From MPLS to SD-WAN: Opportunities, Limitations and Best Practices

Abstract: This thesis deals with Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN). It defines the term, presents its different variations available on the market and contrasts it to a typical MPLS network, based on criteria such as quality of service, link aggregation capabilities and price.Laboratory tests are conducted to compare the performances of one traditional and two SD-WAN connections to the cloud over redundant links, in terms of resilience to added latency, packet loss, bandwidth aggregation and failover capacities. An example company with a typical network is presented to study whether the current solution is satisfactory and how it could be improved. This thesis finds that the performance of network is no longer satisfactory due to the company’s global presence and its high use of the cloud and internet. The enterprise would benefit greatly from a switch to SD-WAN.Four SD-WAN solutions are then compared based on vendor specifications. The best option is chosen for the considered company and used to design a new network leveraging SD-WAN appliances and cloud security services for local internet access. A best practice is detailed for the design choice and for the transition process.This thesis will be of interest to network professional and employees considering SD-WAN for their company.