Implement an SD-Access Fabric with Cisco DNA Center

Campus network modernization can increase operational risk if the team does not share the same SD-Access design, identity, migration, and provisioning approach. IT Directors can assign this intermediate Cisco DNA Center course to network administrators with 3–5 years of network automation experience who need a structured path from SDN and SD-Access principles through fabric deployment.

The course is a realistic 17 hours, 16 minutes per learner, covering Day 0 planning, DNA Center and ISE preparation, 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass, Cisco TrustSec, device discovery, LAN Automation, overlay deployment, border handoff, wireless provisioning, Assurance, and deeper automation techniques. For change management, this is best used before SD-Access planning workshops, lab validation, or phased migration efforts so teams can align vocabulary and implementation steps. CBT Nuggets Playlists can help Training Managers sequence the rollout, while Team Reporting helps IT leaders track completion across network teams.

IT teams complete this training to reduce the risk of inconsistent SD-Access planning and deployment across the network operations team. The course connects architecture, identity, automation, and assurance topics into an implementation path teams can apply during campus modernization.

• Plan SD-Access migrations with fewer gaps by covering design principles, fabric components, migration considerations, and Day 0 preparation.
• Standardize identity-based access work through 802.1X fundamentals, ISE configuration, switch-side 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass, and Cisco TrustSec.
• Improve deployment consistency by learning DNA Center workflows for network hierarchy design, policy definition, device discovery, LAN Automation, and overlay provisioning.
• Support operations after rollout with coverage of border handoff, wireless fabric provisioning, DNA Center Assurance, and platform automation foundations.

Knowledge

• SDN, SD-Access principles, and how an SD-Access fabric operates.
• The roles of LISP, VXLAN, and SD-Access fabric components.
• Design and migration considerations for an SD-Access fabric.
• 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass, ISE, and Cisco TrustSec concepts used in the fabric.
• DNA Center workflows for design, policy, provisioning, assurance, and automation.

Ability

• Prepare DNA Center, ISE, and the network for discovery and SD-Access deployment.
• Build and configure a network hierarchy in DNA Center.
• Define business intent and dynamic authentication profiles in DNA Center.
• Perform device discovery, LAN Automation, and overlay deployment.
• Configure border handoff on fusion routers and provision wireless in the SD-Access fabric.