Netify Review
Oracle SD WAN is a good choice for clients looking for a granular SD WAN solution with strong cloud capabilities, especially for those already using the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. The offering also includes a range of hybrid connectivity options, with a choice of different underlays in each site (combining MPLS, broadband Internet, 3G/4G/5G LTE, point-to-point circuits and satellite communications).
IT teams may require training from Oracle staff, as previous customer reviews report that the Oracle management system can be complex and difficult to use. However, Oracle offer a robust support team that is available 24/7 and many report the product becomes easier to use once they have received the correct training from Oracle staff.
The ideally suited customer for this offering is an enterprise class organization in multiple geographically dispersed locations that utilize real time, mission critical apps such as VoIP or desktop virtualisation. The offering is particularly beneficial for those with multiple WAN links, looking to add bandwidth and/or cloud connectivity whilst retaining a high Quality of Experience (QoE).
However, caution may be taken when selecting an appropriate service provider, due to the vast number of Oracle connectivity partners. Selection may become confusing when attempting to align the correct solution with business needs.
About Oracle
Oracle Corporation was founded in 1977 by Larry Ellison, Bob Miner and Ed Oates as a Silicon Valley start-up. Its headquarters in Austin, Texas, United States. Now Oracle, by revenue and market capitalisation, is the third largest software company in the world and is part of the Fortune 500 and Global 500.
In 2018 Oracle launched the first autonomous database capable of self-tuning, managing and patching. The company has a particular focus on Cloud Infrastructure, Applications and Software. Oracle boast a Net Promoter Score above 90, have 500+ customers in 40 countries and over 9,000 worldwide site deployments.
The company focuses on four main business segments:
- The cloud
- Licensing
- Hardware
- Services
In 2022 Oracle announced a partnership with Teléfonos de México (TELMEX) that would offer Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services to customers across Mexico. Host TELMEX-Triara will deliver this second planned Oracle Cloud Region in Mexico.
Oracle Pros & Cons
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:29 AM | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:29 AM | ✓ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) allows their SD WAN solution to access cloud services without having to leave the Oracle platform. | ❌ Limited remote user support. |
| 2 | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:29 AM | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:29 AM | ✓ Focus on hybrid WAN capabilities, allowing clients to combine underlay options, or add to an existing network. | ❌ SASE solutions must be sourced via Check Point, Zscaler or Palo Alto adding complexity and potentially increased costs. |
| 3 | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:29 AM | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:29 AM | ✓ Strong capabilities in cloud infrastructure, applications and software. | ❌ A very large number of service providers support Oracle SD WAN - this may cause confusion when selecting an appropriate partner for your solution. |
| 4 | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:29 AM | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:29 AM | ✓ Offer a number of cost-effective solutions, including broadband that does not compromise on network speeds and their patented Adaptive Path Networking (APN) software. | |
| Pros | Cons |
Oracle vs Citrix Comparison
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Oracle | Citrix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:32 AM | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:32 AM | Oracle are a good choice for clients who require granular SD WAN with strong cloud capabilities. | Citrix are a good choice for those looking for a comprehensive and cloud-focused solution. |
| 2 | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:32 AM | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:32 AM | Offers SASE solutions. | Offers converged SD WAN and SASE. |
| 3 | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:32 AM | hyelland | 05/11/2024 11:32 AM | Strong cloud offering for AWS, Azure and leverages the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. | Citrix offer connectivity to AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. |
| Oracle | Citrix |
What is the Oracle SD WAN Solution?
Oracle’s SD WAN solution is based on technology from leading SD WAN provider Talari, which was acquired by Oracle Networks in 2018. The solution supports any type of internet transport technology which includes broadband internet, MPLS, satellite communication, point-to-point circuits and 3G/4G LTE.
Configuration-Based Key Features:
- Physical Edge: Oracle SD WAN can be deployed on physical appliances which have the ability to scale to work for large datacenters, small offices and remote (home) workers.
- Virtualised Edge: A software-only and on-premises deployment option, based on Microsoft Hyper-V, vSphere and VMware. The solution can be set up on commoditised hardware.
- Cloud Edge: SD WAN can be rolled out in the cloud, with options to implement Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, AWS or Microsoft Azure. The Edge provides a dedicated IPsec tunnel to the Microsoft Virtual WAN and has the capability to act as a gateway to SaaS applications, IaaS locations as well as internet sites.
- Oracle Adaptive Path Networking (APN): All Oracle devices work on APN software, which makes sure that all features remain the same regardless of deployment choice. This is designed to reduce costs, and simplify the SD WAN network, routing and firewall administration.
- Hybrid WAN: Oracle’s SD WAN Edge has the capability to interconnect with dedicated MPLS circuits and public internet connections, building a hybrid WAN infrastructure.
- Hardware Appliance Deployment: Oracle hardware appliances are designed to be simple to set up. SD WAN appliances are pre-configured by an IT team, which can be shipped to branch offices or remote locations. This allows non-technical individuals to plug in the device to connect it to SD WAN. For ongoing configuration management, Configuration Templates are provided.
Security-Based Key Features:
- Data Encryption: Uses either 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption to secure data traveling across public links.
- Stateful Firewalling: Single appliances can host multiple customer or department networks by using zone-based stateful firewalls with data segmentation using VRF and packet-filtering services.
- Cloud Security: Internet traffic is transparently forwarded to Zscaler Secure Cloud Gateways (SCGs).
- Next Generation Firewalling (NGFW): NGFW services can be run from Palo Alto networks.
- Network Address Translation (NAT): During transit across traffic routing devices, NAT modifies network address information in the IP header of packets to allow for IP address spaces to be mapped to another.
Performance-Based Key Features:
- Network Control Node: Acts as the central management/orchestration point for Oracle SD WAN, providing connections between client appliances. Customers can choose to deploy this in the cloud or on-premises.
- Quality of Service (QoS): Creates a high performance WAN with real-time path selection, bandwidth reservation and monitoring to ensure quality of service (QoS).
- Routing Protocols: Oracle SD WAN supports Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Border Gateway Protocol, which removes the need for multiple branch devices, reducing costs.
- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server and Relay: DHCP packets are forwarded by a router between clients and servers, allowing local hosts to acquire dynamic IP addresses from remote DHCP servers.
What is the Oracle SASE security solution?
Oracle provides SASE via their long term partnerships with security providers which include Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks and most recently, Check Point. There are four security capabilities required to reach Gartner’s SASE definition and of these Oracle Cloud Infrastructure meets three: secure web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB) and zero trust network access (ZTNA). The final component is firewalls, which are provided by Oracle Network’s partners. The SASE solution also offers multi-cloud capabilities.
SASE Features:
- IPsec Tunneling: Protects cloud access.
- Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Signaling, SIP DDoS Prevention and Dynamic Access Control: Keeps real-time sessions such as video, voice and messaging applications secure and operating at optimum performance.
- Network and Transport Layer: Offers failsafe reliability and security zone.
- Transport Layer: Includes integrated zone-based stateful firewalls and traffic segmentation.
- Secure Gateways: Integrated SD WAN and SASE which creates performed inoperability, secure gateways and includes cloud-based NGFW.
- Integrated Session Border Controller (SBC): Oracle integrated SBC with SD WAN to reduce the risk of ‘shell shock’ or ‘man-in-the-middle’ attacks in the transport layer and session layer.
- ‘Beyond’ SASE: Oracle combines cloud security, SASE and session-based security together on to one comprehensive platform.
- Data Link Layer: Offers 5 layers of encryption and data path replication.
- Physical and Network Layer: Designed to protect application, device and network traffic by using secure operations and traffic isolation.