In today's digital age, businesses rely heavily on networks to communicate and exchange data. However, with the increase in cloud-based applications and distributed workforce, traditional networks can no longer meet the demands of modern businesses.
This is where Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) comes into play.
Cisco, one of the leading network infrastructure providers, offers a comprehensive SD-WAN solution that can help businesses transform their networks.
In this blog, we will discuss the architecture of Cisco SD-WAN, its components, and how it works.
Introduction to Cisco SD-WAN
Cisco SD-WAN is a cloud-first architecture that is designed to securely connect users to applications regardless of where they are located.
It provides a unified and secure fabric that spans across any combination of WAN transport (MPLS, Internet, LTE) and cloud gateways (AWS, Azure, Google). It simplifies network management and delivers a superior user experience.
Components of Cisco SD-WAN
The architecture of Cisco SD-WAN is made up of several components that work together to provide a complete solution. Here are the key components of Cisco SD-WAN:
vEdge Routers
vEdge routers are the backbone of the Cisco SD-WAN architecture. They provide the data plane and control plane functions necessary for SD-WAN. They are deployed at the branch, campus, and data center locations.
The vEdge router architecture provides high availability, resiliency, and scalability. The routers are based on a multi-core processor architecture that provides high performance and can handle large amounts of data traffic. The routers also support a variety of WAN transport options, including MPLS, Internet, and LTE.
vSmart Controllers
vSmart controllers provide the centralized control plane function for Cisco SD-WAN. They are responsible for determining the best path for data traffic to take based on network policies and conditions. They also provide secure connectivity to the cloud and data center applications.
The vSmart controllers are deployed in the cloud or on-premises. They use policies to determine the best path for data traffic to take based on real-time network conditions. The controllers can also detect and respond to network issues, ensuring high availability and resiliency.
vManage
vManage is the centralized management and orchestration platform for Cisco SD-WAN. It provides a single pane of glass view of the entire SD-WAN infrastructure, including vEdge routers, vSmart controllers, and cloud gateways. It simplifies network configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
The vManage platform provides a web-based interface for network administrators to manage and monitor the entire SD-WAN infrastructure. It provides a comprehensive view of the network topology, including real-time network and application performance metrics. The platform also provides an API for integrating with third-party systems.
Cloud Gateways
Cisco SD-WAN supports cloud gateways for direct access to cloud applications. Cloud gateways are virtual appliances that provide secure connectivity to public cloud services such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
The cloud gateways are deployed in the cloud and provide secure connectivity to public cloud services. They are responsible for encrypting and decrypting data traffic between the SD-WAN fabric and the cloud services. The gateways also provide visibility into the performance of cloud applications.
How Cisco SD-WAN Works
The architecture of Cisco SD-WAN is based on the concept of overlay networks. The overlay network is created by connecting the vEdge routers with encrypted tunnels over any WAN transport. The vSmart controllers provide the control plane function for the overlay network. They determine the best path for data traffic to take based on network policies and conditions.
The vEdge routers provide the data plane function for the overlay network. They are responsible for forwarding data traffic over the encrypted tunnels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cisco SD-WAN is a powerful solution that can help businesses transform their networks by providing a cloud-first architecture that simplifies network management and delivers a superior user experience. The components of Cisco SD-WAN work together to provide a comprehensive solution that can meet the demands of modern businesses.
If you're interested in learning more about Cisco SD-WAN, Orhan Ergun's SD-WAN course is a great place to start.
His course provides a comprehensive overview of Cisco SD-WAN and covers topics such as deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting. With his extensive knowledge and experience.