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SD-WAN or MPLS? Software-Defined WAN: Fundamental Concepts!!
Rating: 4.9 out of 5(15 ratings)
575 students

SD-WAN or MPLS? Software-Defined WAN: Fundamental Concepts!!

SDN Network Infrastructure Security HA Foundational SD-WAN knowledge covering architecture control and business benefits
Created byMana Dowlatshahi Yeganeh
Last updated 3/2026
English
English [Auto],

What you'll learn

  • SD-WAN or MPLS?
  • Software-Defined WAN
  • Fundamental Concepts!!
  • Network Infrastructure Security HA:: Foundational SD-WAN knowledge covering architecture, control, and business benefits

Course content

3 sections • 17 lectures • 17h 31m total length

  • 01 Why SD WAN Exists Understanding the Foundations of WAN Connectivity6:06

    Explore how SD-WAN replaces costly MPLS with flexible internet connectivity, improving branch office and cloud performance by addressing latency, bandwidth, jitter, and packet loss.

  • 02 What Is SD WAN Understanding the Future of Wide Area Networks6:29

    Sd-wan uses software-defined networking to create smart, flexible wide area networks with centralized control and automated policy across mpls, broadband, and lte, enabling agile, cost-efficient, secure connectivity.

  • 03 Why SD WAN Is Important Solving Todays WAN Challenges6:16

    Discover how sd-wan replaces costly legacy mpls with affordable broadband, enabling direct cloud access, application-aware routing, and centralized management for faster, more reliable deployments.

  • 04 Where SD WAN Is Used Key Use Cases and Deployment Models6:31

    Explore how SD-WAN enables cost savings, security, and optimized performance across on-premises, cloud-based, and hybrid deployments, with direct cloud access for branches and remote workers.

  • 05 How SD WAN Works A High Level Overview6:01

    Understand how sd-wan uses edge devices, a central controller, and automation to dynamically route traffic through application-aware policies for reliable, cloud-first connectivity.

  • 06 Technologies Used in SD WAN What They Are and What They Do6:27

    Explore virtualization and SDN foundations powering SD-WAN, including edge devices, centralized controllers, and overlay IPsec tunnels. Learn how dynamic routing, cloud integration, and secure connections transform enterprise connectivity.

  • 07 Security in SD WAN A Basic Understanding6:00

    Explore how SD-WAN acts as an intelligent traffic controller, securing data with IPsec and AES 256 encryption. See how zero trust, next-gen firewalls, and micro-segmentation enable direct protected cloud access.

  • 08 Protocols Used in SD WAN Recognizing Names and Purposes6:14

    Explore the essential protocols behind software-defined wide area networks, including IP, TCP, UDP, IPsec, GRE, VXLAN, BGP, and DNS, and how they enable secure, centralized routing.

  • 09 SD WAN vs Other Technologies Navigating Modern Network Choices6:27

    Compare SD-WAN with MPLS, VPN, and traditional routing in a cloud-first enterprise. Learn how application-aware routing and integrated security deliver cost savings and scalable performance.

  • 10 Vendors and Market Awareness Popular SD WAN Providers in 20256:06

    Explore the sd-wan provider landscape, highlighting Cisco, VMware Velocloud, Fortinet, and Aruba Silver Peak, and how AI-powered, zero-trust, cloud-ready solutions deliver secure, unified, high-performance networks.

  • 11 What You Should Learn Next6:27

    Identify your next learning steps beyond the basics, mastering cloud networking, SD-WAN, and zero-trust security to enable secure, scalable multi-cloud transformations.

Requirements

  • This course is designed to be accessible to IT professionals, network engineers, system administrators, and cloud engineers who want to build foundational knowledge of SD-WAN without engaging in hands-on labs, coding, or configuration. No prior experience with SD-WAN is required, making it ideal for beginners or professionals transitioning into networking or cloud roles. A basic understanding of computer networks, IP addressing, routing, and common network devices is helpful but not mandatory. Familiarity with enterprise IT concepts such as data centers, cloud services, and business-critical applications will enhance comprehension, but the course is structured to explain all key concepts from the ground up. Learners should be comfortable with conceptual thinking and able to follow discussions on network architecture, traffic flow, and high-level management principles. Access to a device with internet connectivity is sufficient, as the course focuses on theory, architecture, use cases, and business benefits rather than practical configuration. Motivation to understand how modern WANs operate, why SD-WAN matters in cloud-first environments, and how it improves network performance, agility, and security will ensure participants gain maximum value from the course.

Description


Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) has become a foundational technology for modern enterprise networking, driven by cloud adoption, remote work, and application-centric network design. This course introduces the fundamental concepts behind SD-WAN, explaining what it is, how it works at a high level, and why it represents a major shift from traditional WAN architectures. The focus is on understanding concepts and principles rather than configuration, coding, or vendor-specific implementations.

The course explains why SD-WAN is important in today’s IT environments. Traditional WAN models struggle with scalability, cost, cloud performance, and operational complexity. SD-WAN addresses these challenges by separating the control plane from the data plane, enabling centralized management, dynamic path selection, and improved application performance. Learners will gain insight into how SD-WAN supports cloud-first strategies, SaaS applications, and distributed workforces.

Key advantages of SD-WAN are explored, including improved network agility, better application visibility, enhanced performance over multiple transport types, increased resilience, and simplified operations. The course also discusses how SD-WAN improves security integration and business continuity while reducing dependency on expensive legacy circuits. These benefits are presented from both technical and business perspectives to build well-rounded understanding.

This course is designed for network engineers, system engineers, cloud engineers, IT professionals, and technology decision-makers who want a strong conceptual foundation in SD-WAN. It is also suitable for students and professionals transitioning into networking or cloud roles who need general knowledge without hands-on labs or configuration complexity.

By the end of the course, learners will understand why SD-WAN is a critical component of modern network design and how it fits into broader IT and cloud architectures. The course also looks ahead to the future of SD-WAN, including its role in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), zero-trust networking, automation, and AI-driven network operations. This forward-looking perspective helps learners prepare for evolving enterprise networking trends and long-term career relevance.



Who this course is for:

  • Network Engineers: Gain a foundational understanding of SD-WAN architecture, traffic management, and benefits without needing hands-on configuration. This knowledge helps plan and discuss modern WAN strategies with stakeholders and prepares for future SD-WAN or SASE implementations.
  • System & Cloud Engineers: Learn how SD-WAN integrates with cloud services, SaaS applications, and hybrid IT environments. Understanding the concepts helps optimize application performance, ensure reliable connectivity, and support cloud-first initiatives.
  • IT Managers & Decision-Makers: Understand SD-WAN’s business impact, cost advantages, and operational benefits. This knowledge supports informed decision-making, vendor evaluation, and strategic network planning.
  • Students & IT Professionals Transitioning Roles: Build conceptual knowledge of modern networking trends and SD-WAN fundamentals, creating a strong foundation for career growth in networking, cloud, or security fields.

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