Cisco SD-WAN Controllers Deployment: Pre-requisites

Understanding Deployment requirements for SD-WAN controllers is crucial for SD-WAN overlay planning. Here are some of important points to consider.

1. Identify the Software release you want to deploy.
   • Cisco SD-WAN controllers must be either same or at higher version than Edges(Routers) version
   • It’s best to deploy a Cisco recommended Golden Release which will also be Extended Support Release. Golden release mark changes over time, so it’s best to check on CCO page.
   • If you are deploying for a Lab to test certain features, then you deploy Standard-Support Release
   • Check more about Software version here – https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/ios-nx-os-software/ios-xe-16/bulletin-c25-2378701.html
   • Also refer the release notes to understand any limitation or software defects fixed list. Release notes link can be located on Software download page for respective release.
   • You can also check min & max version available for your router here.

• Platform for Deployment – There are various options available.
  • Cisco-hosted Cloud Deployment – This is recommended option. Cisco’s Cloud-ops team manages deployment, maintenance and backup of controllers for Cisco-hosted deployment. Cisco uses AWS cloud for it’s cloud deployments.
  • On Prem Deployment – Customer can deploy SD-WAN controllers in their Premises like on ESXi hosts at their Data Centers. Customers can also deploy at Public clouds like AWS, Azure etc themselves.
  • Managed Service Provider (MSP) – Service Providers also provide Cisco SD-WAN controllers to their customers as shared or individual hosted.

Resources requirement for Controller VMs

Cisco has listed resources requirement for Controller VMs based on various factors, like

• Software version
• Single Tenant or Multi-Tenant.
• Number of Edges in overlay.
• SAIE (i.e DPI) feature enabled or not.

Please refer this document for resources requirements for Controllers based on SD-WAN version 20.9.x. Similar document can be found for other software releases.