Explain how SD-WAN separates routing policy from underlying transport using an overlay and controller.
Information & Communications Technology
Software-Defined Wide Area Network Design and Carrier Selection
Design a transport-independent SD-WAN overlay and run a structured carrier selection process, from application-aware routing policy through circuit diversity, SLA negotiation and cost comparison.
🗓️Duration5 training days
📚Content4 modules · 8 sessions
🎓On completionAccredited attendance certificate
About the programme
Course Overview
Wide area network teams are increasingly asked to support cloud applications directly from branch offices while still meeting the performance guarantees that used to depend entirely on a single MPLS circuit. Software-defined wide area networking answers this by separating routing policy from the underlying transport, so broadband, LTE, 5G and MPLS links can be combined and chosen per application in real time. This course covers the overlay and controller architecture behind SD-WAN, designing application-aware routing policy driven by business intent rather than static routes, and monitoring per-path jitter, latency and loss to steer traffic before users notice degradation. A significant part of the course is carrier selection: running a structured request-for-proposal process, comparing last-mile diversity and contract terms across providers, and building a total-cost comparison between MPLS and broadband-based transport. Participants finish with a transport and policy design plus a carrier evaluation scorecard that a procurement team can use to negotiate service level agreements with confidence.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Design application-aware routing policies that select a path based on business priority.
Combine MPLS, broadband, LTE and satellite transport into a resilient multi-path design.
Configure per-path SLA monitoring for jitter, latency and loss to drive dynamic path selection.
Run a structured carrier selection process including a request for proposal and scorecard.
Compare total cost of ownership between MPLS and broadband-based SD-WAN transport options.
Negotiate service level agreements and contract terms that reflect real last-mile diversity.
Who Should Attend
Network architects designing a wide area network refresh or SD-WAN migration.
IT managers responsible for selecting and negotiating with WAN carriers.
Network engineers configuring application routing policy on an SD-WAN overlay.
Procurement specialists running circuit and carrier tenders for network services.
Infrastructure teams consolidating branch connectivity across multiple providers.
Consultants advising organisations on WAN transport and carrier strategy.
Course Modules
Select any module to see its sessions and points.
01SD-WAN Architecture and Transport Options
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Overlay, Underlay and Controller Architecture
- Explain how the overlay routing plane and underlying transport work together in an SD-WAN design.
- Describe the role of a central controller or orchestrator in distributing policy to edge devices.
- Compare zero-touch provisioning against manual configuration for rolling out branch edge devices.
- Map a hybrid transport design that mixes MPLS, broadband, LTE, 5G and satellite links.
Session 2Transport Selection and Site Requirements
- Assess bandwidth, latency and reliability requirements per site before selecting a transport mix.
- Decide where a single broadband circuit is sufficient and where dual-carrier diversity is required.
- Plan direct internet access breakout for cloud and software-as-a-service traffic at the branch.
- Size circuits using current and projected application demand rather than historical usage alone.
02Application-Aware Routing and Performance
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Business Policy and Application-Aware Routing
- Translate business priorities into routing policies that classify and steer application traffic.
- Configure path preference rules for real-time, business-critical and best-effort traffic classes.
- Apply forward error correction and packet duplication to protect sensitive traffic on lossy links.
- Design failover behaviour so a degraded path is abandoned before users notice a problem.
Session 2SLA Monitoring and Dynamic Path Selection
- Configure active probing that measures jitter, latency and packet loss on every available path.
- Set thresholds that trigger dynamic path selection before quality drops below an application's needs.
- Build dashboards that show path health and policy decisions to network operations staff.
- Investigate a reported performance issue using per-path telemetry rather than guesswork.
03Carrier Selection and Contract Negotiation
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Running a Structured Carrier Evaluation
- Define evaluation criteria covering coverage, resilience, support and price before contacting carriers.
- Write and issue a request for proposal that lets carriers be compared on equal terms.
- Score carrier responses against weighted criteria to produce a defensible shortlist.
- Verify last-mile diversity claims so two circuits do not share a single point of failure.
Session 2Service Levels, Contracts and Cost Comparison
- Negotiate service level agreements that specify measurable latency, jitter and availability targets.
- Compare contract term length, early termination costs and installation lead times across bids.
- Build a total cost of ownership model comparing MPLS and broadband-based transport over its term.
- Plan remedies and credits for a carrier that fails to meet its agreed service levels.
04Migration, Security and Operations
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Migrating from Legacy WAN to SD-WAN
- Sequence a site-by-site migration that keeps a fallback path available during cutover.
- Coordinate carrier installation timelines with the SD-WAN deployment schedule per site.
- Validate application performance at each migrated site against its pre-migration baseline.
- Decommission legacy circuits only after a defined stability period on the new transport.
Session 2Ongoing Operations and Secure Access Convergence
- Monitor transport and policy performance continuously rather than only during initial rollout.
- Plan convergence with cloud-delivered security services as WAN and security architectures merge.
- Review carrier performance against contracted service levels at regular intervals.
- Update routing policy as new applications and sites are added to the network.
What the participant receives
4 course modules
A structured syllabus
8 training sessions
across 5 days
32 detailed points
Applied, detailed content
Accredited attendance certificate
On completing the programme
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