Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA)
What is SDA?
Cisco SD-Access provides a cohesive, end-to-end security architecture that addresses the unique needs of the customer while conforming to the latest industry trends. This solution’s automation and simplicity will allow IT more time to innovate while also helping them initiate network changes more rapidly and efficiently. Scalable virtualization capabilities in the infrastructure help create hierarchical micro/macro segmentation policies that are enforced with the fabric infrastructure for secure segmentation. Thanks to its long-term cost reduction, centralized management, on-demand provisioning, and network flexibility, the proposed Cisco SD-Access provides operational and strategic advantages over traditional enterprise networks.
Benefits of Cisco Software-Defined Access
Professional Service Types
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SDA Mentored Install
As part of our mentored installation services, we manage the entire project process, including task distribution, resource planning and scheduling. Fast Lane will engage subject matter experts to help build out enablement solutions and mentor partners through the design, installation, configuration and successful deployment of a Software Defined Access (SDA) solution. This solution will include threat visibility (Cisco's Identity Services Engine) and wide network analytics (Stealthwatch).
Our deployment service is a special derivative of staff augmentation. It consists of one or more on-site or remote design and deployment engagements including related knowledge transfer and additional mentoring/coaching as needed. The purpose of these workshops is to help you deploy solutions with expert assistance in a controlled (mentored) environment thus optimizing your investment in technology, accelerating time to deploy and improving the effectiveness of the implementation.
There are multiple types of engagements available ranging from Isolated Mentored Install Deployments with various onsite days to Production Network Integration Deployments.
Engagements begin with our one-day offering and can extend longer depending on the services required. Each engagement will be scoped by a Fast Lane Subject Matter Expert (FL SME) and team and a detailed Statement of Work (SOW) will be created for the type of engagement.
- Mandatory Discovery Workshop:
Fast Lane will consult with the partner and customer engineers in order to establish the required Use-Cases in order to complete a High-Level Design Document. (HLDD). The actual scope of the engagement will determine the tier level of detail workshop. The HLDD will operate as the road map for the Mentored Install. - 1-Day Onsite:
One-Day SDA Mentored Install covering basic DNA Center (DNA-C) appliance installation. During this task, a Fast Lane Subject Matter Expert (FL SME) would prepare the appliance for installation, install and power on the appliance, configure the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility (CIMC), and use the wizard to configure DNA Center for use. This option is best summarized as basic feature adoption, plug and play, with knowledge transfer throughout the process. - 3-Day Onsite:
Three-Day SDA Mentored Install covering basic DNA-C appliance installation as well as Assurance and Analytics. During this task, a Fast Lane Subject Matter Expert (FL SME) would prepare the appliance for installation, install and power on the appliance, configure the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility (CIMC), and use the wizard to configure DNA Center for use. FL SME will incorporate DNA Analytics and Assurance for the end goal of insight adoption. The visibility services of DNA Analytics and Assurance will assist with helpdesk SLA’s and quality of service insights. - 5-Day Onsite:
Five-Day full-service SDA Mentored Install covering policy adoption with compliance services such as Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Stealthwatch. The mentored install will cover DNA-C and ISE Implementation. FL SME will work alongside Customer to deploy ISE, integrate ISE with existing Active Directory, set up ISE Management Access, and create necessary users and end-user portals. The final step in the Mentored Install service will be an Assurance Review, in which FL SME will verify Assurance is collecting analytical information.
- Custom:
A variable day Production Network SDA Mentored Install covering policy adoption with compliance services such as Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Stealthwatch that will be determined based on the needed scope of the organization. The mentored install will cover DNA-C and ISE Implementation. FL SME will work alongside Customer to deploy ISE, integrate ISE with existing Active Directory, set up ISE Management Access, and create necessary users and end-user portals. The final step in the Mentored Install service will be to test and validate the agreed upon Use Cases and test plan, as well as an Assurance Review, in which FL SME will verify Assurance is collecting analytical information.
Integrations with other products including but not limited to, Cisco FirePower, Cisco Web Security Appliances (WSA), etc., can be included at an additional cost to be determined after the scope discovery process. Prior to scheduling the mentored install, FL SME and team will work with Customer to agree on specific Use Case(s) and create a High-Level Design Document (HLDD) for the Use Case(s). The HLDD will operate as the road map for the Mentored Install.
Fast Lane’s Intent Based Networking Seminar is a four-hour overview covering the domains of Security, Analytics, Automation, Assurance, and the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Switch product line as pertaining to a Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) solution. This seminar is primarily based on a solution set overview with product demonstrations using Cisco dCloud solutions concluding with a brief discussion and Q&A.
The goals of this Seminar are to:
- Discuss the challenges faced with current networking architectures
- Discuss the demands placed on networks in transitioning to a digitally-ready network
- Discuss the new era in networking and intent-based networking
- Discuss Cisco’s Software-Defined Access solution
- Discuss the Network as a Sensor premise in Cisco’s Enterprise Network Security Model
- Explain the operation, function, components and benefits of Encrypted Traffic Analytics
- Discuss the analytics, assurance and insights gained from a network using Cisco DNA Center
- Discuss network automation using Cisco DNA Center
- Discuss the features, benefits and capabilities of the new Cisco Catalyst 9000 switches
Fast Lane is working with Cisco to provide a learning experience to orient the customer to SD-Access and demonstrate how the SD-Access solution helps to achieve the goals of simple network provisioning without compromising security for users and devices. This interactive event focuses on highlighting the SD-Access solution and providing you with a hands-on experience. This test drive is a focused two-day immersion into SDA with dedicated hands-on lab time. Combining structured education with hands-on experience of setting a security policy for various users, provisioning new network devices for inclusion into the SDA fabric, and how to manage it all via a single interface. This a pre-sales look into the Cisco SD-Access solution set. The intent is to provide technical decision makers a demonstration of the solution set in order to reach an informed buying decision.
Fast Lane’s Proof of Value (PoV) program is an essential component of our solution adoption services. It allows partners, to demonstrate the value proposition and ROI of their solutions to their customers with a FL SME functioning under the umbrella of the partner organization. A Proof of Value event provides technical decision makers with a deep-dive learning experience that focuses on a specific solution addressing a particular use case. After attending such an event, the intent is that vast majority of your technical decision makers questions and concerns will have been answered and they will have an appreciation of the operational and business value that can be achieved by implementing the solution. In other words, a PoV workshop is a means of closing sales through learning.
Fast Lane’s Proof of Concept (PoC) program is an essential component of our sales acceleration services. It allows vendors, resellers and system integrators to demonstrate the value proposition and ROI of their solutions to their key customer accounts. A Proof of Concept event provides partner engineers with a side-by-side learning experience that focuses building an inhouse demonstration pod allowing you to bring your customers in to showcase the solution and address their use cases as you see fit on an established platform.
Are you a Cisco Partner looking to increase your ROI through SDA sales and deployment?
Fast Lane experts are here to support critical parts of your SDA business roadmap. Our E4H service provides the resources to assist you in the following areas:
- Pre-Sales project assessment and planning
- SDA outcomes-based solution design
- SDA RFP response
- Implementation and Post-Sales support
In addition to these services, we provide role-based SDA training for Account Managers, Systems Engineers, Field Engineers, Administrators and Customer Success Managers.
