350-401 Question 42
Select 4A company is planning to implement an SD-WAN solution to enhance its network performance and reduce costs. The IT team wants to understand the main benefits and limitations of SD-WAN before proceeding. Which of the following are valid considerations for the company?
- A
SD-WAN provides centralized management, enabling easier configuration and monitoring across multiple sites.
- B
SD-WAN ensures complete elimination of all latency issues across WAN links regardless of transport type.
- C
SD-WAN can reduce operational costs by leveraging inexpensive broadband links alongside MPLS or other transport methods.
- D
SD-WAN does not support advanced security features and requires separate security appliances for protection.
- E
SD-WAN allows for application-aware routing, ensuring critical applications are prioritized over less important traffic.
- F
SD-WAN solutions may require additional investment in edge devices and ongoing licensing costs, which could impact cost savings.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answers: A, C, E, F
Explanation
SD-WAN solutions offer numerous benefits, including centralized management, cost reduction through transport flexibility, and application-aware routing. However, they do not eliminate all transport-related challenges like latency and may come with additional costs for hardware and licensing. Understanding both the advantages and limitations is crucial for effective decision-making.
- A. Correct.
SD-WAN provides centralized management, which simplifies network operations by allowing IT teams to configure and monitor the network from a single interface. This is a key benefit of SD-WAN.
- B. Incorrect.
While SD-WAN can optimize traffic and improve performance, it cannot completely eliminate latency issues, especially those inherent to the physical transport medium (e.g., satellite links).
- C. Correct.
One of the main benefits of SD-WAN is its ability to reduce costs by using lower-cost transport options, such as broadband, in addition to traditional MPLS circuits.
- D. Incorrect.
SD-WAN solutions often include integrated security features such as encryption, firewalls, and intrusion prevention. Separate security appliances are not always required, making this statement incorrect.
- E. Correct.
SD-WAN supports application-aware routing, which allows prioritization of critical applications based on predefined policies. This is a significant benefit for businesses with diverse application needs.
- F. Correct.
Although SD-WAN can reduce costs, initial implementation may require purchasing edge devices, and there could be ongoing licensing fees. These additional costs need to be considered as a potential limitation.