Cisco SD-WAN Operation and Deployment (SDWFND)

In this Cisco SD-WAN Operation and Deployment course provides a comprehensive overview of the Cisco® Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) solution and Cisco SD-WAN components such as SD-WAN Manager, SD-WAN Controller, SD-WAN Validator.

You will learn how to deploy, manage, and operate a secure, programmable, and scalable SD-WAN fabric using IOS XE Cisco SD-WAN products. The course also covers how to configure, operate, and monitor overlay routing across the Cisco SD-WAN network. In addition, you will learn about data and control policies, and how to deploy Quality of Service (QoS) and Direct Internet Access (DIA) in the SD-WAN overlay network.

This training also earns you 14 Continuing Education (CE) credits toward recertification.

How you’ll benefit

This class will help you learn to use Cisco SD-WAN to:

• Establish transport-independent WAN for lower cost and higher diversity
• Meet SLAs for business-critical and real-time applications
• Provide end-to-end segmentation for protecting critical enterprise compute resources
• Extend seamlessly into the public cloud
• Optimize the user experience for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications
• Earn 14 CE credits toward recertification

• Discuss why traditional WANs struggle with modern demands and explain how Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN's architecture and core principles address those challenges
• Identify the main Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN components and explain how their roles and interactions support the overall solution
• Explain and perform secure controller and WAN Edge onboarding using zero-trust principles (ZTP) and secure control channels
• Implement and verify secure data plan operations using IPsec, segmentation, bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD)-based path monitoring, app visibility, and site redundancy
• Configure and verify Overlay Management Protocol (OMP)-based overlay routing, including route advertisement, redistribution, and network segmentation
• Manage Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN device configurations using Configuration Groups, Feature Profiles, Device Templates, and automation workflows for scalable, consistent deployment
• Navigate SD-WAN Manager monitoring dashboards and interpret key metrics and alarms for troubleshooting and operational visibility
• Design and apply centralized and localized policies, including Quality of Service (QoS) and Application Quality of Experience (AppQoE), to control and prioritize traffic across the SD-WAN fabric
• Implement Direct Internet Access (DIA) and cloud optimization features to enhance application experience, traffic flow, and branch security in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Who Should Enroll

• Network Engineers
• Network Architects
• Network Designers
• Network Administrators
• Solutions Architects
• Consulting Systems Engineers
• Technical Solutions Architects
• Cisco Integrators/Partners
• Security Engineers
• Network Managers
• Program Managers
• Project Managers
• IT Directors/Chief Information Officers (CIOs)

There are no prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are: 

• Familiarity with traditional WAN technologies such as MPLS and internet circuits
• Working knowledge of Cisco IOS networking and concepts, including Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing and IPsec tunnels
• Basic understanding of network security concepts and familiarity with operating system interfaces (CLI/GUI) for device interaction

These skills can be found in the following Cisco Learning Offerings: 

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)
• Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR)

Module 1: SD-WAN Evolution and Core Concepts 

Module 2: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Components and Roles 

Module 3: Initial SD-WAN Deployment 

Module 4: Secure Data Plan and Segmentation 

Module 5: Configuration Management and Automation 

Module 6: Overlay Routing and Integration 

Module 7: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Policies 

Module 8: Direct Internet Access and Cloud Optimization

LAB OUTLINE

• Lab 1: Access and Monitor Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Components
• Lab 2: Deploy and Verify Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Edge Routers
• Lab 3: Deploy Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Edge Configuration
• Lab 4: Implement Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Overlay Routing
• Lab 5: Deploy Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Policies