Peplink SD-WAN failover and load balancing optimization

Businesses today increasingly rely on cellular WAN connections for reliable and flexible network access. Peplink’s SD-WAN solutions are highly regarded for their robust capabilities, offering seamless failover, efficient load balancing, and advanced features like SpeedFusion technology. However, achieving optimal performance requires careful configuration, regular monitoring, and strategic troubleshooting.

In this article, you will learn about common challenges in Peplink SD-WAN setups, strategies for troubleshooting cellular WAN failover and load balancing issues, and best practices for leveraging SpeedFusion to enhance performance.

Understanding cellular WAN failover and load balancing in Peplink SD-WAN

Peplink’s SD-WAN solutions are designed to ensure high availability and consistent network performance, particularly in environments that rely heavily on cellular WAN connections. Key functionalities include:

• Failover: Automatically switching to a backup connection when the primary WAN fails.
• Load balancing: Distributing network traffic across multiple connections to optimize bandwidth and reduce congestion.
• SpeedFusion technology: Combining multiple WAN links into a single, high-performance connection for enhanced reliability and speed.

Despite these advanced features, issues such as failover failures, inefficient load balancing, or inconsistent SpeedFusion performance can arise due to improper configuration, network instability, or hardware limitations.

Common issues with Peplink cellular WAN failover and load balancing

Failover delays or failures

• Failover not occurring as expected when the primary WAN is unavailable.
• Prolonged downtime during the failover process.

Inefficient load balancing

• Uneven traffic distribution leading to congestion on some links.
• Underutilized bandwidth on secondary WAN connections.

Inconsistent SpeedFusion performance

• Packet loss or latency despite using multiple WAN links.
• Tunnel instability during network fluctuations.

Troubleshooting cellular WAN failover issues

Verify WAN health check settings

Peplink uses health checks to monitor WAN status. Misconfigured settings can lead to failover failures. Ensure the following:

• Appropriate health check methods: Use DNS, HTTP, or Ping checks based on your network requirements.
• Correct thresholds: Adjust failure count and recovery count to balance responsiveness with stability.

Check WAN priority settings

• Ensure that the primary WAN has the highest priority, with backup connections set to lower priorities.
• Avoid conflicts in the configuration to enable smooth failover.

Diagnose failover logs

Analyze system event logs for patterns or errors related to WAN failover. These logs provide valuable insights into root causes of failover delays or failures.

Review firewall rules

Firewall rules blocking traffic to the failover connection can hinder functionality. Ensure that traffic to the backup WAN is not inadvertently restricted.

Update firmware

Outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues and missed optimizations. Regularly update your Peplink devices to the latest version to ensure reliable performance.

Troubleshooting load balancing inefficiencies

Optimize load balancing algorithms

Peplink provides several load balancing algorithms. Choose one that aligns with your network’s traffic patterns:

• Weighted Balance: Distributes traffic based on assigned weights for each WAN link.
• Persistence: Ensures specific applications consistently use the same WAN link.
• Least Connection: Routes traffic to the WAN link with the fewest active sessions.
• Enforced: Forces traffic through a designated WAN link.

Monitor and adjust traffic distribution

Use the Peplink dashboard to:

• Monitor real-time traffic and bandwidth usage.
• Adjust weights or rules to prevent congestion and ensure efficient utilization of available links.

Resolve application-specific issues

If certain applications face performance problems, create custom rules to route their traffic through the most reliable WAN connection. For example, route latency-sensitive applications like VoIP through a stable link.

Bandwidth allocation

Allocate bandwidth for each connection based on its capacity and the requirements of the traffic it carries. This ensures critical applications receive sufficient resources.

Optimizing performance with SpeedFusion

Configure SpeedFusion tunnels

Proper SpeedFusion setup is essential for optimal performance. Key considerations include:

• WAN prioritization: Assign priorities to WAN links within tunnel settings to ensure the most reliable connections are used first.
• Bandwidth limits: Define bandwidth limits to prevent overloading individual links.

Enable WAN smoothing

WAN Smoothing minimizes packet loss and reduces jitter by duplicating data packets across multiple WAN links. This feature is especially beneficial for real-time applications like video conferencing.

Use Hot Failover

Hot Failover ensures session persistence by seamlessly transferring traffic to a backup WAN when the primary connection fails. Enable this feature to maintain uninterrupted connectivity during outages.

Monitor SpeedFusion performance

Regularly analyze SpeedFusion statistics to identify latency, jitter, or packet loss issues. Use these insights to fine-tune tunnel configurations and improve overall performance.

Best practices for Peplink SD-WAN optimization

• Conduct regular network audits: Periodically review WAN performance, traffic patterns, and configuration settings to identify areas for improvement.
• Implement Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritize critical applications to ensure consistent performance during peak usage.
• Leverage Peplink’s InControl2: Use the centralized management platform to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot multiple devices remotely.
• Test failover scenarios: Simulate WAN failures to validate failover configurations and minimize downtime during real incidents.
• Utilize multiple SIM cards: Employ SIM cards from different carriers to enhance redundancy and improve network reliability.
• Optimize antenna placement: Ensure antennas are positioned correctly to maximize signal strength and minimize interference.
• Engage Peplink support: For complex issues, consult Peplink’s support team or knowledge base for expert guidance.

Conclusion

By addressing common failover and load balancing challenges, you can enhance the reliability and efficiency of your Peplink SD-WAN deployment. Leveraging advanced features like SpeedFusion, WAN Smoothing, and Hot Failover ensures optimal performance even in demanding environments. Regular monitoring, configuration reviews, and adherence to best practices further contribute to a robust and resilient network infrastructure.