VNX100 Versa Certified SD-WAN Associate Questions and Answers

Security zones in a Versa Secure SD-WAN solution group interfaces into security domains, controlling how traffic is processed and filtered through the network. These zones play a key role in the segmentation of traffic, improving security posture by enforcing distinct policies for different zones. They do not separate routing information into different routing tables or hide interfaces from tenants in a multi-tenant environment; rather, they are integral in the enforcement of security boundaries within the network.

In a Versa Secure SD-WAN solution, security zones are utilized primarily to group interfaces into security domains and provide segmentation of traffic. This approach enhances the security posture by isolating different types of traffic based on organizational policies or compliance requirements, thereby limiting the spread of threats across zones.

• Security Zones Group Interfaces into Security Domains (Answer A): Security zones in Versa SD-WAN are used to group multiple interfaces (either physical or virtual) into distinct domains. This grouping is strategic for enforcing security policies that are specific to a zone. For instance, a zone could be designated for guest access and have different access restrictions and monitoring compared to an employee zone.
• Security Zones Provide Segmentation of Traffic (Answer B): Traffic segmentation within Versa SD-WAN is achieved through the use of security zones. By segmenting traffic, organizations can enforce security policies tailored to the type of traffic or the sensitivity of the data within each segment. This is crucial for controlling resource access and reducing the potential impact of security breaches.

Security zones do not inherently separate routing information into separate routing tables (Option C), nor are they primarily used to hide interfaces from tenants in a multitenant environment (Option D).

References:This detailed explanation is based on the security management practices and capabilities defined in Versa Secure SD-WAN solutions, as outlined in the Versa Networks Academy Library and supplemented by standard network security principles.

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​​.

Versa Secure Access (VSA) is designed to integrate with various authentication servers, including LDAP, and supports multifactor authentication methods like email and time-based OTP, integrating with authentication applications such as Duo, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator. This makes the platform versatile in terms of supporting different enterpriserequirements for user authentication and enhancing security.​

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.

A Versa Analytics reporting view provides the capability to send reports by email, generate reports periodically, and create custom reports. This means administrators can set up automated report generation to be received at specific intervals, providing insights into the network's performance and security posture. These reports can be tailored to specific needs through custom report creation, ensuring relevant data is highlighted and presented as required.

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.

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.​

Versa Director provides real-time monitoring capabilities for all services running in Versa CPE. It offers visibility into the live status, performance, and health of the services, which is crucial for proactive management and rapid troubleshooting of any issues that may arise in the network. This capability enables network administrators to closely monitor the functioning of various services within the CPE and take immediate action if any anomalies are detected​​.

C. Versa Analytics has built-in ping, traceroute, tcpdump, and speed test tools.Versa Analytics is equipped with built-in tools such as ping, traceroute, tcpdump, and speed test capabilities. These tools are essential for diagnosing and resolving network issues. They enable network operators to test connectivity, trace the path of packets across the network, capture traffic for analysis, and measure the bandwidth of network connections. Having these tools integrated within Versa Analytics simplifies the process of network diagnostics and ensures that network operators can efficiently manage and optimize network performance​​​​.

When a CPE device appears in the unknown device list in Versa Director Inventory during Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), it typically indicates a discrepancy in device identification details. Specifically,the device workflow configuration not having the correct serial number of the CPE defined (Answer C)can lead to this issue. The workflow configuration must accurately include the serial number so that Versa Director can recognize and authenticate the device as part of the organization’s network infrastructure. If the serial number in the workflow configuration does not match the serial number of the actual device, the Director will not be able to properly identify and classify the device, thus placing it in the unknown device list.

References:Versa’s official documentation on ZTP outlines the importance of accurate device identifiers in the workflow configuration to ensure successful device onboarding and recognition by the Versa Director.

Versa CPEs are indeed activated using Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), which automates the configuration process and reduces operational complexity. Furthermore, all components of the Versa SD-WAN solution support high availability configurations to ensure continuous operation and minimal disruption in the event of component failures. Versa Director and Versa Controllers can be deployed in redundant configurations, and Versa Analytics can be clustered for resilience and high availability.

The roles of a Versa Controller include onboarding SD-WAN VOS branches into the network and maintaining a secure control channel with each node. The Versa Controller authenticates branch VOS instances, handles management activities between the remote and headend nodes, and distributes control plane information. It does not provide Internet breakout, which is a function typically performed by edge devices at the branches themselves, nor does it provide clock synchronization to the branches, which is generally a function of network protocols like NTP that operate independently of SD-WAN control.​

If the console cable is missing during the unboxing of an SD-WAN CPE for script-based provisioning, the engineer can initiate the provisioning process by connecting a laptop to the management port on the device. The management port provides a direct interface for configuration tasks, allowing the engineer to access the device's command-line interface without the need for the standard console connection.​

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 the context of Versa SD-WAN, Class of Service (CoS) refers to mechanisms within the network that manage traffic prioritization and resource allocation. CoS is essential for ensuring that critical business applications receive the necessary bandwidth and low-latency treatment they require to function effectively.

A.Remarking: Remarking is a process that manipulates the Class of Service bits (in the IP header's DSCP field) or Layer 2 CoS fields (in the VLAN tag's priority code point - PCP). By remarking these fields based on Layer 3 (IP), Layer 4 (TCP/UDP ports), and Layer 7 (application identification) details, the network can differentiate and prioritize traffic. This ensures that critical applications, such as voice and video, are given higher priority over less time-sensitive data.

C.Queuing: Queuing mechanisms within Versa SD-WAN determine how packets are treated as they are processed through the network. Various queues can be assigned different priorities and weights to control the order in which packets are sent out through the network interface. High-priority queues might be reserved for voice traffic to reduce latency, while lower-priority queues could be used for bulk data transfers that are less sensitive to delays.

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.