Nepean Networks' Smart SD-WAN | Advanced Supportability & Intelligence Redefined

In an era where digital transformation demands agile, secure, and intelligent networking, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) face unprecedented challenges. Traditional SD-WAN solutions often fall short, burdened by vendor lock-in, limited scalability, and reactive management. Nepean Networks' Smart SD-WAN redefines the landscape by integrating machine learning, multi-domain intelligence, and vendor-agnostic features to deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable connections.

Nepean’s platform empowers MSPs to manage complex WAN environments with minimal resources. Key innovations include AI-driven analytics via Illuminate, flexible security chaining, and the Antares multi-tenant portal for centralized control. By separating the SD-WAN and security planes, Nepean enables MSPs to customize solutions, reduce costs, and enhance user experiences—positioning them as strategic partners in their clients' success.

Whether extending networks to cloud workloads, bonding diverse last-mile connections, or providing sub-second failover, Nepean’s Smart SD-WAN transforms networking from a commodity into a competitive advantage. MSPs can brand, scale, and support their services independently, free from telco or SaaS giant constraints.

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The Evolving Demands of Last Mile Networking

The modern last mile network for a business is a dynamic ecosystem spanning branches, data centers, cloud environments, and remote sites. Hybrid workforces, real-time applications like VoIP and video conferencing, and escalating cyber threats amplify the need for intelligent WAN solutions. Yet, many SD-WAN vendors deliver only basic automation, leaving MSPs to grapple with complexity, downtime, and inflexible security.

Nepean Networks addresses these pain points with Smart SD-WAN—a cloud-native platform engineered for MSPs. By leveraging machine learning and advanced intelligence across nine key domains, Nepean ensures networks are not just connected but optimized in real time. This white paper delves into the platform's core capabilities, demonstrating how it empowers MSPs to deliver enterprise-grade services efficiently and securely.

At its heart, Smart SD-WAN is about empowerment: providing MSPs with the tools to build branded, scalable offerings without vendor lock-in. With global Points of Presence (PoPs) in over 52 locations, carrier independence, and seamless integration with hybrid environments, Nepean sets a new standard for SD-WAN innovation.

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Core Intelligences | Building a Smarter Network Foundation

Nepean’s Smart SD-WAN is distinguished by its multi-domain intelligence framework, which infuses AI and automation into every layer of networking. This approach goes beyond traditional SD-WAN, enabling proactive optimization, threat mitigation, and adaptability.

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1. Network Intelligence

At its core, Nepean’s Smart SD-WAN delivers true private WAN capabilities. These are not limited to traditional branch networking; they extend seamlessly across multiple data centres, cloud environments, and even isolated standalone sites.

• Multi-tenant segmentation: Securely isolate and manage different customers, departments, or environments within the same infrastructure.

• Flexible topology: Support hub-and-spoke, full mesh, or hybrid designs to match any business scenario.

• Beyond branch networking: Extend secure overlays to cloud workloads or single critical sites without redesigning the network.

This versatility ensures that Smart SD-WAN is not a one-trick pony, but a multi-role networking platform for modern businesses.

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2. Traffic Intelligence

Nepean’s Illuminate add-on is where AI meets analytics. This system offers over 40 real-time dashboards covering:

• Inventory and asset tracking

• Bandwidth usage by site, user, or application

• Cybersecurity threat monitoring

• Application performance metrics

For deeper performance analysis, a Grafana-based metrics engine provides detailed visibility into:

• Bit rate, latency, & jitter

• Packet loss & utilisation

• Experience scoring & change tracking

This level of intelligence transforms traffic monitoring from reactive troubleshooting into proactive performance optimisation.

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3. Cyber Intelligence

Security in Smart SD-WAN is vendor-agnostic. Through service chaining, Nepean integrates with any security solution—whether centralised or at the edge.

• Commercial & open-source firewalls supported: Clavister, pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWRT, Mikrotik, WatchGuard, Checkpoint, IPFire, and more.

• Deploy hybrid security: Combine high-end commercial firewalls at the data centre with cost-effective open-source edge firewalls.

• Full compatibility with existing business security workflows.

This open approach means MSPs can adapt security to the customer’s risk appetite, compliance needs, and budget—without vendor lock-in.

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4. Edge Intelligence

The Smart SD-WAN edge device doubles as an NFV platform running on Debian Bookworm, capable of hosting any Linux x86-based application.

Examples include:

• Network managers & wireless controllers

• Soft PBXs and VoIP services

• WireGuard VPN servers for secure remote access

This flexibility allows service providers to collapse multiple customer-premise devices into a single intelligent platform—reducing costs, power usage, and support complexity.

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5. Experience Intelligence

Nepean’s bi-directional QoS with fairness ensures that user experience is never compromised:

• Crystal-clear voice by default

• Adaptive bandwidth allocation to suit changing traffic patterns

• Path determination on both upstream and downstream for optimal flow

This means performance is consistent regardless of congestion or link degradation—critical for real-time applications like video conferencing and VoIP.

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6. Connectivity Intelligence

Nepean is last-mile agnostic—working with any ISP, on any medium: fibre, fixed wireless, or mobile.

Key features include:

• Smart bonding & aggregation for more bandwidth

• Instant failover between links with zero session drops

• Algorithms to detect and mitigate last-mile issues such as bufferbloat, intermittent packet loss, or high latency

Unlike traditional VPNs, Nepean’s packet-based overlay avoids session interruptions and maintains application stability even when links fail.

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7. Cloud Intelligence

The Antares cloud portal is the operational nerve centre of Smart SD-WAN.

• Multi-tenant and hierarchical: MSPs can manage multiple customers while granting them selective self-service control.

• Zero-touch provisioning with the Juggler service

• NOC mode with RAG (Red/Amber/Green) status icons for instant situational awareness

• Integrated notification systems for rapid incident response

This single pane of glass brings visibility and control to every endpoint in the network.

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8. Infrastructure & Troubleshooting Intelligence

With Secure Connect, MSPs can directly manage upstream and downstream network infrastructure:

• Full GUI and SSH access to any integrated NFV-based firewall or network appliance

• Streamlined management of complex customer environments without needing on-site intervention

This is a game-changer for MSPs managing multi-vendor networks across large customer footprints.
Nepean has some of the best diagnostic capabilities in the SD-WAN industry:

• Full wire-rate packet capture on any edge node using standard Wireshark tools

• Integrated iperf testing for bandwidth and latency measurement

• Built-in speed test capabilities for quick customer-facing troubleshooting

These tools allow MSPs to go from detection to resolution in minutes rather than hours.

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Why Nepean’s Smart SD-WAN Changes the Game

By combining automation, machine learning, and a complete set of “intelligences”, Nepean’s Smart SD-WAN offers MSPs a way to deliver business-grade networking without the cost, complexity, or manpower traditionally required.

This isn’t just about connecting sites—it’s about ensuring those connections are:

• Smarter

• More secure

• Easier to manage

• Optimised for the best possible experience

In an era where network downtime costs money and poor performance costs customers, Nepean Networks delivers the intelligence that makes SD-WAN truly Smart.

Wrap | Empower Your Network Today

Nepean Networks' Smart SD-WAN is more than a product; it's a partnership for MSP success. By integrating advanced intelligence with unmatched flexibility, it ensures networks are smarter, more secure, and easier to manage.

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