We’ve applied our MEF-CECP Boot Camp award-winning course design to SDWAN technologies to prepare the next generation of telecommunications professionals. Available as an accelerated 3-day Boot Camp course, the training covers all the material to prepare you for both the MEF-SDCP (SDWAN) and MEF-SNCP (SDN/NFV) Professional Certification exams.
Become an SDWAN Expert
SDWAN TRAINING
Introduction
Networks are being transformed into software defined, virtualized, orchestrated, and automated networks of the future. SDWAN leverages these technologies and is revolutionizing the telecom industry. Intelligent path selection, application optimization and policy-based control of network security resources is only the beginning of the implementation challenges awaiting those in charge with “turning-up” the next generation of WAN services.
According to recent industry surveys by Vertical Systems Group and others, there is a critical shortage of ICT professionals skilled in these new technologies to lead this exciting transformation. The Academy’s SDWAN Boot Camp is the industry’s first and only vendor independent training that teaches the skills required to lead the transformation to the digital future. Choose the path that elevates your career by becoming an expert in SDWAN and SDN/NFV technologies.
In-Depth: Course Description
The Academy’s SDWAN Boot Camp course is the only vendor-neutral technical training course that covers all aspects of Software Defined Wide Area Networks (SDWAN) and the related concepts of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). The course will guide your path to becoming an expert in SDWAN and the underlying technologies, and prepare you to take and pass both the MEF-SDCP and MEF-SNCP certification exams.
The course combines lecture of SDWAN and related technologies, with practical exercises that tie the theory to real-world applications. The course also includes quizzes for each of the modules to assess each student’s mastery of the material, along with a post course practice exam that provides students with a final test prior to taking the MEF certification exams. Offered as a 3-day accelerated boot camp style course, the training is a vendor independent deep dive into all aspects of SDWAN including all the topics in the MEF-SDCP and MEF-SNCP Exam Blueprint A, and related topics that will be covered in upcoming versions of the MEF professional certifications.
Course Outline
Introduction to Software Defined WAN (SDWAN)
This introductory lecture presents the SDWAN ecosystem and explains how the convergence of several modern networking trends including Software Defined Networking and automated provisioning called Orchestration have resulted in a new genre of networking technology. The lecture provides the background of each of these important areas of innovation and sets the stage for an in-depth look at each as the course unfolds.
- • Introduction to SDWAN Architecture and components
- • SDWAN is one of the first solutions of Software Defined Networking
- • Technology Vectors Contributing to SDWAN
- • The Journey to SDWAN
Module 1 – Software Defined Networking
This lecture presents a comprehensive overview of Software Defined Networking (SDN). It discusses the technical and economic problems that created an opportunity for academic and commercial proponents to form the Open Network Foundation and forge an open, standards-based environment for the development of a new era of networking technology. The architectural advantages of a centralized control system with distributed forwarding elements is presented to introduce the concept of “smart” controllers and “simple/fast/cheap” switches. The lecture introduces the OpenFlow protocol which was the first industry-developed language that enables a central control function to update the forwarding tables, Ethernet and/or IP. The lecture also discusses the challenges of legacy-device (non OpenFlow capable) integration and exposes several security concerns that need to be mitigated to ensure a secure environment.
- • Overview of Software Defined Networking
- • SDN Architecture and Interfaces
- • SDN Implementation Models (native, overlay, hybrid)
- • SDN Controllers – OpenDaylight from Hydrogen to Neon
- • Incorporating Non-OpenFlow capable devices using NetConf/YANG
- • Troubleshooting and security considerations
Module 2 – Network Function Virtualization
With an expert level understanding of Software Defined Network architectures and components, the course turns its attention to Network Function Virtualization (NFV), or the ability to create a shared hardware resource pool that can be used to flexibly run module software programs that perform various network functions. The lecture first explains virtualization techniques that have been developed over the past 50 years for mainframes, multi-user PCs and within data centers. Next the ETSI NFV framework or architecture is explained along with key interfaces, called reference points by ETSI, between the various components required to manage the instantiation and lifecycle of the software elements running on the virtual (or shared) infrastructure.
- • Introduction to Virtualization – From Main Frames to Data Centers
- • The ETSI NFV Architecture and Reference Points (APIs)
- • How NFV Leverages the Modularity of SDN designs
- • Virtualizing Network Functions
- • Service Function Chaining and Forwarding Graphs
- • NFV Management and Operations (MANO)
- • Migration Strategies for Implementing Virtual Network Functions (VNFs)
- • Proof of Concept (PoCs) and TestFest Status/Results
Module 3 – Network Automation & Orchestration
This lecture introduces Orchestration platforms, and discusses their evolution from legacy Operation Support Systems (OSS), to automated provisioning systems that streamline the service turn-up and resource management required to host new services. Originally invented to help data center operators meet the need for rapid deployment of computing resources, Orchestration platform capabilities have merged with network controller and network management systems. The Orchestration platform is where requests are mapped to resources in a policy-defined manner. The lecture also highlights the work of MEF in the area of Orchestration interfaces (APIs) and discusses the interoperability of the MEF LSO APIs with other industry automation initiatives.
- • Network Automation and Orchestration
- • Software Orchestration Concepts
- • Orchestration Automation Platforms
- • Linux Foundation ONAP Releases
- • MEF LSO Orchestration Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
- • Survey of Tools and Applications
Following the completion of Modules 1, 2 and 3 students are prepared to take the MEF-SNCP (SDN/NVF) certification exam.
Module 4 – SDWAN Implementations and Standards
The capstone lecture in the course revisits the SDWAN application now that students have an expert level understanding in the components and functionality of typical SDWAN solutions, and understand the background and evolution of the technology initiatives that have now merged together. The lecture presents a number of user stories and scenarios and shows how SDWAN can provide significant benefits in terms of cost reduction, resiliency and address capacity constraints. A summary of popular SDWAN solutions is discussed, underscoring the challenges to open SDWAN interoperability due to the lack of standards and the proprietary nature of early products. The MEF 70 SDWAN standard – The industry’s first SDWAN standard, is dissected and explained so that students will have a detailed understanding of the developing “common language” of SDWAN componentry and functionality.
- • SDWAN Solution Architectures
- • MEF 70 The First SDWAN Standard
- • SDWAN Underlay Network Connectivity Services (UCS)
- • Service Delivery and Traffic Engineering – The SDWAN Edge
- • Virtual Tunnel/Path Selection
- • Survey of Popular Vendor SDWAN Approaches, Solutions and Products
- • Emerging Opportunities for Dynamic Service Delivery using SDWAN
SASE – Secure Access at the Service Edge
This “bonus” lecture, not yet covered on the MEF-SNCP or MEF-SDCP certifications, is provided to give students a look into the future of security solution being developed for the SDWAN environment. SDWAN, like other SDN and distributed networking solutions, introduces a number of security issues that need to be addressed. The emerging trend of SASE is discussed to show how a holistic, policy-based approach to security nicely complements an SDWAN deployment.
- • Adding Security to the SDWAN Solution
- • Understanding the components and requirements of the security portfolio
- • MEF SASE Standardization Efforts
- • Defining the User Story, Use Cases and Implementation Requirements
- • The Benefits of a Comprehensive, Policy-based Security Implementation
- • Emerging Opportunities for SASE Implementations
Impact: SDWAN Expertise is the Path to Success
The Academy’s SDWAN Boot Camp is the latest and most up-to-date, expert level SDWAN training program. The course provides a network-centric view to the underlying SDN, NFV and Orchestration technologies used to deliver an automated SDWAN application. The course goes well beyond simple exercises based on the Mininet SDN emulator. The Academy’s SDWAN Boot Camp explains the technologies and the solutions that will usher in the next generation of digital networks.
The course provides the depth and context necessary to understand the details of the technical aspects of the individual vendor solutions that you may be evaluating so you can make informed decisions as an SDWAN expert.
Upon completion of the SDWAN Expert Boot Camp course, students will be able to:
Module 1 : Software Defined Networking (SDN)
- • Describe the SDWAN architecture and the functionality of each of the components.
- • Understand common use cases for SDWAN, and select a specific solution to meet a given application scenario.
- • Have in-depth understanding of the technologies used in Software Defined Networking including SDN Architecture, Interfaces, and Implementation Models.
- • Know the functions and purpose of an SDN controller within the overall SDN architecture and be able to list the features and advantages of the marketing leading OpenDayLight SDN Controller.
- • Incorporate Non-OpenFlow capable devices using non-OpenFlow programmatic methods including NetConf/YANG or other protocol adapters and provisioning interfaces.
Module 2 – Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
- • Have an understanding of computer virtualization and be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of various virtualization techniques.
- • Be aware of the inter-process communication requirements and the potential for increased latency among virtualized applications, and suggest technologies and implementation strategies to mitigate excessive latency.
- • Describe the ETSI Network Function Virtualization standardization effort.
- • Describe the ETSI NFV model, functional blocks including Management and Orchestration (MANO) and list the important Reference Point / interfaces between functional components.
Module 3 – Orchestration
- • Understand the goals and potential benefits of network service provisioning automation or orchestration.
- • List the lifecycle service automation process and each step from design to termination.
- • Describe the landscape of current orchestration platforms and projects and be aware of the maturity and market take-up of the most popular.
Module 4 – SDWAN
- • Possess an in-depth knowledge of SDWAN solution architectures.
- • Understand the definitions and purpose of MEF 70 – The First SDWAN Standard.
- • Describe the differences in SDWAN Underlay Network Connectivity Services (UCS).
- • Understand the importance of Service Delivery and Traffic Engineering at the SDWAN Edge and how to specifiy appropriate Virtual Tunnel/Path Selection.
- • List emerging opportunities for dynamic WAN service selection.
Module 5 – Secure Access at the Service Edge
- • Understand the importance of securing the SDWAN Service Edge.
- • Understand the typical components and requirements of an effective security portfolio.
- • Describe the MEF SASE Standardization Efforts.
- • Be familiar with the popular User Stories, Use Cases and Implementation Requirements.
- • Describe the emerging opportunities for SASE-based security implementations.
Itinerary
SDWAN Expert Boot Camp – Part 1 SDN/NFV
SDN/NFV Preliminary Exam for MEF-SNCP Certification
SDWAN Expert Boot Camp – Part 2 SDWAN