Top 25 SD-WAN Interview Questions and Answers – 2023

The rapid pace of digital transformation is causing organizations of all sizes to rethink their networking and security strategies. With the emergence of Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN), organizations can now reap the benefits of greater flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. If you’re preparing for a job interview for an SD-WAN role, you’ll want to be thoroughly prepared to answer any questions your potential employer may ask you.

To help you get ready, we’ve compiled a list of the top 25 SD-WAN interview questions and answers. This list covers the most common questions asked in SD-WAN interviews, including topics such as SD-WAN architecture, deployment strategies, challenges, and common use cases. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced SD-WAN professional, these questions and answers will help you stand out from the crowd and nail your next SD-WAN interview.

If you’re looking for an edge in your next SD-WAN job interview, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn the top 25 SD-WAN interview questions and answers and ace your next job interview.

Top 25 SD-WAN Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN (Software-Defined WAN) is a type of network architecture that enables businesses to manage their wide area network (WAN) connections more efficiently. It is an overlay network that uses software-defined networking (SDN) to provide better visibility, control, and optimization of network traffic. SD-WAN is designed to reduce the cost, complexity, and overhead associated with traditional WAN solutions while improving performance and reliability.

2. What advantages does SD-WAN provide over traditional WAN?

SD-WAN provides several advantages over traditional WANs, including increased flexibility, scalability, and improved network performance. SD-WAN can use multiple types of connections, such as MPLS, broadband, and LTE, to provide a more resilient and reliable connection. Additionally, SD-WAN allows businesses to quickly scale their networks as needed and prioritize network traffic to ensure that applications and services remain available.

3. What are the components of a typical SD-WAN architecture?

The components of a typical SD-WAN architecture include the WAN edge devices, which are responsible for connecting the SD-WAN overlay network to the underlying physical WAN; the SD-WAN controller, which is responsible for managing the underlying WAN connections and providing visibility and control over the network; and the SD-WAN applications, which enable businesses to take advantage of the features offered by the SD-WAN solution.

4. What is the process of deploying an SD-WAN solution?

Deploying an SD-WAN solution typically involves identifying the existing WAN infrastructure, assessing the requirements of the organization, selecting the appropriate SD-WAN solution, installing and configuring the SD-WAN components, and testing the solution for performance and reliability.

5. What are the benefits of using SD-WAN?

The benefits of using SD-WAN include improved network performance, increased scalability and flexibility, cost savings, improved reliability, and enhanced security. Additionally, SD-WAN can be used to improve the visibility and control of network traffic, enabling businesses to prioritize and optimize their network traffic.

6. How does SD-WAN compare to traditional WAN technologies?

SD-WAN provides several advantages over traditional WAN technologies, including improved performance, scalability, availability, and flexibility. Traditional WANs are typically limited to MPLS connections, which are expensive and inflexible. In contrast, SD-WAN can use multiple types of connections, such as broadband, LTE, and satellite, to provide a more resilient and reliable connection. Additionally, SD-WAN allows businesses to quickly scale their networks as needed and prioritize network traffic to ensure that applications and services remain available.

7. What are the main use cases for SD-WAN?

SD-WAN is used in a variety of scenarios, including branch office connectivity, cloud applications, disaster recovery and business continuity, and remote access. Additionally, SD-WAN can be used to optimize traffic across multiple locations and to improve visibility and control over the network.

8. How does SD-WAN improve security?

SD-WAN can improve security by using encryption to protect data in transit and by providing the ability to apply security policies to traffic. Additionally, SD-WAN can provide better visibility into the network and alert administrators to suspicious activity.

9. What is the advantage of using SD-WAN for cloud applications?

Using SD-WAN for cloud applications can provide improved performance and reliability, as well as reduced latency and cost savings. Additionally, SD-WAN can provide better visibility and control over the network traffic, enabling businesses to prioritize and optimize their traffic for cloud applications.

10. How does SD-WAN work in an MPLS network?

SD-WAN can be used in an MPLS network by utilizing the existing WAN infrastructure. The SD-WAN overlay network can be used to establish secure tunnels over the MPLS network and to provide visibility and control over the network traffic. Additionally, SD-WAN can be used to prioritize and optimize network traffic to ensure that applications and services remain available.

11. What are the differences between SD-WAN and SDN?

SD-WAN and SDN (Software-Defined Networking) are both technologies that use software-defined networking to provide better visibility, control, and optimization of network traffic. The main difference between SD-WAN and SDN is that SD-WAN is focused on improving the performance and reliability of wide area networks, whereas SDN is focused on improving the visibility, control, and scalability of local area networks.

12. What are the key features of an SD-WAN solution?

The key features of an SD-WAN solution include the ability to dynamically route traffic based on application and user requirements, the ability to prioritize network traffic to ensure that applications and services remain available, the ability to combine multiple types of WAN connections, and the ability to monitor and control network traffic.

13. What is the role of the controller in an SD-WAN deployment?

The controller is responsible for managing the underlying WAN connections and providing visibility and control over the network traffic. The controller is used to configure the SD-WAN overlay network, apply security policies, and monitor the performance of the network.

14. What are the key components of an SD-WAN deployment?

The key components of an SD-WAN deployment include the WAN edge devices, which are responsible for connecting the SD-WAN overlay network to the underlying physical WAN; the SD-WAN controller, which is responsible for managing the underlying WAN connections and providing visibility and control over the network; and the SD-WAN applications, which enable businesses to take advantage of the features offered by the SD-WAN solution.

15. What is the difference between an SD-WAN overlay network and a traditional WAN?

An SD-WAN overlay network is a software-defined network that is used to provide better visibility, control, and optimization of network traffic. It is typically used to combine multiple types of WAN connections, such as MPLS, broadband, and LTE, to provide a more resilient and reliable connection. In contrast, a traditional WAN is typically limited to MPLS connections, which are expensive and inflexible.

16. How does SD-WAN optimize network traffic?

SD-WAN optimizes network traffic by dynamically routing traffic based on application and user requirements and by providing the ability to prioritize network traffic to ensure that applications and services remain available. Additionally, SD-WAN can provide better visibility and control over the network traffic, enabling businesses to optimize their traffic for specific applications or users.

17. What are the benefits of a managed SD-WAN service?

The benefits of a managed SD-WAN service include cost savings, improved performance and reliability, and enhanced security. Additionally, a managed SD-WAN service provides businesses with the expertise and resources to more quickly and effectively deploy, manage, and maintain their SD-WAN solutions.

18. How does SD-WAN simplify network management?

SD-WAN simplifies network management by providing improved visibility and control over the network traffic, enabling businesses to more quickly and effectively prioritize and optimize their traffic. Additionally, SD-WAN can reduce the need for manual configuration of the underlying WAN connections, making it easier to manage and maintain the network.

19. What are the different types of SD-WAN solutions?

The different types of SD-WAN solutions include self-managed SD-WAN, managed SD-WAN, cloud-managed SD-WAN, and hybrid SD-WAN. Each of these solutions provides different levels of visibility, control, and optimization of network traffic.

20. What technologies are used in an SD-WAN infrastructure?

The technologies used in an SD-WAN infrastructure include WAN edge devices, which are responsible for connecting the SD-WAN overlay network to the underlying physical WAN; the SD-WAN controller, which is responsible for managing the underlying WAN connections and providing visibility and control over the network; and the SD-WAN applications, which enable businesses to take advantage of the features offered by the SD-WAN solution.

21. What challenges can be encountered when deploying an SD-WAN solution?

The main challenge encountered when deploying an SD-WAN solution is the complexity of the underlying WAN infrastructure, which can make it difficult to configure and manage the SD-WAN solution. Additionally, it can be difficult to ensure that the SD-WAN solution is providing the desired performance and reliability.

22. What are the benefits of using a virtual appliance for SD-WAN?

The benefits of using a virtual appliance for SD-WAN include improved scalability and flexibility, cost savings, and improved performance and reliability. Additionally, virtual appliances can provide better visibility and control over the network traffic, enabling businesses to prioritize and optimize their traffic for specific applications or users.

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23. What are the benefits of using SD-WAN for branch offices?

The benefits of using SD-WAN for branch offices include improved performance and reliability, increased scalability and flexibility, cost savings, and enhanced security. Additionally, SD-WAN can provide better visibility and control over the network traffic, enabling businesses to prioritize and optimize their traffic to ensure that applications and services remain available.

24. How does SD-WAN simplify remote access to corporate networks?

SD-WAN simplifies remote access to corporate networks by providing secure, encrypted connections and by providing the ability to apply security policies to traffic. Additionally, SD-WAN can provide better visibility into the network and alert administrators to suspicious activity.

25. What are the best practices for designing an SD-WAN deployment?

The best practices for designing an SD-WAN deployment include assessing the current network infrastructure, identifying the requirements of the organization, selecting the appropriate SD-WAN solution, deploying and configuring the solution, and monitoring and managing the SD-WAN solution. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the solution is providing the desired performance and reliability.

Tips on Preparing for a SD-WAN Interview:

1. Research the company and learn about their current SD-WAN setup. Understanding the company’s current network setup will help you better answer questions during the interview.
2. Understand the core functions of a SD-WAN. Knowing the basic functions of a SD-WAN will help you answer questions about the technology more confidently.
3. Familiarize yourself with the industry’s leading SD-WAN solutions. Doing research on the different SD-WAN solutions available will give you a better understanding of the technology.
4. Review interview questions and answers related to SD-WAN. Familiarizing yourself with popular SD-WAN interview questions and answers will help you better prepare for the interview.
5. Practice answering SD-WAN questions out loud. Practicing your answers out loud will help you feel more confident during the interview.
6. Prepare examples of your experience with SD-WAN. Have examples ready of your work with SD-WAN technologies to demonstrate your knowledge and experience.
7. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer. Having questions ready to ask the interviewer will demonstrate your interest in the position.
8. Dress professionally. Make sure you are dressed professionally for the interview to make a good impression.
9. Remain calm and confident during the interview. It is important to remain calm and confident during the interview to make a good impression.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SD-WAN is a rapidly evolving technology and is becoming increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. Knowing the answers to the top 25 SD-WAN interview questions can help you land a successful career in this exciting field. With the right preparation and research, you can be confident in your ability to ace any SD-WAN interview and get the job you’re after.