VNX100 Versa Certified SD-WAN Associate Questions and Answers

In the architecture of Versa SD-WAN, the control plane plays a crucial role in the discovery and management of network topology:

SD-WAN topology is discovered using MP-iBGP (Answer B) : Versa utilizes Multi-Protocol Interior Border Gateway Protocol (MP-iBGP) for the discovery and management of the SD-WAN topology. This protocol helps in the efficient exchange of routing information within the network, enabling the Versa Director and other network components to maintain an updated view of network topology.

Versa Private Address Family is used to advertise topology information (Answer C) : This unique address family within Versa’s ecosystem is specifically designed to handle and distribute topology information across the network. It ensures that all relevant Versa devices are aware of the network structure and any changes to it.

References: These elements of Versa’s SD-WAN control plane are detailed in the technical specifications and white papers provided by Versa Networks, which explain the underlying mechanisms that support network operations and topology management within Versa’s infrastructure.

In the exhibit shown, the gear icon next to the VLAN setting in a template workflow indicates a place where you can input variable data for each device that shares this template. The gear icon typically represents settings that are customizable for each individual deployment. Therefore, you would select the gear icon for a VLAN in a template workflow when each device requires a unique VLAN configuration on the vni-0/1 interface. This allows for the VLAN ID to be specified per device when the template is applied, accommodating the requirement that each device may be connected to a different VLAN in its respective location.

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The Direct Internet Access (DIA) option in the configuration of split tunnels for an SD-WAN device, as shown in the exhibit, is a feature that allows traffic destined for the internet to bypass the SD-WAN overlay network and be sent directly out of the local branch’s internet connection. This can significantly improve access to cloud services and internet performance by reducing latency and avoiding backhauling traffic through the corporate data center or another central location.

When DIA is enabled, traffic that is destined for the internet does not traverse the SD-WAN overlay network; instead, it is routed directly from the branch to the internet. The SD-WAN appliance can still enforce security policies on this traffic, and it can also be programmed to dynamically decide whether to use the DIA path based on real-time performance metrics and other criteria.

By implementing the BGP default route advertisement into the local LAN Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) of the tenant, the SD-WAN appliance advertises a default route to the local site. This allows the site to route internet-bound traffic directly to the internet without having to send it across the SD-WAN network. This eases the internal network traffic load and can potentially reduce costs associated with data transmission over the corporate WAN.

References: The explanation provided above aligns with standard SD-WAN architecture and practices for configuring split tunnels and the use of Direct Internet Access in SD-WAN environments.

To implement a third-party application server as a virtual machine on a Versa CPE, the Service Chain Template should be used. This is because the Versa uCPE solution supports service chaining capabilities which are necessary for steering traffic to and from third-party virtual network functions (VNFs) to Versa Operating System (VOS) instances. The Versa uCPE solution can manage the lifecycle of third-party VNFs, including the ability to bring up an out-of-band management interface for each VM, connecting it to the Versa secure management channel, and routing management and control plane traffic accordingly​​.

Versa Analytics offers REST APIs that facilitate northbound integration with third-party tools, allowing for enhanced automation and the ability to pull data into external systems for additional processing or visualization. Moreover, it provides real-time traffic monitoring dashboards that deliver visibility into network performance, application usage, and security events, aiding in swift and informed decision-making. These dashboards are crucial for maintaining an overview of the network's current state and rapidly diagnosing issues.​

Versa Analytics offers a suite of features aimed at enhancing visibility and control over SD-WAN networks. The true statements about Versa Analytics are:

Versa Analytics provides REST APIs for northbound integration with third-party tools (Answer B) : Versa Analytics is equipped with REST APIs that facilitate northbound integration, allowing organizations to seamlessly connect and integrate Versa's network data with third-party management, monitoring, and analytics tools. This integration capability is crucial for enterprises that utilize a diverse set of tools for network management and need to consolidate their network operations on a single platform.

Versa Analytics provides real-time traffic monitoring dashboards (Answer D) : One of the key features of Versa Analytics is its real-time traffic monitoring dashboards. These dashboards provide network administrators with live insights into network performance, traffic flows, and usage patterns, enabling them to make informed decisions quickly and effectively manage the network.

Option A (Versa Analytics provides the ability to configure logging parameters on SD-WAN CPEs) is incorrect because while Versa Analytics does involve extensive logging capabilities, the configuration of logging parameters typically occurs at the device or controller level, not within the analytics platform itself. Option C (Versa Analytics provides centralized logging information about the SD-WAN environment) is somewhat misleading; while Versa Analytics does centralize data for analysis, it primarily focuses on providing analytical insights and data visualizations rather than merely centralizing logging information.

References: This explanation is based on the functionalities provided by Versa Analytics as part of the Versa SD-WAN solution, emphasizing its capabilities in network data integration and real-time monitoring.

In a scenario where a device is onboarded with two Internet interfaces and Direct Internet Access (DIA) is being configured, the following statements hold true:

Each underlay interface belongs to its own VR instance (Answer B) : Typically, in Versa SD-WAN configurations, each underlay interface is assigned to its own virtual router (VR) instance. This approach allows for greater flexibility and isolation in managing routing and security policies specific to each interface. It supports independent operation and control, which is crucial for optimizing performance and security management.

Both Internet interfaces can be selected for DIA in workflows (Answer C) : In Versa workflows, it is possible to configure both Internet interfaces for DIA. This configuration enhances redundancy and ensures that there is always an active path for Internet access, which is critical for maintaining high availability and network resilience.

The option A (All underlay interfaces belong to the same VR instance) is not typically true in complex deployments where separation of control and data planes is required for better management and security. Option D (Only one Internet interface can be selected for DIA in workflows) is incorrect because Versa SD-WAN allows multiple interfaces to be configured for DIA to leverage failover and load-balancing capabilities.

References: This explanation is based on the standard practices of deploying Versa SD-WAN solutions, where the architecture supports multiple virtual routers and the capability to configure multiple interfaces for DIA.

Versa Analytics and Versa Director support REST APIs, which allow integration with third-party applications and systems. The REST APIs provided by these components enable automation and programmability for various network management and analytics functions. Versa Controller and Versa CPE are not referenced in the provided documents as supporting REST APIs directly, although they interact with Versa Director, which does. ​

When creating a device using workflows, two essential components are required: a Device Template and a Service Template. The Device Template is used to define the device's characteristics and configuration details, whereas the Service Template contains service-specific configuration such as routing, security policies, and features that may be applied to the device. These templates are crucial for automating device provisioning and configuration within the Versa SD-WAN architecture​​.

Service templates are used to apply an identical QoS configuration to multiple CPEs, ensuring consistent quality of service across the network. Additionally, these templates are also employed to share an identical service configuration across different tenants within a multi-tenant architecture, ensuring uniform policy application while maintaining tenant separation.

Site discovery within Versa Secure SD-WAN operates under the premise of dynamic and automated networking capabilities. The correct statement about site discovery is:

When a new site is provisioned, existing sites auto-discover the new site using MP-BGP (Answer D). In Versa SD-WAN, Multiprotocol Border Gateway Protocol (MP-BGP) is employed for dynamic routing information exchange, which includes the discovery of new sites. When a new site is added to the network, MP-BGP facilitates the automatic dissemination of routing information to other sites, thus enabling them to auto-discover the new site without manual reconfiguration.

Option A suggests manual addition, which contradicts the automated capabilities of SD-WAN.

Option B and C imply manual notifications or reconfigurations by Versa Director or Controller, which are not the primary methods for site discovery in an SD-WAN environment where automation via MP-BGP is preferred.

References: The response utilizes the operational mechanisms of Versa SD-WAN as described in Versa’s official documentation and typical behaviors of MP-BGP in dynamic network environments.

URL-based Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) is an approach where the URL of a Versa Operating System activation website is emailed to the installer at the customer site. The installer then connects a laptop to the Wi-Fi or LAN port of the Versa branch device, clicks on the URL, and completes the provisioning process. This method does not require a console connection and is one of the methods provided by Versa to provision and configure new VOS devices, making the process convenient and straightforward. ​

In a Versa Secure SD-WAN solution, the hub controller plays a multifaceted role that is crucial for the efficient and secure operation of the network. Three of the primary functions of a hub controller include CPE lifecycle management, acting as a control plane node, and providing visibility and control.

CPE Lifecycle Management (A) : The hub controller is instrumental in managing the lifecycle of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). This includes tasks such as configuration, maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting. This management capability ensures that the CPEs are always operating with the latest security patches, configurations, and software versions, thereby maintaining the security and efficiency of the network.

Control Plane Node (B) : The hub controller also serves as a control plane node. It is responsible for maintaining the routing information and ensuring the efficient distribution of this information across the network. This includes handling BGP routes toward VPNs and tenants, distributing security association (SA) information, and enabling IPsec connectivity between branches without the overhead of maintaining a full mesh of IKE keys among all branches​​.

Visibility and Control (D) : Finally, the hub controller provides visibility and control over the network. This includes monitoring the network's health, traffic management, and implementing security policies. By offering a centralized point of visibility and control, the hub controller enables network administrators to effectively manage and secure the network.

The hub controller's role as a data plane node (C) is not explicitly mentioned among its primary functions, as it is more involved in the control and management aspects of the network rather than direct data forwarding. Similarly, acting as a staging server (E) is not listed as one of its primary roles in the documentation reviewed.

The SLA profile shown in the exhibit appears to be set with thresholds for various metrics such as jitter, packet loss, and latency. These thresholds determine the acceptable performance criteria for the network. The profile is configured with specific maximums for packet loss, both in the forward and reverse directions, and for latency. If any of these configured values are exceeded, the SLA profile is triggered, indicating a breach of the desired service level agreement parameters. Therefore, if the packet loss value exceeds the maximum set in the profile, it will trigger an event or alert, which can then be used for remediation or for activating pre-defined traffic steering rules to maintain application performance.

Versa SD-WAN headend components, which include the Versa Controller, Versa Director, and Versa Analytics, offer flexible deployment options. They can be deployed on bare metal servers, as virtual machines, or as a hybrid of both, depending on the scalability needs and the available infrastructure at the data center or cloud environment. This flexibility ensures that Versa SD-WAN can adapt to a variety of enterprise environments and deployment scenarios. ​

Versa Analytics, part of the Versa SD-WAN solution, can be deployed on-premises and is not limited to cloud-based installations. This gives enterprises the flexibility to choose where to deploy based on their specific needs, such as compliance or data sovereignty requirements. The Versa Controller, which provides the control plane for the SD-WAN network, supports various deployment options including virtual machines. This flexibility is important for integration into existing data center architectures or for leveraging cloud infrastructures.