Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Cisco Meraki SD-WAN VS Cisco SD-WAN

Compare Cisco Meraki SD-WAN VS Cisco SD-WAN and see what are their differences

Cisco Meraki SD-WAN logo Cisco Meraki SD-WAN

What is SD-WAN?

Cisco SD-WAN logo Cisco SD-WAN

SD-WAN is a software-defined approach to managing the wide-area network, or WAN.
  • Cisco Meraki SD-WAN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-31
  • Cisco SD-WAN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-04

Cisco Meraki SD-WAN features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Cisco Meraki SD-WAN offers a cloud-managed solution that simplifies network management with an intuitive user interface, making it accessible even to users with limited technical expertise.
  • Scalability
    The platform is highly scalable, allowing organizations to easily expand their network infrastructure across multiple sites with minimal configuration and overhead.
  • Centralized Management
    Meraki's dashboard provides centralized management, which enables IT teams to monitor and configure network settings from a single location, increasing operational efficiency.
  • Security Features
    Built-in security features such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and content filtering help protect against threats, reducing the need for separate security devices.
  • Automatic Firmware Updates
    Devices receive automatic firmware and security updates from the cloud, ensuring that networks remain up to date with the latest features and security patches.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco Meraki SD-WAN

  • Cost
    Cisco Meraki SD-WAN can be more expensive compared to other SD-WAN solutions, particularly for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
  • Dependence on Cloud Connectivity
    Since Meraki relies on cloud-based management, any disruption in internet connectivity can impact the ability to manage and monitor network settings.
  • Limited Customization
    The solution may lack advanced customization features that some enterprises require, potentially leading to limitations in fine-tuning their network configurations.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    Adopting Cisco Meraki can lead to vendor lock-in, as the hardware and software are designed to work within the Cisco ecosystem, limiting flexibility to switch to different vendors in the future.
  • Performance Variability
    While generally reliable, performance can vary depending on the quality of the underlying internet connections, which may affect overall network performance.

Cisco SD-WAN features and specs

  • Enhanced Network Performance
    Cisco SD-WAN optimizes the network performance by intelligently directing traffic over the most efficient path.
  • Cost Savings
    Utilizes cheaper internet links instead of costly MPLS circuits while maintaining a high level of performance.
  • Improved Security
    Incorporates strong security measures such as end-to-end encryption and segmented network access.
  • Simplified Management
    Provides a centralized management interface for easier configuration and monitoring.
  • Scalability
    Easily scales with business growth without necessitating major investments in new infrastructure.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco SD-WAN

  • Initial Setup Complexity
    The initial deployment of Cisco SD-WAN may require a significant amount of effort and expertise.
  • Cost
    While Cisco SD-WAN may reduce long-term costs, the initial investment in hardware and software can be high.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Using Cisco’s products may result in a situation where transitioning to other vendors' solutions becomes more complex and costly.
  • Learning Curve
    IT staff may require training to effectively manage and optimize the Cisco SD-WAN solution.
  • Reliance on Internet Connectivity
    The performance and reliability of SD-WAN can be affected by the quality and stability of the internet connections it utilizes.

Cisco Meraki SD-WAN videos

CISCO MERAKI SD-WAN

Cisco SD-WAN videos

Cisco SD-WAN Explained

More videos:

  • Review - Review of Cisco SD WAN Controller Bringup | Cisco SD-WAN | Learnedze Networks

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco Meraki SD-WAN and Cisco SD-WAN)
Monitoring Tools
34 34%
66% 66
Managed Security Services
Security & Privacy
30 30%
70% 70
Cloud Storage
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cisco Meraki SD-WAN and Cisco SD-WAN, you can also consider the following products

FortiGate SD-WAN - SD-WAN

VeloCloud - SD-WAN

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall - Barracuda's cloud-ready firewalls improve site-to-site connectivity and provide enterprises with uninterrupted access to applications hosted in the cloud.

Aryaka Networks - The only SD-WAN for global enterprises that combines a purpose-built private network, optimization and acceleration techniques, connectivity to cloud platforms, and network visibility in a single solution that is delivered as-a-service.

Cato Networks - Cato Networks SD-WAN

SteelConnect - SteelConnect is a revolutionary SD-WAN solution that provides you with a simplified approach to designing, deploying & managing hybrid networks. Learn More.