How to Become an SD-WAN Engineer

Have you always wanted to enjoy a successful career as an SD-WAN Engineer? Well, if the answer is yes, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will discuss how to become an SD-WAN Engineer? and look at various aspects of SD-WAN Engineer as a career.

Cisco Enterprise ranked as the company with the largest revenue in the global market share for SD-WAN equipment. Before the acquisition, Viptela (now part of Cisco SD-WAN) achieved a major milestone by getting Fortune 500 companies, particularly healthcare and financial firms, to adopt their technology despite being conservative.

This is a testament to the technology's ability to meet compliance requirements. Now, Cisco SD-WAN powers 70% of Fortune 100 deployments and there has been a great demand for network engineers with a good understanding of Cisco SD-WAN technologies.

Here, we will highlight some of the expectations organizations have from an SD-WAN engineer and what skills you can acquire to become a successful SD-WAN engineer.

What is SD-WAN?

SD-WAN stands for software-defined wide area network (or networking). A WAN is a link between local area networks (LANs) segregated by a substantial distance. The term software-defined implies the WAN is programmatically designed and managed. So, it can be simply adapted quickly to meet changing desires.

SD-WAN enables organizations to securely connect their branch offices to data centers and cloud services, optimizing performance and reducing costs through centralized control, application awareness, and intelligent path control.

SD-WAN enhances network agility, improves application performance, and provides better security by leveraging multiple connection types, including MPLS, LTE, and broadband.

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SD-WAN Engineer Job Description

The role of an SD-WAN Engineer is both informative and essential for enhancing engineering prospects. Also known as software-defined wide area networking, SD-WAN plays a pivotal role in improving workplace networking and optimizing business operations.

As an SD-WAN Deployment Engineer, you will serve as a field engineer responsible for implementing SD-WAN services within organizations, which is vital for connecting networks and boosting efficiency.

Your responsibilities will include overseeing the implementation, integration, configuration, development, and support of the entire SD-WAN process. This often involves troubleshooting and optimizing existing networks to enhance performance.

Additionally, you may assist sales teams with technical demonstrations, helping to reduce costs and streamline operations. Understanding these aspects is crucial before embarking on this career path.

Responsibilities of an SD-WAN Deployment Engineer

In this role, candidates are going to have a fair few responsibilities, and they should embrace these. Chiefly, you will be helping businesses build software that allows for instant communication, greater security, and higher potency in addition.

Following are some of these SD-WAN Deployment Engineer responsibilities:

● Get a lot of intelligence and build a better business.

● Take charge of digital networks and make sure they are optimized for higher potency.

● Integrate SD-WAN and demonstrate its effectiveness.

● Work on positively impacting the operational potency of businesses.

● Conduct real-time task completion reports.

● Day-to-day observance of the operational impact of the SD-WAN network performance

How to Become an SD-WAN Engineer

To become a successful SD-WAN Engineer you should get relevant qualifications and skills.

SD-WAN Engineer Qualifications

To become a successful SD-WAN Deployment Engineer, consider the following qualifications:

* Educational Background: A bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or Computer Science is essential.

* Specializations: Pursue relevant specializations to enhance your skills and career trajectory.

* Network Engineering Skills: Gain expertise in various network engineering skills to complement your SD-WAN knowledge.

* Certifications: Obtain certifications related to SD-WAN and networking to validate your skills and improve job prospects. Browse SD WAN Certifications

If you seek to achieve the certification and live CCNA training online then feel free to contact our learning advisors. 

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SD-WAN Engineer Skills

Here are the key skills required for an SD-WAN Engineer:

* Technical Proficiency: Strong understanding of SD-WAN technologies and networking principles.

* Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to troubleshoot and resolve network issues effectively. Try the Cisco SD-WAN Lab course for practical knowledge.

* Adaptability: Capacity to work under pressure and adapt to changing technologies.

* Cybersecurity Awareness: Knowledge of cybersecurity practices to protect network integrity.

* Familiarity with Modern Technologies: Awareness of how current technologies can enhance business operations.

* Hands-On Experience: Practical experience in engineering and computing to support SD-WAN implementations. Opt for CCNA Virtual Lab with Practical Workbook to gain hands-on experience.

SD-WAN Engineer Salary

An SD-WAN Engineer's Salary can vary on various factors like location, experience, and skills, but on average an SD-WAN Engineer can get an annual salary in the range of $91,000 and $193,000 per year. In India, an SD-WAN engineer makes up to INR 25 Lakhs annually on average.

Here is a table showing salary expectations based on experience:

Conclusion

To become a successful SD-WAN engineer, it is essential to have a strong foundation in networking fundamentals, cloud technologies, and security. Pursuing relevant certifications, such as Cisco's CCNP or vendor-specific SD-WAN certifications, can validate your skills and knowledge.

Hands-on experience is crucial in this field. Gaining practical experience in implementing and managing SD-WAN solutions, troubleshooting network issues, and optimizing performance will help you develop the necessary skills to excel as an SD-WAN engineer.

Additionally, staying updated with the latest trends and best practices in SD-WAN technology will ensure that you remain competitive in this rapidly evolving field.