Look out, WAN world.
TeleGeography's WAN Manager Survey now includes data collected throughout 2021.
Like in all previous versions, we asked questions about how networks are currently configured—and found that enterprise companies are increasingly embracing hybrid networks.
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty.
The percent of MPLS usage in the average respondent WAN has been on a steady decline, and in 2021 we saw a near convergence of the ratio of MPLS and DIA in the average network.
For the first time in our survey, less than half of average WAN sites were running MPLS.
For the first time in our survey, less than half of average WAN sites were running MPLS. While still the largest plurality, this shift reflects the plans of many WAN managers to reduce their reliance on MPLS in their networks.
Use of internet services in the global enterprise network is growing, but has not yet overtaken MPLS.
The average network is running DIA at 42% of sites, and broadband at around one-quarter of sites.
VPLS was present at 15% of average WAN sites, however this reflects a few respondents who chose VPLS over MPLS for most sites, rather than widespread usage of the product.
In interviews, WAN managers with VPLS generally expressed a desire to sunset the product because, as a Layer 2 technology, it doesn’t interface with SD-WAN well.
In contrast, IPL/point-to-point represented a smaller percent of average sites—only 5%—but was present in small amounts in many respondent networks. The most common use case stated was for high bandwidth connections between data centers.
Similarly, wireless represents a small percent of average WAN sites, often used as backups or temporary connectivity. Satellite had the lowest reported average usage, and has maintained its reputation as an expensive connectivity option of last resort.
What is the average product mix of your WAN sites? (2021)
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To examine product trends over time, we calculated the annual rate that the percent of each product in the average WAN changed. To do so, we used a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) formula, adjusted for percentages.
MPLS product usage is declining steadily, with a four year CAGR decline of 5%.
Meanwhile, DIA and business broadband usage have been on the rise, with DIA having a four-year CAGR increase of 3% and broadband having a CAGR increase of 1.5%.
Given these rates, we will have an eye on DIA usage to perhaps overtake MPLS in future years.
What is the average product mix of your WAN sites? (CAGR, 2018-21)
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Below is another view of the annual product mix trends by year.
You can see a clear downtrend in MPLS usage, from a dominant high of 82% in 2018 down to the current ratio of 46%.
DIA usage among respondents increased from 27% to 42% over the same time period.
Broadband usage increased from just 16% in 2018 to 23% in 2021.
What is the average product mix of your WAN sites? (Change, 2018-21)
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You can download the full executive summary of our WAN Manager Survey over here.
Elizabeth Thorne
Elizabeth Thorne was formerly a Senior Research Analyst at TeleGeography. Her work was focused on enterprise network research.