Organizations are often constrained by their reliance on MPLS. These are the steps for migrating from MPLS to more flexible, scalable, secure, and cost-effective network architecture.
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Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) offers stability and predictable service levels while allowing enterprises to connect their branch offices. However, its static nature makes it a poor fit for modern ways of working, for cloud computing, and especially for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into workflows.
To increase network flexibility, scalability, and security, enterprises often modernize their networks by migrating from MPLS to alternative networking models, including SD-WAN or SASE (the latter of which natively integrates zero trust security principles). The move to SD-WAN was a common step in the 2010s for many businesses, although organizations today find that SD-WAN on its own has limitations, and are looking to modernize further by moving straight to SASE.
Network modernization can be an intensive process that takes weeks or months, but organizations can reap the benefits of it for years to come, including:
Document bandwidth needs, business-critical applications, and network topology. Recording a baseline of network performance is critical, as that provides a comparison point as the SD-WAN migration is first tested.
Different providers offer different features and levels of support; ensure the selected vendor can support business-critical applications and other must-haves.
Many organizations have critical systems or infrastructure that cannot be moved off of MPLS. Partial migration to SD-WAN can still help optimize much of their network. In such cases, enterprises should ensure they select a vendor who can support hybrid network environments.
Define the future state of the migrated network, determine which steps to take to reach that state, then decide what aspects of the network should be migrated first. Set a schedule for migration
Start switching over parts of the network to the SD-WAN provider in accordance with the plan from step 3; many organizations start with a single branch network, followed by performance testing, before migrating other parts of the network. Maintain legacy systems as a backup before fully cutting over to the new network.
Before switching off legacy systems completely, make sure the new configuration is performing better than the baseline documented in step 1.
Though SD-WAN is often thought of as the next stage for organizations as they modernize their networks, on its own it has many performance and security gaps that can continue to hinder organizational growth. In particular, SD-WAN is designed to connect buildings, not people. As a result, relying solely on SD-WAN means connectivity is fundamentally location-bound. This is less than ideal for the way many modern organizations work. A SASE model replaces location-dependent rules with a unified set of policies and experiences that remains identical whether a user is at an office desk or on the move.
Secure access service edge (SASE) is the next logical step in network modernization. SASE, in addition to a flexible, software-defined networking model, has security built in. It is a cloud-based architecture that converges network connectivity and comprehensive zero trust security in a single, unified platform.
Switch to a policy that connects users only to the specific apps they are authorized to use, via zero trust network access (ZTNA) controls, instead of the broad access offered through VPNs. For flexibility, SASE relies on a range of connectivity methods, not exclusively private circuits; internal data, applications, networks, and users therefore need to be protected regardless of location or how they are connected. Start by:
The goal here is to switch from private circuits to cloud-delivered network services, with network traffic and applications protected by ZTNA instead of VPNs and on-premises point solutions at branch networks. Steps include:
At this point, multi-cloud environments should be connected following a similar process to that described above:
Not all organizations will be able to, or even desire to, reach the point of turning off all on-premises infrastructure and hardware-based networking and security. However, migrating to SASE does give organizations the opportunity to do so, for increased flexibility and scalability with minimal latency.
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While MPLS provides reliable connectivity for branch offices, its rigid design struggles to keep up with the demands of cloud computing and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into daily operations. Modern work environments require more flexibility than these static networks can offer.
Transitioning away from legacy systems allows organizations to experience better application performance, simplified connectivity, and improved agility. Additionally, these updates can lower overall operational costs while providing security that scales alongside the business.
SD-WAN was primarily built to link physical buildings, which can restrict users to specific locations. In contrast, SASE is a cloud-native framework that combines networking with zero trust security. This ensures that employees have a consistent and secure experience whether they are working from a branch office, working from home, or traveling.
The process begins by documenting the current network topology, bandwidth requirements, and most important applications to establish a performance baseline. Organizations must then choose a provider that aligns with their specific technical needs, especially if they require a hybrid setup to maintain certain legacy systems.
Organizations should start by establishing Internet connectivity at a few locations and measuring their performance baseline. After selecting a cloud-based provider, they can create secure Anycast GRE or IPsec tunnels to route traffic. Once these tunnels are tested and production traffic is successfully moved to the new Internet-based paths, the old private circuits can be decommissioned.