NETWORKING SOLUTIONS
Software-Defined Networking
Build a more agile, secure and resilient network with centrally managed SD-WAN solutions designed around your business
The Connectivity Challenge
Modern businesses depend on reliable access to cloud platforms, business applications, data centres, remote offices and digital collaboration tools. Traditional wide area networks were not always designed for this level of distributed connectivity. They can be expensive to expand, difficult to manage and slow to adapt when business requirements change.
An Intelligent Network
three6five helps organisations modernise their network infrastructure through Software Defined Networking and SD-WAN solutions. We design and implement intelligent network environments that improve visibility, simplify control and help business-critical traffic reach its destination through the most appropriate available connection.
Centralised Control
Instead of managing every branch router and connection separately, SD-WAN introduces centralised, software-based control. Network policies can be applied more consistently across offices, branches, data centres and cloud environments. Traffic can also be directed according to application requirements, connection quality, security policy and business priority.
The result is a network that is easier to manage, more responsive to change and better equipped to support a distributed business.
What is Software Defined Networking?
Software Defined Networking, commonly referred to as SDN, separates network control from the physical infrastructure that carries data. This makes it possible to manage network behaviour through software rather than relying entirely on manual, device-by-device configuration.
SD-WAN applies these software-defined principles to the wide area network connecting branches, offices, data centres, cloud services and remote locations.
A traditional WAN commonly sends traffic through predetermined connections, regardless of whether those connections are performing optimally. SD-WAN continuously assesses available network paths and applies business policies to determine how different types of traffic should be handled.
For example, a voice or video meeting can be prioritised over a non-urgent software update. If the primary connection experiences high latency, packet loss or an outage, traffic can be moved to another available connection according to the configured policies.
SD-WAN does not create connectivity by itself. It intelligently manages the available connectivity services, which may include fibre, broadband, LTE, 5G or other approved network links. The design must therefore consider both the SD-WAN technology and the quality, diversity and suitability of the underlying connections.
Why Businesses Are Choosing SD-WAN Over Traditional WAN
Business networks have become more distributed. Employees access cloud applications from different locations, branches need dependable access to central systems and organisations often operate a combination of on-premise, hosted and public-cloud infrastructure.
This creates several challenges for a traditional WAN:
× Limited visibility into application and network performance
× Dependence on a single connectivity path
× Inconsistent network and security policies between locations
× Slow provisioning of new offices and branches
× Poor performance for cloud-hosted applications
× Complex device-by-device configuration
× Difficulty prioritising business-critical traffic
× High operating costs associated with inflexible network designs
SD-WAN provides a more adaptable foundation. It allows network decisions to be based on real-time conditions and defined business policies rather than static routing alone.
However, SD-WAN is not a simple plug-and-play replacement for every existing WAN. Successful implementation requires a clear understanding of the current network, application dependencies, security requirements, available connectivity and the organisation’s operational priorities. That is where experienced network design and implementation become essential.
Benefits of an intelligently designed SD-WAN solution
Improved application performance
Not all applications have the same network requirements. SD-WAN can identify and prioritise traffic according to agreed policies, helping important applications use the network paths best suited to their performance requirements.
Greater network resilience
An SD-WAN environment can use more than one connection at a location. When properly designed, traffic can be moved to another available link if the preferred connection becomes unavailable or falls outside defined performance thresholds.
Centralised visibility and control
Authorised teams can view network status, connectivity performance and traffic behaviour across multiple locations from a central point.
.
Consistent policy management
Network and application policies can be defined centrally and applied across relevant sites, reducing repetitive configuration and inconsistencies.
Faster branch deployment
Templates and centralised policies can simplify the technical deployment of new sites, while still allowing for planning, testing and coordination.
More flexible use of connectivity
SD-WAN can combine different suitable connection types. The right combination must support each site’s application requirements, availability needs, geographic constraints and business risk.
.
Better support for cloud adoption
An appropriately secured SD-WAN design can provide more efficient access to approved cloud services while maintaining suitable security controls.
three6five’s approach to Software Defined Networking
A successful SD-WAN project begins with the business environment—not with a product. three6five assesses how your organisation operates, where users and applications are located, which services are most important and what happens when a network connection fails.
√ Network discovery and assessment
We review the existing WAN architecture, branch connectivity, routing, security controls, application flows and known performance challenges.
√ Solution architecture
Our network specialists develop an SD-WAN architecture aligned with your sites, applications, security requirements and growth plans.
√ Proof of concept or pilot
For complex or multi-site environments, an initial pilot can validate application behaviour, failover, security policies, performance and operational processes.
√ Implementation and migration
three6five plans and coordinates equipment preparation, policy configuration, connectivity integration, branch migration, testing and technical documentation.
√ Testing and validation
Testing may include application reachability, traffic prioritisation, path selection, failover behaviour, connectivity performance, security policies and management visibility.
√ Ongoing optimisation and support
Ongoing monitoring and review help identify capacity constraints, recurring link problems and opportunities to improve network policies as the business changes.
Security and SD-WAN
SD-WAN can strengthen control and consistency, but it should form part of a broader security architecture.
Direct internet access, cloud connectivity and distributed branch environments must be protected through suitable security policies and controls. Depending on the organisation’s requirements, this may include next-generation firewall capabilities, encrypted tunnels, secure access policies, network segmentation, threat prevention and controlled access to applications.
Network segmentation is especially important. It can help separate different users, systems, devices and operational environments so that they do not all share the same level of access.
three6five considers networking and cybersecurity requirements together. This helps ensure that improved agility and application performance do not come at the expense of security, visibility or control.
Who should consider SD-WAN?
SD-WAN is particularly relevant for organisations that:
√ Operate multiple branches, offices, stores or operational sites
√ Depend heavily on cloud-hosted applications
√ Experience inconsistent application performance
√ Need improved connectivity resilience
√ Want greater visibility across their WAN
√ Are expanding into new locations
√ Need to prioritise voice, video or other real-time traffic
√ Use different connectivity providers or connection types
√ Want to standardise network policies across distributed sites
√ Have outgrown a rigid or hardware-centric WAN architecture
It can support businesses in retail, financial services, hospitality, education, logistics, healthcare, professional services and other sectors where reliable distributed connectivity is essential.
Suitability must still be assessed against the organisation’s actual environment. In some cases, improving the underlying connectivity, routing design or local infrastructure may be required before or alongside an SD-WAN implementation.
Why partner with three6five?
three6five designs, builds, manages and supports complex IT infrastructure environments. Our networking experience extends across enterprise routing, switching, wireless, connectivity, cloud integration and security.
We focus on understanding the complete environment rather than viewing SD-WAN as an isolated product. The performance of an SD-WAN solution depends on its integration with local networks, security controls, connectivity providers, cloud services and operational processes.
Our aim is to deliver an environment that is:
√ Designed around your business and application requirements
√ Securely integrated with your wider infrastructure
√ Resilient and tested against realistic failure scenarios
√ Visible to the teams responsible for its operation
√ Documented and supportable
√ Capable of adapting as the organisation grows
We combine technical expertise with a practical, partnership-led approach. This means helping your business understand its options, identify risks and make informed network infrastructure decisions.
Software-Defined Networking FAQs
What is the difference between SDN and SD-WAN?
Software Defined Networking is a broader approach that uses software-based control to manage network behaviour. SD-WAN applies these principles specifically to wide area networks connecting branches, data centres, cloud environments and other locations.
Can SD-WAN improve internet speed?
SD-WAN does not increase the physical speed of a connection. It can improve the user experience by selecting better-performing paths, prioritising important applications and using available links more effectively. Actual performance still depends on connectivity capacity, quality and the overall network design.
Does SD-WAN replace MPLS?
SD-WAN can operate with internet connectivity, MPLS or a combination of connection types. Whether MPLS should be retained, reduced or replaced depends on application requirements, geographic availability, contractual commitments, security and risk.
Is SD-WAN secure?
SD-WAN can include encrypted connectivity and centralised security policies, but security depends on the selected architecture and configuration. It should be integrated with appropriate firewall, segmentation, access-control and monitoring capabilities.
Can SD-WAN support cloud applications?
Yes. SD-WAN can provide more efficient access to approved cloud and Software-as-a-Service applications by selecting appropriate network paths. Secure cloud access must form part of the overall design.
How long does an SD-WAN deployment take?
The timeline depends on the number of sites, availability of connectivity, existing infrastructure, migration complexity and testing requirements. After discovery, three6five can develop a phased implementation plan for the environment.
Does every branch need two internet connections?
Not necessarily, but multiple connections are often used where improved availability and failover are required. The appropriate design depends on the importance of the site, available services and the business impact of an outage.
Ready to Modernise Your Network with SD-WAN?
Your network should support the way your business operates today and be ready for what comes next.
Whether you are connecting multiple branches, improving access to cloud applications, replacing ageing WAN infrastructure or building greater resilience into your environment, three6five can help you determine the right approach.
Talk to our network specialists about an SD-WAN solution designed around your applications, users, locations, security requirements and business priorities.
Let's Chat !