Mastering Networking, SDN & SD-WAN: From CCNA Fundamentals to Advanced Cisco Labs

This course is designed to take you from networking fundamentals (CCNA level) through professional networking concepts (CCNP level) and into the world of next-generation networking with SDN and SD-WAN.
You will learn traditional routing & switching, explore advanced enterprise networking topics, and then transition to Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN) using hands-on labs in EVE-NG and VMware environments.

By the end of this course, you will not only master Cisco networking fundamentals, but also be able to design, configure, and deploy SDN and SD-WAN architectures for enterprise-grade networks.

What You Will Learn

Networking Fundamentals (CCNA level)

• OSI & TCP/IP Models

• IPv4 & IPv6 Addressing, Subnetting

• Routing Protocols: RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP

• Switching: VLANs, STP, EtherChannel, VTP

• NAT, ACLs, DHCP, DNS

• WAN Technologies (MPLS, Frame Relay, Metro Ethernet)

  Advanced Networking Concepts (CCNP level)

  • Advanced OSPF & EIGRP Design

  • BGP Implementation & Path Selection

  • QoS & Network Optimization

  • MPLS Layer 3 VPNs

  • IP Services & IP Security

  • Network Troubleshooting & Monitoring

• Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

  • Introduction to SDN Concepts & Architectures

  • Control Plane vs Data Plane Separation

  • Centralized Controller Design (OpenFlow, Cisco APIC, ONOS, OpenDaylight)

  • Network Automation & Programmability (Python/Ansible basics)

• Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN)

  • Cisco SD-WAN Components (vManage, vBond, vSmart, Edge)

  • SD-WAN Underlay vs Overlay

  • Device Onboarding & Certificates (vManage, vBond, vSmart)

  • Control, Management, and Data Plane Functions

  • SD-WAN Policies, Templates, and Monitoring

  • Hands-On SD-WAN Lab using Cisco Images in EVE-NG

• Objectives:

  By the end of this course, you will:

  • Master CCNA-level networking fundamentals.

  • Gain strong CCNP-level professional networking knowledge.

  • Understand and configure Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controllers.

  • Deploy and monitor a Cisco SD-WAN lab in EVE-NG.

  • Learn how to integrate traditional networking with modern SDN/SD-WAN technologies.

  • Be fully prepared for real-world network engineering, cloud, and security roles.