# SD-WAN Hardware: Replacing MPLS at Lower Cost

- Link: https://dbr-soft.com/sd-wan-hardware-replacing-mpls-at-lower-cost/
- Published: 2026-10-15T20:42:48+00:00
- Author: David Botero

Businesses with multiple locations used to rely on MPLS, a private, carrier-managed
network. It’s reliable but expensive. SD-WAN offers an alternative.

**What is SD-WAN?**

Software-defined WAN uses regular broadband, fiber, or LTE/5G links, and software
to decide how traffic travels between sites and the cloud.

**Key benefits**

– **Lower cost** than MPLS circuits

– **Multiple connections** combined or used for failover

– **Smart routing** that prioritizes voice, video, and critical apps

– **Direct cloud access** without sending all traffic through headquarters

– **Central management** of all sites

– **Faster deployment** of new locations

**Hardware needed**

Each site gets an SD-WAN appliance (or a firewall with SD-WAN features). Many modern
firewalls include it.

**Things to consider**

– Quality of local internet at each site

– Security: integrate firewall and filtering features

– Voice and video quality requirements

– Management and monitoring approach

– Contract terms with internet providers

**When it fits**

Companies with two or more sites, heavy cloud usage, or expensive legacy WAN contracts.

**Start small**

Pilot with one or two sites, measure performance, then expand.

**DBR Soft can design a multi-site network that cuts costs and improves reliability.****
[Contact us for more information.](https://dbr-soft.com/contact/)**

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