Which characteristic of SD-WAN helps reduce costs?

Utilizing Internet links is a key characteristic of SD-WAN that effectively helps to reduce costs. Unlike traditional WAN architectures that often depend heavily on costly MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) connections or dedicated private lines, SD-WAN takes advantage of less expensive Internet connections, such as broadband, LTE, or cable. This flexibility allows organizations to leverage widely available public Internet infrastructure, which is typically much cheaper than maintaining dedicated circuits.

Additionally, SD-WAN can intelligently route traffic over multiple Internet connections based on real-time performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss. This capability ensures that applications perform optimally while utilizing the most cost-effective paths. Consequently, businesses can achieve significant savings on their overall network expenditures by minimizing their reliance on expensive dedicated lines and maximizing available Internet bandwidth.