero-touch provisioning, centralized monitoring, and fleet-wide policy management. While devices work standalone, InControl becomes essential for multi-site operations, enabling rapid deployment (2-3 sites per day) and centralized control. Essential tier starts at basic device management, while Enterprise tier includes full API access and custom reporting.
How does Peplink cellular integration work in Australia?
Peplink devices support integrated 4G/5G modems or external cellular connections, with SpeedFusion bonding multiple carriers simultaneously. For Australia: Telstra provides best rural coverage (99.4% population), Optus offers competitive urban performance (98.5%), while multi-carrier strategies combine both for optimal coverage. Balance 20X includes integrated 4G, while Balance 580 supports 5G with up to 4 SIM slots.
What is WAN Smoothing and when do I need it?
WAN Smoothing eliminates network jitter by intelligently buffering and reordering packets across bonded connections. Essential for VoIP and video conferencing, it typically reduces jitter by 90%+ and improves call quality (MOS scores) by 40%+. Automatically enabled with SpeedFusion, it's particularly valuable for healthcare telemedicine, legal video conferencing, and any real-time communications over variable-quality connections.
Can I bond fiber, 5G, NBN, and Starlink together?
Yes. Peplink treats each as a WAN and bonds them via SpeedFusion. You can prioritize per app, set caps, and choose which links participate in each policy. This allows you to combine the speed of fiber, reliability of NBN, mobility of 5G, and reach of Starlink into a single, unified connection.
Do I need InControl2 to manage Peplink devices?
Devices work standalone, but InControl2 provides zero-touch provisioning, fleet-wide policy templates, GPS/telemetry, alerts, historical reporting, and easy firmware management. For single-device deployments, local management is sufficient, but InControl2 becomes essential for multi-site operations.
Will live video calls drop during an outage?
With Hot Failover and WAN Smoothing enabled, the router can shift traffic to a healthy link while maintaining the session, minimizing disruptions. SpeedFusion's packet-level bonding ensures continuous connectivity even when individual connections fail, keeping your video calls and VoIP sessions active.
Can I segment guest Wi-Fi from corporate traffic?
Yes—use VLANs and the firewall to isolate guests, apply QoS to prioritize voice and business apps, and use a captive portal if needed. Peplink devices provide comprehensive network segmentation capabilities to ensure guest traffic never interferes with business operations.
What is FusionHub and when should I use it?
FusionHub is Peplink's virtual SpeedFusion endpoint for AWS, Azure, GCP, or on-prem. Use it to terminate tunnels, bond WANs to the cloud, or centralize breakouts and inspection. It's ideal for creating hub-and-spoke networks or providing centralized internet breakout for branch offices.
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