The first article in our “Why Peplink” series focused on SD-WAN technology.
Having a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, solution isn’t unique in and of itself. All the big networking hardware players provide it. A private computer network that functions over a public network, a VPN allows employees to securely access company networks no matter where they are.
Peplink’s SD-WAN technology was like that. The company was combining the power of multiple WAN sources into one unbreakable connection long before there was a name for it. All the engineers at Peplink wanted was to provide resilient connections that could fail over.
The WAN or Wide Area Network refers to networks that cover large geographical areas. Typically you see this as the connection that brings the internet into your home or business. Your WAN source can be a cable connection, a dedicated MPLS line, DSL, Cellular, or any of several other technologies.
Even when commodity internet connections like cable or DSL are available at the site, scheduling, installing, and cost are all significant roadblocks. At many worksites—including new developments, remote utility work, or resource exploration—crews arrive well ahead of wired technology. The remedy for all of these connectivity headaches is powerful cellular internet.
Peplink has announced their full portfolio of FirstNet ready products allowing Public Safety and all other First Responding agencies to deploy reliable and cost-effective wireless networks. Peplink has been a leader in wireless networks for Public Safety, Fire Departments, EMS and other emergency organizations. Now the reliability and power is extended to the FirstNet system.
Failover is the SD-WAN term for automated switching from a primary WAN source to a secondary or back-up WAN. The Internet connection on any network comes in through a WAN (Wide Area Network). A WAN connection can originate from any of several sources: cable, DSL, fiber, satellite, or even cellular. Failover technology is built into a router, but not all routers are failover capable, and different routers have different levels of failover. Every router takes an incoming WAN connection and distributes it to connected users on the LAN (Local Area Network). A failover router can manage two or more incoming WAN sources and dynamically switch between them.
