Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA): Use Case Implementation, Operations, & Troubleshooting

The primary audience for this course is as follows:

• IT management, to understand how to address key business requirements with greater efficiency and flexibility in network service delivery
• IT solution architects, to understand the role that SDA plays in enabling such efficiency and flexibility for network services in the context of IT solution delivery
• IT and network security architects, to understand how the integrated capabilities of the SDA solution are used to design and implement network segmentation-based security
• IT operations engineers, integrating network and application visibility and root cause analysis into integrated IT case handling workflows
• Networking Admin and Operations installing, integrating, configuring and operating Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), and other solution components, in the context of Cisco SDA based network services
• Networking Field Engineers using capabilities of Cisco DNA Center to deploy, monitor and maintain network infrastructure for SDA based network services

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to meet these overall objectives:

• Articulate the value of Cisco SDA Use Cases including, for example: saving operational and management cost to maintain and support ever growing network infrastructure; central security policy to comply to regional or global regulatory requirements and enterprise security policy; deliver best-in-class services to end-users; leveraging networking insights and trends to optimize business process and workflows. Some real scenarios such as supporting multi-mode collaboration within shared workspaces in life sciences; accelerating the deployment of “pop-up” sites for emergency medical purposes; creating integrated building management solutions; zero-touch day 0 network turn-up of additional sites, rapid response to network threat and vulnerabilities, and similar.
• Describe the technical capabilities of Cisco DNA Center and how they are applied in SDA Use Cases. This includes the lifecycle stages of network device discovery, assigning network devices to sites, network design options, provisioning, software image management, building a fabric, segmentation design, assurance, application policy, etc.
• Set up an SDA environment, integrating Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and other solution components as required.
• Apply troubleshooting methods, processes, tips to resolve implementation and maintenance issues of the following aspects of the technical solution:
  • Device Onboarding, including device discovery, Plug-and-Play and LAN Automation
  • Network design settings, including sites, AAA, SNMP, Syslog, IP address pools, image management, network profiles, and authentication templates
  • Policies for access control, applications and virtual networks
  • Provisioning, including template-based provisioning for day 0 and day N Operations
  • Network Segmentation, including the application of Cisco TrustSec security with Scalable Group Tags (SGTs) and Virtual Networks
  • Assurance to monitor network, endpoint, and applications to ensure best user Experience
  • Integration of ServiceNow for an integrated IT service management lifecycle
  • Integration of InfoBlox for integrated IPAM

The knowledge and skills that a learner should have before attending this course are as follows:

• Implementation of Enterprise LAN networks
• Basic understanding of Enterprise switching, and wireless connectivity
• Basic understanding of Enterprise routing connectivity
• Basic understanding of AAA (authentication, authorization, and accounting) process and workflow
• Programming knowledge such as Python, RestAPI is useful

Cisco develops, manufactures and sells networking hardware, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products. Through its numerous subsidiaries, such as OpenDNS, Webex, Jabber and Jasper, Cisco specialises into specific tech markets, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), domain security and energy management.

Cisco pioneered the concept of a local area network (LAN) being used to connect geographically disparate computers over a multiprotocol router system.

Cisco's products and services focus upon three market segments—enterprise, service provider, midsize and small business.

Cisco provides IT products and services across five major technology areas: Networking (including Ethernet, optical, wireless and mobility), Security, Collaboration (including voice, video, and data), Data Center, and the Internet of Things.

Cisco is the dominant vendor in the Australian market with leadership across all market segments. It uses its Australian office as one of the main headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region.

Cisco sponsors a line of IT professional certifications for Cisco products. 

It has been shown that Cisco certified professionals complete network related IT projects more quickly than non-certified professionals. They show more effectiveness in resolving network-related IT projects and resolving technical problems. The overall efficiency of a Cisco certified professional is far better than an uncertified professional. So, it makes a lot of sense to have Cisco certified professionals in a company.

Cisco Certifications

Cisco Certifications provide learning paths and qualifications for IT professionals working with Routing & Switching, Design, Security, Service Provider, Service Provider Operations, Data Centre, Voice, Wireless and Video.

Levels of Cisco Network Certifications

There are five levels of network certifications. They are Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert and Architect. Architect is the highest level of accreditation within the Cisco Career Certification Program.

•  Entry There are two certifications in this category, CCENT and CCT. Both of these certifications serve as a starting point for those who want to start a career in networking.
• Associate The associate level certification is considered as the foundation level for network certification. The different programs under this level include CCDA, CCNA collaboration, CCNA Data Center, CCNA Routing and Switching, CCNA Security, CCNA Service Provider, CCNA Service Provider Operations, CCNA Video, CCNA Voice and CCNA Wireless.
• Professional The professional level is an advanced level of certification. Individuals who go for this certification are equipped with more networking skills. Each certification under this level covers a different technology catering to the specific needs of varying jobs. Cisco professional certifications include CCDP, CCNP Collaboration, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Routing and Switching, CCNP Security, CCNP Service Provider, CCNP Service Provider Operations, CCNP Voice and CCNP Wireless.
• Expert The expert level certification is again an advance level of certification. The certification programs include CCDE, CCIE Collaboration, CCIE Data Center, CCIE Routing and Switching, CCIE Security, CCIE Service Provider, CCIE Service Provider Operations and CCIE Wireless. These certifications are the most prestigious networking certifications with worldwide acceptance.
• Architect The architect level is the highest level of certification from Cisco. Individuals with CCAr certification have the expertise to support the increasingly complex networks of global companies, and effectively decode business strategies into evolutionary technical strategies.

Contact us now to learn how Cisco certification and training courses can benefit you and your enterprise.