Module 1: Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Concepts

• SDN architecture: Control plane, data plane, management plane separation
• SDN evolution: From traditional networking to SDN
• OpenFlow protocol fundamentals
• SDN use cases: Data centre, WAN, campus
• SDN vendors: VMware NSX, Cisco ACI, OpenDaylight

Module 2: Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure)

• ACI architecture: APIC, spine, leaf topology
• ACI logical model: Tenant, VRF, BD, EPG, contract
• ACI policy model and microsegmentation
• ACI fabric provisioning and management
• ACI integration with VMware vSphere

Module 3: VMware NSX-T

• NSX-T architecture: Manager, edge nodes, host transport nodes
• NSX-T logical switching and routing
• NSX-T distributed firewall (DFW)
• NSX-T load balancing
• NSX-T and Kubernetes integration

Module 4: SD-WAN

• SD-WAN fundamentals and benefits
• Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela): vManage, vBond, vSmart, vEdge
• VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN
• Fortinet Secure SD-WAN
• SD-WAN application-aware routing and policies

Module 5: Network Automation Fundamentals

• Why network automation: OPEX reduction, consistency, speed
• Network automation maturity model
• Automation tools landscape: Python, Ansible, Terraform, NSO
• Source of truth: NetBox and Nautobot
• Network automation architecture design

Module 6: Python for Network Automation

• Python basics for network engineers
• Netmiko: SSH automation for multi-vendor devices
• Paramiko: SSH library basics
• NAPALM: Multi-vendor network abstraction
• Nornir: Automation framework for network engineers

Module 7: Ansible for Network Automation

• Ansible architecture: Inventory, modules, playbooks
• Ansible network modules: cisco.ios, arista.eos, junipernetworks.junos
• Ansible playbook for network configuration
• Ansible roles for network automation
• Ansible Tower/AWX for enterprise automation

Module 8: Terraform for Network Infrastructure

• Terraform basics: Providers, resources, state
• Terraform for AWS network provisioning
• Terraform for Azure and GCP networking
• Terraform for Cisco ACI
• Terraform modules for reusable network code

Module 9: Network APIs and Protocols

• REST APIs for network devices: IOS-XE, Palo Alto, Arista
• NETCONF: YANG data models, get-config, edit-config
• RESTCONF over HTTPS
• gRPC and gNMI for network telemetry
• Postman for network API testing

Module 10: Network Telemetry and Streaming

• Model-driven telemetry vs. SNMP polling
• gNMI/gRPC streaming telemetry
• Telegraf, InfluxDB, Grafana (TIG stack) for network telemetry
• Cisco MDT (Model-Driven Telemetry)
• Visualising network health with Grafana dashboards

Module 11: CI/CD for Network Automation

• Network automation Git workflows
• Testing network code: pytest, nornir-pytest, batfish
• Batfish for network configuration validation
• CI/CD pipeline for network changes: GitLab CI, GitHub Actions
• Automated network change management

Module 12: Capstone Projects

• Python/Netmiko automation: Configure 10 devices from a script
• Ansible playbook: Deploy VLAN and routing config to a lab topology
• Terraform: Build a complete AWS VPC from scratch
• Network telemetry dashboard with TIG stack
• Certification preparation: Cisco DevNet Associate/Professional, Ansible Automation, HashiCorp Terraform Associate

Experience in the Industry Learn from network automation engineers and SDN architects with production experience deploying Cisco ACI, VMware NSX, SD-WAN, and Python/Ansible automation in enterprise environments.

Backgrounds at the Top Our instructors hold Cisco DevNet Professional, VMware NSX-T certifications, and HashiCorp Terraform Associate certifications, with backgrounds at cloud-native companies and large enterprise IT teams.

Clear & Effective Teaching SDN concepts and network automation code are taught with live platform labs, working Python scripts, and Ansible playbook walkthroughs that students can immediately adapt.

Hands-On Learning Focus Students automate real device configurations with Python and Ansible, provision cloud networks with Terraform, build telemetry dashboards, and implement CI/CD pipelines for network changes.

Up-to-Date Knowledge Instructors stay current with Cisco DevNet exam updates, VMware NSX-T latest releases, Cisco Catalyst Centre (DNA Centre) transition, and emerging GitOps for networking practices.