Getting Started with SD-WAN | A Hands-On Overview

Summary

This video script introduces Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN), a technology that automates and secures the configuration of a business's WAN infrastructure across various locations. It highlights the ease of use with Cisco Meraki and the DevNet Sandbox for hands-on experience. The script also mentions the zero-touch provisioning feature, allowing devices to automatically connect and configure, emphasizing the plug-and-play nature of SD-WAN. Additionally, it touches on the ability to manage global parameters, traffic shaping, and load balancing through a centralized portal, showcasing the efficiency and scalability of SD-WAN solutions.

Takeaways

• 🌐 SD-WAN stands for Software-Defined Wide Area Network, which allows businesses to centrally manage their WAN infrastructure through software.
• 🛠️ The concept of SD-WAN is to define business intent and let software handle the rollout of network configurations automatically.
• 🏢 SD-WAN is particularly useful for businesses with multiple branches spread across different geographical locations.
• 🔄 SD-WAN is not limited to a single product; it is a concept with various vendors offering their own solutions, such as Cisco, VMware, Dell EMC, HP, and Juniper.
• 📚 Cisco's SD-WAN solutions include Meraki and Viptela, each with different features tailored to different business needs.
• 🚀 Cisco Meraki is highlighted as an easy way to get started with SD-WAN, offering a user-friendly interface and hands-on experience through the DevNet Sandbox.
• 🔍 CBT Nuggets offers training and certification preparation for Cisco's SD-WAN solutions, helping users learn how to deploy and manage them.
• 🔒 SD-WAN solutions provide centralized security management, allowing for global parameters to be set for all firewalls within the network.
• 🔄 Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) is a key feature of SD-WAN, enabling devices to be automatically configured once connected to the internet without manual setup.
• 🚀 Traffic shaping rules can be easily implemented in SD-WAN to control and prioritize bandwidth usage for specific applications or services.
• 🔧 The ease of configuration and management in SD-WAN solutions allows for quick adjustments and deployment of network policies across the entire infrastructure.

Q & A

What is the fundamental concept of SD-WAN?

The fundamental concept of SD-WAN is to define the intent for the entire business and let the software handle the rollout of the WAN infrastructure, allowing for secure and automatic configuration across various branches or locations.

How is SD-WAN sometimes used in the context of products?

SD-WAN is sometimes used as the actual name of a product, such as Cisco's Viptela solution, which they brand as Cisco SD-WAN. However, SD-WAN is a concept and not limited to a single vendor's product.

What are some of the different vendors that offer SD-WAN solutions?

Some of the vendors that offer SD-WAN solutions include VMware with Dell EMC's Velo Cloud solution, HP's Silver Peak solution, Juniper's Contrail and Cloud Orchestrated solution, and Cisco with solutions like Meraki and Viptela SD-WAN.

What is Cisco Meraki and how does it relate to SD-WAN?

Cisco Meraki is one of the SD-WAN solutions offered by Cisco. It allows for easy configuration and management of WAN infrastructure through a centralized controller, supporting features like zero-touch provisioning and traffic shaping.

What is the significance of zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) in SD-WAN solutions?

Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) is a significant feature of SD-WAN solutions that allows devices to be automatically configured once they are connected to the internet and associated with an account, eliminating the need for manual configuration at each site.

How can one gain hands-on experience with Cisco Meraki SD-WAN through DevNet Sandbox?

One can gain hands-on experience with Cisco Meraki SD-WAN through DevNet Sandbox by visiting devnetsandbox.cisco.com, logging in with a free account, and choosing the Meraki SD-WAN solution to explore and configure a virtual network environment.

What is the role of traffic shaping in SD-WAN solutions?

Traffic shaping in SD-WAN solutions allows network administrators to control and prioritize the flow of different types of traffic, such as limiting bandwidth for specific applications like YouTube to ensure optimal use of network resources.

What is the 'in sandwich exam' mentioned in the script, and what does it refer to?

The 'in sandwich exam' is a playful reference to the Cisco SD-WAN Solutions Certification Exam, which can be found by searching 'ENSDWI' in the CBT Nuggets search bar.

How does the centralized management of SD-WAN solutions differ from traditional network management?

The centralized management of SD-WAN solutions allows for a single point of login to manage multiple sites globally, as opposed to traditional network management where each site or device may require individual configuration and monitoring.

What are some advanced features that might be explored in enterprise-level SD-WAN solutions like Viptela?

Advanced features in enterprise-level SD-WAN solutions like Viptela include complex topology policies, Quality of Service (QoS) policies, configuring hub-and-spoke architectures, and firewall insertion, which cater to the needs of larger and more complex networks.

How can one learn more about Meraki or Viptela SD-WAN solutions?

One can learn more about Meraki or Viptela SD-WAN solutions through CBT Nuggets, which offers courses and content designed to teach the deployment and management of these technologies.