SD-WAN vs MPLS: Everything You Must Know

SD WAN is flexible and can be cost-effective, and adaptable.

MPLS is dedicated, expensive, and less flexible.

With easy-to-use features and an adaptable nature, is SD-WAN replacing MPLS? We can only say that after knowing the comprehensive details about both.

The blog concerns SD-WAN vs MPLS: Features, use cases, and more.

What is SD-WAN?

Your company’s internet connection manager is an SD-WAN or software-defined vast area network. It simplifies how the internet is handled by separating the control mechanism from the equipment. 

This makes your internet faster and adds a layer of security and flexibility. 

What is MPLS?

MPLS, or multiprotocol label switching, monitors and manages how information travels in an extensive network. It’s a digital organizer between the internet highway and the main control center, making data move faster and more efficiently. 

SD-WAN vs MPLS: Key Differences

	SD-WAN	MPLS
Control Mechanism	Decentralized, software-driven control	Centralized, hardware-dependent control
Traffic Routing	Dynamic and application-aware routing	Static and predetermined routing
Flexibility	Highly flexible, adaptable to changing needs	Less flexible, requires manual configuration
Cost	Generally cost-effective with diverse links	Often more expensive due to dedicated circuits
Scalability	Easily scalable to accommodate growth	It may require more effort to scaling
Performance	Optimizes performance through intelligent routing	Reliable and consistent performance
Deployment Time	Quick and straightforward deployment	Longer deployment time due to manual processes

Detailed Analysis of SD-WAN and MPLS

When you want to employ network technology in your business, you must consider all the aspects. Although MPLS helps prevent data loss more efficiently, SD-WAN is more flexible with various connections like LTE and broadband.

Let’s discuss in detail what value each technique could provide you with.

1. Performance and Reliability

	SD-WAN	MPLS
Connectivity Approach	Carrier-independent, offering improved bandwidth and WAN redundancy	Dedicated links suitable for private applications
Access to SaaS and Cloud Apps	Enables direct access, enhancing performance by bypassing centralized data centers	Relies on centralized access, potentially leading to slower performance for distributed applications
Performance Improvement	Enhances performance through improved bandwidth availability and direct access	May experience poorer performance due to limited bandwidth and centralized access
Reliability in Network Outages	Provides WAN redundancy, improving resilience during network outages	Offers dedicated links, potentially experiencing challenges during network disruptions
Adaptability to Distributed Apps	Better for distributed applications to meet demands effectively	May struggle to meet the needs of distributed applications, resulting in suboptimal performance

2. Cost Analysis

	SD-WAN	MPLS
Integrated Capabilities	Offers integrated features like routing, traffic engineering, quality of service, and security	It may require various products and management solutions, which can increase the cost
Cost Reduction through Consolidation	Reduces costs by consolidating functions and eliminating the need for multiple products	It can be expensive due to bandwidth requirements, performance SLAs, and dedicated WAN links
Redundancy and Resilience	Provides redundancy and resilience, enhancing availability without significant cost increases	Introducing redundancy in MPLS can lead to higher costs and increased complexity
Network Architecture Impact on Cloud Access	Enables efficient access to cloud and SaaS applications, improving user experience	Centralized MPLS architecture can cause delays in accessing cloud and SaaS apps, resulting in a subpar user experience
Automation and Troubleshooting	Granular visibility, automated provisioning, and AI-driven troubleshooting improve ROI	May lack the same level of automation and troubleshooting capabilities, potentially affecting ROI

3. Management

	SD-WAN	Traditional WAN (Separate Routing and Security Appliances)
Network Decentralization	Decentralizes WAN using broadband, 5G, satellite, and direct internet connections	Typically centralized, relying on dedicated lines and appliances
Connectivity Options	Utilizes various cost-effective connections like broadband, 5G, and satellite	Relies on dedicated lines, potentially incurring higher costs
Direct Access to Applications	Allows direct access to applications in data centers, cloud, or SaaS services	Often involves routing all traffic through centralized appliances
Operational Costs	Reduces operational costs and complexity by avoiding separate appliances	May have higher operating costs due to the need for multiple devices
Efficiency and Cost Savings	Offers a lower-cost and more efficient approach by leveraging diverse connections	The traditional approach may result in higher costs and lower efficiency.

4. Scalability and Flexibility

	SD-WAN	MPLS
Security Flexibility	Offers flexibility to secure applications at the branch, data center, or in the cloud	Requires security inspection and threat prevention at the data center, with additional solutions needed for intra- or inter-branch traffic
Security Policies	Supports various security policies, such as zone-based firewalls (ZBFW)	Relies on centralized security measures, potentially limiting policy customization at branch levels
Full Security Stacks	Security-focused vendors can provide complete security stacks, including next-gen firewalls	May need additional security solutions for comprehensive protection at the branch level
Management Simplicity	Manages both network and security policies from a single console, reducing complexity	Requires separate management for network and security, potentially increasing operational complexity
Visibility into Branch Performance	Consolidation provides better visibility into branch performance and cybersecurity threats.	May have limitations in obtaining comprehensive visibility at the branch level

Can SD-WAN and MPLS Co-Exist?

Will SD-WAN replace MPLS? The two technologies can coexist, and MPLS’s role may transform. 

Smaller businesses might phase out MPLS entirely, shifting to all-broadband WAN, mainly if they’ve shifted to a fully cloud-based IT model.

Larger enterprises investing in MPLS networks may opt for a hybrid approach. They could retain MPLS for legacy applications running on-net while routing internet traffic, like cloud services, through SD-WAN. 

Such a hybrid model aligns with the existing trend of businesses integrating hybrid computing, storage, and applications for better outcomes.

MPLS can maintain relevance in connecting point-to-point locations like regional offices and retail spaces with point-of-sale systems, manufacturing facilities, and multiple data centers. 

Its sustainability for real-time applications, like telepresence, remains a strength. SD-WAN can complement MPLS connections, dynamically optimizing network traffic to meet the quality of service requirements.

In the grand scheme, enterprise WAN architects must weigh the reliable but costly performance of MPLS against the cheaper yet potentially less reliable performance of the Internet. 

While advancements in other networking technologies have enhanced internet traffic reliability, MPLS still holds a place, especially for those prioritizing ultra-high reliability – because nobody wants a CEO’s videoconference to drop mid-sentence.

Is MPLS faster than SD-WAN?

Yes, SD WAN is faster than MPLS. Due to its flexibility with the various connections, it helps to communicate faster.

What is the disadvantage of SD-WAN?

SD-WAN can need more quality of service for traffic flow, as it is mainly provisioned over the public internet.

Why is MPLS so expensive?

MPLS can be expensive because it is essentially a private network that service providers manage. It is a service that is usually outsourced.

What’s Your Take?

Different situations call for different network setups. SD-WAN has become a practical choice for connecting sites where MPLS costs might not make sense for the specific scenario. 

As more services move to the cloud, the need for MPLS diminishes since private cloud solutions become less popular. However, we see a trend towards personal cloud solutions. 

Some customers are leaning towards MPLS, especially with a centralized hosted firewall, as the costs significantly drop compared to providing and licensing individual SD-WAN capable devices on-site. 

What’s your approach? Let us know in the comment section.