When it comes to SD-WAN solutions, reliability is non-negotiable. Networks form the backbone of modern business operations, and any instability can lead to costly downtime, reduced productivity, and an avalanche of support tickets. One SD-WAN solution that has drawn criticism for its questionable stability is Viptela, particularly in deployments using vEdge 100, vEdge 1000, and vEdge 2000 devices.
While Viptela has been a popular choice in the SD-WAN market, it has also earned a reputation as a notorious support headache, plagued by issues that directly impact service continuity and operational efficiency.
Common Triggers for Service Disruptions
With Viptela, a range of common scenarios can result in a complete loss of service, leaving network teams scrambling for solutions:
1. Loss of Connections to vSmart
The vSmart controllers are central to Viptela's SD-WAN architecture, acting as the brain for policy and control plane operations. Any loss of connection to vSmart results in:
Loss of policy enforcement.
Routing instability across the entire network.
A complete halt in new session establishment.
2. Loss of Connections to vManage
vManage, the orchestrator for Viptela’s SD-WAN solution, is critical for monitoring and management. A disruption here can lead to:
Inability to monitor device performance.
Challenges in diagnosing and resolving issues.
A frustrating lack of visibility into network health during critical moments.
3. Port-Hop Failures
Viptela’s port-hopping mechanism is meant to ensure secure and resilient connections by dynamically changing ports. However, this feature often introduces:
Intermittent connectivity issues.
Difficult-to-trace session drops.
Increased latency as devices attempt to re-establish control connections.
4. Control Policy Changes
Changes to control policies, especially those that alter network topology, can result in:
Prolonged outages as devices struggle to converge on the new configuration.
Loss of active sessions, causing disruptions to end-user applications.
The need for extensive manual intervention to restore normalcy.
5. Clear Control Connection Commands
While this command is intended to troubleshoot and refresh control connections, it often backfires by:
6. Interface Flaps
Viptela devices are highly sensitive to interface flaps (momentary link failures). Each flap can trigger:
Complete loss of control and data plane connections.
Prolonged recovery times, especially in large-scale deployments.
7. Device Reloads
Reloading a Viptela device, whether intentional or due to a crash, often results in:
Slow reconvergence of control and data planes.
Loss of all active sessions during the downtime.
Extended recovery periods that compound business impact.
Historical Problems with Viptela
Over the years, Viptela has been plagued by a host of problems that have eroded user confidence:
1. Software Bugs and Instability
Frequent software updates intended to fix bugs often introduce new issues. Some common complaints include:
Inconsistent device behaviour across software versions.
Memory leaks causing devices to crash unexpectedly.
Poor QA processes leading to premature release of unstable firmware.
2. Scalability Challenges
While Viptela is marketed as a scalable solution, real-world deployments tell a different story:
3. Complexity in Operations
Viptela’s architecture, while innovative, often translates into operational complexity:
Troubleshooting issues requires deep expertise, increasing dependency on vendor support.
Lack of intuitive tools for diagnosing problems leads to prolonged resolution times.
4. Dependency on Cloud Components
The reliance on cloud-hosted vManage and vSmart introduces an additional layer of risk:
Outages in the cloud infrastructure can render the entire network inoperable.
High latency to cloud controllers impacts network performance, especially in remote regions.
Why Viptela is a Support Nightmare
The combination of the above issues makes Viptela notoriously difficult to support. IT teams often report:
Frequent Escalations: Many problems cannot be resolved without vendor intervention, leading to delays.
Lack of Proactive Monitoring: Despite its capabilities, Viptela does not provide adequate tools for predicting and preventing issues.
High Operational Costs: Extended downtime and complex troubleshooting translate to significant resource expenditure.
Alternatives to Consider
Given Viptela’s challenges, many businesses are exploring more stable and user-friendly SD-WAN solutions, such as Fusion SD-WAN. Fusion offers:
Reliable Connectivity: Advanced last-mile optimisation ensures session stability and crystal-clear voice quality.
Simplified Operations: Tools like the Antares portal provide full visibility and control, reducing operational complexity.
Proactive Analytics: Fusion Illuminate delivers AI-driven insights, allowing teams to prevent issues before they occur.
Effortless Scalability: Fusion’s architecture supports seamless growth without compromising performance.
Wrap
While Viptela may have pioneered SD-WAN solutions, its stability issues, operational complexity, and support challenges make it a risky choice for businesses that value reliability. Organisations looking for a future-proof SD-WAN solution should consider alternatives that prioritise stability, simplicity, and robust support.
Is your network ready for a solution that just works? Explore Fusion SD-WAN today and leave headaches like Viptela behind.
