Today, Citrix announced that it is proud to partner with Microsoft to provide Citrix SD-WAN solution as the on-ramp to Azure, for the new Azure Virtual WAN service, announced by Microsoft today. The joint solution is designed for the WAN edge of Azure to help enhance user experience, deliver consistent productivity and automate the branch-office network deployments.

Citrix SD-WAN provides a comprehensive application-aware access solution from each enterprise branch to the Microsoft Azure Virtual WAN Service. Citrix SD-WAN improves performance, reduces branch and remote connectivity costs, and enhances security at the app and network level by combining packet-level, real-time path selection, WAN optimization, firewall, routing, and application analytics all in one solution.

“Microsoft and Citrix have achieved yet another milestone in delivering joint solutions for digital workspace and application networking. These joint solutions give customers a much richer experience, granular levels of security at an app level and more choice and flexibility as they move ahead in their cloud journey,” commented Brendan McAravey, Citrix South Africa country manager

“Citrix SD-WAN delivered on Microsoft Azure is the latest example of our collaboration with Citrix, which has always been centered on innovation and the success of our mutual customers and partners. Together, we defined the virtual desktop category and now we are collaborating on new a Citrix SD-WAN solution on Azure, which will bring new and exciting functionality for our mutual customers,” added Ross Ortega, partner PM manager, Microsoft Azure

Simplified and automated large-scale branch connectivity

Citrix SD-WAN and Microsoft Azure Virtual WAN joint solution can be deployed as a complete SD-WAN service stack that simply works better together. It can be operated as a do-it-yourself SD-WAN or managed cloud service with built-in automation that simplifies small point-of-sale (POS) networks to large-scale branch-office network deployments.

Cohesive network policy management with deep analytics

The integration of Azure Resource Center and Citrix SD-WAN Center allows automatic information sharing between the Azure head-end and the on-premises SD-WAN device.  It enables cohesive policy management with deep link-usage analytics. Additionally, Citrix SD-WAN makes network expansion at a massive scale much simpler by supporting template-based cloning.

Optimized routing using Microsoft’s global network

Microsoft’s large global private network within Azure accelerates content and application delivery through its optimized routes, resulting in significant improvements of the user experience and workspace productivity

Flexible support and licensing options for Citrix SD-WAN

Commercially, Azure Virtual WAN can be procured in a way familiar to most public cloud users. Citrix SD-WAN can be purchased directly from Citrix channel partners or from the Azure Marketplace with flexible licensing options based on business needs and network sizes. Citrix SD-WAN offers both perpetual and subscription options with bring-your-own-license (BYOL) support.