What is Versa SD-WAN? – A Detailed Guide

Introduction

The traditional WAN has been the standard of enterprise networking for quite a long while now. However, the traditional WAN has been defined as being very rigid in keeping up with digital transformation, cloud adoption, IoT, and many others. This is why Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) can prove more than helpful. SD-WAN helps organizations to expand WAN connections while at the same time decreasing the cost of managing those connections.

Versa Networks is among the leading companies in the SD-WAN market that offers a SD-WAN solution to allow enterprises to implement unified management of network services, improve the efficiency of business applications, and enhance security. As more enterprises recognize the benefits of SD-WAN, Versa SD-WAN training has become crucial for all networking professionals.

In this blog, we will explore what Versa SD-WAN is, its architecture, components, security features, and more.

What is Versa SD-WAN?

Versa Networks provides a feature-rich product called Versa SD-WAN that helps customers implement the SD-WAN concept. It seeks to reduce management complexities while managing WAN and bolster network performance. Unlike most other WAN solutions that rely so much on costly MPLS connections, Versa SDWAN enables organizations to consolidate multiple direct internet connections, LTE, and even MPLS, among others. This flexibility enhances speed and reliability and reduces the cost significantly.

The strengths of Versa SD-WAN are that in addition to basic functionalities, the company offers specific features such as traffic management, path control, and security. All these features make it possible for data to move across the network entirely securely and within the shortest time possible. In other words, it is built for organizations that need scalable, feature-rich, rich, and agile networking solutions.

Before getting into the technical details, it is important to note that Versa Networks offers a comprehensive certification program for IT professionals who want to enhance their expertise in Versa SD-WAN. Let us discuss these certifications in detail.

Versa SD-WAN Certification

For those interested in pursuing a career in SD-WAN, Versa Networks offers a certification program that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in designing, implementing, and managing Versa SD-WAN solutions. The Versa SD-WAN certification program consists of two levels:

Versa SD-WAN Associate (VNX100)

It is known as the entry-level certification offered by Versa SD-WAN. With the help of this certification, you will learn the fundamentals of SD-WAN and Versa SD-WAN solutions.

Versa SD-WAN Specialist (VNX301)

It is one of the Versa networks specialist certifications. It showcases your proficiency in deploying, configuring, and, most importantly, managing SD-WAN solutions.

Versa Security Specialist (VNX 325)

This explains that Versa Security Specialist certification demonstrates that an IT personnel is fully equipped with the knowledge and the skill that is necessary for deploying security technologies in Versa systems. However, the certification assisted people to move to the next level in the field of network security; cybersecurity.

Versa SD-WAN Professional (VNX400)

This certification demonstrates proficiency in deploying, configuring, and managing Versa SD-WAN solutions.

Now that you have a basic understanding of Versa SD-WAN and the different certifications offered by them. Let us discuss its architecture.

Versa SD-WAN Architecture

Versa SD-WAN’s architecture is a blend of software-defined networking (SDN) and advanced security services integrated into a unified platform. It provides end-to-end visibility, control, and security, enabling businesses to manage their networks with unprecedented agility and scale.

The architecture consists of a centralized controller and a series of VNFs or virtual network functions that can be deployed across various locations. In the image below, we have shown the Versa SD-WAN architecture.

Key Features of Versa SD-WAN Architecture

Below, we have discussed some of the key features of Versa SD-WAN architecture.

• Cloud-Native Design: Unlike most networking solutions that need physical hardware and can be complex to scale up or down as needed, the Versa SD-WAN solution is cloud native. With this, companies can easily expand their networks to numerous places.
• Centralized Management: In Versa SD-WAN, the whole network can easily be controlled in just a single management interface. With this, it is easy to control, monitor, and, most importantly, troubleshoot, thereby ensuring the performance of the network is enhanced.
• Multi-Transport Support: It operates various forms of connections like Broadband Internet, LTE, and MPLS. This implies that organizations are made to select those modes of transport that suit them best.
• Dynamic Path Selection: It is equipped with sophisticated features of dynamic path selection that enable the network to adjust real-time to suit the prevailing applications.

Let us now discuss its components.

Versa SD-WAN Components

Versa SD-WAN includes a range of components, including:

VOS

It is a highly flexible software that can be used by businesses, organizations, and service providers to deploy Versa SASE in branch offices, cloud, campus, and data centers.

VSAC (Versa Secure Access Client)

A software application that can be installed on client machines such as Windows, Mac OS, IOS devices, Linux, and smartphones and that provides an extension of Versa SASE services to the client machines.

Appliances

Versa CSG appliances are totally based on x86 architecture and are meant for providing cloud-native SASE services on-premises.

Control and Management

Versa focuses on offering control as well as management in the simplest way possible with the help of three complementary components, namely:

1. Versa Director
2. Versa Analytics
3. Versa Controller

Versa Cloud Gateways

Run industry-leading VOS multi-tenant software and are globally distributed to provide Versa SASE services along with distributed secure, reliable, and high-performance access to cloud applications, services, and resources.

Versa SD-WAN Security

Security of any networking solution is of paramount importance, and this is not missed on Versa SD-WAN. As security attacks prevail, there is a need to protect the organizational networks, particularly when data is transmitted over the Internet. Some of the features include:

• Secure Data Transmission: Many complex ways of making your data secure during the time that it is transmitted across the internet.
• Strong Encryption Keys: A safe method of generating and transferring encryption keys and certificates to protect your information.
• Protection from Threats: Next-Gen Firewall and IDS/IPS complement each other to ensure that a network is secured against external malware and intrusions.
• Advanced Security Features: AI and ML employment to establish advanced threat protection as well as malware and ransomware prevention. Also, advanced features, such as User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA), are implemented to look at and understand user actions.
• Simplified Security: Grouping of multiple security solutions with a single product, external proxy, DNS security, and DOS protection. This makes it easier for one to govern and update the security of their networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is SD-WAN in versa?

Versa SD-WAN is a transformative solution that enables a business to build a secure and efficient software-defined WAN to connect to the cloud, manage applications, and secure the business, thus enhancing the performance of the network and cutting costs.

Q2. Who owns Versa Networks?

Versa Networks is a privately held company, but it has received funding from investors such as Sequoia Capital, Mayfield Fund, and Verizon Ventures, with no single majority owner.

Q3. What is a Versa device?

Versa devices are the Versa Networks edge devices that are based on x86 architecture. These devices assist in delivering cloud-native SD-WAN, routing services and offer security.

Q4. How to configure versa SD-WAN?

To configure Versa SD-WAN, follow these steps: The admin can create a management portal, implement network policies and enter site and device information, configure network parameters as well as install security policies and settings in case of necessity.

Conclusion

Versa SD-WAN is a transformative solution that caters to the need of the modern-day businesses by offering dynamic, secure, and economic modes of wide-area networking. Its software-defined architecture with centralized management allows organizations to manage their network infrastructure, improve the application performance, and protect the business against new and increasing threats.