Cisco SD-Access is one of the key components of Cisco’s digital network architecture, which enables the transition to intent-based data networking and brings an unprecedented level of visibility and control.
According to an IDC analysis*,companies using Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) can achieve:
- reduction of the unplanned network downtime risk by up to 86%;
- 67% increase of speed of installation of new network equipment;
- 49% improvement in the productivity of network administrators;
- a reduction of the risks of application quality degradation by 41%.
These are attractive results for any company that wants to optimize network management and improve its security through the unified application of access policies. To further understand these benefits, Datanet Systems recently organized the webinar „Streamlining operations and extensive network-wide security with Cisco SD-Access“, during which there were presented the solution’s structure as well as several common work scenarios.
The article summarizes these work scenarios, which can be viewed in the webinar recording below.
6 common work scenarios for Cisco SD-Access
The work scenarios presented by Andrei Iacoboaiea, Enterprise Network Security consultant at Datanet Systems, were structured on a series of common problems faced by companies, such as:
Mobile user management. The Cisco solution facilitates the implementation and administration of wireless networks by: • reducing the time and effort required for the planning and design processes of the network, equipment configuration, and the integration of fixed with wireless networks; • defining and unitary application of access policies; • the use of an intelligent engine for detecting and fixing network problems.
Dedicated networks for visitor access. Cisco SD-Access enables the rapid set-up of a separate network, completely isolated from the company’s internal network, through which visitors and temporary users can be protected from both Internet threats and internal users. Using Datanet’s recommended solution, administrators can centrally create and apply specific policies to block communications between connected devices and other networks, reuse existing policies, and extend the virtual network to other physical locations.
Internet of Things equipment integration. Cisco SD-Access simplifies the processes of enrolment, network integration, and security of IoT equipment by: • segmenting the network, • applying centralized access and security policies; • using AI capabilities to carry out troubleshooting processes. The Cisco solution ensures the reduction of the time required to plan and install the infrastructures required to host IoT equipment, as well as the operational effort of administration and support.
Integration of multiple work points, branches, or subsidiaries. By creating a virtual network (fabric) over the existing physical connections, the Cisco SD-Access solution simplifies the addressing process by allocating large subnets, from which all the equipment in the Fabric can take their IPs, and by using gateways of type unicast. This solution, recommended by Datanet, eliminates the need to create dedicated departmental VLANs and assign subnets for each branch.
Monitoring and troubleshooting. By integrating with Cisco Assurance, SD-Access acts as a centralizer of data, collected from multiple network sources, facilitating the identification of various issues without the need for manual interventions. Companies thus achieve a reduction in the number of reported incidents and a decrease in resolution time, without the need to use multiple monitoring and reporting applications.
The use-cases presentation was followed by a short demonstration during which the Datanet specialist showed how Cisco SD-Access is used for network segmentation, detailing key aspects such as: creating virtual networks, defining specific access policies (contracts), analyzing the activity of user groups, and how applications communicate, etc.
The Cisco SD-Access demo as well as the use-case scenarios presentation can be viewed below:
For additional technical information about the Cisco SD-Access solution, as well as about the full range of services provided by Datanet Systems, you can contact us at the email address sales@datanets.ro.
Also, for more details about the benefits and mode of operation of Cisco SD-Access, you can also access the following materials prepared by Datanet specialists:
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