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Complete WAN Installation Checklist for IT Professionals 

Complete WAN Installation Checklist

WAN has become a reliable, agile, cost-effective solution for businesses requiring productive and safe remote connections. This technology allows organizations to share resources, communicate, store data, and connect to applications remotely regardless of location.

Successful WAN installation requires planning and careful resource allocation like software, hardware, servers, and budgeting. Organizations should choose the right technology and WAN security. If your organization is planning to install WAN, this guide will help you do it right.

What Does WAN Mean?

The US Army first used a Wide Area Network (WAN) to interconnect remotely distributed radar defense systems. Since then, the technology has undergone considerable changes and is used in every business sector today. It is used to interconnect cloud applications, cloud storage, data centers, and computers. Organizations use it to connect, share data, and communicate across cities, continents, and countries.

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Guide to Installing Your Wide Area Network (WAN)

i. Create an Installation Plan

An installation plan is a written strategy that guides your organization on the steps it will follow during WAN setup. It engages the IT professionals in a brainstorming session with the relevant stakeholders. The first thing your team should assess is the current and future business needs.

Current needs may include the number of locations that require a WAN connection. Consider the required bandwidth, ensuring it will be enough to allow the entire company’s traffic to run through. Another important consideration is the connection speed required. Have a mitigation plan to help during network failure and downtime. The team should have a backup plan to cover low latency and other network problems.

Planning should also cover the budgetary needs for the entire installation. List the important components required for this project. Your team requires hardware, software, cables, a backup system, and money for service providers. They also require the right WAN technology. 

What are the Common WAN Technologies Today?

Organizations use at least four common WAN technologies and each serves different goals.

  • SD-WAN is a software-defined WAN that provides organizations with flexible bandwidths. The network manages connections and traffic through software, which makes it cheaper and more dynamic.
  • MPLS. This WAN uses multiprotocol label switching and is mostly used by financial, health, and insurance entities. It is a reliable and super-performance network solution.
  • Internet VPN. This connection solution uses a virtual private network to connect organizations to remote servers. It is a cheaper option that connects computers through encrypted tunnels.
  • Dedicated Leased Lines. DLL is another high-speed connection solution that provides top-notch security to organizations. Its cost could be higher than other solutions.

Identify a Service Provider

WAN service providers supply all the services and connection infrastructure required for the project. They also supply important components like network management, communication, and data handling solutions. They support organizations with scalability, WAN security, technical support, and monitoring needs. There are over 75 major WAN service providers worldwide, although hundreds of smaller companies are also involved.

Choose a provider based on your budget and consider things like features offered, uptime guarantees, security, and bandwidth costs. Research thoroughly and compare several providers before settling on one. There are several considerations your team should make during the research and comparison phase.

  • Reputation. The company’s services should be reputable, especially network security and integrity.
  • Experience. The team should be experienced in all WAN installation needs including maintenance and support.
  • Scaling. The provider should meet your scaling needs since your company will continue to grow and require expanded connections.
  • Coverage. The provider should have capacity to supply every location the organization is based.

WAN Network Design

A WAN network design is the infrastructure arrangement showing how the company will connect with its locations. The entire design includes hardware, software, WAN technology, and quality controls. It should consider every company’s needs and ensure the smooth running of business operations.

Network connections can be made through full-mesh topology where one office connects the other. The connection can also be done through a Hub-and-spoke topology where every remote office is connected to a central hub. WAN security is critical in the network design phase.

Agree on the protocols your company will use to secure data and the network. WAN security considerations may include intrusion detection systems and firewalls. It also includes access controls like authentication and authorization, SD WAN encryption, and VPNs.

WAN Hardware and Software Setup

WAN hardware and software setup is the process of software configuration and device connection until the entire network is up and running. Your team should be guided by the WAN design considerations made during the design setup process. Software setup includes configurations of VPNs, router apps, Firewalls, and communication software connections.

Hardware setup includes modems, switches, SD-WAN controls, gateways, and routers. Setting up these tools should allow your company to experience strong security and reliable connections that favor smooth business workflows. Start with hardware setup and connect the routers, modems, gateways, and controllers.

Next, configure the software that allows the devices to communicate with each other. Set up security applications like firewalls and VPNs. Set up the WAN optimization tools to boost the connection’s efficiency and performance. These tools control issues like downtime, traffic congestion, and bandwidth constraints. They help with data compression, caching, and traffic control across the network. With these tools, the company can experience enhanced speeds and reliability.

Examples of WAN Optimization Tools

  • Cisco Wide Area Application Services (WAAS). Helps with data compression, caching, and acceleration to boost WAN network performance. 
  • Riverbed SteelHead. Reduces bandwidth engagement by compressing and duplicating data. This helps boost the performance of applications within the network.
  • Silver Peak. It is installed to manage multiple cloud environments and hybrid tools which helps boost their performance. The tool also helps boost data performance within the network.
  • Citrix SD-WAN. This tool is installed to help manage on-premise and cloud-based apps. It helps manage WAN traffic and optimize applications.

Cables and Cable Hardware Setup

Cables and cable hardware help complete the entire infrastructure setup allowing the system to transmit data and enable smooth communication. Cables may include items like Ethernet or fiber optic. Cable hardware may include items like trays for managing cables and patch panels. Ensure they are neatly arranged and test them to ensure they are providing the right speed and are working well.

Connect the System Setup with the WAN Service Provider

Connecting the system with the WAN service provider activates it so that it is up and running. Your software and hardware should be compatible with the service provider’s software system. The provider’s system will generate an IP address for you, through which the entire system will run.

The provider will supply the necessary connection protocols and access/authentication details. They will also provide the connection guidelines to help your IT team set up the network. Once the team finishes the setup, testing the system and fixing errors is important. Test the links, bandwidth, and latency.

What WAN Compliance Needs Should Organizations Meet?

Every organization today is subjected to strict compliance and regulatory requirements for handling data. Compliance organizations like HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI-DSS establish these guidelines.  Here are compliance needs that your organization should implement.

  • Controlled access. Protect data by controlling access and use by employers and customers. Control the level of access and data use privileges each person has. Implement strict authorization and authentication protocols.
  • Encrypt data. SD WAN encryption protects data as it transits through the WAN network. This ensures that anyone who intercepts it while in transit or at rest cannot read it.
  • Train users. Compliance laws require organizations to train users, such as employees and clients, about data cybersecurity and ensure they follow data use and sharing protocols.
  • Monitoring and auditing. Regulators require organizations to monitor their systems for unauthorized activities. They should take audits and fix cybersecurity issues as they arise.

WAN Networks and Cloud Integration

Your company can integrate multiple cloud-based services with the WAN network. These services may include data storage, applications, and communication. Choose a cloud service that will meet your company’s WAN-cloud integration needs. SD-WAN for the cloud is a common service preferred by many organizations.

They use it because it is a software-defined service that simplifies cloud services management. Popular players in this field include Azure, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle.

Some organizations may opt for a multi-cloud strategy allowing them to buy services from multiple cloud providers. It is important to consider latency issues when choosing a cloud service because the time taken to move data from one point to the next in a WAN network is critical.

Planning for Scaling

Companies grow at different rates, with some growing quickly and others taking several decades. Regardless of your company’s growth rate, your IT team should have a future scaling plan. The WAN infrastructure the company designs should be able to grow with the business. It should accommodate expansion needs without overwhelming the business or bringing it to a standstill.

This calls for the business to have an elaborate growth plan. It should be an early technology adopter, ensuring that every technology adopted helps drive growth. For instance, 5G technology and the Internet of Things can boost connectivity,  data processing speed, and storage optimization.

If the business does not prefer a flexible solution where the WAN solutions adapt to growth needs, it may opt for a modular design. This design lets the business grow its network one piece at a time. Finally, the organization should conduct regular technology and WAN network evaluations.

Regular infrastructure reviews help identify developing problems and fix them promptly. They also provide the team with ideas on whether the system needs an upgrade to support the changing growth and technology needs, allowing the company to stay competitive.

To conclude

Successful WAN setup requires IT professionals to create an elaborate plan and write a detailed checklist. The plan should cover every item required for the process including hardware, software, and service providers. A successful setup process ensures the entire network runs smoothly. The team should provide a plan for future scaling to allow company expansion and accommodate new technologies. WAN design considerations should include data security solutions, compliance, and training plans. An elaborate current and future plan ensures the company stays competitive and adaptive to changes.

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Zayne

Zayne is an SEO expert and Content Manager at Wan.io, harnessing three years of expertise in the digital realm. Renowned for his strategic prowess, he navigates the complexities of search engine optimization with finesse, driving Wan.io's online visibility to new heights. He leads Wan.io's SEO endeavors, meticulously conducting keyword research and in-depth competition analysis to inform strategic decision-making.

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