Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions (ENSDWI)

The Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions (ENSDWI) v3.0 course is a comprehensive training program designed to provide network professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deploy, configure, and manage a Cisco Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) solution in a large-scale live network. This course covers the Cisco SD-WAN architecture and components, including WAN Edge platform types and capabilities such as vEdges and cEdges. Learners will gain hands-on experience with Controller deployment, both cloud and on-premises, and will understand how to configure certificates, whitelisting, and troubleshoot connectivity issues. The course also delves into WAN Edge deployment, data plane configuration, Overlay Management Protocol (OMP), Transport Location (TLOC), and feature configuration templates. Advanced topics include Control policies, Data policies, Application-aware routing, Direct Internet access, and Service insertion, along with Quality of Service (QoS) and application-aware firewall settings. The course further explores redundancy, high availability, scalability, Management and operations through vManage, and REST API monitoring. By completing this course, learners will be well-prepared to implement and manage a Cisco SD-WAN solution, enhancing their ability to support network infrastructure and achieve operational efficiency.

Day 1 – SD-WAN Fundamentals and Architecture (8 hours)

Morning Session (4 hrs)

• Introduction to Cisco SD-WAN
• Traditional WAN vs. SD-WAN evolution
• Cisco SD-WAN architecture overview
• SD-WAN components: vSmart, vBond, vManage, WAN Edges
• Control, Data, and Management plane fundamentals

Afternoon Session (4 hrs)

• Deployment models: On-prem, Cloud, Hybrid
• Device onboarding and zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)
• Certificates, Whitelisting, and Authentication
• Hands-on Lab:
• Deploying SD-WAN Controllers
• Initial setup and vManage dashboard navigation

Day 2 – WAN Edge Deployment and Configuration (8 hours)

Morning Session (4 hrs)

• WAN Edge platforms (vEdge, cEdge) overview
• Device bring-up and connectivity validation
• Transport interface configuration (TLOCs)
• OMP (Overlay Management Protocol) concepts

Afternoon Session (4 hrs)

• Routing in SD-WAN: OMP, BGP, OSPF integration
• Control plane establishment
• Hands-on Lab:
• WAN Edge deployment
• Controller connectivity verification
• OMP peering and routing validation

Day 3 – Templates and Feature Configuration (8 hours)

Morning Session (4 hrs)

• vManage templates: Device and Feature templates
• Centralized vs. localized policies
• Configuring VPNs, interfaces, and system settings

Afternoon Session (4 hrs)

• Application-Aware Routing (AAR) concepts and configuration
• Direct Internet Access (DIA) setup and policy control
• Hands-on Lab:
• Building configuration templates
• Implementing application-aware routing

Day 4 – Advanced Policies and Security Features (8 hours)

Morning Session (4 hrs)

• Control policies and Data policies
• Service insertion and chaining
• Traffic engineering using TLOC extensions

Afternoon Session (4 hrs)

• Quality of Service (QoS) and Traffic shaping
• Application-aware firewall configuration
• Security integration (Cisco Umbrella, DNS security)
• Hands-on Lab:
• Creating and applying control/data policies
• Implementing QoS and basic firewall rules

Day 5 – Operations, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting (8 hours)

Morning Session (4 hrs)

• vManage monitoring and dashboards
• Device health and performance tracking
• Troubleshooting SD-WAN connections and policies
• Log analysis and common fault scenarios

Afternoon Session (4 hrs)

• REST APIs and automation with vManage
• SD-WAN high availability and scalability
• Backup, restore, and upgrade management
• Hands-on Lab:
• Using APIs to collect data
• Implementing redundancy and HA
• Final troubleshooting and validation

Wrap-up and Review

• Course summary and Q&A
• Preparation guidance for Cisco 300-415 ENSDWI certification exam