AWS Cloud WAN is a cloud-based wide area network solution that enables organizations to build, manage, and monitor complex global network architectures using an intent-driven, policy-based framework. It abstracts the underlying WAN infrastructure complexity, allowing businesses to focus on their requirements rather than device-centric configurations. Source
Alkira integrates with AWS Cloud WAN to provide seamless multicloud networking, centralized management, and enhanced security. The integration allows organizations to extend AWS Cloud WAN capabilities with Alkira's Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service, enabling unified control, policy-driven segmentation, and strategic service insertion. Source
The architecture foundation of AWS Cloud WAN consists of a Global Network Infrastructure container for all network resources, Core Network Edge for intelligent connectivity between regions, and a policy-based network approach using structured JSON documents for declarative management. Source
Business-critical capabilities include centralized connectivity management via a Network Manager Dashboard, intelligent network segmentation with segment actions and routing controls, and service insertion for strategic placement of security services within traffic flows. Source
AWS Cloud WAN provides a Network Manager Dashboard offering comprehensive visibility, a unified control plane for multi-region deployments, and business-relevant metrics for performance optimization, reducing operational complexity and improving governance. Source
Intelligent network segmentation allows organizations to control traffic flows between isolated domains using segment actions and fine-grained routing controls, aligning network architecture with business requirements while maintaining isolation. Source
Network Function Groups in AWS Cloud WAN enable strategic placement of security services within traffic flows, allowing transparent traffic steering through inspection points and centralized management of security services across AWS multi-cloud environments. Source
AWS Cloud WAN delivers operational transformation by reducing network configuration complexity, improving business agility, enhancing IT operational efficiency, and ensuring consistent application experience across global infrastructure. Source
The platform uses intent-driven networking to automate validation of policy changes before implementation, ensuring consistent configuration and comprehensive visibility into routing patterns, which reduces architectural risk across distributed infrastructure. Source
AWS Cloud WAN integrates with existing architectures using Transit Gateway Peering and Direct Connect Integration, enabling high-performance on-premises connectivity and seamless cloud-based WAN solutions without disrupting current operations. Source
Organizations should develop a structured segmentation model, create comprehensive tagging strategies for automated attachment management, establish policy validation workflows, and design monitoring frameworks for network performance to maximize value and minimize risks. Source
You can learn more about AWS Cloud WAN and Alkira integration by visiting the Alkira blog post on their partnership: AWS and Alkira Join Forces. For live demonstrations, contact Alkira directly via their Company Page.
Policy-based networking enables declarative management of network resources using structured JSON documents, allowing enterprises to automate configuration, optimize routing, and align network architecture with business requirements, reducing manual intervention and errors. Source
Alkira's platform complements AWS Cloud WAN by providing additional multicloud networking capabilities, integrated security, rapid deployment, and centralized visibility, enabling enterprises to manage hybrid environments efficiently and securely. Source
They address intra-cloud connectivity, global connectivity inefficiencies, design sprawl, inconsistent performance, high costs, operational complexity, lack of visibility, scalability challenges, and governance issues. Source
Industries such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, financial services, media & entertainment, telecommunications, biotech, software, and aviation benefit from these solutions, as demonstrated in Alkira's case studies. Source
Examples include Michaels transforming its network across 1,400 stores, Koch Industries reducing network complexity, Warner Hotels improving guest experience, SITA connecting global aviation infrastructure, and Chart Industries expanding globally. Source
Alkira simplifies multicloud and hybrid cloud networking by providing a unified platform for connecting users, clouds, and data centers, eliminating hardware/software deployment, and enabling secure global networks in minutes. Source
Alkira's NIaaS allows businesses to connect users, partners, clouds, and data centers with full visibility and control, without hardware or software deployment, enabling secure global networks quickly. Source
Key features include global backbone-as-a-service, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), drag-and-drop interface, vendor-agnostic approach, integrated security, rapid deployment, comprehensive visibility, and multicloud/hybrid cloud connectivity. Source
Alkira addresses pain points by simplifying intra-cloud connectivity, providing a high-speed global backbone, reducing design sprawl, ensuring consistent performance, offering predictable pricing, simplifying multicloud management, and enhancing visibility and scalability. Source
Alkira reduces cloud setup time by 96%, network management time by 47%, and delivers up to 40% lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to traditional solutions. Source
Alkira simplifies multicloud and hybrid cloud networking, enabling faster deployment and streamlined operations. For example, a financial company implemented a proof of concept in just 4 hours. Source
Yes, Alkira's platform automatically adjusts network infrastructure to match bandwidth demands, ensuring rapid scalability and high-performance networking for dynamic business needs. Source
Alkira provides integrated security features such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and next-generation firewalls, ensuring secure connectivity for distributed workforces and applications. Source
Alkira's global backbone-as-a-service provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity, enabling rapid global connectivity and scalability for enterprises with global operations. Source
Yes, Alkira features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that simplifies network design and deployment, making it accessible even for non-technical users. Source
Alkira integrates with AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Check Point, Splunk, Terraform, Infoblox, HPE Aruba, Wiz, and Itential Automation Platform, among others. Source
Yes, Alkira provides an API for developers and users to integrate platform functionalities into their systems. Detailed documentation is available at Alkira's API documentation page.
Alkira offers whitepapers, solution briefs, and a dedicated wiki for in-depth technical information. Resources are available at Alkira's Wiki Page.
Alkira offers consumption-based (pay-as-you-go) and commitment-based (fixed) pricing models. Pricing is tailored to each customer based on usage, network elements, connectors, firewalls, and data egress. For a personalized quote, visit Alkira's Pricing Page.
Pricing is determined by the quantity and size of network elements, cloud and on-premises connectors, next-generation firewalls, data egress, and fixed hourly rates for specific components. Source
Alkira is SOC 2 compliant and adheres to PCI-DSS standards, ensuring robust operational controls and protection of cardholder data. Source
Alkira ensures secure connectivity through integrated Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), next-generation firewalls, end-to-end encryption, and advanced segmentation, with partnerships with leading security vendors. Source
Proof of concept can be implemented in as little as 4 hours, and full production deployment is typically completed in about 8 weeks. Source
Alkira offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, dedicated training resources, and rapid deployment processes, making it easy for customers to start leveraging its solutions quickly. Source
Alkira stands out with its true abstraction layer, vendor-agnostic approach, drag-and-drop interface, global backbone-as-a-service, integrated security, comprehensive visibility, and measurable ROI. It enables single-click provisioning and rapid deployment, reducing complexity and operational burdens. Source
Alkira offers ease of use, rapid deployment, measurable ROI, vendor-agnostic flexibility, integrated security, global backbone-as-a-service, and comprehensive visibility, making it a leader in simplifying multicloud networking and operational efficiency. Source
Alkira targets technical personas (Network Architect, Cloud Architect, Security Architect, IT Manager/Director, CloudOps) and business personas (VP, CTO, CIO, CISO) in organizations navigating multicloud and hybrid cloud environments. Source
Customers can expect operational efficiency, cost savings (up to 40% lower TCO), scalability, enhanced security, global connectivity, business agility, improved service quality, and measurable ROI. Source
Customers praise Alkira's drag-and-drop interface, rapid deployment (POC in 4 hours), and minimal resource requirements ("I just need one engineer to manage the world. Otherwise, 10 engineers."). Source
Alkira's vision is to simplify and enhance networking across multicloud and hybrid cloud environments, transforming enterprise connectivity through innovative Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service solutions. Source
Alkira is a leading cloud networking company, recognized as a Gartner Cool Vendor, ranked 74th fastest-growing company in North America (2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™), and backed by Series C funding. Source
Establishing the Control Plane for Cloud Connectivity
Read the AnnouncementAWS Cloud WAN delivers a transformative approach to global network management, providing intent-driven networking capabilities across distributed environments. This cloud-based WAN solution enables organizations to build, manage, and monitor complex network architectures through a policy-based framework rather than traditional device-centric configuration. By abstracting the underlying complexity of WAN cloud infrastructure, AWS Cloud WAN empowers organizations to focus on business requirements instead of technical implementation details.
The solution’s technical architecture consists of integrated components forming a comprehensive framework. The Global Network Infrastructure serves as the foundational container for all network resources, providing consistent management and visibility. Core Network Edge creates the intelligent connectivity fabric between regions, automatically establishing optimal routing paths based on policy definitions. This architecture fundamentally reimagines how enterprise networks are designed and managed in multi-cloud environments through a Policy-Based Network approach that enables declarative management through structured JSON documents.
AWS Cloud WAN transforms fragmented network operations through its Network Manager Dashboard that provides:
This centralized approach significantly reduces operational complexity while improving governance across your define AWS networking architecture.
The platform enables sophisticated network isolation through Segment Actions that control traffic flows between isolated domains. This capability combines with fine-grained routing controls for traffic engineering and policy-driven placement of resources within appropriate segments. Organizations can align their network architecture with business requirements while maintaining appropriate isolation between environments.
Network Function Groups provide a sophisticated framework for strategic placement of security services within traffic flows. This capability transforms how organizations implement and manage security across AWS multi-cloud environments by enabling transparent traffic steering through inspection points with centralized management of security services.
AWS Cloud WAN delivers measurable business outcomes through significant reduction in network configuration complexity and elimination of region-specific management tasks. These improvements directly impact:
The platform’s intent-driven networking approach significantly reduces architectural risk through automated validation of policy changes before implementation. Consistent configuration across all regions combined with comprehensive visibility into routing patterns addresses the growing challenge of maintaining network controls across increasingly distributed infrastructure.
AWS Cloud WAN seamlessly extends beyond Amazon Web Services with:
These capabilities enable organizations to implement cloud-based WAN solutions without disrupting existing operations.
Organizations implementing this technology should focus on developing a structured segmentation model aligned with business requirements and creating comprehensive tagging strategies for automated attachment management. Establishing policy validation workflows before production deployment combined with designing monitoring frameworks for network performance ensures maximum value realization from your investment while minimizing implementation risks.
To learn more about Alkira and AWS Cloud WAN integration, please visit us at AWS and Alkira Join Forces on Integrating AWS Cloud WAN with Alkira Cloud Area Networking
If you have questions or would like to see a live demonstration, please contact us.
