Are you looking to improve your organization’s network connectivity by using an SD-WAN solution?
You may know your organization can benefit from using an SD-WAN solution but may not know which SD-WAN solution is the best fit for your organization.
More specifically, if you do not understand the difference between Versa’s and Fortinet's SD-WAN solutions, you may not know which one is a better fit for your organization.
If you choose to purchase one solution without understanding the details of each, you may find that you’ve chosen the wrong for your organization after it is too late.
Coeo has delivered SD-WAN solutions to thousands of customers and knows how important a reliable network is to an organization.
We want you to know the differences between Versa’s and Fortinet's SD-WAN solutions so you can determine which is a better fit for your organization.
By the end of this article, you will know what SD-WAN is, what Versa SD-WAN is, what Fortinet SD-WAN is, the differences between the two, and which solution is better for your organization.
What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN is an overlay network that is built on top of any number of underlying network connections such as fiber, LTE, or broadband.
The solution is carrier agnostic so it does not matter who provides your internet service. An SD-WAN solution can be leveraged using any number of underlying internet providers.
SD-WAN is applied as a software network of SD-WAN appliances, connected by encrypted tunnels which ensures the data being sent across these tunnels is always secure.
SD-WAN also uses multiple connections at once and sends data based on the most reliable connection. SD-WAN appliances continuously monitor the availability and performance of each connection.
Data traffic is then classified based on application, ensuring data is sent over the fastest, most reliable connection. This allows data to be sent over the most reliable network service.
What is Versa’s SD-WAN solution?
Versa is one of the leading vendors for SD-WAN, and Versa’s SD-WAN solution has been recognized by Gartner as a leader in their magic quadrant report which ranks the industry’s best providers.
Versa’s SD-WAN solution has many features and benefits which include:
Flexibility
Versa’s SD-WAN solutions offer data packet steering allowing customers to prioritize data. Data that is more important can be sent out sooner over the most reliable and fastest-performing connection.
Reduction of lost data
Versa uses Forward Error Correction or FEC services in its SD-WAN product as a way to reduce data loss.
FEC is a data loss recovery technique that controls data transmission errors over less reliable communication routes.
Avoiding poor-performing links
Data can be redirected to a different route to avoid slow or risky data paths. This technique ensures your data is sent as efficiently and securely as possible.
Multiple offerings
Versa offers multiple versions of their product and add-ons to its SD-WAN solution.
These offerings include standard SD-WAN which provides regular private connectivity with host optimization tools, additional security add-ons to ensure network security, and SASE which is a cybersecurity network that combines a WAN and a security system into one cloud-based solution.
What is Fortinet’s SD-WAN solution?
Fortinet is another industry-leading WAN provider that is also featured on the Gartner magic quadrant. Fortinet’s SD-WAN solution offers a more basic set of features than Versa’s offering.
Fortinet’s SD-WAN solution is heavily security-based and focuses on firewalls.
Fortinet SD-WAN provides strong network connectivity with a firewall creating multiple secure tunnels that communicate with each other and your locations so data can pass through.
Comparing Versa and Fortinet SD-WAN
The short comparison would be that Fortinet is a more basic SD-WAN solution and is focused heavily on security with a big focus on firewall protection.
Versa SD-WAN, on the other hand, is a complex solution with more features and offerings you can choose from.
Fortinet’s SD-WAN product is more of a one-size-fits-all solution providing only one true option. Versa provides more flexibility and offers more features that cater to the broad needs of your organization.
Versa’s base product, however, has less of a focus on security and it will cost more for the security upgrades. Fortinet on the other hand, has a strong focus on security and is included in their base solution.
Which SD-WAN solution is best for your organization?
Now you know what SD-WAN is, what Versa and Fortinet SD-WAN solutions are, and the differences between the two. However, you may not know which solution might be best for your organization.
If security is going to be the main focus of your SD-WAN solution and you won’t need a customized solution with additional features, a Fortinet SD-WAN solution may be the best fit for your organization.
Conversely, if you are looking for an SD-WAN solution you can customize to meet your organization's evolving needs, Versa’s solution may be a better fit for you.
Next steps to purchasing an SD-WAN solution
Now you know what SD-WAN is, what Versa’s and Fortinet’s SD-WAN solutions are, the differences between the two, and which solution might be best for your organization.
This will help you determine which SD-WAN solution your organization should utilize.
No one wants a poor-performing network connection that can result in the poor productivity of employees who rely on the internet to perform daily tasks.
Choosing the right SD-WAN solution for your organization can improve the problems of a poor-performing network and can enhance employee productivity.
Coeo has delivered thousands of Versa SD-WAN solutions to customers and is currently working to begin delivering Fortinet SD-WAN solutions in addition.
We know how important a reliable network connection is to an organization and want you to know the differences between Versa and Fortinet SD-WAN solutions so you can determine which is best for your organization.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about SD-WAN or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
Now you know the differences between Versa and Fortinet SD-WAN solutions. Check out our Buyer's Guide to learn more about SD-WAN and to determine if SD-WAN is a good fit for you:
