In the fast-evolving world of Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), the focus often centres on technological innovationsāfaster connections, intelligent traffic routing, and enhanced security. While these advancements are pivotal, they represent just one part of a broader ecosystem. Effective SD-WAN management demands an equal emphasis on robust processes and the human factors influencing network operations. This article explores the less glamorous, often overlooked challenges of network management in the SD-WAN era.
The Ugly Babies of Network Management
Network management tools are often treated like babiesānobody dares to call theirs ugly. Organizations cling to familiar, outdated solutions, unwilling to admit their limitations. This complacency leads to a fundamental issue: the inability to adapt legacy tools to modern network demands.
Many network management products still rely on principles born in the 1980s and 1990s, and while they may work for traditional networks, they lack the agility and intelligence needed for SD-WAN. As Iāve previously written in "If You Manage a Data Centre or Network, You Need to Look for Ugly," acknowledging flaws in these systems is crucial to making meaningful progress.
SNMP | The Flintstone Protocol
The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) has long been a cornerstone of network management. However, in an SD-WAN context, SNMP feels like using Fred Flintstoneās car to navigate the Autobahn. Its limitations are glaring:
Without a unified standard for SD-WAN monitoring, SNMP is increasingly inadequate. The industryās overreliance on this legacy protocol underscores the need for more sophisticated solutions tailored to SD-WAN's unique complexities.
The Diversity of Network Mediums
SD-WAN thrives on aggregating links from multiple carriers and leveraging various mediumsācarrier Ethernet, ADSL, TDM, LTE, GSM, VSAT, fixed wireless, and FTTH. However, this diversity creates a significant challenge for network management.
In the simpler days of frame relay, link statuses were binaryāeither UP or DOWN. Todayās networks are far more nuanced. For instance:
An upstream link may appear as UP at an aggregation point, but a downstream interface could silently fail.
Ethernet-based networks often lack clear fault signaling, complicating the detection of partial link failures.
Workarounds like alternative fault signaling mechanisms demonstrate the ingenuity of network engineers but also expose the limitations of current management tools.
The API Puzzle | Carrier Management Systems
Modern carriers have developed proprietary network management platforms to suit their operations. These platforms often grant API access to ISPs for enhanced visibility. However, thereās a catch:
No Standardized API: Each carrier uses a unique API, requiring custom integrations.
Limited Vendor Variety: Fortunately, the number of vendors providing carrier management platforms is relatively small, which simplifies integration to an extent.
SD-WAN solutions must bridge this gap by integrating seamlessly with carrier APIs. Such integration enables:
The Human Element | Process Gaps and Bias
The technology behind SD-WAN may be cutting-edge, but its success hinges on the processes and people managing it. A common pitfall is the disconnect between network engineers and facility managers:
Both approaches have merit, but relying solely on one creates blind spots. Effective SD-WAN management requires a unified strategy, combining digital insights with on-the-ground assessments.
The Path Forward
To navigate the network management challenge in the SD-WAN era, organizations must adopt a new mindset:
Acknowledge Limitations: Be willing to confront the shortcomings of legacy tools.
Modernize Protocols: Move beyond SNMP and embrace standards designed for SD-WAN.
Integrate Intelligently: Leverage APIs to bridge the gap between SD-WAN and carrier systems.
Invest in Processes: Train teams to recognize and adapt to the unique demands of SD-WAN environments.
As networks continue to evolve, the shift toward more intelligent, adaptable management solutions is not just desirableāitās inevitable. By addressing the complexities of processes and human behaviour alongside technological innovation, organizations can unlock the full potential of SD-WAN while mitigating its challenges.
In the SD-WAN era, network management is no longer just about toolsāitās about transformation. Are you ready to embrace the change?
Ronald Bartels ensures that Internet inhabiting things are connected reliably online at Fusion Broadband South Africa - the leading specialized SD-WAN provider in South Africa. Learn more: š Contact Fusionāļø
