Many enterprises rely on SD-WAN to improve application performance, ensure network security and optimize costs. Whether you're a financial services firm needing secure, real-time transactions or a manufacturer managing IoT-powered operations, monitoring your SD-WAN performance is critical for success.
But how can you ensure your SD-WAN is performing as it should? By tracking the right performance metrics. Metrics like latency, jitter, and packet loss help you identify and fix problems before they impact user experience or productivity.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the essential SD-WAN performance metrics to monitor, share best practices for maintaining network health, and show how our Managed SD-WAN solutions empower enterprises to optimize performance easily.
Key SD-WAN Performance Metrics to Monitor
SD-WAN metrics provide valuable insights into your network's health and efficiency. Tracking these indicators allows IT teams to prevent downtime, improve application performance, and enhance user experience.
Latency
Latency measures the time it takes for data to travel across the network. High latency disrupts not just VoIP calls and video conferencing but also cloud applications, database transactions and IoT sensors.
- Why it matters: Delays degrade user experience, slow data transfers, and disrupt workflows that rely on real-time responsiveness.
- Best practice: Regularly monitor latency and identify spikes caused by congestion or hardware issues. With GTT’s Managed SD-WAN, you gain real-time visibility and control to address latency problems proactively.
Jitter
Jitter refers to variations in packet delivery time. Real-time applications, like voice and video, are particularly sensitive to jitter.
- Why it matters: High jitter results in choppy audio, lagging video and disrupted communication.
- Solution: Monitoring jitter ensures smooth, uninterrupted data flow across your network, improving collaboration and customer interactions.
Packet Loss
Packet loss occurs when data packets fail to reach their destination, often due to network congestion or inefficient traffic routing.
- Why it matters: Even a small percentage of packet loss can cause fragmented voice calls, pixelated video, and incomplete data transfers, impacting both employee productivity and customer experience.
- Solution: Regular packet loss monitoring helps pinpoint underlying network issues and optimize bandwidth to improve reliability.
Throughput
Throughput measures the volume of data transferred over the network in a given period.
- Why it matters: High throughput supports bandwidth-intensive applications like video streaming, file transfers and cloud-based tools. Low throughput, on the other hand, can lead to congestion, delays and poor user experience.
- Solution: By monitoring throughput, IT teams can optimize capacity and prevent bottlenecks.
Mean Opinion Score (MOS)
MOS is a key indicator of VoIP call quality, rated on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
- Why it matters: A low MOS means poor call clarity, frustrating users and hindering collaboration.
- Solution: Monitoring MOS enables teams to address network issues affecting voice quality and maintain seamless communication.
Learn how GTT Managed SD-WAN delivers real-time monitoring to keep your network performing at its best.
Best Practices for Monitoring SD-WAN Performance Metrics
Understanding what SD-WAN performance metrics you need to monitor feels like the blindfold is off, but true mastery of your network comes from implementing strategies. Strategies are the answer to optimal network functionality and user satisfaction.
You need a structured approach to systematically identify and address performance issues before they become bigger problems.
1. Deploy Advanced Monitoring Tools
Leverage tools that provide end-to-end visibility across both the overlay and underlay networks. The right tools should:
- Offer real-time dashboards to quickly identify issues.
- Provide automated alerts when metrics exceed predefined thresholds.
- Deliver historical data and reports to analyze trends and make informed decisions.
Managed SD-WAN includes advanced monitoring features, ensuring enterprises gain actionable insights for improved performance.
2. Set Thresholds and Alerts
Define clear performance thresholds for key metrics like latency, jitter, and packet loss. Thresholds establish benchmarks for network health and trigger alerts when issues arise.
- Example: Configure alerts for latency spikes exceeding 150ms or packet loss surpassing 1%.
Configuring automated alerts based on these thresholds further enhances responsiveness; when metrics exceed predefined limits, alerts notify IT personnel immediately, facilitating swift action to address the underlying problems.
3. Analyze Trends and Patterns
Historical trend analysis helps you identify recurring issues and predict potential failures. By understanding patterns in metrics, enterprises can:
- Optimize resource allocation.
- Adjust network configurations.
- Plan capacity upgrades to meet growing demands.
With GTT Managed SD-WAN, you can analyze trends effortlessly and ensure your network remains reliable and scalable.
Prioritizing SD-WAN Performance for Business Success
Monitoring SD-WAN performance metrics is about driving business success and IT efficiency. When left unchecked, network issues like latency and packet loss can:
- Interrupt critical communications.
- Disrupt cloud applications.
- Hinder employee productivity and customer satisfaction.
By prioritizing performance monitoring, enterprises gain:
- Enhanced user experience: Seamless voice, video, and application performance.
- Improved productivity: Reliable networks that support critical workflows.
- Optimized resources: Insights that drive smarter network decisions.
Transform Your Network with GTT
At GTT, we deliver managed SD-WAN solutions that simplify network monitoring and ensure consistent performance. Combined with Secure Connect (our SASE solution) and advanced DDoS protection and mitigation services, GTT provides an integrated approach to network optimization and security.
Take Control of Your Network Performance Talk to our experts today and discover how GTT can optimize your SD-WAN for peak efficiency and business success.
Explore GTT’s Managed SD-WAN Services or talk to our experts today!
