Catalyst Center (formerly DNAC) and SD-Access Training (SDAINT)

Unlock seamless network automation and security with Cisco's advanced SD-Access and Catalyst Center training, designed for IT professionals seeking mastery in network infrastructure management.

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Essential Skills Gained

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Understand Cisco’s SD-Access concepts, features, and benefits.

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Differentiate the building blocks of the SD-Access Solution.

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Explain the 'Fabric' concept and node types within SD-Access.

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Understand the role of Catalyst Center as a solution orchestrator.

Format

  • Instructor-led
  • 2 days with lectures and hands-on labs.

Audience

  • Network Administrators
  • Network Architects
  • Network Engineers
  • IT Security Professionals

Description

Introduction to Cisco SD-Access and Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center) offer Cisco’s next-generation programmable digital network to help automate common network access security features and streamline the redundant, complex configuration required to allow different groups of users access to the network infrastructure. This 2-day network security training course allows network administrators to quickly allow differentiated access for end users on the network while allowing the network to react automatically to day zero and other types of attacks using integration with Cisco ISE for Policy Enforcement with Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center). The course qualified for 21 Cisco Continuing Education Credits (CE).

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Upcoming Course Dates

August 4-5, 2025

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Virtual: Online - America/Los_Angeles

Enroll

$2495

September 29-30, 2025

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Virtual: Online - America/Los_Angeles

Enroll

$2495

October 27-28, 2025

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Virtual: Online - America/Los_Angeles

Enroll

$2495

Course Outline

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Module 1: Introduction to Cisco’s Software Defined Access (SD-Access)

  1. Software Defined Access (SDA) Overview

  2. SD-Access Benefits

  3. SD-Access Key Concepts

  4. SD-Access Main Components

    1. Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Controller)

    2. NDP (Analytics and Assurance)

Module 2: SD-Access Campus Fabric

  1. SD-Access Campus Fabric Overview

  2. Key Components

    1. Control Plane Based on LISP

    2. Data Plane Based on VXLAN

    3. Policy Plane Based on CTS

  3. Cisco SD-Access Platform Support

    1. Fabric Edge Node

    2. Fabric Control Plane

    3. Fabric Border Node

    4. Fabric Extended Node

  4. Fabric-Enabled WLAN

  5. Cisco SD-Access Scaling Considerations

Module 3: Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center) and Workflow for SD-Access

  1. Cisco Catalyst/DNA Center Automation Overview

  2. Workflow for SD-Access in Catalyst Center

  3. Integration with Cisco ISE for Policy Enforcement

  4. Integration with Cisco NDP for Analytics and Assurance

Module 4: Catalyst/DNA Center Workflow First Step – Design

  1. Catalyst / DNA Center Workflow Design Overview

  2. Creating Enterprise and Sites Hierarchy

  3. Discuss and Demonstrate General Network Settings

  4. Loading Maps into the GUI

  5. IP Address Administration

  6. Administering Software Images

  7. Network Device Profiles

  8. Underlay Automation

  9. Network Planning

  10. Underlay Network Design

Module 5: Catalyst/DNA Center Workflow Second Step – Policy

  1. Cisco Catalyst/DNA Center Policy Overview

  2. 2-Level Hierarchy

    1. Macro Level: Virtual Network (VN)

    2. Micro Level: Scalable Groups (SG)

  3. Policy Types

    1. Access Policy

    2. Access Control Policy

    3. Traffic Copy Policy

    4. Access Controls Based on Group-Based Policies

  4. ISE Integration with Catalyst/DNA Center

  5. Cross Domain Policies

Module 6: Catalyst/DNA Center Workflow Third Step – Provision

  1. Catalyst/ DNA Center Provision Overview

  2. Device Onboarding

  3. Underlay Network Provisioning

  4. Fabric Domains

  5. Adding Nodes

Module 7: DNA Center Workflow Fourth Step – Assurance

  1. Introduction to Analytics

  2. NDP Fundamentals

  3. Overview of Catalyst/ DNA Assurance

  4. Assurance within SD-Access

  5. Assurance Use Cases

  6. DNA Center Assurance Dashboard

  7. Understand Assurance Health Scores

Module 8: Implementing WLAN in SD-Access Solution

  1. WLAN Integration Strategies in SD-Access Fabric

  2. SD-Access Wireless Architecture

  3. Sample Design for SD-Access Wireless

    1. Guest Design Options

Module 9: Campus Fabric External Connectivity for SD-Access

  1. Enterprise Sample Topology for SD-Access

  2. Cisco SD-Access Border

    1. SD-Access Border

    2. SD-Access Default Border

  3. Single Border vs. Multiple Border Designs

  4. Collocated vs. Distributed Border and Control Plane Nodes

    1. Use Case 1: Border with Collocated Control Plane Node

    2. Use Case 2: Border with Distributed Control Plane Node

    3. FiaB Deployment

  5. Cisco SD-Access Distributed Campus

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