Cisco SD-WAN VSmart Controller Deployment

The Cisco SD-WAN vSmart Controller is a pivotal component in the Cisco SD-WAN architecture, serving as the centralized control plane. It orchestrates network operations by managing routing decisions, policy distribution, and secure communication between WAN edge devices.

By leveraging the Overlay Management Protocol (OMP), the vSmart Controller ensures efficient data traffic flow, enhances network visibility, and simplifies management, making it essential for scalable and resilient SD-WAN deployments.

In this article, we will be covering an important concept from Cisco enterprise training i.e. configuring Cisco SD-WAN vSmart Controller.

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How to Configure Cisco SD-WAN VSmart Controller

To configure the vSmart Controller we need to setup virtual machines (VMs) first in our overlay. Once we set up and started VMs automatically they came up with factory default configuration.

After that, we need to configure some basic features and functions so that all the devices can be authenticated and can join the overlay network. The IP address, vBond orchestrator of our networks, IP address of our system, and tunnel interfaces are included in these features.

For the participation of vSmart controllers in the overlay network and for the overlay network to be functional we must do the following:

● Set up a tunnel interface on at least one VPN 0 interface that must connect with the WAN transport network accessible through all Cisco vEdge devices. In that overlay network, VPN 0 carries all control plane traffic among Cisco vEdge devices.

● Enable Overlay Management Protocol (OMP).

Once we create this initial configuration we need to create a full configuration now by templates configuration on vManage NMS. After that, we will attach them to the vSmart Controllers. Once we do this the template parameters overwrite the initial configuration.

Then we must assign a system IP address to the vSmart Controller in the initial configuration. This IP address identifies the controllers of any interface address. The IP address is similar to the router ID on non-Cisco SD-WAN routers.

Let us learn how we can set the initial configuration for the vSmart controller

Create Initial Configuration for the vSmart Controller

In the CLI session, log in to the Cisco vEdge (Viptela) device via SSH. Log in as the user admin and the default password admin. You will log into the CLI session.

Then enter configuration mode.

Hostname Configuration

This is an optional step but recommended.

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IP address configuration

The IP address can be IPV4 and IPV6 address.

Here Cisco vManage uses the system IP address to identify the device. Then NMS can download the full configuration to the device.

IP address configuration of vBond orchestrator or vBond DNS name

The Cisco vBond orchestrator’s IP address must be public so that all Cisco vEdge devices in the overlay network can reach it.

This time may be from 1 minute to 60 minutes. When we upgrade the software on the device after this time limit configuration we must confirm that the software upgrade is successful within the configured limited time. If it does not happen it reverts to the previous software image.

Configure an interface in VPN 0 that will be used as a tunnel interface. VPN 0 is the WAN transport VPN. The interface name has eth number format. Here you must configure IP address and enable the interface. This IP address can be configured as static or via DHCP.

Tunnel interface must be configured on one interface in VPN 0. So that overlay network will come up and then Cisco vSmart Controller will participate in the overlay network. This interface should be connected with WAN transport network accessible by all Cisco vEdge devices.

Identify the type of WAN

To identify the type of WAN transport need to configure tunnel color. You can configure your color or default color.

Now this is done.

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