Top Things to Know Before Starting SD-WAN Training

Introduction

If you're planning to begin your journey with SDWAN Training, there are a few important things to understand before getting started. SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Networking, is transforming how organizations manage and optimize their networks. Instead of relying only on traditional WAN methods, SD-WAN provides more flexibility, better performance, and greater control using software-based tools.

This blog is written to help you understand the essential things you should know before enrolling in an SDWAN course. Having a clear foundation will make your learning process easier and more effective.

1. Understand the Basics of SD-WAN

SD-WAN is a modern networking technology that uses software to control how data moves between different branch offices, data centers, and the cloud. It supports various connection types like MPLS, broadband internet, and LTE, allowing better bandwidth usage and cost control.

Before starting your SDWAN training, you should have a basic idea of how SD-WAN works. It focuses on centralized management, dynamic path selection, and application-level routing. Understanding these key points will make it easier to follow along during training.

2. Networking Fundamentals Are Important

To learn SD-WAN effectively, a solid understanding of basic networking concepts is required. This includes:

• IP addressing and subnetting

• Routing protocols like OSPF and BGP

• Switching basics

• VPN technologies

• Basic network security concepts

If you are new to networking, it may be helpful to review these topics before enrolling in an SDWAN course. Many training programs assume you already have this background knowledge.

3. Challenges of Traditional WAN

One reason SD-WAN is gaining popularity is that it solves many issues found in traditional WANs. In older systems, MPLS connections were expensive and difficult to scale. Network performance was also often poor when using cloud-based applications.

Knowing these challenges helps you understand the purpose and advantages of SD-WAN. This context is useful while going through SDWAN training, especially when learning about real-world use cases.

4. Cloud and SaaS Awareness Helps

SD-WAN works best when combined with cloud services. Many companies use applications like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce. SD-WAN improves access to these services by providing intelligent routing and prioritization.

Before beginning your training, it’s helpful to understand how cloud and SaaS (Software as a Service) applications work in a business environment. This knowledge will help you understand how SD-WAN supports modern networks.

5. Know About Different SD-WAN Vendors

• Multiple well-known vendors offer SD-WAN solutions, including:

• **Cisco (Viptela and Meraki)

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• **VMware (VeloCloud)

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• **Fortinet (FortiGate Secure SD-WAN)

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• **Palo Alto Networks (Prisma SD-WAN)

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• Each vendor has its own:

• Configuration style

• Management interface

• Set of features and tools

• Licensing and deployment model

• When choosing an SDWAN course, consider:

• Whether it focuses on general SD-WAN concepts or vendor-specific training

• Which vendor solution is most relevant to your job or organization

• If hands-on labs or demos are included for that specific platform

Understanding the differences between these solutions helps you make better decisions and align your learning with career or business goals.

6. Hands-On Learning Is Very Important

Learning SD-WAN involves more than reading and watching videos. You should get hands-on experience using tools and interfaces. Many training programs provide lab environments or simulation tools where you can practice configuring SD-WAN policies and routes.

Hands-on practice will help you understand the real-life tasks that network engineers perform and make your SDWAN training more practical.

7. Career Roles and Job Relevance

While this post is informational, it’s still important to know where SD-WAN fits in today’s IT world. Professionals trained in SD-WAN often work in roles such as:

• Network Engineer

• Network Operations Analyst

• WAN Administrator

• Cloud Network Specialist

Knowing these roles helps you focus on the right skills during your SDWAN course, especially if you plan to work in a networking or infrastructure team.

Conclusion

Before starting SDWAN certification training, it’s important to have a basic understanding of networking, cloud services, and the challenges of traditional WAN environments. Preparing yourself with these fundamentals will make your training journey more successful and less confusing.

Whether you are learning for personal knowledge or job preparation, knowing what to expect from an SDWAN course gives you a clear advantage. SD-WAN is becoming a standard in enterprise networking, and with the right preparation, you’ll be ready to understand and work with this technology effectively.