An SD-LAN migration supposed not to be done within a short period. As a minimum time expenditure, usually, 12 months have to be taken into account. Organizations can make a soft change and gradually replace old LAN equipment with SD LAN switches, licenses, and tools. Perform a slow-scale migration to avoid a later, abrupt change that is more like an earthquake. Today, the companies need a vision of what their infrastructure should look like in 10 to 15 years to work towards. Companies that are now tackling this evolution will be better positioned for the future in terms of infrastructure and digitalization, managing transformation better than those that want or need to make a clear cut later. If SD-WAN, SD-Data Center and SD-LAN infrastructures can be matched and connected end-to-end, i.e. to dismantle the current silo structure, the SDN concept will come into play and pave the way for further digitization with its challenges.
Take a close look at what SD LANs can do today. They are currently for the Early Adopters when to jump on the SD LAN train. Therefore, you should have a long-term plan to take advantage of today’s benefits and future benefits of the technology.
Develop a business case for your SD LAN – both financially and technically. User Experience could also be a business case for many companies. The most obvious is probably the higher or integrated security of SD LANs.
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Be critical when someone promises you a lot. For example, some vendors promise a 90 per cent cost reduction in service management with SD LANs. However, this is only realistic if the existing LAN requires a lot of management effort.
Cost reduction should not be the main argument for an SD LAN, even if the overall cost and time are important. At the same time, it should be remembered that there are hardly any references for large-scale implementations, so you are still a pioneer.
Start small now to grow up and start small in large offices now. These strategies allow you to quickly achieve good results with SD LANs at production sites where the seamless interaction of IT and OT is important. With pilot projects and proofs-of-concept, you’re on the safe side. Don’t wait too long for an SD-LAN rollout, but see an SD-LAN migration as an evolution. For a seismic change will not be possible or effective here.
Keep in mind that the data tsunami will come, and prepare for it with an in mindful SD LAN strategy. Focus on whether and how it’s beneficial to your business.
Keep in mind how to bring data lakes together and correlate hybrid cloud, WAN, DC, security, and LAN end-to-end. Consider from the beginning how your SD LAN strategy ultimately pays for it. This is how you get benefits and good results.
