Suitability
Assess sites, application flows, available links and whether SD-WAN is the right answer.
SD-WAN
SD-WAN (software-defined wide area networking) connects your offices, sites and cloud services over several links, such as NBN, fibre and mobile, and steers traffic by central policy according to what each application needs. Umbrella Tech helps multi-site Australian organisations decide whether SD-WAN suits them, then designs and deploys it around their applications, security and carrier arrangements.
The problem
The challenge we help you address
When every branch has different links, routers and configuration, connectivity is hard to manage and failures are hard to predict. Calls and business applications compete with backups and updates for the same link, and a carrier outage can take a site offline.
The outcome
What the engagement should deliver
A wide area network with consistent policy across sites, predictable behaviour when a link fails, and clear operating boundaries between your team, your carriers and any service provider. We explain the engineering and provider responsibilities so you can choose a support model with full information.
How we can help
Design
Plan the topology, link mix, application policies, security and cloud connections.
Deployment
Configure the agreed design and move sites across in a planned sequence.
Operation
Document monitoring, escalation, failover tests and the responsibilities of carriers and providers.
How SD-WAN differs from a traditional WAN
A traditional WAN configures each site router separately and often relies on one private link. SD-WAN uses a central controller to push the same policy to every site, uses several links at once and chooses the path for each application based on measured performance. Many platforms combine SD-WAN with firewall functions at each site, so the design needs to align with your Firewall Upgrades and security policy.
How we deliver
How an SD-WAN project runs
01
Assess
Record sites, links, applications and current performance problems.
02
Design
Choose the link mix and write the application and security policies.
03
Pilot
Deploy at one site, test failover and application behaviour, then refine.
04
Roll out
Move remaining sites in sequence and hand over operating documentation.
Frequently asked questions
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What is SD-WAN?
A way of running the connections between sites in software from a central point. It uses several internet or private links, monitors their performance and routes each application over the most suitable one, with automatic failover.
When should a business use SD-WAN?
When it has several sites, relies on cloud applications or voice calls across sites, needs better resilience than a single link, or finds per-site router configuration hard to manage. A single small office rarely needs it.
Do you provide managed SD-WAN?
This page describes consulting and project delivery. Any ongoing managed service, carrier contract or monitoring arrangement is defined separately during scoping, so you know who supports the network after go-live.
How long does an SD-WAN project take?
It depends on the number of sites, carrier lead times for new links, the platform chosen and how sites can be scheduled. Scope and timing are confirmed in discovery.
What are the main security or governance considerations?
Consistent security policy at every site, protection of traffic between sites and to the cloud, controlled access to the central management console, and clear records of which provider is responsible for each link. Our Cybersecurity services cover the wider controls.
Plan the next improvement
Tell us about your sites, links and the applications that matter most. We will help define a practical starting point.