Stop learning SD-Access only from theory. Learn how to design, deploy, troubleshoot and validate a complete Cisco SD-Access environment.

Cisco SD-Access is transforming the way enterprise networks are designed, automated, secured and managed. But understanding concepts such as Cisco DNA Center, VXLAN, LISP, Cisco TrustSec, VRFs, SGTs, SGACLs, ISE, fabric borders and SD-WAN integration is very different from actually working with them.

This SD-Access Course for CCIE Students is designed to take you through SD-Access step by step — from the fundamentals and underlay network to advanced fabric deployment, segmentation, troubleshooting and final certification preparation.

The course follows a practical, lab-focused approach, giving you the opportunity to work through real SD-Access configuration and troubleshooting scenarios rather than simply memorizing concepts.

Why Learn SD-Access?

Modern enterprise networks demand more than traditional device-by-device configuration.

With Cisco SD-Access, network teams can use automation, centralized management, policy-based segmentation and intelligent assurance to simplify large-scale network operations.

This course helps you understand the complete SD-Access architecture and, more importantly, how its major components work together:

Cisco DNA Center → Underlay → Overlay → Fabric → Policy → Segmentation → Border Handoff → Assurance → Troubleshooting

By the end of the training, you will have worked through the complete journey from an initial SD-Access setup to a full deployment and troubleshooting challenge.

What You Will Learn

Throughout the course, you will work with:

• Cisco SD-Access architecture and fundamentals
• Cisco DNA Center
• Underlay network configuration
• LAN Automation and Plug and Play
• Extended and Policy Extended Nodes
• LISP and BGP control plane
• VXLAN data plane
• Cisco TrustSec
• Fabric design and deployment
• Network hierarchy and address pools
• Virtual Networks and VRFs
• Network policies and ISE integration
• SD-Access APIs and automation
• Host onboarding and authentication
• Multi-site and remote border
• SD-WAN and MPLS integration
• Fabric border handoff
• Macro and micro segmentation
• SGTs and SGACLs
• Cisco DNA Assurance
• Traffic-flow analysis
• Advanced troubleshooting
• Migration from traditional networks
• Greenfield and brownfield deployment
• Complete SD-Access deployment
• CCIE-oriented practical tasks and exam preparation

Hands-On SD-Access Training

This is not designed as a purely theoretical networking course.

Hands-on labs are integrated throughout the syllabus, including underlay configuration, SD-Access fabric deployment, policy configuration, ISE integration, segmentation, border handoff, troubleshooting and full-environment deployment.

The final stage brings these skills together through practical SD-Access tasks including configuring a fabric from scratch, multi-tenant segmentation, secure host onboarding and SD-WAN border handoff.

Who Is This SD-Access Course For?

This course is particularly suitable for:

• CCIE students
• CCNP-level networking professionals
• Network engineers
• Cisco network administrators
• Enterprise network engineers
• Network automation engineers
• Infrastructure engineers
• Professionals preparing for advanced Cisco networking roles
• Engineers who want practical Cisco SD-Access experience

If you already understand traditional networking and want to move toward software-defined enterprise networking, automation, segmentation and Cisco SD-Access, this course gives you a structured path to do it.

What Makes This SD-Access Training Different?

Learn the Complete Architecture

Instead of studying individual technologies in isolation, you will understand how underlay, overlay, control plane, data plane, policy plane, DNA Center, ISE and fabric components work together.

Practice What You Learn

The syllabus includes hands-on labs throughout all four weeks, progressing from individual configurations to complete SD-Access deployment and troubleshooting.

Go Beyond Basic Configuration

The course progresses into advanced areas including multi-site deployment, border handoff, segmentation, assurance, analytics, migration and advanced troubleshooting.

Prepare for Real Network Scenarios

The final part of the course focuses on practical deployment and troubleshooting scenarios designed around the type of skills advanced networking engineers need.

Complete SD-Access Course Syllabus

Week 1: Basics & Setup

Day 1: Introduction to SD-Access

• What is SD-Access?
• Cisco DNA and its benefits
• Hands-On Lab: Exploring Cisco DNA Center GUI

Day 2: Underlay Network

• Manual setup vs. automation (LAN Automation, PnP)
• Device discovery & management
• Hands-On Lab: Configuring an underlay network manually & via LAN automation

Day 3: Extended Nodes & Connectivity

• Connecting devices (extended & policy extended nodes)
• Physical connections & reachability
• Hands-On Lab: Configuring extended nodes & validating reachability

Day 4: Overlay Network

• LISP, BGP (Control Plane)
• VXLAN (Data Plane)
• Cisco TrustSec (Policy Plane)
• Hands-On Lab: Configuring overlay with LISP & VXLAN

Day 5: Advanced Overlay Features

• L2 flooding, multicast & traffic flow
• Hands-On Lab: Traffic flow analysis in SD-Access

The first week establishes the SD-Access foundation, moving from architecture and Cisco DNA Center into underlay, extended nodes, overlay technologies and traffic-flow analysis.

Week 2: Fabric Design DNA Center

Day 6: Fabric Design

• Single-site, multi-site, and fabric-in-a-box models
• Hands-On Lab: Deploying a single-site SD-Access fabric

Day 7: Cisco DNA Center – Design

• Network hierarchy (branches, areas, buildings, floors)
• Address pools & VN segments
• Hands-On Lab: Configuring network hierarchy in DNA Center

Day 8: Cisco DNA Center – Policy & Provisioning

• Creating and applying network policies
• ISE integration for security
• Hands-On Lab: Configuring policies & ISE integration

Day 9: Cisco DNA Center – Configuration & API Configuring VRF, BGP, SVI (GUI-Based)

• Automation via APIs
• Hands-On Lab: Configuring VRF & BGP in DNA Center

Day 10: Fabric Deployment Basics

• Host onboarding, authentication, & port configuration
• Adding devices & setting border priorities
• Hands-On Lab: Onboarding hosts & setting authentication templates

Week 2 moves from design into actual fabric deployment, including DNA Center hierarchy, policies, ISE, VRF/BGP configuration, APIs and host onboarding.

Week 3: Advanced Features & Border Handoff

Day 11: Multi-Site & Remote Border

• Remote border configuration
• Connecting SD-WAN and MPLS
• Hands-on Lab: Configuring multi-site remote border

Day 12: Fabric Border Handoff

• Connecting SD-Access to other networks
• Fusion router & Layer 2 border handoff
• Hands-on Lab: Configuring & verifying fabric border handoff

Day 13: Segmentation in SD-Access

• Macro segmentation (Virtual Networks)
• Micro segmentation (SGTs & SGACLs)
• Hands-on Lab: Implementing segmentation with VN & SGTs

Day 14: Assurance & Analytics

• Using Cisco DNA Assurance for monitoring & insights
• AI-driven troubleshooting & analytics
• Hands-on Lab: Exploring DNA Assurance features

Day 15: Hands-On Lab Troubleshooting

• Using DNA Center’s Assurance Dashboard
• Traffic flow analysis & debugging
• Hands-on Lab: Simulating & resolving common network issues

Week 3 takes the training into advanced enterprise scenarios, including multi-site connectivity, border handoff, segmentation, assurance and troubleshooting.

Week 4: Deployment & Certification Prep

Day 16: Connecting SD-Access with External Networks

• BGP peering, SD-WAN, MPLS integration
• Hands-on Lab: Peering SD-Access with external networks

Day 17: Advanced Troubleshooting

• Common issues & debugging techniques
• Log analysis & device telemetry
• Hands-on Lab: Debugging SD-Access fabric issues

Day 18: Migration Strategies

• Moving from traditional networks to SD-Access
• Greenfield vs. brownfield deployments
• Hands-on Lab: Migrating an existing network to SD-Access

Day 19: Hands-On Lab Full Deployment

• Setting up SD-Access from start to finish
• Validating configurations & policies
• Hands-on Lab: Deploying a complete SD-Access environment

Day 20: Final Review & Exam Prep

Practical Tasks:

• Configure an entire SD-Access Fabric from scratch.
• Set up Multi-Tenant Fabric with VRFs and Segmentation.
• Implement Secure Host Onboarding with ISE.
• Deploy SD-Access with Border Handoff to SD-WAN.

The final week focuses on external connectivity, advanced troubleshooting, migration, complete deployment and practical exam preparation.

Final Practical Skills

• Troubleshoot common SD-Access deployment issues.
• Analyze traffic flow and packet captures in SD-Access fabric.
• Validate VXLAN, LISP, and Policy-Based Routing.
• Implement Multi-Site SD-Access and validate connectivity.

Q&A Session:

• Discussion on real-world SD-Access deployment challenges.
• Common troubleshooting scenarios and best practices.
• Open Q&A for doubts and additional concepts review.
• Feedback and certification exam preparation tips.
• Hands-on Lab: Final SD-Access Deployment & Troubleshooting Challenge

The syllabus concludes with a final deployment and troubleshooting challenge alongside Q&A and certification preparation.

Your SD-Access Journey

Week 1: Understand the foundation
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Week 2: Design and deploy the fabric
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Week 3: Master advanced features and segmentation
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Week 4: Troubleshoot, integrate, migrate and deploy
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Final Challenge: Build and troubleshoot SD-Access end-to-end

Don’t Just Prepare for the Exam. Build the Skills.

If your goal is to become confident with Cisco SD-Access, DNA Center, VXLAN, LISP, TrustSec, ISE, segmentation, fabric deployment and troubleshooting, this course is designed to take you through the technologies in a structured, hands-on progression.

Learn the architecture. Configure the fabric. Troubleshoot the problems. Build the confidence to work with SD-Access in real enterprise scenarios.

Start Your SD-Access Training Journey Today.