Fortinet SD-WAN
Fortinet SD-WAN, according to Gartner, leads the way in software defined WAN technology. However, as a Fortinet Gold Partner and leading UK Managed Services Provider, we at Timico wanted to explore Fortinet SD-WAN further, to highlight the benefits and understand why the technology has received such an accolade.
While there are many security vendors offering these capabilities, Fortinet SD-WAN is known for its greater protection. This is for good reason.
Fortinet, as recognised by Gartner, begins with the security, then develops the SD-WAN capabilities around a secure framework. Many other technologies create SD-WAN capabilities and then bolt on the security features.
Fortinet’s next-generation firewalls have built-in SD-WAN capabilities. The combination of FortiGate hardware and FortiGuard software is managed by a single dashboard, aptly named, FortiManager. A key feature of the FortiNet offering is the fact that they build in their own SPUs (Security Processor Units) which means they can switch heavy lifting features without degrading the performance.
For businesses that utilise multiple cloud providers, Fortinet SD-WAN enables cloud-to-cloud network and security architecture. This solution allows both secure and high-performance connectivity solutions between IaaS and SaaS applications running over multiple cloud providers. The ability to provide VPN concentrator and NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall) features in private cloud and all major public cloud environments, such as AWS and Azure, is a unique offering from Fortinet and a game changer for many.
Timico’s Chief Technology Officer, Martin Riley, summarises SD-WAN in the following statement:
“SD-WAN is an overlay to an existing network that provides complete control and visibility regardless of where the traffic originates. Simplified and centralised management tools offer network-wide control with greater access to historical and real-time data. This data can be used to drive business decisions and improve efficiency.”
Why Fortinet?
The FortiGate hardware is known and trusted, and the FortiManager is intuitive, clean and elegant. But if your business is looking to deploy SD-WAN capabilities, why should you consider Fortinet?
Intelligent Security
Push security and policy updates across the entire SD-WAN in a single phase. Remove the need for individual device updates. Simplify and strengthen your security protocols.
Simplified Architecture
Simplify what could be a complex architecture, by automating the SD-WAN to overlay the existing network.
Advanced Intelligence
A secure Fortinet SD-WAN configuration will select connectivity options based on workload awareness and individual cloud applications.
Optimised UX
Optimise user experience by defining service levels and routing for IaaS applications.
Automated Failover
Define which applications and IaaS services failover to secondary connections when the primary connection degrades.
Centralised Management
FortiManager along with FortiAnalyzer, offers visibility and control to bring the functionality of multi-cloud environments together.
Increase agility
Deploy remote sites and branches fast with a Fortinet SD-WAN. Establish secure connections of WAN technologies and public internet to save time and resources.
Fortinet Security
Fortinet SD-WAN is designed from a security perspective, with SD-WAN capabilities then added in. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN offers the following security features:
Web filtering services
With SaaS and IaaS consuming a large part of a network’s bandwidth, internet security is not taken lightly. The feature eliminates the requirement for external or third-party gateway devices.
SSL/TLS inspection and threat protection
Providing malware protection and visibility. In SD-WAN terms, FortiNet’s offering leads the way due to the lack of performance impact when security features are running.
Overlay VPN Tunnels
Maintains encryption and security over virtual private networks, while ensuring high throughput.
AV/Malware Analysis
Manage network anti-virus instances from within the SD-WAN environment, bringing in data from over 200 information feeds.
DDoS Protection
Fortinet SD-WAN provides a dynamic, multi-layered security solution that encompasses Distributed Denial of Service, meaning one less edge device in each of your locations.
DNS Filtering
Control access to the web with the FortiGuard DNS Service.
Flexibility
Remote deployment
Deploy remote sites with auto-provisioned IPsec VPN tunnels. IPsec VPNs are configured and applied to devices through the dashboard device registration. This means that as soon as the device is connected to the Internet, the VPN will connect with no additional configuration, even if the link is a 4G in the middle of a field or in a location with limited infrastructure, which is superb news for the construction industry, retail, and more.
Lower costs
Insights are invaluable in demonstrating business cost-saving opportunities as well as risk. Analyse bandwidth and application usages to optimise the network for optimised performance. Plus, the opex licensing model provides greater control over forecasting and budgeting.
Fully managed & hybrid
Reduce overhead costs by moving to a fully managed or hybrid support service. Access to the SD-WAN can be limited and controlled, meaning you can enable network support for a fraction of the cost. Timico offers both fully managed and hybrid support solutions. We’ll take care of the heavy lifting, leaving you to concentrate on your business.
SD-WAN over traditional WAN
Traditional WANs allowed remote offices to connect to a central hub or data centre services. But, with the rise in SaaS, IaaS and cloud storage, more and more network traffic is Internet-based. The SD-WAN model is a natural progression that improves network efficiencies, allows greater control, and takes the complexities out of the traditional WAN network management, all of which results in greater efficiencies and lower operating costs.
So, with business-critical applications running faster, employees become more efficient, customers have a greater quality of experience, and the organisation finds itself able to flex and bend to today’s infrastructure challenges with ease.
What does this mean for businesses?
The improved functionality of SD-WAN over traditional WAN architecture has huge benefits. But SD-WAN offers so much more than functionality. SD-WAN provides accurate data that enables decision makers to steer the organisation towards greater efficiency, which in turn, reduces over-heads, increases productivity, and allows the business to flex to new challenges.
Fortinet SD-WAN Analytics
Maintain visibility of network trends and application performance. Fortinet SD-WAN offers both historical and real time performance data. As a result, decisions can be made on facts, as opposed to legacy WAN solutions that require inaccurate data collation based on individual devices.
Implementing a Software Defined WAN means nothing without the ability to define and shape network traffic and to enable effective traffic shaping, you need data. With Fortinet’s FortiManager, the ability to define routes, classes and policies based on business needs is second to none.
Remote Working
The reasons for implementing a Fortinet SD-WAN are many, however, in today’s world, where remote working is the new norm, businesses are looking for SD-WAN technologies that embrace the new paradigm.
Fortinet SD-WAN does just that. The FortiGate 40F is a desktop appliance with built-in LTE. It means users at home, who cannot function without business-critical applications, can function as normal. In today’s world, this agility could be the game changer your business needs.
Fortinet Security Fabric
Not only can FortiManager manage all FortiGate devices and connectivity on a single dashboard, but switching, Network Access Control and Wireless Access Points can also be managed. This provides enhanced control over the network.
Managing wireless networks, isolating individual clients, and tracing threats with ease can all be achieved in moments. The SD-Branch from Fortinet encompasses a ‘branch-in-a-box' set up, ideal for remote offices, simplified deployment, and easy to manage licensing.
Why Timico?
As a Fortinet Gold Partner, Timico are experienced in all Fortinet offerings and lead the way in Fortinet SD-WAN delivery. Our team of Fortinet specialists will listen to your business needs and design a solution that not only delivers a secure SD-WAN, but one that futureproofs your business needs, defining the landscape of your network and securing your path to digital transformation.
If you would like to talk to one of our Fortinet consultants, click the button below and we’ll be in touch to discuss how our Fortinet SD-WAN solutions can provide your business the agility it needs in the modern world.
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