--- title: "Traditional WAN vs. SD-WAN: Here's What You Need to Know" description: Understand the fundamentals of how the traditional WAN works vis-à-vis the software-defined or SD-WAN. image: https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Traditional%20WAN%20vs.%20SD-WAN%20Heres%20What%20You%20Need%20to%20Know.png --- [Skip to main content](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/traditional-wan-vs-sd-wan#main) [![cropped-Ascend-Technologies\_Vertical\_FullColor\_White](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/cropped-Ascend-Technologies_Vertical_FullColor_White.png?width=150&height=118&name=cropped-Ascend-Technologies_Vertical_FullColor_White.png) ![cropped-Ascend-Technologies\_Vertical\_FullColor\_White](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/cropped-Ascend-Technologies_Vertical_FullColor_White.png?width=150&height=118&name=cropped-Ascend-Technologies_Vertical_FullColor_White.png)](https://teamascend.com/) - [Show submenu for Services Services](http://teamascend.com/services/) - [Show submenu for IT Consulting IT Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/strategic-consulting/) - 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[Internships](https://teamascend.com/careers/internships/) - [Connect](https://teamascend.com/contact/) - [24/7 Client Services](https://portal-ascend.okta.com/) [24/7 Client Services](https://portal-ascend.okta.com/) Cloud & Infrastructure # Traditional WAN vs. SD-WAN: Here's What You Need to Know ![Default Author](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Logos/Ascend/Ascend%20Technologies_Vertical_Blue.png) TEAM ASCEND April 26, 2021 - [![LinkedIn](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/LinkedIn-color%20(1).svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Ftraditional-wan-vs-sd-wan) - [![Facebook](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Group%203%20(1).svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Ftraditional-wan-vs-sd-wan) - [![Email](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Group%20427320686.svg)](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3ETraditional+WAN+vs.+SD-WAN%3A+Here%27s+What+You+Need+to+Know%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Ftraditional-wan-vs-sd-wan) ![](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Traditional%20WAN%20vs.%20SD-WAN%20Heres%20What%20You%20Need%20to%20Know.png) Technology is slowly extending fresh possibilities for individuals and enterprises alike. Among the chief developments in technology is the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a wave of technology transforming businesses through artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics, cloud computing, big data analytics, additive manufacturing, IoT, and autonomous robots. Many people marvel at new possibilities for businesses. One of the many wonders is the possibility of running, managing, monitoring, storing, and manipulating data for decision-making. It is a spectacular phenomenon. Small and medium-sized enterprises are growing fast, thanks to the power to seamlessly manage and track their transactions through storage and [cloud computing](http://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/) developments. Even as we marvel at these wonders, we can comfortably say that no magic would be possible without the wireless area network (WAN), the architecture that powers all these developments. The traditional WAN is a telecommunication network extending over a large geographical area for computer networking. Like everything else, not all WANs have a similar design. [Selecting the right WAN for your business or organization means](http://teamascend.com/services/managed-it-services/managed-sd-wan/) scrutinizing its needs against what it can technically do.  Understand how the traditional WAN works versus the software-defined WAN or SD-WAN.    ## Purchase & Installation When purchasing new technology for your business, it must be easy to use. Indeed, ease of use is identified as a metric for consumer adoption under the Technology Adoption Model. Traditional WAN worked through the installation of circuits to route IP services to clients. The purchase and installation of circuits required vast layers of the underlying hardware to complete the circuits. Unfortunately, the scope of traditional WAN networks made IT staff management cumbersome and made regular maintenance a nightmare. Luckily, a classic alternative to the conventional WAN is the SD-WAN, which uses tunnel solutions in pre-existing networks to scale business operations. The SD-WAN offers simplified branch services that extend flexibility to businesses regarding purchase, installation, and maintenance.   ## Traffic Management Network traffic is a severe issue for businesses that fast-track transactions and handle vast data. The network traffic is the amount of data that moves across a network at a specific period. Although clients love big data, there is compelling evidence relating big data to high traffic, particularly in public WAN networks and similar unmonitored networks. A key difference between WAN and SD-WAN is that the SD-WAN uses internet and cloud capabilities. This makes it easier to manage traffic between headquarters and corporate offices. Historically, traffic management was a nightmare for traditional WAN users. It required planning, logistics, and machinery to scale the network and continuously monitor incoming traffic.   ## Application Prioritization In traditional WAN networks, device policies had to be configured per device so that users would comply with the WAN policies. Luckily, SD-WAN provides fresh opportunities for application prioritization. Most SD-WAN providers and vendors, like Edafio Technology Partners, prioritize the quality of their services and the SD applications for their clients. The ability to prioritize the application of these networks has extended further opportunities for businesses that use SD-WANs. Nowadays, SD-WAN provides real-time high-traffic monitoring in case of brownouts and initiates a switchover immediately. This automated switchover capability of SD-WAN makes it a win for clients who want rapid switchovers during brownouts.   ## Operational Costs Cost is a critical factor in a consumer purchase decision. In information technology, clients eye cost-effective and efficiency-driven solutions that generate value and build trust. The SD-WANs emphasize high-speed efficiency and low-cost provisions. Clients who buy SD-WANs from Edafio Technology Partners use various options like DSL and broadband. By taking advantage of such sumptuous alternatives, they can eliminate MPLS circuits and scale their network plans at no cost. Setting up new circuits at different branch offices in traditional WAN networks required lead time. This lead time required months of planning, heavy logistics, and expertise to install hardware overlays, manage teams, and supervise technical roles.   ## Virtualization: Remote or Centralized? The SD-WAN architecture is designed as a unified bandwidth pool many service providers provide. This shared resource allows for greater resource use when data migrates from one office to another. The traditional WAN provided less data mobility because the system depended heavily on centralized data centers. Centralization and overreliance on data centers force traffic backhauling and clog the data traffic. So, SD-WAN remote architecture provides flexibility for individual users who want to migrate data across a supervised ecosystem of computers, offices, networks, and headquarters.   ## Security As you embark on any purchase, remember that the SD-WAN network is not restricted by the hardware's limitations comprising the network. Data centers are limited in verifying the incoming connections from cloud platforms,[leading to a data breach](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/vulnerability-management-program/). As you well know, data security is as much a strategic priority as the business itself. Therefore, breaches from a frail and failed traditional WAN network are the worst nightmare for any business. The SD-WAN provides security by preventing unauthorized connections from unknown centers and platforms.   ## Ascend Can Help The Edafio Technology Partners exist to design and provide intelligent technology solutions for clients and organizations to protect themselves. Dealing with a group of vendors is no longer an option for businesses that desire fast, long-term, and actionable solutions. Finding the right partner requires collaboration with a trusted partner who can deliver turnkey solutions to pressing technical problems. Ascend Technologies braces itself to transform businesses through intelligent technology solutions. As companies eye transformative solutions in [cloud computing](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/), [cybersecurity](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/), and [infrastructure management](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/), leveraging remote and reliable SD-WAN networks is not an option. At Ascend, we solemnly believe that our technological excellence shall bridge your IT business landscape through innovative solutions. [Talk to an expert](https://teamascend.com/contact/) to learn how we can help you on your IT journey.   [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2733374/d642d48f-f65a-4c45-aa94-29ec149674d1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2733374/d642d48f-f65a-4c45-aa94-29ec149674d1)   ### Table of Contents #### Get Insights Sent to Your Inbox ## Related Articles ![How to Build an AI Governance Framework a Lean IT Team Can Run](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/software-engineers-collaborating-on-code-in-office-2026-09-21-23-15-07-utc.jpg) Cloud & Infrastructure ### [How to Build an AI Governance Framework a Lean IT Team Can Run](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/ai-governance-framework-for-lean-it-teams-ascend) September 24, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/ai-governance-framework-for-lean-it-teams-ascend) ![How to Choose the Right Salesforce Products for Your Business](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_1458786464.jpeg) Cloud & Infrastructure ### [How to Choose the Right Salesforce Products for Your Business](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-salesforce-products-for-your-business) September 22, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-salesforce-products-for-your-business) ![What Is Shadow AI, and Why Is It a Compliance Risk Right Now?](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/woman-working-from-home-at-desk-with-laptop-2026-03-13-01-57-07-utc.jpg) Cloud & Infrastructure ### [What Is Shadow AI, and Why Is It a Compliance Risk Right Now?](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/shadow-ai-compliance-risk-regulated-industries) September 17, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/shadow-ai-compliance-risk-regulated-industries) [![Ascend Technologies](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Ascend/Ascend%20Technologies_Horizontal_FullColor_White.png?width=200&height=107&name=Ascend%20Technologies_Horizontal_FullColor_White.png)](https://teamascend.com/) Contact 833-639-2285 - - - - - - Company - [About](https://teamascend.com/about/) - [Services](https://teamascend.com/services/) - [Testimonials](https://teamascend.com/client-success-stories/) - [Partner With Us](https://teamascend.com/about/partner-with-us/) - [Resources](https://teamascend.com/resources/) - [Contact](https://teamascend.com/contact/) - [Careers](https://teamascend.com/careers/) - Services - [IT Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/strategic-consulting/) - [Cybersecurity](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/) - [IT Infrastructure](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/) - [Cloud](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/) - [24/7 Support Desk](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/support-desk/) - [Microsoft Services](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/) - [Salesforce Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/) - [HubSpot Services](https://teamascend.com/services/hubspot-services/) - [App Development](https://teamascend.com/services/application-development/) ### Empowering Technology. 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