Cisco viptela SD-WAN Overview | Free sdwan full Course Ch-1 #sdwan #viptela #ciscosdwan #cisco

Summary

In this comprehensive SD-WAN training session, the speaker introduces the technology's key benefits, focusing on cost savings, enhanced network flexibility, and simplified management. With 12 years of experience in networking, the speaker emphasizes how SD-WAN reduces the need for expensive MPLS links by leveraging cheaper broadband and enabling centralized control. The session covers SD-WAN's features, such as application-level monitoring, zero-touch provisioning, and security segmentation. Attendees will gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience through practical labs, making SD-WAN accessible for enterprises seeking efficient, scalable networking solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 SD-WAN is a cost-effective solution that reduces the need for expensive MPLS links by leveraging broadband internet connections.
• 😀 The speaker has over 12 years of experience in networking, with 5 years focused on SD-WAN, and is currently working with vendors like Value Cloud and Silver Peak.
• 😀 SD-WAN helps businesses scale more efficiently by reducing the cost of bandwidth and improving application performance.
• 😀 Traditional WAN requires on-site configuration and manual interventions, while SD-WAN allows centralized management and reduces the need for physical presence at remote sites.
• 😀 Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) allows devices to be configured remotely, minimizing the need for engineers at the site.
• 😀 SD-WAN uses Software-Defined Networking (SDN) principles to distribute network traffic dynamically across wide-area networks, improving efficiency and flexibility.
• 😀 SD-WAN is a software-defined application routing technology, enabling easier network management and configuration compared to traditional WAN.
• 😀 With SD-WAN, the management and control planes are centralized, while the data plane is distributed to edge devices, enabling better network control and standardization.
• 😀 SD-WAN supports various security features, including built-in firewalls and zero-trust protocols, to protect the network and ensure secure communication.
• 😀 Network Function Virtualization (NFV) allows businesses to deploy multiple virtual network functions on a single device, reducing hardware requirements and operational costs.
• 😀 Vendors like Meraki, CloudGenX, and others provide similar SD-WAN solutions with slight variations in features, allowing customers to choose according to their specific requirements.

Q & A

What is SD-WAN and why is it gaining popularity?

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is a technology that enables centralized control and management of WAN traffic, often replacing traditional MPLS links with cheaper internet connections. It is gaining popularity because it reduces costs, improves network performance, and enhances flexibility by using software-defined networking (SDN) principles.

What are the key reasons companies are adopting SD-WAN?

The primary reasons for adopting SD-WAN include cost reduction, increased network flexibility, easier management, and improved application performance. SD-WAN allows companies to use cheaper broadband connections while still ensuring secure, reliable connectivity.

How does SD-WAN reduce WAN costs compared to traditional MPLS?

SD-WAN reduces WAN costs by allowing companies to replace expensive MPLS links with more affordable broadband or internet connections. This is possible because SD-WAN uses intelligent traffic routing and application-level monitoring to ensure reliable performance, even over less expensive internet links.

What is the difference between SD-WAN and traditional WAN in terms of network management?

In traditional WAN, the management, control, and data planes are distributed across individual devices at each site, requiring manual configuration. In contrast, SD-WAN centralizes management and control, allowing for easier configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting from a single point.

What is Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) in SD-WAN?

Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) allows SD-WAN devices to be automatically configured when connected to the network. This eliminates the need for engineers to be physically present at the site, reducing deployment time and human error.

How does SD-WAN provide security and segmentation for network traffic?

SD-WAN enhances security by offering encryption, secure connectivity to cloud resources, and the ability to segment traffic based on applications or user needs. It allows for the creation of custom security policies, ensuring that sensitive data is always protected, whether traveling over the internet or private networks.

What role does SDN play in SD-WAN?

SD-WAN is built on the principles of Software-Defined Networking (SDN). SDN enables centralized control of network traffic and resources, making it easier to automate network operations and policies. In SD-WAN, SDN helps with dynamic traffic routing, network monitoring, and policy enforcement.

What is the concept of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) in SD-WAN?

Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) allow for the virtualization of network services such as routers, firewalls, and load balancers. These functions can be run on a single device, reducing the need for multiple physical appliances and streamlining network operations.

Can you explain the main difference between SD-WAN and SDN?

SDN is a broader concept focused on programmable, centralized network management, typically applied in data centers or LAN environments. SD-WAN, on the other hand, is a specific application of SDN for managing wide-area network (WAN) traffic, optimizing performance, and reducing costs by using internet connections instead of traditional MPLS.

How do SD-WAN vendors differ in their offerings?

While SD-WAN vendors share a common underlying concept, they differentiate themselves through features such as security options, application optimization, cloud integration, and ease of deployment. Vendors like Cisco Meraki, CloudGenix, and Silver Peak offer variations in these areas, allowing customers to select the solution that best fits their needs.