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SDWAN solution: Meraki Vs Cisco Viptela

Today you cannot avoid WAN discussion without SD-WAN word! Ohhh – but what is it? In very simple terms SD-WAN is software defined WAN. A truly SDWAN solution has clear separation between various components (data plane, control plane and management plane) this separation provides flexibility and horizontal scalability. 

Today or yesterday WAN solutions implemented on purpose-built hardware (Router) with integrated data forwarding, routing logics and management. With invent of SD-WAN data plane hardware (light weight router – physical or virtual) can be deployed at site while other components i.e. control and management plane can exist remotely (on-prem / in cloud).

End of the day it is routing and switching with countless number of common features and benefits – transport independent, efficient use of available paths, Quality of Experience etc. In my view, the OEM who does routing and switching best is the right SD-WAN provider you should go with – wait you should not compromise on Security anyway. But what about if leader in routing switching and security like Cisco provide multiple SDWAN options? 

Fig 1.1- SDWAN Topology

You may be thinking who does that; Cisco don’t believe in inventing the wheel every time. Good acquisitions done in past and maturing the solutions offered by acquisitions; It did not happen by luck (two SD-WAN Solutions), there is clear roadmap and target customer for each offering. Let me explain which one to choose if you in dilemma to choose one over other:
  • Cisco SDWAN (Viptela Fabric)
  • Meraki SDWAN
Which one should I go with?
As you guys know that both are offered by Cisco and Meraki and Viptela companies are acquired by Cisco. 

 It’s simple if explained with some of the use-cases :  

Meraki SDWAN is right choice if
  • A customer already invested in some of the Meraki Solutions (security, switching, IPT, Security or Surveillance)
  • LeanIT organisation that enjoys ease of buying and full stack management through single dashboard
  • Need integrated threat management capabilities as this solution is primarily implemented over security product (MX Series)


Cisco Viptela SDWAN
  • Need end to end segmentation across on-prem and public cloud – each service side (LAN Side) subnet can be put into VPN (VRF) and implement security 
  • Complex WAN topology with available more than 2 links (MPLS, Internet, Point to Point, LTE); also 
  •  Multiple logical topologies based on the applications such as for voice traffic – mesh topology; for client-server application model – Hub and Spoke topology
  • Customer already invested in Cisco ISR 4000 series routers or Viptela vEdge Routers

Key Capabilities
Now I will talk about difference between these two SD-WAN solutions in the below mentioned table.

Cisco SDWAN vEdge
Meraki SD-WAN
Intent based GUI-based WAN configuration and management
Single pane of window to manage complete IT (WAN, LAN, Security, Wireless and more)
Supports more than 2 links up to 8 on a router
Support up to 2 links with clustering 3 links (LTE)
WAN Optimization and TCP Optimization
Advanced Malware protection
Flexible – segmentation and various topologies per segment / VPN
URL Filtering
On-prem and cloud management
Cloud delivery – Dashboard

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