More organizations are making the shift to Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WANs), but it can be difficult to decide which solutions are best suited to your business. In this infographic, explore two of the most well-established and widely deployed enterprise-grade Cisco SD-WAN solutions: Meraki MX and Viptela.

1. Small IT staff with limited experience
managing a secure WAN environment
Large IT staff, well-versed in managing
enterprise-level networking architecture
Public cloud (AWS®
or Azure®
)
Easy, full-stack branch management
through a simple user interface
Basic SD-WAN and security
capabilities all in one
Basic support for Ethernet and
LTE connections
Private cloud or on-premise infrastructure
Ethernet and LTE connections and/or
T1 and DSL lines
Support for complex WAN topologies with
a high degree of customization
End-to-end, secure segmentation and
automated path control
Integrated threat
management capabilities
Support for integrating multiple Virtual
Private Cloud (VPC) workloads
Lower cost/Mbps for enterprise or
advanced licensing
Cisco Meraki solutions
Integrated Service Router (ISR)
4K or vEdge
Higher cost/Mbps with advanced routing,
service chaining & cloud security
Meraki
Both
Viptela
Basic SD-WAN and security capabilities
all in one
Simple orchestration and automation for
deploying integrated branch security
Support for complex WAN topologies,
with a high degree of customization
Easy-to-manage, full-stack branch
network through a simple user interface
Full network visibility from a single
management platform
Flexible, end-to-end, secure
segmentation, including extension into
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Transport independence across multiple
connection types
Zero-touch deployment with support for
template configurations
Support for integrating multiple
VPC workloads
Enterprise or advanced licensing at
lower cost/Mbps
Public cloud management with virtual
platform for AWS and Azure
Private cloud, public cloud and on-
premise management capabilities
Convenient deployment for current
Meraki user
Support for Ethernet and LTE
connections, with embedded LTE
as backup
Support for T1 and DSL lines
Simple to manage, even for lean or
inexperienced IT staff
Highly scalable (10,000+ sites)
DNA Advantage with advanced routing,
service chaining & cloud security at
higher cost/Mbps
Automated path optimization across
internet and VPN overlay paths
Ideal for existing ISR 4K or vEdge users
Meraki MX
(SD-WAN Core)
Viptela
(SD-WAN Premium)
Sources:
Cisco. (2018). Cisco SD-WAN Positioning the Right Solution for Success. Cisco.com.
1.
Which best describes your
organization’s IT resources?
2.
Which cloud infrastructure
does your organization
currently use?
3.
What type of networking
connections are required?
4.
Which networking features
are most important?
5.
Which cost factors are most
important?
6.
Which Cisco technologies
are currently deployed?
vs.
Meraki vs.Viptela
Begin your migration to next-generation networking by using the breakdown below to
determine which Cisco®
Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solution best suits
your business and IT needs.
Which Cisco SD-WAN
solution is right for you?