Private WANs (PWANs) – The Next Evolution in SD-WAN Connectivity

Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) has transformed how businesses manage their network infrastructure, offering flexibility, cost efficiency, and scalability compared to traditional Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks. Within the SD-WAN ecosystem, Private WANs (PWANs) represent a significant advancement, providing secure, optimized, and high-performance connectivity tailored for modern enterprise needs. PWANs combine the benefits of SD-WAN with the security and reliability of private network infrastructure, making them an ideal solution for businesses prioritizing data privacy, low latency, and robust performance. This chapter explores the role of PWANs in SD-WAN, their advantages, and their applications, with a focus on Fusion Broadband’s innovative PWAN solutions.

What is a PWAN?

A Private WAN (PWAN) is a virtualized network overlay that operates over private IP connections, creating a secure and dedicated communication channel between enterprise sites, such as branch offices, data centers, and cloud environments. Unlike traditional SD-WAN deployments that may rely on public internet links, PWANs leverage private connectivity to ensure enhanced security, reduced latency, and predictable performance. By integrating SD-WAN’s dynamic traffic management and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) with private network infrastructure, PWANs offer businesses a robust alternative to legacy MPLS networks while maintaining the flexibility of SD-WAN.

Fusion Broadband’s PWAN, as described in their blog, is a next-generation SD-WAN branch solution that creates a secure overlay network using private IPs between edge nodes. This approach ensures optimized routing for critical applications, reduced latency, and high-quality voice and video communications, making it ideal for businesses with stringent performance and security requirements [].