SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) optimizes network latency by intelligently routing traffic over the most efficient path based on real-time network conditions. Unlike traditional WANs that rely on static routing, SD-WAN dynamically selects the best connection (MPLS, broadband, LTE, etc.) for each application, reducing delays caused by congested or slow links.
For example, if a branch office in New York is experiencing high latency when accessing a cloud application hosted in Singapore, SD-WAN can detect this and reroute traffic through a faster path, such as a direct internet connection or a low-latency peering point, instead of forcing all traffic through a congested MPLS link.
In cloud environments, SD-WAN can further reduce latency by connecting directly to cloud providers' edge locations or using optimized interconnects. For instance, Tencent Cloud's Global Accelerator service can be integrated with SD-WAN to ensure low-latency access to cloud resources by leveraging Tencent's global network backbone and edge nodes. This combination minimizes hop counts and optimizes traffic paths for applications like VoIP, video conferencing, or real-time data analytics.
Another example is using SD-WAN to prioritize critical business applications (e.g., ERP or CRM) over less time-sensitive traffic (e.g., email), ensuring low-latency performance for high-priority workloads while still maintaining cost efficiency.