implementing sdwan in 19 branches in my office

1. Planning Phase

Identify the objectives and goals of implementing SDWAN.

Meet increasing network demands
Improve network performance
Reduce network costs
Enhance network security

Determine the requirements and expectations of each branch.

Identify branch locations
Determine branch size and number of users
Identify necessary applications and services
Determine desired network performance

Assess the existing network infrastructure and identify any necessary upgrades.

Evaluate current network equipment
Check network connectivity and reliability
Identify any outdated or unsupported equipment
Determine if additional hardware is required

Analyze the bandwidth requirements and traffic patterns in each branch.

Determine current bandwidth usage
Identify peak usage times
Analyze traffic patterns and types of traffic
Determine bandwidth needs for each branch

Assign roles and responsibilities to staff for the implementation

Identify team members and their roles
Clearly define responsibilities for each team member

Create a timeline for the implementation process

Break down the implementation process into phases
Determine the duration of each phase
Establish milestones for tracking progress

Establish a budget for the project

Evaluate the costs associated with SDWAN implementation
Consider hardware, software, licensing, and maintenance costs
Allocate budget for any unforeseen expenses

Develop a plan for testing and validating the SDWAN installation

Define testing criteria and objectives
Identify the necessary test environments
Create test scenarios to validate different use cases

Establish a backup and recovery plan in case of system failure

Identify critical components that require backup
Establish backup frequency and retention policies
Define recovery procedures in case of system failure

Create a communication plan to keep all stakeholders informed

Identify key stakeholders and their communication preferences
Determine the frequency and format of communication
Establish channels for sharing updates and progress

Develop a plan for training staff on how to use the system

Identify training needs based on staff roles and responsibilities
Design training materials and resources
Schedule training sessions and provide ongoing support

2. Design Phase

Create a network diagram showcasing the current and future network architecture.

Identify all existing network devices and connections in each branch.
Map out the planned SDWAN devices and their connections in the network diagram.
Include WAN links, LAN switches, routers, and SDWAN appliances in the diagram.

Determine the placement of SDWAN devices in each branch.

Evaluate the network traffic patterns and determine the optimal location for SDWAN devices.
Consider factors such as WAN link capacity, branch size, and network congestion.
Ensure each branch has at least one SDWAN device for redundancy and load balancing.

Define the Quality of Service (QoS) policies based on application priorities.

Identify critical applications and assign them higher priority in the QoS policies.
Consider factors such as voice and video conferencing, ERP systems, and cloud applications.
Allocate appropriate bandwidth and prioritize traffic based on application requirements.

Design the security measures, including firewalls and encryption protocols.

Assess the current security infrastructure and identify any gaps or vulnerabilities.
Determine the required firewall configurations for each branch to protect against threats.
Implement encryption protocols such as IPsec or SSL VPN to secure data transmission.

Develop redundancy and failover strategies to ensure network resilience.

Implement dual internet connections in each branch for redundancy.
Configure SDWAN devices to monitor link health and automatically failover to the backup connection.
Design a failover strategy that minimizes downtime and ensures seamless network connectivity.

Establish routing protocols for each branch

Choose a routing protocol for each branch
Configure the routing protocol on each branch device
Ensure proper routing table updates between branches

Configure SDWAN tunneling, segmentation and traffic engineering policies

Set up tunnels between branches
Implement segmentation to separate traffic
Define traffic engineering policies for optimal use of bandwidth

Analyze application performance to determine necessary bandwidth and traffic-shaping requirements

Monitor application performance
Identify bandwidth requirements for each application
Implement traffic-shaping policies to prioritize critical traffic

Assess high availability and scalability requirements

Evaluate the need for redundant connections
Consider load balancing options
Ensure scalability for future growth

Create a backup plan for recovering from outages

Identify backup links or alternative routes
Implement failover mechanisms
Test the backup plan regularly

Develop a plan for remote management and monitoring of the SDWAN

Set up remote access to SDWAN devices
Implement monitoring tools
Define procedures for remote troubleshooting

3. Procurement and Testing Phase

Procure the required SDWAN hardware, software, and licenses for each branch.

Research and identify the specific hardware, software, and licenses needed for SDWAN implementation in each branch.
Submit purchase orders for the required SDWAN hardware, software, and licenses for each branch.
Ensure that the procurement process follows the organization's guidelines and budgetary constraints.

Set up a test environment to verify the functionality and compatibility of SDWAN devices.

Design and configure a dedicated test environment to simulate the actual branch network environment.
Install and connect the SDWAN devices in the test environment according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Verify that the SDWAN devices can communicate with each other and other test components.

Perform thorough testing of the SDWAN solution, including traffic routing and failover scenarios.

Create test cases to cover different traffic routing scenarios, including different types of applications and bandwidth requirements.
Simulate failover scenarios by disconnecting primary links and verifying automatic failover to backup links.
Monitor and analyze the performance of the SDWAN solution during the testing phase.

Validate that SDWAN meets the performance requirements defined in the planning phase.

Compare the actual performance of the SDWAN solution against the performance requirements defined in the planning phase.
Identify any performance gaps or issues and document them for further analysis and resolution.
Ensure that the SDWAN solution can handle the expected network traffic load without degradation.

Ensure proper integration with existing network management systems.

Review the existing network management systems and identify the integration points with SDWAN.
Configure the SDWAN solution to seamlessly integrate with the existing network management systems.
Test the integration to ensure proper monitoring, reporting, and management of the SDWAN solution.

Identify any changes needed to the current network environment to accommodate the SDWAN solution

Review current network infrastructure
Identify necessary upgrades or modifications
Consult with network team or vendor for recommendations

Develop a rollout plan and timeline for deploying the SDWAN solution in each branch

Create a detailed plan for each branch deployment
Consider resource availability and scheduling constraints
Define milestones and deadlines

Verify end-user access to the SDWAN solution

Test connectivity from end-user devices
Ensure proper configuration and access permissions
Resolve any access issues or conflicts

Back up configurations for each branch

Access each branch's network devices
Create backups of existing configurations
Store backups securely for future reference

Document procedures for ongoing maintenance and management of the SDWAN solution

Create a comprehensive documentation
Include step-by-step procedures for common tasks
Update documentation as needed

4. Deployment Phase

Develop a deployment schedule for rolling out SDWAN in all branches.

Determine the order in which branches will be deployed.
Allocate specific timeframes for each branch deployment.
Consider any dependencies or constraints that may impact the schedule.

Install and configure SDWAN devices in each branch according to the network diagram.

Physically install SDWAN devices in the designated locations.
Connect the devices to the appropriate network ports.
Configure the devices with the necessary settings specified in the network diagram.

Establish connectivity between branches and the central SDWAN controller.

Ensure the SDWAN devices are powered on and connected to the network.
Configure the devices to establish a connection with the central SDWAN controller.
Verify connectivity by checking the status of the connection.

Configure QoS policies and security settings based on the design phase.

Access the SDWAN devices' management interface.
Navigate to the QoS section and configure the desired policies.
Navigate to the security settings section and configure the necessary parameters.

Test and verify the functionality of SDWAN connections in each branch.

Initiate a test traffic flow from each branch to the central SDWAN controller.
Verify that the traffic is being correctly routed and prioritized.
Check for any errors or issues in the SDWAN connection logs.

Connect each branch's local network to the SDWAN controller

Connect branch 1 local network to SDWAN controller
Connect branch 2 local network to SDWAN controller
Connect branch 3 local network to SDWAN controller
...

Troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise during deployment

Identify and troubleshoot any deployment issues
Resolve any issues that arise during deployment

Update network diagrams to reflect the new SDWAN architecture

Identify all network devices and connections in each branch
Document the new SDWAN architecture in the network diagrams
Ensure the diagrams accurately represent the physical and logical connections

Train staff on how to use and maintain the SDWAN system

Schedule training sessions for all staff members involved in network management
Cover topics such as SDWAN configuration, troubleshooting, and monitoring
Provide hands-on practice and create user guides for reference

Monitor performance and traffic flow on the SDWAN network

Install network monitoring tools in each branch
Configure the tools to collect performance and traffic data from the SDWAN network
Regularly review the collected data to identify any issues or anomalies

Conduct final tests to verify SDWAN functionality before deployment

Create a test plan that includes various scenarios and use cases
Simulate real-world traffic and monitor how the SDWAN network handles it
Document and address any issues or failures encountered during the tests

5. Monitoring and Optimization Phase

Implement network monitoring tools to continuously monitor the SDWAN solution.

Install and configure network monitoring software on all SDWAN devices.
Set up alerts and notifications to receive real-time updates on network performance.
Ensure that the monitoring tools are integrated with the SDWAN solution for seamless monitoring.

Establish a baseline performance for each branch's network traffic.

Collect and analyze network traffic data from each branch for a specific time period.
Identify the average bandwidth usage, latency, and packet loss for the baseline.
Document the baseline performance metrics for future comparison and optimization.

Regularly review and analyze network performance metrics to identify bottlenecks or issues.

Review the network performance reports generated by the monitoring tools.
Analyze metrics such as bandwidth utilization, latency, jitter, and packet loss.
Identify any anomalies or patterns that indicate potential bottlenecks or issues.

Optimize SDWAN configurations based on the collected data and performance analysis.

Identify the areas of improvement based on the network performance analysis.
Make necessary adjustments to the SDWAN configurations to optimize performance.
Test and validate the impact of configuration changes on network performance.

Provide ongoing training and support to IT staff and end-users for utilizing SDWAN effectively.

Organize training sessions to educate IT staff and end-users about SDWAN features and best practices.
Offer ongoing support and assistance to address any queries or issues related to SDWAN usage.
Keep the IT staff and end-users updated with the latest SDWAN enhancements and improvements.

Schedule regular software updates for the SDWAN solution to ensure optimal performance

Set up a schedule for regular software updates for the SDWAN solution
Ensure that updates are tested in a lab environment before deploying to production
Document the update process and any associated risks

Ensure that all network devices are properly configured and that any changes are tracked and documented

Review and update network device configurations to align with SDWAN solution requirements
Implement a change management process to track and document any changes made to network devices
Regularly review and update the device inventory and configuration documentation

Test the SDWAN solution regularly to identify potential issues before they become a problem

Design and implement a test plan for the SDWAN solution
Regularly execute the test plan to identify any potential issues or vulnerabilities
Document and address any issues identified during testing

Monitor the health of the SDWAN solution and address any issues quickly

Set up monitoring tools to track the performance and availability of the SDWAN solution
Create alerts and notifications to quickly identify and respond to any issues
Implement a process for troubleshooting and resolving issues

Develop and implement process for regular maintenance and optimization of the SDWAN solution

Define a maintenance schedule for regular activities like backup, log review, and system health checks
Document the maintenance tasks and procedures
Regularly review and optimize the SDWAN solution based on performance data and user feedback

6. Documentation and Maintenance Phase

Document the complete SDWAN implementation process, including configurations and settings.

- Create a detailed document outlining the step-by-step process of implementing SDWAN in each branch.
- Include all configurations and settings used during the implementation process.

Create an inventory of SDWAN devices, licenses, and warranties for each branch.

- Compile a list of all SDWAN devices installed in each branch.
- Document the licenses and warranties associated with each device.

Establish a regular maintenance schedule for updating firmware and patches.

- Schedule regular firmware updates for all SDWAN devices.
- Plan and implement a patch management strategy to ensure devices are up to date.

Perform periodic security audits to ensure compliance and protect against vulnerabilities.

- Conduct regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Take necessary actions to address any identified security issues.

Keep the documentation up-to-date to facilitate future troubleshooting and expansions.

- Regularly review and update the SDWAN implementation documentation.
- Document any changes or expansions made to the SDWAN network.

Train personnel on SDWAN system operations and maintenance

Schedule training sessions for all personnel involved in SDWAN system operations and maintenance
Provide training materials and resources for personnel to refer to
Conduct hands-on training sessions to ensure personnel understand the SDWAN system
Offer ongoing support and additional training as needed

Backup configurations and settings in a secure location

Identify a secure location or backup server to store configurations and settings
Implement an automated backup system to regularly backup configurations and settings
Test the backup system to ensure it is functioning correctly
Document the backup process and schedule regular reviews to ensure backups are up to date

Develop and implement a disaster recovery plan in case of system failure

Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities that could lead to system failure
Determine recovery objectives and prioritize critical components to focus on during recovery
Create a step-by-step plan outlining the actions to be taken in the event of system failure
Regularly test and update the disaster recovery plan to ensure its effectiveness