Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Product Overview
Introduction to Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)
Cisco SD-WAN, built on the Viptela architecture, is a sophisticated networking solution that revolutionizes how wide area networks (WANs) are managed and optimized.Primary Function
The primary function of Cisco SD-WAN is to provide a software-defined approach to managing WAN connections. This involves separating the control plane from the data plane, allowing for centralized management and optimization of network traffic. It enables organizations to securely connect users to applications over any transport, ensuring a consistent and predictable user experience.Target Audience
Cisco SD-WAN is targeted at enterprises, government organizations, and any large-scale network environments that require advanced WAN management. It is particularly beneficial for organizations with multiple branch locations, complex network requirements, and a need for high security and network segregation.Key Features
Multi-Layer Architecture
Cisco SD-WAN operates on a multi-layer architecture, including:- Orchestration Plane: Managed by vBond, which handles initial authentication and distribution of vSmart and vManage controllers to vEdge devices.
- Management Plane: Centralized configuration and monitoring through vManage.
- Control Plane: vSmart controllers manage network topology and traffic flows using Overlay Management Protocol (OMP).
- Data Plane: vEdge routers forward data traffic based on decisions from the control plane.
Security and Segmentation
The solution offers multi-layer security, including comprehensive protection for direct internet access, external and internal threats. It ensures network segregation and policy enforcement across thousands of sites.Application Performance
Cisco SD-WAN optimizes application performance by identifying the best-performing paths based on latency, packet loss, and other metrics. This ensures consistent performance for cloud and on-premises applications.Flexibility and Redundancy
It supports multiple transport options, including MPLS, internet, 4G, 5G, and more. The solution also provides failover capabilities to ensure network uptime and flexibility in network topologies.Centralized Management
vManage serves as the central portal for configuration, monitoring, and policy enforcement. This simplifies management and operations across all locations.Analytics and Visibility
The solution includes real-time analytics and visibility tools, such as vAnalytics, to monitor application performance, network traffic, and device health. This helps in troubleshooting and optimizing the network. In summary, Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) is a powerful tool for enterprises seeking to enhance their WAN management, security, and application performance while simplifying network operations. Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)
The user interface of Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, particularly through its central management platform, vManage.
vManage Interface
vManage is the graphical user interface (GUI) that allows administrators to manage and monitor the entire SD-WAN network. Here, users can perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Configuration and Deployment: Users can build configuration templates for WAN Edge routers and manage the Zero-Touch Provisioning process, making it easy to bring new devices online.
- Troubleshooting: vManage offers several troubleshooting capabilities, allowing administrators to identify and resolve issues quickly from the GUI. This includes navigation to individual WAN Edge routers for detailed troubleshooting.
- Real-Time Monitoring: The platform provides real-time statistics and monitoring capabilities, enabling users to view traffic patterns, network performance, and other critical metrics.
Ease of Use
Cisco SD-WAN is built with simplicity in mind, especially for managing large-scale networks. Here are some key aspects that contribute to its ease of use:
- Centralized Management: All policies and configurations can be centrally managed through vManage, even across multicloud environments. This simplifies the process of rolling out policy changes across multiple sites.
- Automated Processes: Features like Zero-Touch Provisioning automate the setup of new devices, reducing the manual effort required to get them operational.
- Integrated Security: The integration with security services such as Cisco Umbrella and other Cisco security products streamlines the management of security policies and ensures consistent enforcement across the network.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by several factors:
- Predictable Application Experience: Cisco SD-WAN optimizes application performance, ensuring a consistent and predictable user experience across different platforms and environments.
- AI/ML Algorithms: The use of advanced AI and ML algorithms, trained on large networking data sets, helps in optimizing network performance and simplifying management tasks.
- Flexible Deployment: The solution supports various deployment architectures, including cloud and on-premises options, making it adaptable to different organizational needs.
In summary, the Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) user interface, primarily through vManage, is designed to be user-friendly, efficient, and scalable, making network management and monitoring straightforward and effective.
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Key Features and Functionality
Cisco SD-WAN Overview
Cisco SD-WAN, which includes the Viptela technology, offers a range of key features and functionalities that are enhanced by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Here are the main features and how they work:
Application Quality of Experience (AppQoE)
Cisco SD-WAN includes AppQoE, which ensures that applications perform optimally over the network. This feature monitors and manages application traffic in real-time, adjusting network resources to maintain high performance and user experience. AI and ML are used to analyze traffic patterns and make predictive adjustments to ensure consistent application performance.
Interconnecting Multiple Clouds
Cisco SD-WAN allows for seamless interconnection between multiple cloud environments, including public, private, and hybrid clouds. This feature, known as Cloud OnRamp, automates connectivity between workloads in the cloud and branch or data center locations. AI-driven analytics help in optimizing cloud connectivity and ensuring high-performance access to cloud-based applications.
Direct Internet Access (DIA)
DIA enables branch offices to directly access Internet-based applications without backhauling traffic to a data center or regional hub. This reduces latency and improves application performance. AI and ML help in dynamically routing traffic to optimize performance and security.
Embedded Security
Cisco SD-WAN integrates various security functions, including those from Cisco’s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) models. AI and ML are used to enhance threat protection by identifying patterns and anomalies that signify security threats. This integrated security approach ensures end-to-end monitoring and proactive threat response.
RESTful APIs
The solution provides RESTful APIs that allow developers to integrate Cisco SD-WAN into custom workflows and automation scripts. This feature enables greater flexibility and automation in network management, leveraging AI-driven insights to optimize network operations.
AI and Machine Learning Integration
AI and ML are deeply integrated into Cisco SD-WAN to improve network performance and security. Here are some key aspects:
Predictive Analytics
AI and ML are used for IT operations (AIOps) to predict and address potential network issues before they impact performance. This includes predictive analytics to forecast capacity needs and identify potential bottlenecks.
Anomaly Detection
AI-driven tools detect anomalies in network traffic that could indicate security threats. This proactive approach helps in countering both known and emerging threats.
Automation
AI tools automate tasks such as routing and troubleshooting, improving operational efficiency and reducing operational expenses (OpEx). This automation also extends to customer-facing domains, enhancing the customer experience in areas like contact centers.
High Availability and Redundancy
The Cisco SD-WAN solution is designed with high availability and redundancy in mind. Features like Bi-directional Forwarding Detection (BFD) help in measuring the performance of transport links and determining the best performing path, ensuring that network services remain resilient to failures.
Analytics and Automation
Cisco SD-WAN leverages rich telemetry data that can be analyzed in real-time to automate network operations. This transforms network management from a reactive to a proactive model, allowing IT staff to focus on more strategic tasks. Integrations with tools like ThousandEyes, Umbrella, and Duo enhance visibility, analytics, and security capabilities.
These features collectively make Cisco SD-WAN a powerful tool for enterprises, offering secure, high-performance connectivity and advanced network management capabilities, all enhanced by AI and ML.
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Network Visibility and Optimization
Cisco SD-WAN provides enhanced network visibility and application performance monitoring, ensuring critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency.
Transport Methods and QoS
The solution supports various transport methods such as broadband and MPLS, and it implements Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure optimal connectivity and performance.
WAN Optimization
Viptela offers WAN optimization and application-aware routing, which ranks SaaS applications based on the optimum path determined by its algorithms. This enhances the overall network efficiency and user experience.
Accuracy and Reliability
Advanced Routing Protocols
Cisco SD-WAN uses advanced routing protocols like BGP and OSPF, which facilitate communication between different network segments and improve route discovery.
Segmentation and Security
The solution offers extensive security protocols from Layer 3 to Layer 7, including direct cloud security for each tenant within a segment. This ensures secure segmentation and efficient management of network resources.
High Availability and Resilience
The architecture includes redundancies with multiple vSmart controllers and data plane redundancies, ensuring control plane continuity and high availability.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Documentation and Integration
One of the main areas for improvement is the lack of up-to-date documentation, which often lags behind software releases. Additionally, integration with other OEMs and APIs needs to be more user-friendly.
User Interface and Configuration
The user interface is often cited as needing improvement for better usability. The configuration process, especially for templates and customizations, can be time-consuming and complex.
Cost and Licensing
The solution is considered expensive, and the licensing model is seen as a significant area for improvement. Many users find the cost prohibitive, especially in certain regions like Africa.
Cloud-Centric Policies
There is a growing need for solutions that seamlessly translate on-premise policies into cloud-compatible equivalents. The current convergence between on-premise and cloud policies lacks centralization.
Automation and AI/ML
Users have expressed a desire for more automation capabilities, artificial intelligence, and machine learning features to enhance the solution’s functionality and security.
Security Features
While the solution has strong security features, there is a need for more integrated security functions and better support for advanced security requirements, such as endpoint protection and encryption.
Technical Support
The technical support provided by Cisco for SD-WAN has been criticized for not meeting user expectations, with many users seeking more comprehensive support during deployment and operation.
In summary, while Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) offers strong performance and accuracy, it faces challenges in areas such as documentation, user interface, cost, cloud integration, automation, and technical support. Addressing these issues could significantly enhance the overall user experience and functionality of the solution.
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of Cisco SD-WAN
The pricing structure of Cisco SD-WAN, particularly the Viptela solution, is based on a subscription model with various tiers that offer different levels of features and capabilities.
Subscription Tiers
Cisco SD-WAN is offered through the Cisco DNA Software subscriptions, which are categorized into several tiers:
Essentials Tier
- This tier removes the previous limitation of 50 routers per SD-WAN overlay, allowing for arbitrary scale.
- It includes standard routing capabilities such as EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP.
- It provides an IPSec-secured SD-WAN overlay.
- After the subscription expires, devices can still be used with standard routing capabilities, but an image update to Cisco IOS XE or switching to autonomous mode may be required.
Advantage Tier
- This tier includes all the features from the Essentials tier.
- It adds more advanced features such as higher IPsec throughput. For example, Tier 4 in the Advantage plan offers up to 25 Gbps IPsec throughput (up to 50 Gbps aggregate), and Tier 5 offers unthrottled IPsec throughput (up to 50 Gbps and up to 100 Gbps aggregate) for specific devices like the Catalyst 8000V and Catalyst Edge C8500-20X6C.
- It also includes additional feature sets like Network Advantage, which is bundled with DNA Advantage.
Licensing and Activation
- Cisco uses Smart Licensing, which simplifies the activation process by establishing a pool of software licenses that can be used across the entire organization, eliminating the need for product activation keys (PAKs).
Free Options
- Cisco offers a free trial for the first year of Cisco DNA Software for cloud-delivered Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN. This promotion is valid globally until January 25, 2025, and allows users to experience the latest deployment methods and features without an initial cost.
Additional Offers
- There are various other promotions and trials available, such as a 30-day free trial for the Catalyst 8000V Edge Software on AWS Marketplace or Microsoft Azure Marketplace, and discounts on software subscriptions and selected routers when upgrading with Cisco IOS XE.
In summary, Cisco SD-WAN pricing is structured around subscription tiers that offer escalating levels of functionality and performance, with options for free trials to help users evaluate the product before committing to a purchase.
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Integration and Compatibility
Cisco SD-WAN Viptela Overview
Cisco SD-WAN Viptela is designed to be highly integrative and compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms, making it a versatile solution for various network architectures.Integration with Cloud and Internet Services
One of the key strengths of Cisco SD-WAN Viptela is its seamless integration with cloud services. It supports direct internet access (DIA) from branch offices, which can be secured through the integration with Cisco Umbrella. This integration allows for the automatic creation of tunnels from SD-WAN routers to the Umbrella cloud, providing centralized security management for all internet-bound traffic. This setup ensures protection against threats like malware, ransomware, and C2 callbacks without compromising on performance or security.Compatibility with Various Transport Mechanisms
Cisco SD-WAN Viptela is compatible with multiple underlying transport mechanisms, including MPLS, LTE, and broadband internet. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for organizations with diverse networking needs, as it can adapt to different network environments without the need for significant infrastructure changes.Device Compatibility
The solution supports a wide array of devices, including the Catalyst 8000 Series, ISR 1000, ISR 4000, ASR 1000, and CSR 1000V, among others. The Catalyst 8000 Series, for example, is purpose-built for Cisco SD-WAN and SASE architectures, offering advanced security features and improved application performance. Smaller branches can be covered by devices like the ISR 1100-4G or 6G platforms, which support both the Viptela operating system and Cisco IOS XE Controller mode.Legacy System and Third-Party Compatibility
Cisco SD-WAN Viptela is also compatible with legacy systems and third-party devices, allowing enterprises to upgrade their network infrastructure without the need to replace existing equipment. This compatibility mitigates the risks associated with major system overhauls and ensures a smooth transition to the new SD-WAN solution.Centralized Management
The vManage NMS provides a holistic view and management platform for network administrators, enabling centralized management of network policies and traffic. This centralized approach simplifies the management of diverse devices and ensures consistent security and performance across the network.Advanced Security and Segmentation
The solution includes advanced security features such as segmentation, which allows network traffic to be divided into segments based on business needs. This enhances security and operational efficiency. Additionally, the integration with Cisco AnyConnect and Umbrella provides comprehensive security services, including VPN access and protection against various threats.Conclusion
In summary, Cisco SD-WAN Viptela offers extensive integration and compatibility features, making it a flexible and adaptive solution for a wide range of network environments and device types. This ensures that businesses can leverage the benefits of a software-defined network while maintaining security, performance, and ease of management. Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Customer Support and Resources
Comprehensive Support Options for Cisco SD-WAN Products
Registration and User ID
To access support, customers must first register for a Cisco.com user ID. This involves filling out the registration form on the Cisco website, verifying the account through an email link, and associating the user ID with their Cisco service contracts. This step is crucial for accessing various support tools and services.Opening a Support Case
Customers can open support cases through multiple channels:- Phone: For severity 1 or 2 cases, customers can call the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) at the provided numbers. For other regions, refer to the Cisco Worldwide Contacts.
- Email: Customers can send an email to tac@cisco.com with detailed information such as company name, contact details, contract number, product type, and a brief problem description.
- Web: The Support Case Manager (SCM) tool allows users to open, manage, and track support cases online. Customers must log in with their Cisco.com user ID and ensure their service contracts are associated with their profile.
Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
The Cisco TAC provides 24/7 technical support. It offers expert assistance from highly skilled staff, fast problem resolution, and a high level of knowledge in Cisco devices and software. Customers can expect support via email, phone, or through the web.Additional Resources
- Documentation and User Manuals: Detailed user manuals and product documentation are available on the Support & Downloads webpage. This includes guides for setting up and managing Cisco SD-WAN products.
- Tools and Automation: Cisco offers various tools such as Sastre, the SD-WAN Automation Toolset, which helps manage configuration elements and visualize deployment information. The SD-WAN Conversion Tool assists in converting IOS XE configurations to SD-WAN compatible configurations.
- Online Support Case Management: The SCM tool allows customers to manage their support cases, upload files, and track the status of their cases online.
- Warranty and Hardware Support: Cisco SD-WAN products come with a 3-year limited hardware warranty and a 90-day limited software warranty. Customers can also opt for premium support services like Smart Net Total Care for hardware and software support.
Training and Certification
For those looking to deepen their knowledge, Cisco offers resources like the Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions (300-415 ENSDWI) course, which is part of the CCNP Enterprise certification. This course helps prepare users to effectively implement and manage Cisco SD-WAN solutions. By leveraging these support options and resources, customers can ensure they receive the assistance they need to effectively use and maintain their Cisco SD-WAN products. Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)
Centralized Management
Cisco Viptela SD-WAN offers centralized management through the vManage platform, allowing administrators to provision, monitor, and manage SD-WAN fabric policies efficiently. This includes integrating with external systems, such as provisioning transit gateways on AWS and automating tunnel creation to a Secure Internet Gateway (SIG).
Cost Savings and Bandwidth Augmentation
The solution is link-agnostic, enabling the use of multiple internet links to achieve the same availability and performance as a single premium MPLS link, but at a fraction of the cost. This helps in offloading traffic from expensive MPLS links and meeting SLAs effectively.
Cloud Optimization and Integration
Cisco Viptela SD-WAN is optimized for cloud environments, working closely with leading Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) to provide seamless integration and performance. This includes cloud innovations and the ability to manage cloud-based applications efficiently.
Advanced Analytics and AI/ML Integration
The solution incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance network performance and security. AI-driven tools help in automated routing, troubleshooting, and identifying security threats, improving operational efficiency and reducing operational expenses.
Unified Security
Cisco SD-WAN integrates networking and cybersecurity across the Cisco portfolio, addressing sophisticated digital threats. It combines various security functions with SD-WAN technology as part of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) models, providing a unified solution for secure and high-performing connectivity.
Flexibility and Scalability
The solution is highly flexible, allowing businesses to use various types of connections (e.g., 3G/4G/5G cellular, broadband) and providing fast start/temporary connectivity options. It also supports disaster recovery across cloud-based applications.
Disadvantages of Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)
Quality of Service (QoS) Challenges
One of the significant challenges is the inconsistent QoS over public internet connections. Since SD-WAN services are often provisioned over the public internet, there is no end-to-end QoS guarantee for traffic flow, which can be a concern for applications requiring high reliability.
Equipment and Vendor Costs
On-premise equipment for SD-WAN can represent a high cost, especially depending on the vendor or service provider. This can be a significant upfront investment for some organizations.
Variable Vendor Capabilities
The capabilities of SD-WAN solutions can vary significantly between vendors. Not all vendors meet the original vision of software-defined networking (SDN), which can lead to inconsistencies in performance and features.
Security Management
While Cisco SD-WAN offers strong security features, there can be challenges with security management, particularly if the IT team lacks the necessary expertise to configure and manage the security aspects of the solution effectively.
Global Deployment Challenges
For global providers, managing multiple ISPs to meet reach requirements can be challenging. This complexity can make it difficult to ensure consistent performance and security across all locations.
By considering these points, organizations can make informed decisions about whether Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) aligns with their networking and security needs.
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) with Other AI-Driven Networking Tools
Several key differences and unique features come to the forefront.
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)
Cisco SD-WAN Viptela is a sophisticated solution aimed at large enterprises with complex network needs. Here are some of its standout features:
- Advanced Routing and Orchestration: Viptela offers deep packet inspection, advanced routing, and sophisticated orchestration, making it highly configurable and suitable for managing high traffic volumes and complex network structures.
- Centralized Management: It uses the vManage platform for centralized management, which can integrate with external systems such as provisioning transit gateways on AWS.
- Security and Performance: Viptela includes robust security measures, such as encrypted communications and integrity checks, and supports a zero-trust security model. It also enhances network performance through features like Quality of Service (QoS) and WAN optimization.
- Integration and Scalability: It supports multi-cloud environments and integrates with various cloud providers, facilitating policy and security consistency across diverse environments.
Juniper Networks AI-Native Networking Platform
Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform is another significant player in this category:
- Unified AI Engine: Juniper’s platform unifies campus, branch, and data center networking operations via a common AI engine and the Mist Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (VNA). This platform has been trained on seven years of insights and data science development.
- Automation and Assurance: It assures reliable, measurable, and secure connections for every device, user, application, and asset. The platform reduces networking trouble tickets by up to 90%, networking OpEX by up to 85%, and the time to resolve incidents by up to 50%.
- Conversational Interface: The Marvis Virtual Network Assistant provides a conversational interface and prescriptive actions to streamline operations and optimize user experiences from client to cloud.
HPE Aruba Networking Central
HPE Aruba’s Networking Central is another tool that integrates AI for network management:
- Expanded Observability: With the integration of OpsRamp technology, HPE Aruba Networking Central provides more context and insights into network devices such as wireless access points, switches, firewalls, and routers across various vendors.
- AI-Driven Insights: This platform offers enhanced observability and AI-driven insights to improve network management and operations.
Nile AI Services Platform
Nile’s AI Services Platform is a newer entrant but offers several unique features:
- Automated Network Design and Configuration: Nile’s platform includes AI applications for automating network design, configuration, and management. It features the Nile Services Cloud, Nile Service Blocks, and Nile Copilot and Autopilot applications for AI-based network monitoring and operations.
- Integrated Security and Cloud Native Service Delivery: The platform brings together integrated security, cloud-native service delivery, and AI-powered closed-loop automation for campus and branch IT infrastructures.
Cisco Meraki
While not as complex as Viptela, Cisco Meraki is another option within the Cisco ecosystem:
- Simplicity and Ease of Use: Meraki is more user-friendly and suitable for SMEs and organizations looking for a straightforward, manageable solution. It offers a cloud-based dashboard for efficient network monitoring and control without requiring deep technical knowledge.
- Unified Management: Meraki provides a unified management platform that integrates various network operations such as SASE security, SD-WAN, Wi-Fi, and switching through a central web-based dashboard or API.
Other Alternatives
Other tools like LogicMonitor, Auvik, and NinjaOne also offer AI-driven network monitoring and management:
- LogicMonitor: Known for its AI-driven insights, LogicMonitor automates anomaly detection and provides predictive analytics to anticipate potential network problems.
- Auvik: Auvik integrates AI to automate tasks such as network mapping, device discovery, and configuration backups. It also uses AI for anomaly detection and predictive analytics.
- NinjaOne: NinjaOne focuses on automation, real-time monitoring, and proactive issue resolution. It includes AI-powered features for automated anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and routine task automation.
Each of these tools has its unique strengths and is suited to different types of organizations and network requirements. When choosing between them, it’s crucial to consider factors such as the complexity of your network, the level of control you need, and the ease of management that aligns with your enterprise’s specific needs.
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela)
What is Cisco SD-WAN Viptela?
Cisco SD-WAN Viptela is a software-defined wide area network solution that offers enhanced agility, cost efficiency, and security for network operations. It allows for intelligent routing of traffic across the WAN, optimizing performance and reducing latency by choosing the most effective path based on real-time conditions.What are the core components of Cisco SD-WAN Viptela?
The core components include vSmart Controllers, vBond Orchestrators, vEdge Routers, and vManage NMS. vSmart Controllers establish and maintain the network topology, vBond Orchestrators handle initial setup and connectivity validation, and vManage NMS provides a centralized management platform. vEdge Routers are the WAN edge devices that connect to the SD-WAN overlay.How does Cisco SD-WAN Viptela improve security?
Cisco SD-WAN Viptela provides end-to-end security from remote sites to the Internet, Cloud, and SaaS applications. It features advanced threat protection and segmentation, allowing network traffic to be divided into segments based on business needs, which significantly enhances security and operational efficiency.What is the deployment process for Cisco SD-WAN Viptela?
The deployment process starts with a planning phase, where device placement, system IP addresses, and site IDs are planned. Next, the SD-WAN controllers (vManage, vSmart, and vBond) are deployed and authenticated. Then, the authorized WAN edge list is uploaded to vManage, and feature and device templates are configured. Finally, WAN edge routers are brought online using Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) or Cisco Network Plug and Play (PnP).What is Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) in Cisco SD-WAN Viptela?
Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) is a feature that simplifies the deployment of new sites and services by allowing devices to be provisioned without manual intervention. Once the device is connected, vManage pushes the full configuration to the device, making the onboarding process automated and efficient.How does Cisco SD-WAN Viptela support different transport mechanisms?
Cisco SD-WAN Viptela supports various underlying transport mechanisms, including MPLS, LTE, and broadband internet. This flexibility makes it a versatile choice for organizations with diverse networking needs, allowing them to use any type of underlying transport without affecting the services and applications running over the network.What is the role of vManage in Cisco SD-WAN Viptela?
vManage is the Network Management System (NMS) that provides a holistic view and management platform for network administrators. It is used to configure and push policies, device templates, and configurations to the WAN edge devices. vManage also offers a single pane of glass for management, analytics, and configuration policy across the enterprise WAN.How are centralized and localized policies configured in Cisco SD-WAN Viptela?
Centralized policies are configured on vManage and pushed to the vSmart controllers, which enforce the organization’s topology, traffic engineering, and services requirements. Localized policies, specific to individual WAN edge routers, are configured and attached to device templates on vManage before the devices are brought online.Can Cisco SD-WAN Viptela integrate with existing network architectures and third-party devices?
Yes, Cisco SD-WAN Viptela is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing network architectures and is compatible with legacy systems and third-party devices. This allows enterprises to upgrade their network infrastructure without the need to replace all existing equipment.What is the order of upgrading components in Cisco SD-WAN Viptela?
When upgrading, the order should be: vManage first, followed by vSmart controllers, and then vBond. This sequence ensures that the management and control planes are updated before the data plane devices.