SDN and SD-WAN Fundamentals

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SDN and SD-WAN Fundamentals: Intro to SD-WAN is no longer accepting new enrollments. We've matched the highest-rated active courses in this subject:

This course will help you understand the SD-WAN solution architecture and its components. You will learn how SD-WAN works, the problems that it solves, and the advantages that it offers compared to traditional WAN deployments.

Cost and complexity are becoming more and more prohibitive for legacy networks in the face of today’s requirements, including end-to-end security, various transport networks, an ongoing increase in the number of mobile end-users, high-bandwidth cloud applications, and any-to-any connectivity. Many organizations are deploying SD-WAN technology solutions to meet these challenges.

In this course, SDN and SD-WAN Fundamentals: Intro to SD-WAN, you'll learn about the SD-WAN solution architecture and its components.

First, you’ll explore the cost, complexity, and control challenges faced in traditional legacy WAN deployments.

Next, you’ll discover the the SD-WAN solution architecture and how SD-WAN provides extensive functionality to enterprise WAN solutions.

Finally, you’ll learn how programmability using REST application programming interfaces (APIs) allows administrators to configure and manage policy throughout their WAN deployments.

When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have fundamental knowledge of core SD-WAN technology, and understand the benefits and advantages of deploying an SD-WAN solution.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Examining Challenges of Legacy WAN Deployments

Examining the SD-WAN Solution Architecture

Examining SD-WAN Overlay and Underlay Networks

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what should give you pause

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Examines SD-WAN fundamentals, which is critical for understanding WANs

Taught by Sean Douglas, who is recognized for their work in SD-WAN

Explores SD-WAN challenges and benefits, which are highly relevant to industry

Includes hands-on labs and interactive materials, which are useful for deep learning

This course may require that this course be taken in serial with others as part of a series

Reviews summary

Solid introduction to sd-wan fundamentals

According to students, this course provides a clear and concise introduction to SD-WAN fundamentals, making it an excellent starting point for beginners in networking. Learners frequently praise the instructor's clear explanations and the course's ability to demystify complex concepts like overlay and underlay networks and REST APIs. While highly regarded for its conceptual overview and understanding of legacy WAN challenges, some feedback suggests it is too high-level for those seeking in-depth practical applications or hands-on lab experience. It serves well as a foundational step rather than a comprehensive technical guide.

Instructor delivers content at a perfect pace with clarity.

"The instructor explained complex concepts clearly..."

"The instructor's pace was perfect, and the content was easy to follow."

Key SD-WAN components and principles are thoroughly covered.

"...especially the differences between overlay and underlay networks."

"The explanation of REST APIs was a nice touch."

"The module on legacy WAN challenges was particularly helpful in understanding the 'why' behind SD-WAN adoption."

"The coverage of overlay/underlay and programmability was clear."

Perfectly suited for those new to SD-WAN or networking basics.

"Excellent course for beginners looking to understand SD-WAN."

"As someone new to networking, this course demystified SD-WAN for me."

"I found it basic if you're already familiar with networking, making it feel redundant."

Provides an accessible and strong introduction to SD-WAN concepts.

"Excellent course for beginners looking to understand SD-WAN. The instructor explained complex concepts clearly..."

"Very well-structured and concise. It provides a solid foundation for anyone new to SD-WAN or needing a refresher."

"Fantastic intro! As someone new to networking, this course demystified SD-WAN for me. The explanations were simple yet thorough."

"Perfect for a quick, clear introduction to SD-WAN. I learned a lot about its benefits..."

Strong conceptually but often lacks practical, hands-on examples.

"The course is okay, but I felt it was a bit too high-level. I was hoping for more technical depth, perhaps some configuration examples or lab simulations."

"Disappointed. This course barely scratches the surface. It's too theoretical and doesn't provide any real-world examples or practical guidance."

"I didn't feel I gained much new knowledge beyond what I already knew from reading articles online."

"I would have liked a bit more on practical applications or vendor-specific examples, but for an 'intro' it's solid."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in SDN and SD-WAN Fundamentals: Intro to SD-WAN with these activities:

Practice network management tasks

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Practice configuring and managing an SD-WAN network to reinforce concepts covered in the course.

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Set up a lab environment
Configure basic SD-WAN settings
Implement advanced SD-WAN features
Troubleshoot and resolve common SD-WAN issues

Configure a simple SD-WAN network

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Test your knowledge and skills by configuring a basic SD-WAN network.

Browse courses on SD-WAN Architecture

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Select hardware and software components.
Configure the devices and establish connectivity.
Test and troubleshoot the network.

Record a summary video

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Solidify your understanding and reinforce concepts by presenting them to an audience.

Browse courses on SD-WAN

Show steps

Review the course content and select a section.
Prepare your script.
Record your video.
Edit and polish your video.

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete SDN and SD-WAN Fundamentals: Intro to SD-WAN will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

SD-WAN Engineer

SD-WAN Engineers design, implement, and maintain SD-WAN solutions. This course can help you to prepare for this role by teaching you about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology, including its architecture, components, and benefits. This knowledge will be essential for you to be able to design, implement, and maintain SD-WAN solutions for your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for SD-WAN Engineer

WAN Architect

WAN Architects design and implement WAN solutions. This course can help you to prepare for this role by teaching you about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology, including its architecture, components, and benefits. This knowledge will be essential for you to be able to design and implement SD-WAN solutions for your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for WAN Architect

WAN Engineer

WAN Engineers install, configure, and maintain WAN solutions. This course can help you to prepare for this role by teaching you about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology, including its architecture, components, and benefits. This knowledge will be essential for you to be able to install, configure, and maintain SD-WAN solutions for your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for WAN Engineer

Network Engineer

Network Engineers install, configure, and maintain computer networks. This course can help you to prepare for this role by teaching you about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology, including its architecture, components, and benefits. This knowledge will be essential for you to be able to install, configure, and maintain SD-WAN solutions for your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Network Administrator

Network Administrators manage and maintain computer networks. This course can help you to prepare for this role by teaching you about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology, including its architecture, components, and benefits. This knowledge will be essential for you to be able to manage and maintain SD-WAN solutions for your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Network Architect

Network Architects design, implement, and maintain computer networks. This course can help you to prepare for this role by teaching you about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology, including its architecture, components, and benefits. This knowledge will be essential for you to be able to design and implement SD-WAN solutions for your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Architect

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators install, configure, and maintain computer systems. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to install, configure, and maintain computer systems that include SD-WAN components.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Technical Support Specialist

Technical Support Specialists provide technical support to users of computer systems. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to provide technical support to users of computer systems that include SD-WAN components.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist

Telecommunications Engineer

Telecommunications Engineers design and implement telecommunications networks. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to design and implement telecommunications networks that include SD-WAN components.

See salaries and explore the career path for Telecommunications Engineer

Wireless Network Engineer

Wireless Network Engineers design and implement wireless networks. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to design and implement wireless networks that include SD-WAN components.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wireless Network Engineer

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and implement cloud solutions. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to design and implement cloud solutions that include SD-WAN components.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers install, configure, and maintain cloud solutions. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to install, configure, and maintain cloud solutions that include SD-WAN components.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to work with development and operations teams to implement SD-WAN solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect computer networks from security threats. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to protect computer networks from security threats that target SD-WAN solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design and implement network security solutions. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning about the fundamentals of SD-WAN technology. This knowledge can be helpful for you to be able to design and implement network security solutions that include SD-WAN components.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer