Fortinet SD-WAN
Fortinet SD-WAN
Simplify Your Network Security With One Operating System
As cloud use grows, legacy WANs create latency, cost and complexity. Fortinet’s integrated SD-WAN and security architecture delivers scalable, secure, high-performance connectivity for distributed users and sites.
What is Fortinet SD-WAN?
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is a fully integrated networking and security solution built into the FortiGate platform, combining next-generation firewall (NGFW), advanced SD-WAN routing, and application-aware optimisation in a single system.
Fortinet SD-WAN is delivered through:
FortiGate hardware appliances
FortiGate-VM (virtual machine deployments in private or public cloud)
FortiOS (Fortinet’s dedicated operating system)
Licensing bundles that unlock SD-WAN, advanced security services, and cloud integrations
This architecture allows organisations to deploy SD-WAN in branches, data centres, hybrid networks, multi-cloud environments, and remote edges, using the same unified platform.
Using ASIC acceleration, application-aware steering and FortiGuard threat intelligence, Fortinet’s SD-WAN optimises user experience while enforcing consistent security across hybrid estates.
Cloud Deployment
Deploying FortiGate-VM as a cloud-based SD-WAN hub in AWS, Azure, GCP or Oracle Cloud provides:
- Direct integration into VPCs/VNETs, consistent policy enforcement, and optimised application steering across cloud workloads.
- Optimised Cloud On-Ramp. Native cloud APIs enable precise telemetry, SaaS performance optimisation, and application-aware routing for low-latency access.
- Built-in resilience, regional redundancy and fast failover for continuous SD-WAN operations.
Hybrid Deployment
Use FortiGate appliances as SD-WAN hubs across mixed environments, extending unified security and application steering between data centres, clouds, and remote sites.
Dynamic multi-path routing automatically selects optimal paths between sites, clouds and remote users, reducing latency for hybrid workloads such as ERP, VDI and analytics platforms.
On-Premises & Virtual Deployments
Run FortiGate on physical or virtual infrastructure to deliver consistent SD-WAN, segmentation, and WAN optimisation across campus, branch, or private cloud environments.
Virtual Machine SD-WAN: FortiGate-VM is deployed on hypervisors (VMware, KVM, Hyper-V) inside private data centres or edge sites. This method does not provide cloud-native scaling or API integration.
Appliance SD-WAN: Physical FortiGate delivering SD-WAN at branches, HQs or data centres. Ideal for sites requiring inline performance or custom hardware acceleration.
Fortinet SD-WAN Key Features
- ASIC-Accelerated SD-WAN
Custom Fortinet SoCs optimise SD-WAN tunnels, application steering and security processing. - Application Awareness
First-packet identification and deep inspection across 5,000+ applications for precise routing decisions. - Advanced WAN Remediation
Packet duplication, forward error correction and dynamic SLA-based link selection to stabilise poor circuits. - Integrated NGFW Security
IPS, AV, anti-malware, web filtering, DLP and SSL inspection powered by FortiGuard threat intelligence. - Cloud On-Ramp & SaaS Optimisation
Direct connectors for AWS, Azure, GCP and major SaaS platforms to improve performance and visibility. - Centralised Orchestration
Zero-touch provisioning, multi-tenant ADOMs, REST APIs, Ansible/Terraform support and full-stack NOC visibility.
1. Consistent Security Across All Edges
Unified NGFW and SD-WAN stack enforces enterprise-grade security across branches, cloud workloads and remote users.
2. Accelerated Threat Detection & Investigation
AI-enhanced event correlation and automated enrichment reduce investigation time and improve security accuracy across cloud and data centre environments.
3. Operational Efficiency at Scale
Automates provisioning, policy updates, analytics and troubleshooting across large, distributed estates.
4. SASE-Ready Architecture
Native integration with FortiSASE enables ZTNA, CASB and secure cloud access for remote and hybrid workers.
5. Reduced Complexity and Cost
Consolidates multiple edge appliances into a single FortiGate platform, simplifying management and lowering OPEX.
6. Optimised Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Connectivity
Cloud-on-ramp integrations ensure efficient, secure connectivity to public cloud VPCs/VNETs and data centre resources.