Secure SD-WAN
for distributed enterprises
Hillstone SD-WAN Solution
Uncompromising Edge Security
In a post-breach world, the network edge has become both an opportunity and a threat for IT teams. Constantly evolving threats and attacks, insecure IoT devices, and mobile tools require improved visibility, compliance and protection at the edge. Simultaneously, IT may be required to quickly deploy new offices with cost-effective bandwidth, all while ensuring security and reliability at the expanding edge. SD-WAN has become the tool of choice to solve these problems; but choosing the right SD-WAN solution is the key to success.
Why SD-WAN?
SD-WAN can consolidate multiple network devices while providing unparalleled agility, security and performance. At its core is the ability to utilize multiple connections effectively, and to use less-expensive broadband or mobile connections alongside or in place of high-cost MPLS links. Reliability can be assured by routing traffic over multiple links, which supports continuity even in a natural disaster.
In addition to allowing the use of lower-cost links, SD-WAN further lowers OPEX through zero-touch provisioning and rapid deployment, and centralized management reduces configuration and maintenance costs.
What is SD-WAN?
Put simply, SD-WAN is the next-generation WAN edge solution for enterprises. Its key capability is to route traffic via disparate wide-area links, including multiple internet connections, MPLS, and even mobile data networks like 3G/4G/5G LTE. In addition, the SD-WAN solution needs to be easy to deploy and centrally managed, as well as providing robust security capabilities.
Hillstone’s SD-WAN Solution
Developed by security industry veterans, Hillstone’s SD-WAN solution provides robust, comprehensive enterprise security to mitigate SD-WAN risks. As part of Hillstone’s Hybrid Mesh Firewall (HMF) approach, the solution extends integrated firewall protection to distributed branch environments, combining visibility into network traffic and insight into traffic context with the ability to take action at the edge. In addition, the solution provides centralized management, zero-touch provisioning, and superior QoS with active link monitoring to support fast deployment, simplified operations, and secure SD-WAN connectivity. Key highlights of the solution include:
Centralized Management with Zero-Touch Provisioning at the Edge
ZTP allows for effortless scalability and deployment, even in the absence of skilled IT staff. By acting as a centralized controller, Hillstone’s secure SD-WAN solution is adept at bringing new CPE devices online, making it adaptable to the new “branch of one” concept, and seamlessly pushing changes to existing CPE devices. For larger branch networks, automatic route installation and simplified routing configuration further help reduce repetitive setup as the number of sites grows.
Seamless and Comprehensive Remote Security
Hillstone’s SD-WAN solution provides centralized VPN connectivity and security policy management. VPN setup and branch security policies can be configured via the Security Manager, then automatically deployed to branch devices through initial configuration or subsequent configuration updates. By enabling hub-and-spoke VPN from corporate HQ to remote sites, or even virtual private clouds within large public clouds, as well as automated branch-to-branch VPN connections and flexible multi-hub deployments, Hillstone’s SD-WAN solution provides secure connectivity across distributed environments, giving CISOs peace of mind that all communication is encrypted.
Application-Aware Traffic Steering for Superior Business Experience
Hillstone SD-WAN uses deep application identification to accurately identify thousands of network applications, including hundreds of mobile and cloud applications. It monitors link connectivity, latency, jitter, and packet loss, and intelligently steers traffic across MPLS, Internet, and 4G/5G WAN links based on application type, business priority, and bandwidth utilization, helping critical applications use the optimal available path.
When a link fails, interface-group steering, link aggregation, ECMP-based load balancing, and automatic failover enable rapid traffic rerouting, helping businesses make better use of network resources and maintain stable, reliable access to applications across branches and cloud environments.
Comprehensive Network Visibility and Simplified Operations
Hillstone SD-WAN provides a unified management platform with an at-a-glance view of branch locations, device health, link quality, traffic, and real-time alerts, helping administrators gain clear visibility into network-wide operations. The platform supports monitoring and analysis across applications, links, and users, as well as network orchestration. It also enables unified monitoring and flexible traffic management across different business networks running in virtual systems (VSYS), simplifying operations while maintaining logical separation between business environments. These capabilities help IT teams detect and resolve issues promptly, improving operational efficiency across large-scale branch networks.
Enterprise-Class Security Foundation
Hillstone’s long history and leadership in the security industry form the foundation of the SD-WAN enterprise solution. It features an integrated next-gen firewall with unique breach and malware detection capabilities that are used by thousands of enterprises and recognized by leading analysts like Gartner. Through Hillstone’s solution, the links in the chain of security, routing and WAN optimization are consolidated into a single platform, providing a trusted and proven secure core.
How can SD-WAN Help Your Organization?
A wide variety of distributed organizations can benefit from an SD-WAN solution. These use-case scenarios listed below, drawn from real-world deployments, can serve as a blueprint for your organization’s needs.
Retail
Retailers face unique compliance and scalability requirements. PCI-DSS compliance is mandatory to protect customer credit card data, which entails both encryption of traffic and segmentation of the network to ensure only appropriate access by systems and staff. Malware and breach detection are also increasingly important to retail operations, given recent headline-making data breaches. Application prioritization can also ensure that purchase transactions are given high priority, and real-time data is available for supply-chain and other retail analysis.
Healthcare
Healthcare systems, both clinical and research, are increasingly distributed, and SD-WAN can help connect decentralized locations with high-quality bandwidth and performance while ensuring compliance, privacy and security. Large file transfers, like x-rays and electronic health records, can be accommodated with the necessary performance. IoT devices can be protected from malicious attacks that could lead to a breach of sensitive patient information.
Service Providers
Communications and managed service providers are increasingly turning to IaaS services as a revenue center, and SD-WAN services can be a compelling offering, especially among small- to medium-sized businesses. Centralized management provides easy day-to-day operations and management, and the Hillstone solution provides advanced security along with the SD-WAN capabilities. Smaller businesses can realize improved performance through application-aware prioritization of SaaS services as well.
Government
Government agencies with remote locations can also benefit from Hillstone’s SD-WAN solution, by augmenting or eliminating high-cost MPLS networks while still attaining secure and reliable access. For extremely remote or hard-to-reach areas, the solution’s ability to utilize wireless broadband connections provides fast, secure access as well. Similarly, for disaster preparedness, 3G/4G/5G LTE connections can be used to provide an SD-WAN mesh that is both reliable and secure in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
Hillstone Networks Recognized in Gartner 2020 Market Guide for Virtual Private Networks for its Network Firewalls
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Engage with us to learn more about Hillstone’s SD-WAN solutions by contacting your local authorized Hillstone Networks reseller.
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For the 4th year in a row, Hillstone Networks has been recognized in Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for Network Firewalls.
The Customers’ Choice is a rating of vendors in a given market — for Hillstone, it’s Network Firewalls — that take into account both the number of reviews and the overall user rating. Based on feedback and ratings from our end users who have purchased, implemented and are happily using our products and services, Hillstone’s overall rating came to 4.9.
